Splendours of South India
Kovalam,Kumarakom,Kochi,Munnar,Periyar,Madurai,Trichy,Pondicherry,Mahabalipuram,Chennai(brochure)
Day 1: Australia to Trivandrum / Kovalam (D)
Fly from Australia to Trivandrum. After clearing airport formalities, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel in Kovalam for 2 nights stay.
Day 2: Day in Kovalam (B / L / D)
Kovalam is one of the most serene and beautiful beaches of south India. Today, enjoy a day at leisure relaxing and unwinding by the tranquil beaches of Kovalam or pamper yourself with the various Ayurveda and Spa treatments offered by your resort.
Day 3: Kovalam to Kumarakom (B / L / D)
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Kovalam. Later, drive to Kumarakom, a coastal town in the backwaters of Kerala. Today, enjoy a sunset motor boat cruise in Kerala backwaters. Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly cruising down the labyrinth of canals, observing local village life on the banks of the backwaters.
Day 4: Kumarakom to Kochi (B / L / D)
This morning, visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary on the banks of Vembanad Lake. This sanctuary is spread over 100 acres and is home to thousands of resident and migratory birds, such as waterfowl, heron, bittern, kites, marsh harries, kingfishers, woodpeckers and wild ducks. Later, drive to Kochi, the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Kochi, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, has one of the finest natural harbours in the world and is an important spice trading centre. This evening, watch a spectacular performance of Kathakali, one of the oldest theatre forms in India, displaying a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual.
Day 5: Day in Kochi (B / L / D)
Today, enjoy a city tour of Kochi, visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin, St. Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Kochi.
Day 6: Kochi to Munnar (B /L / D)
This morning, drive to Munnar, the tea plantation hub of south India. The entire region of Munnar is covered by thick forests and tea estates. This afternoon, visit a local tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum to learn about the cultivation and processing of a variety of Indian teas.
Day 7: Munnar to Periyar (B / L / D)
After breakfast, drive to Periyar (Thekkady), the wildlife and spice plantation hub of Kerala. This afternoon enjoy a spice plantation tour. Various kinds of spices are cultivated in Thekkady region, such as pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves. You also get the opportunity to shop for fragrant spices at a local market.
Day 8: Periyar to Madurai (B / L / D)
Enjoy an early morning visit to the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, one of the finest elephant reserves of south India. Take a boat cruise on Lake Periyar, spotting migratory birds and local wildlife around the lake. After breakfast, drive to the Madurai. This afternoon, visit the Gandhi museum and Triumalai Nayak Palace which is famous for its rectangular dance courtyard. Later, visit the famous Meenakshi temple to see the spectacular evening aarti (prayer ceremony).
Day 9: Madurai to Tanjore via Trichy (B / L / D)
After breakfast, embark on your drive to Tanjore. Enroute visit Trichy, famous for its rich cultural and splendid architectural heritage. This afternoon visit Chola temples in Tanjore. Also visit Thanjavur Palace, which was constructed in the 16th century and has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers.
Day 10: Tanjore to Pondicherry (B / L / D)
After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry, the south eastern coastal town of India, which was ruled by the French for more than 3 centuries. Enjoy the evening at leisure walking around the small town and exploring the mix of French and Tamil architecture and culture in the region.
Day 11: Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram (B / L / D)
This morning, visit the community of Auroville, a universal city which is a unique experiment in human unity and international living. Auroville’s land has sands from all over the world; built on the concept of a spiral galaxy with a central gravity point, Auroville aims to be the ‘city of the future’.
Later, drive to Mahabalipuram, to visit the shore temple, one of the oldest temples in south India belonging to the early 8th century AD and Arjuna’s penance, the world’s largest bas-relief consisting of figures of Gods, men, beasts, birds and representing the entire creation. Also visit monolithic rock cut shrines called ‘Five Rathas’.
Day 12: Mahabalipuram to Chennai (B / L / D)
This morning, drive to Chennai, the city that grew from a small fisherman’s village in the 17th century. A short city tour of Chennai includes a visit to National Art Gallery, showcasing a selection of bronze-ware from the Chola period and St Mary’s church, India’s oldest surviving Anglican church. Also visit Fort St George, built in the 17th century and San Thome Basilica, where St Thomas the apostle remains buried. This evening, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home.
| Departure dates below are guaranteed on minimum of 4 passengers or above | Twin Share Price |
| 14Nov.2009; 27Feb.2010; 27Mar.2010; | AU$ 3,600 |
| 24Apr.2010; 22May 2010; 21Aug 2010; 11Sep.2010 | AU$ 3,750 |
| 05Dec.2009; 23Jan.2010; | AU$ 4,260 |
| 20Nov 2010; 04Dec 2010; 29Jan 2011 | AU$ 4,520 |
| 26Feb 2011; 26Mar 2011; 30Apr 2011 | AU$ 3,880 |
Single Room Supplement: AU$ 980
Land Only: AU$ 2,580
Price includes:
International and India domestic economy airfares.
Australia / India airport and departure tax;
Accommodation on twin sharing basis at 4*/ heritage hotels or best available hotel in the region.
All meals included (i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner).
All monument entrance fees included.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and departures.
Local English Speaking Guide for sightseeing tours. English speaking escort to accompany the group for minimum group size of 8 passengers.
Chauffeured air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers, excursions and sightseeing tours.
All currently applicable taxes.
Kathakali Cultural dance performance in Kochi.
Boat cruise at Lake Periyar.
Sunset motor boat cruise in Kumarakom back waters.
India visa fee for Australian passport holder;
Price excludes:
Air fuel surcharge $380 at brochure printing (subject to airline fluctuation).
Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone, fax, internet, beverages, camera / video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses,
Local payments in domestic currency, such as tips and gratuities.
Any other services not mentioned in Price Inclusions above.
Request more information about Splendours of South India
Fields marked * must be filled in.