DAY 1. CHENNAI (MADRAS ) /
MAMALLAPURAM
Arrive Chennai. Transfer to Mamallapuram.
Check into the Fishermen's Cove beach resort.
On arrival, as you step into the hotel, ladies
in authentic local costumes greet you with
garlands of flowers and perform the "aarti"
ceremony. They also anoint your forehead with
the traditional red "tikka."
Afterwards relax with a non-alcoholic welcome
drink. Post lunch tour of the 7th century
Pallava cave temples and monoliths, stone
temples and sculptured rock panels. Later
visit to "Dakshina Chitra",
set on a ten- acre site, overlooking the Bay
of Bengal between Chennai and Mahabalipuram,
the 7th century sea port.
The centre comprises four sections which represent
the distinct cultures of the southern states
of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh. This is achieved through authentic
reconstructions of traditional architecture,
demonstrations by artisans at work, exhibitions
and workshops, programmes by performing artists,
an archive, a craft shop, and a restaurant
which offers regional fare. The Tamil Nadu
section has a charming exhibition on Tamil
culture. 150 yr old agriculturist's' house
from the fertile delta region of Thanjavur,
a potter's house from Tiruvallur with its
terracotta exhibition. Step into the humble
abode and thatched huts of the basket-weavers,
and on to the shrine of Ayyanar, the village
guardian deity. The weaver's house from Kanchipuram,
the famed silk-town of India, is the next
stop. An exhibition hall with displays of
Tamil Nadu textiles, is annexed to this house.
Other exhibits on Tamil culture, folk and
classical craft, kitchen utensils, demonstrations
of artisans at work in their traditional environments,
also form part of the experience. The Kerala
section has reconstructions of domestic architecture
in the distinct styles of north and south
Kerala. A 200 yr. old wooden Hindu house from
Travancore, a Syrian Christian house from
Kottayam and a double-storeyed Hindu house
from Calicut. These houses also have contextual
exhibits displayed in them. Overnight Mamallapuram.
DAY 2. MAMALLAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM
/ CHENNAI
Morning drive to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile
capital of the Pallavas and Cholas. \'i5it
its numerous temples dedicated to various
Gods and Goddesses. It is also home to the
weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks. Arrive
Chennai 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 San Thomas, believed
to have been built by St. Thomas, the apostle.
Also visit the Snake Park and the Parthasarathy
temple. Evening view the traditional martial
arts performance believed to have originated
in South India. "Kalaripayatu"
,a local traditional martial arts form which
derives its name from "Kalari"
(gymnasia) in which this martial arts form
was first practiced. The performance includes
various authentic forms of armed and unarmed
combat. Next follows "Silambam"
the ancient art of staff fencing believed
to be originated by the body guards of the
Tamil kings which has now developed into a
refined art form of self-defense and physical
exercise which make for a brilliant spectacle.
Overnight Chennai.
DAY 3. CHENNAI / MADURAI
Morning flight to Madurai. Transfer to your
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 Meenakashi. Also visit
Teepa Kulu, a tank with an island temple.
Evening relish the glimpses of Indian classical
dance performances over a sumptuous south
indian dinner. Bharat Natyam, considered the
oldest form of classical dance. in lndia,is
essentially a highly stylized solo feminine
dance which combines movement,music and mime
with "nritta" and
"nritya", on the
theme of spiritual love. Kathakali, originating
from Kerala,in which the dancers appear rather
strange and exaggerated with the highly elaborate
make-up in green ,red and white,with styled
beards made of rice paste and head dress giving
the expression of a mask. Mohinlyattam , a
secular dance of an enchantress with combined
elements of both Kathakali and Bharatnatyam.
A typical Udipi meal served on green plantain
leaf rounds off an enchanting evening.Overnight
Madurai.
DAY 4. MADURAI / PERIYAR
Proceed by road to Periyar. Check into Spice
Village, a beautiful resort situated amongst
spice gardens and pepper vines. Rest of the
day free to relax with a Ayurvedic massage
carried out by expert masseurs and visit close
by plantations. Ayurvedic medicine ( science
of life / health) is the ancient Hindu system
of medicine - a naturalistic system depending
on diagnosis of the body's 'humours' (wind,
mucus, gall and sometime, blood ) to achieve
a balance. In the early form, Gods and demons
were associated with cure and ailments, treatment
was carried out by using herbs, minerals,
formic acid (from and hills) and water, and
hence was limited in scope. Ayurveda classified
substances and chemical compounds in the theory
of panchabhutas or five 'elements'. It also
noted the action of food and drugs on the
human body. Ayurvedic massage uses aromatic
and medicinal oils to tone up the nervous
system and has~been practiced in KeraI~ for
centuries. Overnight Spice Village.
DAY 5. PERIYAR
Tour of Periyar wildlife sanctuary by boats
/ elephants to view a rich variety of wildlife
- Tiger, elephants, wild boar, deer and monkeys.
Evening jungle theme dinner which requires
the group to be dressed in a jungle attire.
The call of the wild and the sound of the
jungle are complemented by folk dancers and
singers. Exotic theme cocktails with bon -
fire and bar- be-cue rounds off a magnificent
evening. Overnight Spice Village.
DAY 6. PERIYAR / COCHIN
Drive to Cochin.Check into your hotel and
gear up for a day's boat journey on
the backwaters of Kerala discovering an array
of shimmering waterways,composed of lakes,
canals, rivers rivulets ,lined with dense
tropical greenery and mysteriously preserving
the rural Keralan lifestyle completely hidden
from the outer world where day to day life
is lived on and beside the river.Relish the
changing views of narrow canals, green paddy
fields, homes, farms, churches, curved bridges
and temples amidst the shades formed by coconut
trees growing along the river at surprisingly
improbable angles. Evening sunset cruise to
view Chinese fishing nets and the Bolghatty
island. Along the stretch of the beach a bar-be-
cue is set up. Dine under starlit sky On succulent
lobsters, jumbo prawns and Other local seafood
delicacies and round off the evening with
an exotic moonlight boat cruise with the band
in attendance on board. Overnight Cochin.
DAY 7. COCHIN / DELHI, MUMBAI
OR CHENNAI
Departure transfer to connect the flight to
international destination.
Options and Extensions
1) Itinerary can commence
from either Delhi or Mumbai also.
2) Extension to Pondicherry
from Chennai to visit Mothers' Ashram at Aurovi
lie.
3) Extension from
Cochin to Kumarakom to stay at the heritage
Coco nut Lagoon situated in the backwaters.
4) Extension to Kovalam.
5) Fishermen village
theme dinner at Cochin.
6) Boat cruise with
band in attendance at Cochin.
India
Tour Packages