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A JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTH INDIA
Day 1 London to Kochi
Fly with Emirates via Dubai to Kochi.
Day 2 Kochi
Arrive Kochi in the morning and transfer by car to the Malabar House Residency Hotel,
Old Harbour Hotel or the Brunton Boatyard Hotel. Founded by Vasco–da–Gama in 1502,
Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers have all influenced this fascinating city. (B)
Day 3 Kochi
Today tour Fort Kochi by car and by foot with a local guide. Visit St. Francis
Church, the Mattancherry Palace, the spice market and the nearby synagogue.
Before sunset take a motor launch cruise around the picturesque harbour to
see Bolghatty Palace and the Chinese fishing nets.
Day 4 Kochi to Ooty – 290kms
Today drive north to Ooty. Popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Blue Mountains’ along
with its nearby neighbours Coonoor and Kotagiri, Ooty was developed as a hill station by the British
and is famous for its pine and eucalyptus forests as well as its coffee and tea plantations. Stay for
two nights at the Savoy Hotel. (B/D)
Day 5 Ooty
Today take a ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway that winds its way
through spectacular scenery and breathtaking views to the nearby town of Coonoor.
Return to Ooty by car, where the rest of the day will be at leisure to enjoy
the town. (B/L/D)
Day 6 Ooty to Sultans Battery – 160kms
After breakfast, leave Ooty for the scenic drive to Sultan’s Battery
situated at 900m above sea level in the heart of the Western Ghats. Stay for
two nights at Tranquil, a beautifully restored and secluded plantation bungalow.
(B/L/D)
Day 7 Sultans Battery
Today you are at leisure to enjoy Tranquil and the surrounding local area.
You could swim in the beautiful pool or lounge in a hammock with a book. If
you are feeling more energetic Tranquil has over 400 acres of estate to explore
with seven well-defined paths that cut through the grounds. (B/L/D)
Day 8 Sultans Battery to Mysore – 125kms
This morning continue onto Mysore a charming and relaxed city is surrounded
almost entirely by fertile farmland and tree clad hills. Until independence
Mysore was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, a princely state covering
about a third of present day Karnataka and this afternoon visit the City Palace,
one of the largest in India, built by Henry Irwin in 1897. Stay for two nights
at the Regaalis Hotel. (B)
Day 9 Mysore
Visit the City Palace, one of the largest in India, built by Henry Irwin in
1897 and Chamundi Hill to view the Chamundeswari Temple and the famous Nandi
Bull. Also drive out of the city to Somnathpur to see the exquisite Keshava
Vishnu temple constructed by the Hoysalas in 1268 and the ruins of Tipu Sultan’s
capital at Srirangapatnam. (B)
Day 10 Mysore to Chennai – by train
Early this morning visit the colourful vegetable and flower markets in Mysore.
In the afternoon depart by train to Chennai where, on arrival, you will be met
and transferred to the Taj Connemara Hotel for your two night stay. (B)
Day 11 Chennai
Today tour the city by car with a local guide. Visit the National Museum and
Fort St George, a fine example of 17th-century British military architecture.
Within the Fort there is a museum and St Mary’s Church, the first Anglican
Church built in India. Also visit the Basilica of San Thome and the Kapaleeswarar
Temple dedicated to Shiva. (B)
Day 12 Chennai to Pondicherry – 170kms
Drive south to Mahabalipuram, a World Heritage Site comprising of monolithic
temples each carved from a single granite boulder which occupies a stunning
position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Continue to Pondicherry,
a former French colony, the town still retains a French influence in much of its architecture.
Stay overnight at the Maison Perumal. (B)
Day 13 Pondicherry to Tanjore – 200kms
After breakfast continue to the temple towns of Chidambaram, the former capital
of the Gangaikondacholapuram enroute to Tanjore. Stay for two nights at the Ideal
Riverside Resort. (B)
Day 14 Tanjore
Today visit the Brihadisvara Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of South
India. Also visit the temple towns Kumbakonam and Swamimalai which is noted
for bronze castings. (B)
Day 15 Tanjore to Kanadukathan – 120kms
Continue south to Chettinad home to many magnificent merchant mansions built during
the 19th and early 20th centuries. Stay for overnight at Visalam. (B)
Day 16 Kanadukathan to Madurai – 90kms
This morning visit the Kanadukathan Palace before continuing on to Madurai, a centre
of learning and pilgrimage for many centuries. Stay for two nights at the Taj Gateway
Hotel. (B)
Day 17 Madurai
Today visit the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace built in 1636 AD and impressive 17th
Century Shree Meenakshi Sundareshvara Temple which dominates the old city. The
temple complex is a hive of activity from dawn until late into the evening. (B)
Day 18 Madurai to Periyar – 150kms
This morning leave with your driver for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the
Cardamom Hills situated on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Stay for one
night at the Spice Village. (B)
Day 19 Periyar to the Backwaters
Early morning take a guided forest walk in the reserve, later continue on to the backwaters
from where you will join your private Houseboat
for the next two nights. This is a unique opportunity to leisurely explore and enjoy
the beauty and tranquillity of Kerala’s backwaters. (B/L/D)
Day 20 Backwaters
At leisure travelling on the backwaters – a network of lakes, coconut
shaded canals and estuaries, tiled and thatched cottages, bright hibiscus
and cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that hang over the water. (B/L/D)
Day 21 Backwaters to Kochi – 65 kms
Leave your boat in Alleppey and return to Kochi to stay overnight at the Taj Malabar
Hotel, situated on Willingdon Island. Afternoon at your leisure in Kochi. (B)
Day 22 Kochi to London
Fly with Emirates via Dubai to London. (B)
STAYING ON
Wildlife in South India is best at Nagarhole National Park, home to tiger, bison, elephant, panther and over 250 species of birdlife. Close to Mysore and Sultan’s Battery, the charming Kabini River Lodge is an excellent base from which to explore the reserve.
Retreat to either Cardamom House, 65kms from Madurai, or Visalam in Chettinad region, 90kms from Madurai and experience a rural side to South India that is still under-explored.
Relax on a palm fringed beach in one of the many excellent Keralan beach hotels. One of the best is the Marari Beach Resort located close to the backwaters at Alleppey and Kochi, making it an excellent place in which to spend a relaxing few days at the end of a tour.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price – A JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTH INDIA
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is from £4,300. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
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