Tamil Nadu, the land of the
Tamils, is one of the most fascinating of the Indian States. Bounded by
Karnataka &
Andhra in the north and Kerala
in the west, the coastal eastern and southern boundaries are lapped by
the waters of
Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean
respectively. The eastern and western tips of the state are defined by
the Point
Calimerre and Mudumalai wildlife
sanctuaries while the north extreme is Pulicat lake and the southern most
tip is Cape
Comorin or Kanyakumari, the Land's
End of India. It offers the golden beaches of the Coromandel coast, cool
scenic
hill stations in the depth of Western
Ghats and exciting wildlife reserves and sanctuaries. Is the home of Dravidian
art and culture. A rich tradition
of literature and arts has flourished in Tamil Nadu for about 2000 years.
Splendid
temples that dot the countryside
bear witness to the architectural achievements of the Tamils.
Hills
& Temples of South India
USD 999 PER
PERSON ON TWIN SHARING BASIS 08
Nights/ 09 Days Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
-Kodaikanal -
Coonoor - Rameswaram - Kanyakumari
- Padmanabhapuram - Kovalam -Trivandrum
DAY
01ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai. On arrival
you will be met and transferred to hotel. Afternoon proceed for the sightseeing
of Chennai,
“the gateway of South India”.Visit
National Art Gallery and Museum (closed on Fridays) which has a selection
of ancient
paintings of almost all schools
as well as section devoted to modern art, Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church,
Valluvar Kottam
and Snake Park, Kapaleeswarar.
Drive along Marina Beach (the second longest in the world) Return to hotel
for overnight
DAY
02 CHENNAI - KANCHIPURAM -MAHABALIPURAM
Morning after a leisurely breakfast,
drive to Mahabalipuram. Enroute stop to visit Kanchipuram- the ancient
capital of
the Pallava Kingdom, famous as
a city of 1000 Temples and Silks, still has 124 shrines standing intact.
Visit the Magnificient
array of Temples.The first temple
dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th & 8th century & has paintings
on the walls. Other
worth seeing are the Temples of
Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy. Visit a silk
weaving
center before contunuing your drive
to Mahabalipuram, the ancient and historical Temple town, located on the
shores of
the Bayof Bengal. Mahabalipuram
itself,or Mammallapuram as it was originally called, was an ancient seaport
named
after Mammala or Narasimha Varman
I, the Pallava ruler who set up his capital here and established a center
of
sculpture and art. On arrival,
check into beach Resort hotel. Balance time at leisure. Overnight in hotel
DAY
03 MAHABALIPURAM
Morning after a leisurely breakfast,
visit the town - built in 7th century, this ancient Pallava port, is today
the sight of several
antique sculptural marvels. Shrines
and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the
reign of Pallava
Kings, is to be seen, to be believed.
The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and
animals in battle
and others- are truly poems in
stone. Today the only shore temple which remains, is the spectacular two
- spired shrine, unique,
because it houses both Lord Shiva
and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Afternonn free to indulge
in, all along the
road food courts, amusment park
and the art village. Sunbathing, shopping, sightseeing or swimming. Overnight
in hotel
DAY
04 MAHABALIPURAM - KODAIKANAL
Morning after breakfast, drive
to the hill station of Kodaikanal. Enroute stop to visit Karaikudi, the
biggest city in Chettinad,
a region best known to the outside
world for its distinctive cuisine. What is less well known is that this
small area, comprising
about 72 villages, was the setting
for a fascinating period of Modern Tamil history. The Chettiar community
of traders,part of
this region since the Pallava Dynasty
ruled here between the 4th and 9th centuries AD,amassed huge wealth which
was
transferred back to villages in
Chettinad where their increasing social status and power was manifested
in sumptuous
possessions ranging from diamonds
to brass to pewter and, most visibly, in their grand mansions.Now, just
the empty
but impressive mansions remain.
Later on arrival check into hotel. Balance time free. Overnight in hotel
DAY
05 KODAIKANAL
Morning after breakfast, proceed
for sightseeing. Kodai was set up as a sanatorium in 1845 by the American
Madura
Mission and holds a unique distinction
to be the only hill station in India to be established by Americans.No
sight seeing
tour of Kodai can commence without
the customary amble down Coaker's Walk.The road meanders past Green Valley
View
Point and winds 7 km to Kodai's
most popular attraction,Pillar Rocks-a 400 ft high vertical column of three
rocks.Kodai's
most popular water fall is Silver
Cascade,7 km outside town, formed by the backwaters of Kodai Lake. Also
check out
Bambar Glen, Fairly Falls &
Bear Shola Falls before returning to hotel. Evening enjoy boating in the
lake. Overnight in hotell
DAY
06 KODAIKANAL - COONOOR - KODAIKANAL
Morning after breakfast, half
day excursion to Coonoor. Located at a lower altitude, with a warmer climate,
it is a popular
hill resort in its own way. You
can take a Optional toy train to Coonoor to enjoy the scenic beautie of
the Nilgiri's. Coonoor
is situated on the eastern side
of the southern extremity of the Doddabetta range, at an altitude of 1,858
metres above the
sea level. It is the second largest
hill station in the Nilgiris. Coonoor is located 19-km away from
Ooty and is home to the
Coon hill tribe. Grassy meadows,
tea bushes and profusion of Sunflowers, Marigolds and Rhododendrons, all
growing wild
cover it. The well laid-out Sim’s
park here is a beautiful botanical garden, with many rare flowers, shrubs
and trees. Lambs
rock and Dolphin’s Nose are some
of the viewpoints and picnic spots you will see around Coonoor. Overnight
in hotel
DAY
07 KODAIKANAL - RAMESWARAM
Morning after an early breakfast,
drive to Rameswaram.Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple. Overnight stay at Rameswaram.
DAY
08 RAMESWARAM - KANYAKUMARI - PADMANABHAPURAM - KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast, drive
to Kovalam, Enroute visiting Kanyakumari. The southernmost end of Tamil
Nadu, the land's
end of India or the point where
the three seas meet - the Bay of Bengal, The Arabian Sea & Indian Ocean.
Visit Kumari Amman
Temple, dedicated to the virgin
goddess Kanyakumari (Parvati) who stands guard over the country. The temple
is built at the
spot where the goddess is believed
to have waited for her consort Lord Siva. The Gandhi Memorial, constructed
at the spot
where the ashes of Mahatma
Gandhi was kept for public view in an urn before a portion was immersed
into the three seas and
the Vivekanand Memorial built
atop the Vivekananda Rock where the great Philosopher guide Swami
Vivekananda went into
meditation that transformed him
into one of the most charismatic spiritual leader of his Era. Enroute also
visit Padmanabhapuram -
The capital of Travancore until
1333, Padmanabhapuram is known for its fort which encloses, among other
buildings, a palace
and a temple. The palace has some
important art relics while the Ramaswamy temple has exquisitely carved
panels depicting
scenes from the Ramayana. Later
on arrival, check-in to hotel. balance time at leisure. Overnight in hotel
DAY
09 KOVALAM- TRIVANDRUM Departure
On time transfer to Trivandrum
Airport / Railways station to connect flight/train for onward destinationn
END
OF OUR SERVICES
USD
RATES APPLICABLE TO FOREIGNER'S AND NON RESIDENT INDIANS USD 999
PER PERSON ON TWIN SHARING BASIS #SINGLE
SUPPLEMENT
USD 599
October
thru April Include Accommodation
on twin occupancy basis, in standard air conditioned rooms with attached
bath & toilet with Daily breakfast
Transfers
at all places, as per program using one AC car
Services of local English speaking guide at places of visit
All
surface, including sightseeing, excursions, arrival & departure transfers,
at all places mentioned in itinerary using AC vehicle
All
presently applicable taxes, including hotel, state, toll,bridges, drivers
daily allowance, parking fees at monuments, airports,
etc, insurance of vehicle &
gasoline Professional service
charges for preparing & executing the tour program
COST
VALIDITY - SEPTEMBER 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------- For
Group Travel concessions Please email us WE HAVE
NO ARGUMENTS WITH COMPETITORS WHO CHARGE LESS... THEY KNOW
WHAT THEIR PRODUCT IS WORTH NO ESCALATION
* NO HIDDEN COSTS