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Southern Spices

Southern Spices


A cultural tour of Southern India

If the North of India fascinated you, wait until you experience the Dravidian part! Southern India is historically and culturally much older than the north and has lush vegetation not seen in the north. We tour some of the oldest Hindu Temples, experience a wildlife safari, enjoy a backwater cruise from Kerala, view Cochin, the Venice of the East, and relax with Ayurvedic massage in Kovalam.

Iterneries

Days 01 :Arrive Madras (Chennai)
Namaste! We are warmly greeted the traditional Indian way with hands together.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B)

Days 02 : Madras / Mamallapuram (drive 80 kms / 48 mi)
Today we take an excursion to the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. On our return we tour Chennai, culturally one of the richest cities of India. We visit the Kapaleeswarar, the ancient Shiva Temple, Santhome Church and the bazaar. (B).

Days 03 : Madras / Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) (flight)
A short flight gets us to Tiruchirapalli - Trichy, a town deeply immersed in Hindu religion and home to some outstanding Dravidian temple architecture. We begin our tour with a visit to the Rock Fort Temple, the maze of the Mathurubhuteshwar Shrine and various other local temples followed by a visit to some local villages and see the rural life of Southern India.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B)

Days 04 : Thanjavur (Tanjore)
Today we embark on a day trip to Thanjavur, to visit the Brihadisvara Temple, a World Heritage Site built between 1003 AD and 1010 AD. Surrounded by two rectangular enclosures, Brihadisvar is crowned with a 13-storey pyramidal tower that stands 61m high and is topped with a bulb-shaped monolith; The walls of the temple are covered with rich sculptural decorations. Evening, we enjoy a typical South Indian dinner and a Bharat Natyam show. (B)

Days 05 : Trichy / Madurai (drive 128kms / 79miles)
En route to Madurai we enjoy a traditional Puppet show. The life of Madurai revolves around the magnificently carved Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. Among these are the musical pillars, carved of a single granite rock, that produce music when tapped. Madurai is a lively and culturally rich city crammed with shops, street markets, pilgrims, hotels and restaurants.
Overnight: (1 night) (B)
Days 06 : Madurai / Kodaikanal (drive 166kms / 102 miles)
A scenic and refreshing drive conveys us to the peaceful hill station of Kodaikanal located at the top of the Palini Hills. Upon arrival we take a boat ride on Kodaikanal Lake giving us a unique opportunity to experience the landscape. This evening, we spend time with the local people.
Overnight: (1 night) (B).

Days 07 : Kodaikanal / Periyar (drive 150kms / 90 miles)
An interesting day ahead as we drive past beautiful spice and tea gardens stopping to see the tea estates and learn about the process of growing tea. Later we drive to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Periyar where our experience of the wildlife of India begins! We begin with a boat tour for a first-class game viewing experience. The forest here slopes into a manmade lake at the bottom of the hill and the lake serves as the waterhole / swimming hole for the animals. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted!
Overnight: (2 nights) (B)

Days 08 : Periyar
Today we spend the day at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the most well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar attracts scores of nature lovers interested in viewing animals in their natural habitat. Evening is at leisure.(B)

Days 09 : Periyar / Cochin (Cruise 185kms / 114 miles)
After short drive to Changanacherry we enjoy a cruise through the famous backwaters of Kerala. Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of the forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. These backwaters are the basis of a distinct lifestyle and a fascinating thoroughfare. This afternoon we arrive in Cochin.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B)

Days 10 : Cochin
Today we explore Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city, often referred to as the Venice of the East. Here we tour the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue and take a boat tour to visit the Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action. (B)

Days 11 : Cochin / Kovalam (drive 250kms / 154miles)
A scenic and easy drive gets us to the beautiful Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast near Trivandrum. The palm-fringed bays and secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories make this beach an incredible paradise. We arrive in the afternoon and take the rest of the day off to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.(B)

Day 12 : Kovalam
Today we enjoy a visit to the "Lands End" of India: Kanniyakumari is the southernmost tip of peninsular India where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. A place from where one can see spectacular sunrises and also colourful sunsets. On balmy evenings, one can watch the sun set while the full moon is rising in another part of the sky!(B)

Day 13 : Kovalam/Trivandrum/Kovalam
Our day at Thiruvananthapuram, earlier known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of Kerala. The name literally splits into "Tiru", "Anantha" and "puram" meaning "the town of Lord Anantha". The temple of Lord Anantha is at the heart of the town and for generations, the kings have called themselves "Padmanabha-Dasa" or the "servants of Lord Ananthapadmanabha", and ruled the state as the representatives of Lord Anantha-Padmanabha. We visit the beautiful Temple of Padmanabhaswamy, the Chitra Art Gallery, Napier Museum and the local market. (B)

Day 14 : Kovalam
At the end of the tour, an amazing treat! We are driven to Somatheeram, a resort specializing in world-renowned Indian Ayurvedic massages. Here we can enjoy the many Ayurvedic treatments, including a rejuvenating massage. (B)

Day 15 : Kovalam / Bombay (flight)
Day at leisure to explore on our own this typically styled Kerala resort. An ideal opportunity to enjoy the other amenities at this health resort including yoga. Later we take a short flight to Bombay. (B)

Day 16 : Depart Bombay
After an interesting insight into the colourful and mystical Dravidian India, we bid farewell to our journey of Southern Spices and are transferred for our flight back home. (B)

Cost – Valid From October 2006 To April 15, 2007*

Price Per Person in USD*
Hotel Category 1 Person 2 Pax (Twin Sharing) 3 Pax (Twin Sharing) 4-5 Pax (Twin Sharing)
Budget 3080 1729 1561 1439
Standard 3417 1887 1719 1599
First Class 4805 2613 2447 2325
Deluxe 5291 2881 2686 2569
Luxury 5393 2953 2809 2687

Domestic Airfare as per itinerary in Economy Class: USD 660

Budget Standard First Class Deluxe Luxury
696 867 1535 1755 1831

*All prices shown are subject to change without prior notice till the tour is booked.

Hotels Suggested
City Budget Standard First Class Deluxe Luxury
Chennai Radha Park Inn International Savera Hotel Trident Hilton Taj Connemara Hotel Taj Coromandel
Tiruchirapalli Sangam Sangam Sangam Sangam Sangam
Madurai Fortune Pandiyan Hotel Sangam Taj Garden Retreat Taj Garden Retreat Taj Garden Retreat
Kodaikanal The Carlton The Carlton The Carlton The Carlton The Carlton
Thekkady Taj Gaden Retreat Taj Gaden Retreat Spice Village Spice Village Spice Village
Cochin Gokulam Park Inn Casino Hotel Trident Hilton Taj Malabar Taj Malabar
Kovalam Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort Uday Samudra Beach Taj Grean Cove Resort Taj Grean Cove Resort Taj Grean Cove Resort
Mumbai Godwin Fariyas Hotel Taj President Taj President The Taj Mahal Hotel


Prices Include:
- Accommodation on twin-share basis in the mentioned hotels.
- Daily buffet breakfast as per the itinerary.
- Transport in air-conditioned vehicle for all sightseeing tours, arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary.
- Assistance on arrival / departure and Porter's fee at the airport and railway station only
- Services of local English speaking guide for the sight?seeing as per the itinerary at each city.
- Entrances to the monuments of visit as per the itinerary.
- All currently applicable taxes, including service tax @ 4.896%


Prices DO NOT Include:
- International / Domestic air-fare, visa fees, airport tax or any kind of insurance cover.
- Items of personal nature like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc.
- Any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary.
- Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in schedule / cancellation of flights / trains / political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc.
- Any other item not specifically mentioned above as 'INCLUDED'

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