Day 01: Arrival - Madras - Meeting with
our representative for assistance at the airport and transfer to the
hotel. Afternoon, sightseeing tour of Madras city. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 02: Madras - Madurai (by flight) - Morning transfer to the
airport in time for morning flight to Madurai. Meeting and assistance
at the airport. Sightseeing tour of Madurai. In the evening visit the
Meenakshi Temple to attend the "Aarti" ceremony. Overnight at the
hotel. Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history
dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era.
The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part
of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar
kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur).
During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak
Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam
period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal
episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple
festival traditions even today.
Day 03: Madurai - Periyar (128 Kms / 3 hrs) - In the morning
drive to Periyar and upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Afternoon,
sightseeing by boat over Lake Periyar to view the wild life.Overnight
at the hotel. Periyar: One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in
the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers
every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is
ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. The forest
here, slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This
lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to
drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be
spotted here. There are boat services which takes the visitor around
the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and
June. Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats,
the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from Madurai. Although an
excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to
experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local
guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic
in the water. Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar,
Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels,
Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds
here, including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White
bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
Day 04: Periyar - Kumarakom (115 Kms / 3 hrs) - Morning drive
to boat landing point from where the hotel's courtesy boat will take
passengers to Kumarakom. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at
the hotel. Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad
Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad
Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its
banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous
green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into
wavelets. The entire state of Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers
and the resources of many are still untapped. The waterways of Kerala
which play a main role in the economy of the state links remote
villages and islands with the main land. The water ways provide a
cheap and economical mode of transport. The water ways of Kuttanad is
now a big attraction for tourist. It is incredibly different
experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the
beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of
breath-taking greens and deep blues. Boat rides are available for
tourist and others at nominal rates.
Day 05: Kumarakom - Cochin (85 Kms / 2 hrs) - Morning,
backwater cruise to Alleppey and back. Later drive to Cochin. Upon
arrival, check in at the hotel. Cochin set on a cluster of islands and
narrow peninsulas, the port city of Cochin (Kochi) (Queen of Arabia)
reflects the eclecticism of Kerala perfectly. With a rich past and a
bustling present, it has been the business hub of the region from the
very early days after Alleppey (Alappuzha) Cochin consists of mainland
Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the
harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula, and
Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin, all was linked by ferry but now
some islands have bridges.The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and
Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The oldest church in
India, 500-year-old Portugese houses, old tiled houses built in the
Chinese pagoda style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish
community whose roots go back to the Diaspora, synagogues and mosques
all tell the fascinating story of this harbour town. The harbour is
still at the heart of the city and pepper, sea food, rubber and coir
mats and matting are exported from here.Despite this, Cochin is an
attractive city with serene creak & lagoons overhung with feathery
coconut palms and picturesque islands. The older parts of Fort Cochin
and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland
and an English country village grafted onto the troppical Malabar
coast. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and a major naval base.
Day 06: Cochin - Back Home (by flight) - Morning sightseeing
tour of Cochin. Later transfer to the airport in time for afternoon
flight to Back Home.
