Package Tour of South India - IOYO 50

14 Nights / 15 Days Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Chettinad - Rameshwaram - Madurai - Munnar - Periyar - Alleppey - Mararikulam - Kochi

Day 01:- Chennai Mahabalipuram
Arrive Chennai and drive directly to Mahabalipuram. Overnight Mahabalipuram.

Day 02: Mahabalipuram Pondicherry
Morning city tour. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. Later drive to Pondicherry. Overnight Pondicherry.

Day 03:- Pondicherry
The capital of French India before independence, Pondicherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the revered sage of the south & excavations near-by reveal that a Roman settlement existed here 2000 years ago. It was the theatre of many a battle between the British. Afternoon free. Overnight Pondicherry.

Day 04:- Pondicherry Tanjore (Thanjavur)
Drive to Thanjavur. Overnight Thanjavur.

Day 05:- Thanjavur Chettinad
Morning city tour. The beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. Later drive to Chettinad and transfer to hotel. Overnight Chettinad,

Day 06:- Chettinad Rameshwaram
Chettinad is the ancestral home of the Nattukottai Chettiyars, a prosperous banking community successful in the oversea business markets in South and Southeast Asia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are a total of 76 villages and Karaikudi is the largest one. Chettinad is famous for its houses for its unique, spicy, and very tasty cuisine. Drive to Rameshwaram. Overnight Rameshwaram.

Day 07:- Rameshwaram

The island of Rameshwaram spreads out over a 56 km swell with gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of casuarina trees and stark palms. This is a sacred place for Hindus since according to Ramayana, this is where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana. A dip into the sacred waters of the Agnitheertham which was calmed by Rama is a must for Hindus. Overnight Rameshwaram.

Day 08:- Rameshwaram Madurai
Morning drive to Madurai. Afternoon city tour. Visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Overnight Madurai.

Day 09:- Madurai Munnar
Morning drive to Munnar. Overnight Munnar.

Day 10:- Munnar
Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country.Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial Days. Munnar has an un-ending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests with aroma of spice scented cool air. Overnight Munnar.

Day 11:- Munnar Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar. The earliest sanctuary to be set up in 1934, it extends to 777 square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. Overnight Periyar.

Day 12:- Periyar Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Morning drive to Alleppey. The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian Sea is the Venice of the East, for the numerous canals that meander through the town. Bathing in the backwaters on the Vemband Lake is refreshing. This town holds a thrilling event of snake-boat race every year in August. It is also known for its cashew nuts, coir trade, rice, pepper crops & coconuts. Overnight Alleppey.

Day 13:- Alleppey
Embark a rice houseboat. The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian Sea is the Venice of the East, for the numerous canals that meander through the town. Bathing in the backwaters on the Vemband Lake is refreshing. This town holds a thrilling event of snake-boat race every year in August. It is also known for its cashew nuts, coir trade, rice, pepper crops & coconuts. Night on board.

Day 14:- Alleppey Mararikulam
Drive to Mararikulam. Overnight Mararikulam.

Day 15:- Mararikulam Cochin
Drive to Cochin airport
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