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Exotic South India
11 nights and 12 days in India's vibrant south starting at $1949 per person, double occupancy
Package Includes:
1 night in Chennai with breakfast, transfer from airport
Half day tour of Chennai
Drive to Mahabalipuram
2 nights in Mahabalipuram with breakfast
Full day tour of Mahabalipuram
Drive to Chennai
Flight to Madurai
2 nights in Madurai with breakfast, transfer from airport
Evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple
Full day tour of Madurai
Drive to Munnar
2 nights in Munnar with breakfast
Tour of the Munnar Tea Museum
Drive to Kumarakom
1 night in Kumarakom with breakfast
2 day/1 night Houseboat stay with fullboard
Drive to Cochin
2 nights in Cochin with breakfast, transfer to airport
Evening Kathakali dance performance
Full day Cochin city tour
International airfare available upon request.
Pricing
FOUR STAR HOTELS
High Season
Oct 1-Dec 19, 2021
Jan 6-Apr 15, 2022
$2139 per person, double occupancy
$3169, single occupancy
Low Season
Apr 16-Sep 30, 2022
$1949 per person, double occupancy
$2839, single occupancy
FIVE STAR HOTELS
High Season
Oct 1-Dec 19, 2021
Jan 6-Apr 15, 2022
$2869 per person, double occupancy
$4449, single occupancy
Low Season
Apr 16-Sep 30, 2022
$2399 per person, double occupancy
$3549, single occupancy
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive in Chennai and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2
After breakfast, enjoy a short tour of Chennai. Visit the Santhome Cathedral, said to house the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle. Right next door is Kapaleeswara Temple, an ancient temple of Shiva. From there, head to St. George Fort, built by the British and now used as local government offices. Drive to Mahabalipuram and check into your hotel.
DAY 3
After breakfast, take a tour of Mahabalipuram starting with the Five Rathas, a set of Dravidian rock temples that almost look like Buddhist shrines. From there, head to Arjuna's Penance, a massive stone carving made out of two boulders. From there, visit Shore Temple, built inthe late 7th century and overlooking the ocean. End the day with a stop at Mandapams to see the elaborate halls cut into the rock as well as Krishna's Butterball.
DAY 4
After breakfast, drive back to Chennai for a flight to Madurai. Upon arrival in Madurai, check into the hotel. In the evening enjoy the "Bedtime of the God" ceremony and procession at Meenakshi Temple.
DAY 5
After breakfast, visit Tirumalai Nayak Mahal palace, once one of the largest in India with two separate sections called Swarga vilasa and Ranga vilasa. From there, return to Meenakshi Temple to explore this nearly 2000 year old wonder in depth.
DAY 6
After breakfast, drive to Munnar, one of the old hill stations of the British Empire. The high altitude of the area meant it was cooler during the hot summer months. It is also home to several tea plantations, perched on the rolling hills and valleys of the area.
DAY 7
After breakfast, visit the Munnar Tea Museum to learn about the production of tea and take a glimpse into Munnar's past as a vacation spot to British colonials. In the afternoon, relax or explore the town of Munnar on your own.
DAY 8
After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom. The rolling hills of Munnar slowly transform into coconut palm groves, never-ending rice paddies, and meandering canals through the mangroves. Check into your hotel and perhaps book an ayurvedic spa treatment as you unwind by the water.
DAY 9
After breakfast, board a traditional houseboat called a Kettuvallam and sail through the backwaters of Kerala. Lunch and dinner will be served on board. Overnight on the houseboat.
DAY 10
After breakfast on your houseboat, drive to Cochin. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kathakali Dance Performance with its colorful costumes and make-up.
DAY 11
After breakfast, take a city tour of Cochin, starting with the Jewish synagogue. Built in 1568, the synagogue is a remenant of a once vibrant Jewish community all around Cochin, Kerala, and other parts of India. From there, head to St. Francis Church, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was buried. Then visit the Dutch Palace, once the home of the Raja of Kochi, and finally stop to see the famous Chinese fishing nets, which can only be found in Cochin!
DAY 12
After breakfast, check out and head to the airport for your flight home.
