COROMANDAL TO MALABAR
South of the Indian peninsula, the eastern Coromandal
coast along the Bay of Bengal has retained the beauty
and purity of the ancient Dravidian culture that
remained almost untouched by the Aryan invasions
of the North. Temples of Tamil Nadu were the fulcrum
of society. The art forms that have their origin
in religious worship, continue to colour daily life
here. The Malabar coast along the Arabian sea is
a tropical paradise of undulating palms and sandy
beaches, hill resorts, spectacular temples, backwater
cruises and friendly people.
MADRAS / MAMALLAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM
/ MADURAI / PERlYAR / COCHIN / KUMARAKOM / KOVALAM
Day 1. MADRAS / MAMALLAPURAM (80
kms)
Arrive Madras. Transfer to Mamallapuram. Check into
beach resort. Post lunch tour of the 7th century
Pallava cave temples and monoliths, stone temples
and sculptured rock panels. Evening at leisure on
the beach. Overnight Mamallapuram.
Day 2. MAMALLAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM
/ MADRAS (2 hrs)
Morning drive to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile capital
of the Pallavas and Cholas, visit its numerous temples
dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses. It is also
home to the weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks.
Arrive Madras in the afternoon. Check into hotel.
Evening tour of Fort St.George, St. Mary's church,
the oldest Anglican church east of the Suez and
the Basilica of St. Thomas, believed to have been
built by St.Thomas, the apostle. Also visit the
Snake Park and the Parathasarthy temple. Visit the
interesting Madras crafts center - Dakshina Chitra.
Overnight Madras.
Day 3. MADRAS / MADURAI
Morning flight to Madurai. Transfer to hotel. Later
proceed on city tour visiting the temples which
are a city within a city built in the Dravidian
style, one for Shiva and other for spouse Meenakshi.
Also visit Teppa Kulu, a tank with an island temple.
Overnight Madurai.
Day 4. MADURAI / PERIYAR (4 hrs):
Proceed by road to Periyar. Check into Spice Village
set in the heart of the cardamom hills of Kerala.
The village lies just outside Periyar Tiger Reserve
and a stay here is a perfect way to appreciate the
environment. This is a place for anyone who loves
nature to fill your lung with fresh air, to savour
the rich fragrance of cinnamon and cloves or to
watch young elephants at the water's edge. Day at
leisure to visit nearby coffee plantations, spice
gardens with pepper vines or a trek deep into the
tropical forest. Overnight Spice Village.
Day 5. PERIYAR :
Tour of Periyar wildlife sanctuary by boat or elephant
to view a rich variety of wildlife- tiger,
elephant, wild boar, deer and monkeys. Overnight
Spice Village.
Day 6. PERIYAR / COCHIN (3hrs) :
Drive to Cochin. Check into hotel. Evening sunset
cruise to view Chinese fishing nets and the Bolghaty
island palace. Later view traditional Kathakali
classical dance. Overnight Cochin.
Day 7. COCHIN / KUMARAKOM (3 hrs)
:
Morning city tour visiting the Dutch Mattancherry
palace, and the Jewish synagogue. Later drive to
Kumarakom. Check into cottages of the heritage Coconut
Lagoon Resort situated in the backwaters. Overnight
Coconut Lagoon & day free to explore the backwaters
and the lake by quiet motor-boats and canoes through
water channel or visit the bird sanctuary on the
opposite bank or just relax and enjoy "Pizhichic",
a particularly energising Ayurvedic oil massage.
Day 9. KUMARAKOM / ALLEPPEY / KOVALAM:
Drive to Alleppey, also Known as the "Venice
of the east" for a threehour backwater cruise
upto Kottayam. It gives auniquely quaint view of
the unspoiled village life of Kerala, past lush
green paddy fields, coconut and banana groves. From
Kottayam drive to Kovalam (2 hrs). Check into your
beach resort. Overnight Kovalam.
Day 10. KOVALAM:
Full day at leisure to enjoy water sports etc. Overnight
Kovalam.
Day 11. KOVALAM:
Full day at leisure at the beach for independent
activities. Overnight Kovalam.
Day 12. KOVALAM / TRIVANDRUM :
Transfer to Trivandrum to board flight to Delhi
/ Bombay.
OPTIONS AND EXTENSIONS
Day 1.
Extension to Pondicherry from Madras to visit Mother's
ashram and Auroville.
Day 2.
Day return tour of Kanyakumari India's southern-most
tip from Kovalam.
Day 3.
Extension to Munnar from Periyar.
Day 4.
Extension to Bangaram Island resort in Lakshadweep
for scuba diving swimming and water sports.
Day 5. }
Extension to Maldives from Trivandrum or Andamans
from Madras.
Day 6. HOUSEBOAT CRUISES IN THE
BACKWATERS OF KERALA (POSSIBLE INTERESTING VARIATION).
The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the
most enduring images of the backwaters - its natural
cocoon like profile complementing the surrounding
countryside. Known as a 'Keftuvallam', these palm-covered
country boats were designed to carry heavy cargo
such as coconuts and spices and to provide living
accommodation for the boatmen. Two of them have
been adapted to offer holiday makers the ultimate
backwater experience. Preserving their historic
character and style, craftsmen have created a unique
atmosphere on board- a luxurious, self contained
world from which to observe rural Indian life flowing
gently by. Whether it is an exploratory, overnight
cruise through narrow canals. a gentle circumnavigation
around the still, vast waters of lake Vembanad,
or a longer passage from Cochin to Alleppey, the
experience will be quite different from any other
holiday. The chefs only serve traditional houseboat
fare (the spice content can be reduced, if required),
including freshly caught Karimeen otherwise known
as Pearlspot, a delicious backwater fish - local
vegetables and rice. Beer, too served on board,
and other drinks can be ordered and brought on before
departure.
Day 7. AYURVEDIC MASSAGES
Ayurveda or the science of life, is almost as old
as Indian civilization. Using only natural products,
itadopts a holistic approach, harmonising the body,
mind and soul. There are no distressing side effects
and it is an internationally acclaimed form of healing,
particularly in relation to arthritis and other
joint complaints. The clinic at Coconut Lagoon is
run by a fully qualified physician or "Vaidya"
who offers free consultations. Ideally, Ayurveda
should be practiced for one to three weeks, and
many people come to the resort solely for treatment.
The 'Pizhichic' is a particularly energising oil
massage, administered by two people who synchronize
their movements.
BEST TlME :
October to April.
.
India
Tour Packages