The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu, Kochi (Cochin), Kerala, India
The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu private tour will begin with pick up from Cochin airport. Explore Kerala famous for its unique geography, tranquil backwaters, and mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. Further in Tamil Nadu you will visit many Dravidian-style Hindu temples, of which few are active large temples and few non active, including UNESCO WHS of the Great Living Chola Temples.
Description & Instructions When Visiting Kochi (Cochin), Kerala, India
The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu private tour will begin with pick up from Cochin airport. Explore Kerala famous for its unique geography, tranquil backwaters, and mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. Further in Tamil Nadu you will visit many Dravidian-style Hindu temples, of which few are active large temples and few non active, including UNESCO WHS of the Great Living Chola Temples.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Cochin
Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
On arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel, check in. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Cochin – Alleppey (60kms)
Stop At: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour visiting Fort Cochin St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutchs Palace & Chinese fishing nets.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
Later transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Houseboat.
Day 3: Alleppey – Thekkady (160kms)
Pass By: Thekkady, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel. Disembark from houseboat and drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Thekkady
Stop At: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, Thekkady India
Breakfast at hotel. Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee etc.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Thekkady – Munnar (100kms)
Stop At: Ramakkalmedu, Ramakkalmedu, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Munnar via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Continue drive to Munnar check in at hotel.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Munnar
Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Munnar – Madurai (160kms)
Stop At: Madurai, Madurai, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Madurai – Trichy – Thanjavur (190kms)
Stop At: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam 7 km north of Tiruchy, Tiruchirappalli 620006 India
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Thanjavur, via visiting Trichy Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rock Fort Temple & Jambukeshwara temple. On arrival check in at hotel.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Thanjavur, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu
Later visit Brihadeshwara Temple built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Also visit Thanjavur Palace & Museum.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Thanjavur – Darasuram – Gangaikondacholapuram – Chidambaram – Pondicherry (180kms)
Stop At: Dharasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram, Airavateshwarar Temple a storehouse of art and architecture and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple complex which includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Also visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple dedicated to the dancing posture of Lord Shiva.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Pondicherry
Stop At: Pondicherry, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Pondicherry
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools. Rest time free and easy to rtelax on the beach.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Chennai (240kms)
Stop At: Mahabalipuram, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Chennai enroute visit Mahabalipuram Monolithic Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
Next visit Kanchipuram Kailasanathar temple, Ekambareswarar temple, Varadharaja temple, Vaikundhaperumal temple & Kamakshiamman temple.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Chennai (Madras), Chennai (Madras), Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Continue drive to Chennai check in and o/n at hotel.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Chennai – Departure (Flight)
Stop At: Chennai (Madras), Chennai (Madras), Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Chennai visit Fort St. George, St Mary’s Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Chennai (Madras), Chennai (Madras), Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Duration: 12 days
Starts: Kochi (Cochin), India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
