09 Night / 10 Days

south india cultural tour with backwater

_{Chennai - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Cochin - Goa - Mumbai}

Day 01 : Arrival - Madras

Our representatives welcome you at the Chennai airport and escort you to the hotel. After a bit of sightseeing at the afternoon, the rest of the day and night you relax at the hotel, enjoying the local delicacies.

Day 02 : Madras

This city is known as the cultural capital of India and hence you can expect to experience a completely different side of Indian traditions and customs here. Your tour starts with a visit to the stone temples of Mahabalipuram. These temples ate shaped in the form of chariots and are named after the Pandavas of the Great Indian epic, Mahabharata. The walls of these shrines depict mythological stories with beautiful carvings. This group of temples also consist of some cave temples, curved with well-defined figures of gods and goddesses. These temples are located at the Kanchipuram district of the state.

Day 03 : Madras - Madurai (by flight)

Today you board a flight to the second largest city of Tamil Nadu, Madurai. Your first trip is to the Meenakshi temple. This twin temple structure is located at the shores of a beautiful lotus pond. You will enjoy the musical granite pillars, which as you strike them sing out musical notes.

After visiting several carved temples and knowing the interesting stories behind the construction of these temples, your trip of the city ends with attending aarti at the Meenakshi temple. There will be an overnight stay at the city.

Day 04 : Madurai - Periyar (128 Kms / 3 hrs)

This day morning, after breakfast at the hotel, you reach Periyar via road. After checking in the hotel, you are to visit enchanting jungles of Periyar. You arrive at the jungle crossing the Periyar Lake via boat. It is predominantly a tiger reserve with rich bio diversity at the Western Ghats. After a wild trip, you return to the hotel to spend the night.

Day 05 : Periyar - Kumarakom (115 Kms / 3 hrs)

This is the day to feel the natural bliss. Kumarakom is a cluster of islands which you reach by boat. This is the famous backwaters of Kerala where along with fishing and boating, you also get to see a bird sanctuary with different species of colourful birds, like the herons, teals, waterfowls and the sweet voiced cuckoos. After enjoying a fun filled day, you return to the hotel for the night.

Day 06 : Kumarakom - Cochin (85 Kms / 2 hrs)

You start an early day for a boat ride from Kumarakom to another backwaters destination of Kerala, the Alleppey. Feel the serenity of the place, decorated by nature with her own hands.

From picture perfect lakes, unique lagoons and simple cottages you cannot expect anything more from a perfect vacation. After this dream journey, you drive to Cochin and check in the hotel.

Day 07 : Cochin - Goa (by flight)

Today you explore one of the important port cities of the country. After an enchanting view of the sun rise over the sea, witness one of the unique fishing techniques in the form of Chinese nets. A long stretch of the Arabian Sea is lined up with these massive fishing nets. Enjoy a relaxing stroll on the beaches of the Arabian Sea and visit the old churches of the city. You head towards Goa at afternoon via flight. There is night stay at Goa.

Day 08 : Goa

It is the Indian state with a foreign air. With rich history, the state consists of some important churches, which are treasure house of stories and historical events. You cannot miss the fun and frolic of the Goa beaches. Last but not the least, the sea food of the state is a must try.

Wash away all your stress and tensions at the wild waters of the Arabian Sea at Goa. There are lots of SPAs here to rejuvenate your senses. You enjoy the night life at Goa.

Day 09 : Goa

On your second day tour of the state, you can enjoy sun bath at the warm sands of the beaches. It is an apt place to collect some souvenirs and hence can spend the afternoon shopping. You can also visit the tropical spice plantations of the state at Keri.

Enjoy the night life on the beaches of Goa.

Day 10 : Goa - Bombay (by flight)

After relaxing and visiting the local markets of Goa, you board an afternoon flight to Mumbai. Our representatives escort you to the international airport from the domestic airport at Mumbai and make the necessary arrangements for your flight back home.

OVERVIEW

The South Indian culture reflects another unique feature of Indian culture. It differs a lot from any other part of the country in its dress, music and art. Though South India is a collective term for the states like Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, each state has unique customs and traditions. While the backwaters of Kerala is one of the unique destinations South India, you cannot miss to walk on the long sand beach of the Arabian Sea at Tamil Nadu. From the advanced Silicon Valley of Karnataka to the wild forests of Andhra Pradesh, enjoy the gems of Indian tourist destinations with our experienced representatives.