HIGHLIGHTS:

Take yourself away on a holiday with a laid back theme. This south part of India is a tropical paradise filled with Hindu temples, hill stations, pretty villages, lush green forests and tranquil backwaters. Make friends with a rural family over a meal and learn about local cultural traditions. Get up close to the glorious elephants that the region is known for and return home relaxed after a houseboat cruise. Finally, enjoy the Indian Ocean’s beaches to end this unforgettable getaway in style.

 

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Sightseeing and local guides.

• All meals as per the itinerary. Hotels used are 3 and 4-star category mixture of boutique and heritage hotels.

• Transportation by coach & Houseboat

• Service of a Gay tour manager at all times.

• All the entrance fee to the monuments.

 

CULTURE ASPECTS:

Expect some culture shock. You'll be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different from home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

 

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 Saturday - Chennai

Arrive at Chennai International Airport. Meet and greet. Transfer to hotel.

 

Day 2 Sunday - Mahaballipuram

Breakfast at the hotel. Late departure for city sightseeing by coach. Lunch. Then drive along the coastal road to Mahabalipuram. Check into hotel. Welcome drinks and dinner at the restaurant.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 3 - Monday - Mahaballipuram

Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour to the ancient monuments. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage etc. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

 

Day 4 - Tuesday- Pondicherry

Breakfast at the hotel. Late morning departure for the short drive to Pondicherry. Check into hotel. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

 

Day 5 - Wednesday -Pondicherry

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing including visit to Auroville Ashram. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage etc. Dinner at the restaurant. (B, L, D)

 

Day 6 - Thursday - Trichy

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for a coach trip to Trichy, stopping at the Nataraja Dancing Shiva Temple at Chidambaram. Lunch. Arrive Trichy and check into the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 7 - Friday - Trichy

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour of Trichy city including Rock Fort Temple and to the largest temple in India at Sri Ramgan. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon tour to Tanjore to see the great Brihadishwara Temple and Grand Anicut barrage on the Cauvery River. Return to Trichy for dinner. (B, L, D)

 

Day 8 - Saturday - Periyar

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for a coach trip to Periyar. Lunch en route. Arrive Periyar and check into the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

 

Day 9 - Sunday - Periyar

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour to Tiger Reserve including boat trip. Lunch. Afternoon visit to a spice garden and free time. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

 

Day 10 - Monday - Alleppy

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for a coach trip to Alappuzha (Alleppy). Check onto luxury houseboat for an overnight cruise on backwaters. Lunch and dinner on board. (B, L, D)

 

Day 11 - Tuesday - Mararikulum

Breakfast on the houseboat. Return to the coach and drive a short distance to Mararikulum beach. Check into the resort. Lunch. Afternoon free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage etc. Dinner at resort. (B, L, D)

 

Day 12 - Wednesday - Mararikulum

Breakfast at resort. Full day free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage etc. Lunch and dinner at the resort. (B, L, D)

 

Day 13 - Thursday - Cochin

Breakfast at resort. Late morning departure for a short drive to Kochi. Check into hotel. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing of Fort Cochin area. (B, L, D)

 

Day 14 - Friday - Cochin

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour of the city including harbour cruise. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon free time for shopping and individual sightseeing. (B, L, D)

 

Day 15 - Saturday - Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free time for shopping etc. Transfer to Kochi International Airport. Departure.End of service. (B, L, D)

 

This itinerary is correct at the time of issue and in good faith but is liable to change at any time or place for any reason.

 

 (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)