| Serenity of South India – with Houseboat Stay |
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| India & Nepal - India | |||||||||||||
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Kerala is where India slips down into second gear, stops to smell the roses and always talks to strangers. The real emerald jewel in South India’s crown are the backwaters that meander throughout Kerala. Here, spindly networks of rivers, canals and lagoons nourish a seemingly infinite number of rice paddies and coconut groves, while sleek houseboats cruise the water highways from one bucolic village to another. Your House Boat carries you slowly into the countryside offers a close look into an engaging rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching their cockleshell boats and rural scenery will keep you interested in the exotic back-waters of Kerala.
International FlightsSuggested International Air Itinerary
Los Angeles - Singapore- SQ 27 - 1.05am - 11.35am +1 Free tour to explore Singapore)
Return All flight schedules are subject to change
ItineraryLand Tour Itinerary - 10 days Day 1: Arrival - Madras (Chennai) Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to your Hotel Savera. Day 2: Madras – Mahabalipuram - Madras (B)
AM: Madras city: visit the fort St. George and St. Mary’s church-built by the British East India Company in 1653 AD. A church within the fort was consecrated in 1680. The high court, built in the indo saracenic style and the San Thome cathedral, where St. Thomas the apostle is said to be buried. Marina beach is one of the nicest beaches in this region, popular with the local people. PM: Visit Mahabalipuram: Also known as the Seven Pagodas, Mahabalipuram is a pleasant seaside Resort, 85 kms from Madras. Today the principal attraction of the place to the tourist lies in the wonderful monolithic monuments and stone sculptures of the ancient Pallava Dynasty of Kings who ruled much of the territory now known as Tamil Nadu, from the 16th century AD. These Kings laid the foundations of Dravidian architecture in India and at Mahabalipuram, today, the earliest of these remarkable monuments are to be seen, all hewn out of rocks. The important monuments to be seen are the Five Rathas, the bas-relief on huge rock popularly known as Arjuna's Penance, the Mahisasura Mandapam, the Krishna Mandapam and the shore Temple. Return to Madras for your overnight stay at Hotel Savera. Day 3: Madras/Trichy/Tanjore (B)
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Trichy. Trichy: This town had been the southern sea of power for centuries. Many French and English battles were fought here battling for power when Robert Clive brought victory to the English in 18th century. The rock fort has played an important role in these events. Visit the island of Srirangam, a massive Vishnu temple with seven walls. Later drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at Hotel Parisutham. Day 4: Tanjore - Madurai (B) After breakfast visit the world famous heritage Tanjore temples.
PM: Drive to Madurai (128 kms –3 hrs) check in at your hotel Great Regency. Day 5: Madurai After breakfast visit the Meenakshi Temple Meenakshi Temple: This is an exquisite example of Temples built by the Pandyan Rulers. There are as many as 11 majestic towers with the main entrance from the east. There are two Shrines, one dedicated to Sundreswarar and the other to his consort Meenakshi. The hall in front of the Sundareswarar shrine is known as Kampathadi Mandapam. The different manifestations of Lord Shiva are depicted on the pillars of this hall. The hall of thousand pillars is the most interesting feature. This remarkable structure was built in the 16th century. The pillars here have a repeated motif of the Stylized Dragon. There are musical pillars in one of the outer enclosures. Each pillar sounds a different note when struck. Inside, a pillared Portico surrounds he sacred Golden Lotus Tank. According to a legend, this tank was once used to judge the Merits of Tamil Literary Works. Manuscripts of great worth would float on its discerning waters, while those lacking in merit would sink. The Temple Art Gallery is interesting. Witness the Pooja (Worship) ceremony in the evening. Overnight at Hotel Great Regency. Day 6: Madurai/Periyar (B/D)
After breakfast visit the Meenakshi Temple Meenakshi Temple: This is an exquisite example of Temples built by the Pandyan Rulers. There are as many as 11 majestic towers with the main entrance from the east. There are two Shrines, one dedicated to Sundreswarar and the other to his consort Meenakshi. The hall in front of the Sundareswarar shrine is known as Kampathadi Mandapam. The different manifestations of Lord Shiva are depicted on the pillars of this hall. The hall of thousand pillars is the most interesting feature. This remarkable structure was built in the 16th century. The pillars here have a repeated motif of the Stylized Dragon. There are musical pillars in one of the outer enclosures. Each pillar sounds a different note when struck. Inside, a pillared Portico surrounds he sacred Golden Lotus Tank. According to a legend, this tank was once used to judge the Merits of Tamil Literary Works. Manuscripts of great worth would float on its discerning waters, while those lacking in merit would sink. The Temple Art Gallery is interesting. Witness the Pooja (Worship) ceremony in the evening. Overnight at Hotel Great Regency. Day 7: Periyar/Kettuvallam (B/L/D)
Kettuvallam: Adapted and modernized from the traditional Kettuvallam (Rice Boat) of Kerala, the Kettuvallam is an experience in itself. Large and comfortable amenities you could ask for. A large, secluded bedroom, an attached bathroom, a full fledged kitchen with a spacious dining area. And a sundeck where you can laze on wicker chairs as you watch the world go by. The Kettuvallam comes complete with a full time chef to cook you the catch of the day or whatever else that you might fancy and two attendants are always at your beck and call to serve your needs. Your House Boat carries you slowly into the countryside offers a close look into an engaging rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching their cockleshell boats and rural scenery will keep you interested in the exotic back-waters of Kerala.
Lunch and dinner at the houseboat. Day 8: Kettuvallam/Cochin (B) Early in the morning enjoy a panoramic view of sunrise from the deck of your houseboat. After breakfast cruise towards Alleppey through interesting countryside. Arrive at Alleppey by the rice boat and drive to Cochin (2 hrs). On arrival check-in at your Hotel Trident Hilton. Eve: Enjoy the Kathakali dance performance in a theater. You will get there one hour early to see the artists putting on the exquisite make –up. Day 9: Cochin (B)
Optional - PM: Indian home visit with Kerala cuisine cooking demonstration and Dinner. ($45 per person, extra) Overnight at Hotel Trident Hilton. Day 10: Cochin/Departure (B) Room until noon. Later transfer to Cochin International airport for your flight home.
END OF TOUR/OUR SERVICES *Note: Airline flight schedules are subject to change. The itinerary may be altered due to these changes, or any other reason beyond our control. All driving times are approximate and depend on local conditions. (B-B’fast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
QuotationSouth India Quotation – Superior 4* Hotels
Land & Domestic India Cost – Per Itinerary – 10 Days
Price Includes
Price Excludes International Airfare and taxes are not included. Choice of Cathay Pacific Airways via Hong Kong (LAX – Madras – LAX) or Singapore Airlines via Singapore (LAX – MADRAS and return from Cochin). Charges for services of a personal nature, such as personal tipping, telephone, Laundry, room service, airport taxes, trip/baggage insurance, visa/passport fees, Camera/video fees, extra meals and beverages and any items not specifically mentioned.
Booking InfoPassport Your passport must be valid for six (6) months beyond your last date of travel and contain a minimum of two blank pages. Visa A visa is required for travel to India and we can assist you with this. The cost for the visa for India is $90.00 per person. Visit: http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com . Insurance
We highly recommend trip cancellation insurance and we can assist
you in obtaining this valuable coverage, at competitive rates.
We request a deposit of $500.00 per person, to proceed with all reservations. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure, and final documents are sent 30 days prior to departure.
We request a signed copy of our terms and conditions which details our cancellation policies and terms of booking. We also need a clear copy of your passport. (Please enlarge to 120%). All rates are quoted are based on current tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change. Government taxes are based on current rates and are subject to change. Rates quoted are valid for travel in 2009. We accept all major credit cards. Airfares All airfares quoted are subject to change, unless ticketed. All discount fares are subject to penalties for changes and cancellations after ticketing. No mileage credit on Discount Economy fare in quotation.
NOTE: We reserve the right to change or alter the itinerary when circumstances beyond our control deem it necessary.
Please contact us for bookings and information. |
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2009 - 10 days
Tanjore (Thanjavur): Tanjore was the capital of Chola Empire from the 10th to 14th century A.D. built in 1003 a.d. by King Rajaraja. This temple is considered the grandest and finest in India. The majestic tower of the temple rises 216 ft. high over the city. The temple is capped by a monolithic cupola formed by a single granite block weighing 80 tones. This enormous stone is said to have been positioned by moving it along an inclined plane which commenced in a village 6 km. away - a technique adopted by the pyramid-builders of ancient Egypt.
Drive Periyar to Kottayam to the jetty. On arrival check-in at your Houseboat known as the VAMBANADU KETTUVALLAM. ((Non- air -conditioned)
AM: Cochin: Visit to the Cochin Harbor Terminus, Mattancheery Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin Area-St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets. Also at Ernakulam, the Public Gardens, Colleges, High Court Building and Broadway Shopping Centre.
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