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Magic of Kerala Backwaters and South India Temple Tour

Duration : 11 Nights - 12 Days

Destinations : Cochin - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Periyar - Madurai - Tanjore - Trichy - Chennai.

Backwater of Kerala

About The Magic of Kerala Backwaters and South India Temple Tour Package

The tour package is one superb way to acquaint yourself with the what makes Kerala, or for that matter, south India so special. In the first part, the package allows you to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Kerala backwaters as well as wild adventure of its forest. Later, in the second section, nature gives way to culture as you visit some of the most revered and famous temples of south India. The destinations chosen for the package are the best in what they offer you. So, do not think a lot. Just pick up this package and let yourself be guided to some of the most fascinating places of south India. At the end of your trip, you will be a contented person recommending this package to your friends.

Highlight of the Package

• Overnight Backwater Cruise to Allepey.
• Night Jungle Patrol at Periyar Reserve.
• Full day Bamboo Rafting Programme at Periyar Reserve.
• Visit to Meenakshi Temple at Madurai.
• Visits to Mahabalipuram and Kancheepuram Temples.

Day 01: Arrive Cochin

Our company representative will greet you the moment you arrive in Cochin. He will escort you straightaway to the hotel. Enroute, he will also brief you about Cochin city in general.

Arrival at the hotel will be followed by a traditional welcome at the hotel. Check into your room and relax. After a long tiring journey, you do need a bit of relaxation. Moreover, you also need to freshen up for the coming days.

Evening, roam around in the nearby area and know more about the culture of Kerala or rather south India on the whole.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 02: Cochin - Kumarakom

Embark on your journey to Kumarakom today after having your breakfast. Kumarakom is a small village in the Kuttunad region of Kerala on the banks of the lagoon formed by the Vembanad Lake. Check into your hotel when you arrive in Kumarakom after a 75 km long journey. The calm beauty of the place will instantly strike you. It was this tranquility and soothing beauty that impressed the ex Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee to pen a few words of praise on Kumarakom.

Relax during the day time and in the evening set out for a backwater cruise. Watch the sun as it bids goodbye for the day. The red hues it spreads on the water is simply magical. The beauty at this time is inspiring enough to turn you into an artist, a poet or for that matter even a painter. Adding more charm to the entire scene in the gentle lapping of the water as our boat cruises through it.

After a round on the backwater, return to your resort and enjoy a relishing meal. Stay overnight in Kumarakom.

Kumarakom Lake Resort

Day 03: In Kumarakom

This is your another day in the abode of serenity. You will love to laze in Kumarakom. The unhurried environment will encourage you more to relax your body and soul. Today, there is no need to go according to plan. The first half of the day is for you to relax in a way you want.

Later, you can set out for another round of backwater cruise. Paddy fields and small villages will pass by slowly. Get down from your boat and interact with the villagers. Learn more about their way of life and tell them about yourself. See them carrying out their work and offer a helping hand.

Next, proceed to visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary, a wonderful place to relax amidst lively natural beauty. Watching a variety of big and small colourful birds will make you realise that there is no bigger artist in this world than the mother nature herself. Her colourful creations in the Kumarakom bird sanctuary will leave you speechless. But your heart will most definitely be elated. Walk around the park and quietly observe the birds, happy in their own little world.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 04: Kumarakom - Alleppey

This morning, get ready for a fascinating backwater journey. Have your breakfast and move into a houseboat. You will notice that this houseboat is laced with all the luxuries that are needed to make you feel special. These houseboats are called kettuvalems and were originally used to ferry men and material from one place to another.

Cruising through the backwaters in a kettuvalem, you will come across myriad of scenes that are simple yet beautiful. Snake boat docks, waving villagers, coir (Jute) making communities, toddy shops, fishing nets ready for the day's catch, paddy fields and manual canoes - all these sights will keep on appearing and disappearing before you. You can also get down at villages and interact with the locals there. This way you will not just enjoy the beauty of Kerala but also learn about the culture of the people.

Enjoy the pristine beauty of setting sun while still sailing in the houseboat. Stay overnight in the houseboat.

Day 05: Alleppey - Periyar

Morning, have your breakfast in Allepey and alight from your houseboat. Get into a car which will take you to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. Reach Periyar by noon and check into your hotel. Relax for a while and have your lunch.

Post lunch, be part of the two hours tribal heritage tour wherein you will pay a visit to the villages inhabited by oldest tribal groups of the area, Mannan. Interact with the tribals and get an idea of their lifestyle and culture. The tour will next take you to a Tribal Heritage Museum where you can see displays like hunting traps, medicinal plants, vessels and furnitures.

In the evening, be a part of the three hour long jungle patrol programme. If the darkness around seems a bit scary, do not fret since a trained guide is there with you. He will guide you as to how you should enjoy this adventure activity completely.

After the jungle patrol programme, return to your hotel and stay overnight in Periyar.

Day 06: In Periyar

Early in the morning, have your breakfast and get ready for a day full of adventure and fun. Today, you will be a part of a full day bamboo rafting programme. The programme basically involves bamboo rafting and trekking. Your guide will take you inside the forest for a trek and in the evening bring you back to the raft on which you will sail back to the starting point of your trip.

Throughout the trip, you will enjoy being so close to the wilderness. The tall trees and their leaves ruffling with every gust of wind, langurs and birds singing and shrieking at a varying pitch and big and small animals making an appearance now and then will definitely make your trip worthwhile.

Return to your hotel in the evening and stay overnight in Periyar.

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

Day 07: Periyar - Madurai

From today, the second part of your journey begins. That is to say after the natural beauty of Kerala, it is now turn for the temples of the south India on the whole to catch your fancy. Your first destination in this section will be Madurai which is around 160 km away.

Madurai is considered the oldest city in the state of Tamil Nadu and was earlier known as Madhurapuri. There is an interesting legend behind this name. Try to find out about this legend while on your way to Madurai. On reaching there, check into your hotel and relax for a while.

Later, pay a visit to the extremely famous Meenakshi Temple that is situated in the very heart of the Madurai city. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati, here known as Sundareshvara and Meenakshi. Go around and explore the temple on your own. The story of the temple is also inscribed on stone here.

Later, return to your hotel and stay overnight in Madurai.

Day 08: Madurai - Tanjore - Trichy

Morning, after breakfast leave Madurai and head towards Trichy which is also known as Tiruchirappalli.

Stop at Tanjore in between to explore the famous Chola Temple of Brahadeeswarar. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva was constructed by the great Chola king, Raja Raja I. Its unique architectural brilliance has earned it a place in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Site. Do have a look at the sculpture of the imposing Nandi bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The bull has been carved out of a single piece of rock and is considered the second largest one in the entire country. Also, do not miss out a close look at the beautiful Chola fresco paintings. They resemble a lot to the Ajanta paintings.

Proceed further in your journey and reach Trichy. Check into your hotel and relax. Stay overnight in Trichy.

Day 09: In Trichy

Have your breakfast in the morning and set out to explore the temples of Trichy. Your first temple destination in Trichy is the Rock fort Temple perched at the top of a huge rock dedicated to lord Shiva. You will need to climb up around 344 steps to reach the temple, however, the views from atop is simply worth all the effort.

Next, move over to the Ranganathswamy temple dedicated to the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The temple is the largest Ranganath temple in India and is also included amongst the Nava Graha Sthalas, or the temples representing the nine planets of our solar system. The 21 gopurams of the temple are worth watching.

The third temple in your list today is the Jambukeswara Temple, just 2 km away from Srirangamb (this is where the Ranganathswamy Temple is located). The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and draws its name from the elephant that supposedly worshipped Lord Shiva here. The lingam of Lord Shiva here is partially immersed in water.

After a day long visit to the temples of Trichy, it is time now to return to your hotel. Relax and have your dinner. Stay overnight in Trichy.

Day 10: Trichy - Chennai

Morning, have your breakfast and pack your bags. A car will transfer you to the railway station where you will board a Chennai (361 km ) bound train. Chennai is the fourth largest city in the country and was earlier known as Madras. It is also the capital city of Tamil Nadu.

On arrival, you will instantly notice that traffic as well as pollution in Chennai is far less than any other big Indian city. As you make your way through the roads to the hotel, Chennai will seem fairly impressive to you. Check into your hotel and freshen up.

The rest of evening is free for you to relax. Read and learn more about Chennai. Have your dinner and stay overnight in Chennai.

Mahabalipuram Rockface - Chennai

Day 11: In Chennai

Wake up early and have your breakfast quickly. Thereafter, proceed to Kanchipuram which is around 75 kms away. Kanchipuram is counted amongst the seven sacred cities of India and has more than hundred worth visiting temples. There was a time when this number was as big as thousand.

On this trip of yours, you will visit three of the most popular and renowned temples of Kanchpiuram - Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Vaikuntaperumal, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Watch the carvings and fresco styled painting in the first two of these temples. In the courtyard of the third temple, where Shiva is worshipped as Earth, there is a mango tree. Here childless couples devoutly tie small cradles to the branches in hope of being blessed by a child of their own.

Move over to Mahabalipuram and visit the Shore Temple which has shrines for both Shiva and Vishnu. Situated at the hill top, the temple catches the first rays of the rising sun. Have a good look at the architectural brilliance of the temple.

Later, return to your hotel and stay overnight in Chennai.

Day 12: Chennai - Flight Back Home

This is the last day of your trip and it is free for you to do whatever you want. Go around on your own and explore the big and small attractions of the city. Alternatively, you can also explore the shops of Chennai and pick up items you will like to carry back as memories of your journey.

Later, in the evening catch a flight back home with sweet memories of your trip.