SOUTH INDIAN VOYAGE
DAY
01 COCHIN TO ALLEPPEY Arrive Cochin airport by morning. Garland
welcome, assistance and transfer to Cochin, one of South India's most
interesting towns, still largely comprises low rise, picturesque buildings.
Most of the historic buildings listed here are in Fort Kochi. We start our
sightseeing with Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557) as a
gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights, it was largely
rebuilt by the new occupants, the Dutch. Further visit Jewish Synagogue
adjascent to the Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt
in 1662) at the heart of what is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating
mixture of shops (some selling antiques), warehouses and spice auction
rooms. Lateron drive to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church
originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal, St.
Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, European influenced
tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried
in the cemetery. Fourteen years later his body was removed to Portugal. Our
final visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing nets line the entrance to the
harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced
them in the late 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are know by
Portuguese names.
Late afternoon drive to Alleppey (about
60kms/02hrs), check into the hotel located on the banks of Vembanadu lake.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM
After breakfast we embark our houseboat that comprises twin rooms, with
attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and
enjoy the sights on the shore. We start our sail through scenic backwaters,
passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done
below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by
mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the
traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary's Church,
established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of
village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to
this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the
backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. O/n
Houseboat.
DAY 03 KUMARAKOM TO KOTTAYAM TO
PERIYAR After breakfast disembark from the houseboat at Kumarakom
and further drive to Periyar (about 135kms/03hrs) via Kottayam. The road to
the hills rises from the plains through tropical evergreen forests, rubber
and spice plantations, pepper on the low land gives rise to tea and cardamom
plantations. It is an interesting drive with superb views down the east side
of the Ghats onto the Tamil Nadu plains. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
Set on attractive Periyar Lake side, is in a beautiful setting and was
designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though Tigers are very rarely
seen and it is better know for its elephants, which are very likely to be
seen until Mar/Apr. Most bull elephants here are tuskless. Bison, Sambar,
Wild boar and the barking Deer are fairly common. In addition to 246 species
of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly. The sanctuary offers a lovely
and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake,
which the wildlife area encircles. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 PERIYAR TO VARKALA TO KOVALAM
After an early breakfast drive to Kovalam (about 290kms/06 ½ hrs),
enroute visit Varkala beach and Trivandrum city. Upon arrival in Kovalam,
check into the hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 KOVALAM
The day at leisure on the beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY
06 KOVALAM TO KANYAKUMARI TO MADURAI After an early breakfast drive
to Kanyakumari (about 90kms/03hrs), Enroute visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace
which is famous for its wooden works. Upon arrival in Kanyakumari, a short
visit to the Vivekananda rock and the Temple. Late afternoon drive to
Madurai (about 235kms/05 hrs), check into the hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY
07 MADURAI After breakfast visit the alive and bustling temple of
Meenakshi (fish eyed goddess). It has occupied a vital place in the history
of Tamil Nadu state for over 2000 years, an on any day up to 15,000 people
pass through its gates. Further make a short drive to visit the Tirumalai
Naykar Palace. Afternoon free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
08 MADURAI TO MUNNAR After breakfast drive to Munnar (about
125kms/03hrs), situated in the heart of the Cardamom Hills, at an altitude
of 1700m, Munnar is surrounded by endless green, rolling hills and 30 of the
world's highest tea estates. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Rest of the
day free to relax or stroll around the tea gardens. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 MUNNAR TO OOTY After
an early breakfast drive to Ooty (about 310kms/07hrs), Enroute visit to
Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports
the largest population of Nilgiri Thar existing in the world now. A wide
variety of plant life is present here. The Nilgiri Tahr is seen in the
Highlands and rocky regions of this national park. Explore the sanctuary by
walking; the views are superb from here. Upon arrival in Ooty, check into
the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
10 OOTY TO MYSORE After breakfast we make a short drive to visit
the Dodabetta, the second highest peak in Western Ghat range. And after
doing a short visit to the lake area, we further drive to Mysore (about
155kms/04hrs) via Mudumalai and Bandipur Sanctuary. Upon arrival, check into
the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
11 MYSORE We enjoy our morning sightseeing tour with the impressive
Maharaja's Palace, designed by Henry Irwin and built in 1897. It is in the
Indo-Saracenic style in grand proportions, with domes, arches and colonnades
of carved pillars and shiny marble floors - 'Wondrous Kitsch'. Further
excursion 35kms drive to Somnathapur where you can see the famous 13th
century temple well known for its great architectural beauty. The star
shaped temple with three shrines named after Prasanna Chenna Keshava is the
latest and well-preserved heritage of Hoysala architecture. Back to Mysore
and relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 MYSORE TO
CHIKAMAGALUR After an early breakfast drive to Chikamagalur (about
190kms/05hrs), Enroute visit the Gomatheswara Statue in Shravanabelagola and
the Belur & Halebid to see the Chennakesava Temple & famous the
Hoysalesvara Temple, the largest of Hoysala temples. Upon arrival in
Chikamagalur, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 13 CHIKAMAGALUR TO HOSPET TO HAMPI
After an early breakfast drive to Hampi (about 332 kms/08hrs), via visiting
Chitradurga Fort of Seven Rounds, which was built in the 17th century by
Nayak Poligars, semi-independent landlords who fled South after the collapse
of the Vijayanagar Empire in 1565. Upon arrival in Hampi, check into the
resort. O/n Hotel.
DAY 14 HAMPI After
breakfast visit of Hampi, also known as '
THE FORT OF VICTORY -
VIJAYANAGARA'. Situated on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in the
region of Bellary, is a vast site of monuments and ruins, a mute witness to
an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi, are so
majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded,
awestruck and humbled. Visit the Virupaksha Temple, rises majestically at
the western end of a 670m long street that was once the famous Hampi bazaar.
This is the only temple at Hampi that is still used for worship. The most
splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly The Vitthala Temple Complex. The
56 pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck. To the east
of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually
revolve! Hampi is full of such surprises. Back to hotel and relax. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 15 HAMPI The day free to
relax and stroll around the ruins of Vijayanagara empire. O/n Hotel.
DAY
16 HAMPI TO BADAMI After breakfast drive to Badami (about 165kms/04
hrs), enroute visit the Pattadakal, situated on the left bank of the
Malaprabha River. This World Heritage Centre has 10 major temples
representing early Chalukyan architecture. Further drive to visit the
'Cradle of Indian Architecture', Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered
around the village. After visiting the famous temples, drive to Badami and
check into the hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY 17 BADAMI TO
GOA After an early breakfast visit Badami, was the capital of Early
Chalukyas, picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky
hills. Visit the Cave Temples and further drive to Goa (about 270kms/06hrs),
check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
India