SUN-KISSED SOUTH
Cochin – Houseboat – Kumarakom – Periyar – Maduari – Kodaikanal – Ooty – Mysore – Bangalore
(11 Nights / 12 Days)
Spend the next twelve days of your lifetime touring the busiest cities, coolest lakes, sunniest beaches and highest peaks. Finally, bow down in prayer at the oldest temples ever built in the history of mankind. A memorable holiday for the truly deserving.
Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Arrive at Cochin International Airport. You will be chauffeured to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin. You could visit the Chinese fishing nets along the Fort Cochin beach and also the local fish market. Proceed to Mattancherry to see the world famous Jewish Synagogue, the only functional synagogue of the Common Wealth nations; you could also visit the Dutch Palace and take a walk through the Jew Street to hunt for and antiques and spices. In Cochin you also have the option of enjoying a sunset cruise along Cochin harbour and enjoy Kathakali – the ancient dance drama of Kerala.
Day 02: Cochin – Alleppey
Late morning drive to Alleppey. Board your houseboat (Kettuvalloms) for a cruise on the backwaters, the village canals and Vembanad Lake. These traditional rice barges have been converted to houseboats with en suite facilities and air-conditioned bedrooms. Lunch, tea & snacks and dinner will be served on board. Overnight stay is on houseboat.
Day 03: Alleppey – Kumarakom
After breakfast disembark at the boat jetty. You will be chauffeured to Kumarakom. Check – in at your hotel on arrival. Rest of the day is at leisure to relax at your resort.
Day 04: Kumarakom – Periyar
After breakfast, drive to Periyar visiting rubber plantations and tea estates en route. Check – in at your hotel on arrival. Evening is at leisure to explore the small town. Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar to spot herds of Wild Elephants, Bisons, Sambar Deers, Nilgiri Langurs, Malabar Giant Squirrels and variety of birds.
Day 05: Periyar – Madurai
After breakfast drive to the temple town of Madurai. On arrival check – in at your hotel. Enjoy a late afternoon sight seeing tour of the town visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple, Tirumala Naik Palace and the Tepakulam Pond. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 06: Madurai – Kodaikanal
Late morning drive to Kodaikanal. On arrival check – in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 07: Kodaikanal
Full day at leisure to explore the hill station.
Day 08: Kodaikanal – Ooty
After breakfast drive to Ooty the queen of hill stations. Check – in at your hotel on arrival. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the town.
Day 09: Ooty
You can enjoy the famous Nilgiri Train Journey today. Board the train from Ooty for a train journey till Coonoor. You will be chauffeured from Coonoor Railway station back to Ooty. You could also enjoy a sight seeing tour of Ooty visiting the Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake, Dodobetta Peak and the St. Philomina’s Church.
Day 10: Ooty – Mysore
After breakfast drive through Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary to Mysore, the city of palaces. Check –in at your hotel on arrival. Enjoy a late afternoon visit to Chamundi Hills, Nandi Bull and the local fruit and vegetable market (Devaraja Market). Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 11: Mysore
After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Srirangapattanam to see the remains of Tipu’s fort and the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan. You could also visit Rangathitto Bird Sanctuary before driving back to Mysore. Also visit the famous Mysore Palace. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 12: Mysore – Bangalore
In good time you will be transferred to Bangalore International Airport to board your return flight.
