Travelpack

Highlights: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Chettinad - Madurai - Periyar - Alleppey - Cochin

Hotel featured or similar:
Mahabalipuram - Ideal Beach Resort
Pondicherry - Maison Perumal
Tanjore - Great Trails River View
Cheittnad - The Bangala
Madurai - Heritage Madurai
Periyar - Cardamom County
Backwaters - Houseboat
Cochin - Francis Residency

Please note
* This is a quotation only and not confirmation of the arrangements.
* All schedules and ground prices are subject to change
* All the flights and accommodation are subject to availability at the actual time of receiving the go ahead from your end
* Check in and check out timing of the hotels will be according to the timing of the respective hotel
* Complimentary usage of WIFI is as per the respective hotel policy
* Any Hike in Fuel and Indian Government taxes. Cost will be revised and same will be advised well in advance
* Offered special rates will not be applicable on Sold Out Dates, City Event Dates and Black Out Dates.

Itinerary:
10th Nov’22 Thu: London Heathrow to Dubai to Dubai by flight

11th Nov’22 Fri: Dubai to Chennai by flight
Chennai to Mahabalipuram by surface (Approx. 60 kms, 2 Hrs)
0815 Hrs: Arrive Chennai airport
Upon arrival at Chennai airport welcome, meet and assist by our representative and drive to Mahabalipuram Upon arrival at Mahabalipuram, check in at Hotel
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

12th Nov’22 Sat: Mahbalipuram
After breakfast proceed to visit Mahabalipuram to see the Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram was derived from Mamallapuram (town of "Mamalla", the great wrestler) the name given to Narasimhavarman Pallavamalla, the Pallava ruler who made the port famous in the 7th century. He was largely responsible for the Temples. There are 14 Cave temples, 9 monolithic rathas (Shrines in the shape of Rathas or temple chariots), 3 stone temples and 4 relief sculptured rock panels. The nature of the area, with its 2 natural granite gneiss mounds, lent itself to rock cut architecture. There are also structural temples. Another characteristic feature of the Temples here was the system of water channels and tanks drawn from the river)
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

13th Nov’22 Sun: Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry by surface (Approx. 90 kms, 3 Hrs)
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast. The quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual scene, the endless stretches of unspoilt virgin beaches, The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises of four coastal regions – Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
Upon arrival at Pondicherry, check in at Hotel
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

14th Nov’22 Mon: Pondicherry
After breakfast proceed to visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony
Aurobindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10 kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter.
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

15th Nov’22 Tue: Pondicherry to Tanjore by surface (Approx. 200 kms, 4-5 hrs)
Today after breakfast drive to Tanjore via Chidambaram – the town is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple, and the annual chariot festival, Gangaikondacholapuram – temple is an architectural and engineering marvel because the shadow of the main tower never falls on the ground throughout the year
Later continue drive to Tanjore
Upon arrival at Tanjore, check in at hotel
Overnight stay at hotel

16th Nov’22 Wed: Tanjore to Chettinad by surface (Approx. 160 Kms, 4 Hrs)
In the morning visit Thanjavur's Brihadisvara temple, a World Heritage Site. The temple was built in 10th century with an unusual feature of massive cupola carved out of single granite block weighing 80 tons on the top of this 66.5 m tall structure.
Later drive to Chettinad
Upon arrival at Chettinad, check in at Hotel
Overnight stay at Hotel

17th Nov’22 Thu: Chettinad to Madurai by surface (80 Kms, 2 Hrs)
Morning Yoga session
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Chettinad to Madurai - The city of Madurai was planned and laid out on the pattern of a lotus flower, with the famous Meenakshi Temple in the centre. Legend has it, that a drop of nectar (Mathuram) from Lord Shiva’s looks feel here. So, the city came to be known as Madurai- the city of nectar
Upon arrival at Madurai, check in Hotel
Evening enjoy cooking demonstration followed by Dinner
Overnight stay at Hotel

18th Nov’22 Fri: Madurai
Today after breakfast enjoy city tour of Madurai visiting Meenakshi Temple – Meenakshi Temple 17thcentury Meenakshi Temple, in the heart of old town, is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Meenakshi. It is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture. The high point of the temple is the hall of a "Thousand Pillars" and just outside this hall are the famous musical pillars. Here the iconography makes much use of the lotus, which in Indian symbolism is a representation of the female sex and an emblem of bliss and abode of gods. The Teppakkulam Tank – This tank, 5 km cast of the old city, covers an area almost equal to that of the Meenakshi Temple and is the site of the popular Teppam Festival. for most of the year, however, it is empty save for local kids playing cricket in it. The tank was built by Tirumalai Nayak in 1646 and is connected to the Vaigai River by underground channels. The Tirumala Nayak Palace –The palace building constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style is considered to be an architectural feat. Built in the 17th Century, the palace has a number of pillars and 15 domes. The beautiful arches are unique in their ornamental workmanship. The sound and light show conducted here depicts the story of Silappathikaram and the life of Tirumala Nayak.

Enjoy your rickshaw tour of Madurai today. It begins with a visit on foot to the Meenakshi temple to allow you to take it in at your own pace. From here you can enjoy your rickshaw ride, taking in the markets, Vaigai River and Thirumalai Palace.
Overnight stay at Hotel

19th Nov’22 Sat: Madurai to Periyar by surface (Approx. 180 Kms, 4 Hrs)
After breakfast drive from Madurai to Periyar - The scenic drive takes you through green hills with forests, plantations of tea, spices and rubber, streams and waterfalls.
Upon arrival at Periyar, check in at Hotel
In the afternoon visit plantations of tea, cardamom, and pepper
Overnight stay at Hotel

20th Nov’22 Sun: Periyar to Alleppey by surface (Approx. 145 Kms, 4 Hrs)
In the morning take a boat ride on the lake in the Periyar National Park, a ‘Project Tiger’ reserve. A boat ride is the only way to observe closely the giant of Periyar – Elephants and Gaurs (The giant Indian Bison) without disturbing them on their way (Subject to availability)

After breakfast checkout from hotel and drive to Alleppey boat jetty to embark Houseboat - The Kettuvallam - the typical House Boats. Houseboats are traditional country boats, which used to carry tons of cargo in the backwater region in ancient times, have now been converted with one or two bed rooms with attached bath, kitchenette and a sitting area.
Overnight stay on Houseboat

21st Nov’22 Mon: Alleppey to Cochin by surface (Approx. 2 Hrs)
After breakfast disembark houseboat and drive to Cochin
Upon arrival at Cochin, check in at Hotel
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

22nd Nov’22 Tue: Cochin
After breakfast proceed to visit the Drive Pass Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday) – The place has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata & Ramayana, Drive Pass Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Friday & Saturday) – the oldest synagogue in the world is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers, was built in 1568. St. Francis Church: is the oldest church built by Europeans in India & Huge, elegant Chinese fishing nets that line the tip of Fort Kochi.

Evening you will Witness the Kathakali Dance Show.
Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala dates from the 17th century. Kathakali recitals are drama and are danced with elaborate masks and costumes. They are emotive and narrative, while other dance forms have either one of them. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make-up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions.
Overnight stay at Hotel

23rd Nov’22 Wed: Cochin to Dubai by flight
Dubai to London Heathrow by flight
Transfer from Hotel to Cochin airport in time to board flight for London Heathrow via Dub

Quote does not include:
* Visa Fees & Travel Insurance
* Any vehicle on leisure days
* Expenses of personal nature such as soft drinks, liquor, laundry, tips, telephone calls, porter age, visa fees, camera fees, etc
Anything not mentioned in above inclusion

Offer Includes

Meal Plans