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south india
temple tour
(Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Kancheepuram-Pondicherry-Trichy-
Tanjavur-Madurai-Kanyakumari-Kovalam-Alleppey-Cochin)
From the time immemorial, India has been a spiritually enlightened country consecrated by Rishis and temples of worship. Holy places like Kashi and Rameswaram have magnificent Temples which, besides their spiritual significance, are noted for their antiquity and historical importance. The artistic excellence and the architectural specialities of Konark and Khajuraho are so indescribable that they always attract not only the pilgrims from within the country but also swarms of tourists from abroad.
Day 1 Chennai
(15 kms/½hr):
Meet and greet on arrival by Concept Voyages'
representative
at Chennai and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight
stay at hotel.
Day 2 Chennai-Mahabalipuram (58 kms/1½hrs): After breakfast,
checkout and drive to Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram was once a flourishing
port of the Pallavas of ancient India. The monuments and sculptures are
world renowned and attracts tourists from all over the world. En route
sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram covering the shore temple, Arjuna’s
penance, Artisans village. Check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3 Mahabalipuram-Kancheepuram-Mahabalipuram
(150kms/4hrs):
After breakfast, proceed to Kancheepuram, the city of Thousand
Temples - one of the seven sacred cities and considered as the second
holiest place in India. It was successively the capital of the Pallavas,
the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. Kancheepuram is also famous for
its hand woven silk fabrics. Half day sightseeing of this temple town.
Afternoon back to Mahabalipuram. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4 Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry (100kms/3hrs): After breakfast,
drive to Pondicherry. Pondicherry is a charming coastal town with a few
enduring pockets of French culture and an ashram. On arrival check in to
hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, covering the
Arabindo
Ashram, Aroville meditation hall . Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5 Pondicherry-Trichy (206 kms/5hrs): Breakfast at hotel.
Checkout and drive to Trichy. Situated on the banks of the Cauvery river,
this city was a Chola citadel from the Sangam age. The famous landmark of
this town is the Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a
massive rocky out crop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over
the old city. On arrival check in to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Trichy covering Rockfort and Srirangam - known for its Vishnavite temple
dedicated to Lord Ranganathaswamy. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 6 Trichy-Tanjavur-Trichy (55kms/1½hrs): After breakfast at
hotel, proceed to Tanjavur. The home of Carnatic music, musical
instruments, dance and traditional handicrafts, Thanjavur is famous for
Brahadeeshwarar Temple. The temple, constructed more than a thousand years
ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architect’s marvel. Afternoon
return back to Trichy. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7 Trichy–Madurai (129kms/3hrs): After breakfast drive to
Madurai, the 2000 years old capital of Pandayan Kings. Madurai is known as
the temple town of South India and is the second largest city of Tamil
Nadu. Once the capital city of Pandyas, Madurai is famous for the
Meenakshi Temple, with its towering gopurams and rare sculptures and
Thiurmalai Naicker Palace. On arrival check in to hotel. Rest of the day
at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8 Madurai: Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a sightseeing tour
of the city covering Thirumalai Naicker Palace and Meenakshi temple.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9 Madurai-Kanyakumari (253kms/6hrs): After breakfast drive to
Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India which is a confluence of 3
oceans – the Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. On arrival check
in to hotel. Besides its importance as a pilgrim centre, it is famous for
its beautiful views of sunrise, sunset and moonrises over the waters.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10 Kanyakumari-Kovalam (100kms/3hrs): After breakfast drive to
Kovalam, assisted
by Concept Voyages' representative. En route visit Sucheendram Temple; a well-known temple dedicated
to Lord Vishnu and Padmanabhapuram palace, the residence of the erstwhile
Rajas of Travancore. Check in at hotel in Kovalam beach. Overnight stay at
hotel.
Day 11 Kovalam: Kovalam is a world renowned beach resort of Kerala
with a clam, blue and sunny beach ideal for swimming. The leisure options
at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, Ayurvedic
herbal body toning massage, special cultural programmes, catamaran
cruising . Full day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12 Kovalam: Full day at leisure for shopping or personal
activities. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13 Kovalam-Alleppey (176kms/4hrs): After breakfast, drive to
Alleppey, assisted
by Concept Voyages' representative. Embark on a Houseboat for a 22 hours Alleppey round cruise
through the backwaters. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast
network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it,
Alleppey is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the
‘Venice of the East’ this backwater country is also home to diverse animal
and bird life. Today you will cruise through the world famous backwaters
of Kerala. All meals on board. Overnight stay in houseboat.
Day 14 Alleppey-Cochin (64kms/2hrs): After breakfast on houseboat,
disembark at Alleppey and drive to Cochin. Cochin – the ‘Queen of Arabian
Sea’ is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the
finest natural harbours in the world. The ancient
Temples,
Churches and
Synagogues in this district are of special interest to archeologists and
historians. Chinese fishing nets, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch palace and the
Bolgatty palace in Cochin enrich the heritage of Kerala. On arrival check
in to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the city. Overnight stay at
hotel.
Day 15 Cochin (60kms/1½hrs): Transfer to Cochin Airport to connect
departure flight for onward destination.
End of Tour!
Tour Booking Code: CVSP-08
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