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DAY 14
|
BHUBANESHWAR / CHENNAI
(FORMERLY MADRAS) |
|
|
Transfer to the
airport to board flight for Chennai. Check-in at hotel. Rest
of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in
Chennai. |
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DAY 15
| CHENNAI |
|
|
Morning, proceed
for excursion to Mahaballipuram. Pallava rulers in the 7th &
8th centuries built the stone temples in the form of chariots
on the shores of Bay of Bengal. Also in the vicinity is the
gigantic bas-relief depicting the myth of how the holy river
Ganges came down to earth. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai. |
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DAY 16
| CHENNAI |
|
|
Early morning,
proceed to Kalashetra and attend the prayer ceremonies. In the
afternoon, explore Chennai, which is a home of mixture of
Christian, British and Indian cultures. Visit the Indian Art
Gallery & Museum with its outstanding collection of Indian
sculptures; the Cathedral of St. Thomas associated with the
Apostle of St. Thomas and Mylapore temple. Also visit Fort St.
George. Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai . |
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DAY 17
| CHENNAI
/ TIRUCHIRAPALLI /
TANJORE |
|
|
Transfer to the
airport to board flight for Tiruchirapalli. In Tiruchirapalli,
visit Srirangam Temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. Summits
of the many shrines of this and other Dravidian temples are
crowned with rows of pots. Further, drive down to Tanjore.
Check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Tanjore. |
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DAY 18
| TANJORE |
|
|
Morning, visit
the Brihadeshwar Temple, one of the finest examples of Chola
architecture. In front of the temple you will see a
beautifully carved massive black granite sculpture of Nandi
(the Bull). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel
in Tanjore. |
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|
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DAY 19
| TANJORE
/ MADURAI |
|
|
Morning drive to
Madurai. Check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure.
Evening experience the temple ceremonies. Overnight stay at
hotel in Madurai. |
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DAY 20
|
MADURAI |
|
|
Morning, visit
the famous Meenakshi temple where Dravidian architecture may
be seen in its exuberant baroque phase. Its hall of thousand
pillars is fabulous and is filled with worshipers at all hours
of the day. Further, drive down to Tirumal Nayak's Palace,
which is built in a highly decorative style and was once
compared to the ancient monuments of Thebes. Rest of the day
free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai. |
|
|
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DAY 21
| MADURAI
/ THEKKADY |
|
|
Morning, drive
down to Thekkady. Check-in at the hotel. Later in the
afternoon, enjoy the boat-ride on Periyar Lake and witness
wildlife in the vicinity. Overnight in Thekkady. |
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DAY 22
|
THEKKADY / KUMARAKOM |
|
|
Morning is free
to visit the Spice Gardens. Later in the afternoon, drive to
Kumarakom. Check-in at hotel. Overnight in Kumarakom. |
|
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DAY 23
|
KUMARAKOM |
|
|
Day free at
leisure to plan your own sightseeing in and around Kumarakom.
Overnight in Kumarakom. |
|
|
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DAY 24
|
KUMARAKOM / ALLEPEY /
COCHIN |
|
|
Morning take the
backwater cruises, which is also known as "Venice of the
East". You will pass the lined palm trees, canals and lagoons
where most of the activities of this busy yet charming city
takes place. Further visit a coir factory where the mats are
made by the colorful dyed and dried coconut fibers. Arrive at
Allepey and further drive to Cochin. Check-in at hotel.
Overnight in Cochin. |
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DAY 25
| COCHIN |
|
|
Because of its
position on the southwest coast of India, Kerala has absorbed
influences from many foreign cultures. In the morning visit
the Jewish Synagogue, built over 400 years ago by the large
Jewish colony, which existed then. We also stop at St. Francis
church the first European church in India. Rest day at
leisure. Overnight in Cochin. |
|
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DAY 26
| COCHIN
/ OOTY |
|
|
Morning drive to
Ooty. Check-in at hotel. Rest day free at leisure. Overnight
in Ooty. |
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