SOUTHERN SPICES OF INDIA

(Country visited: India)

If the north of India fascinated you, wait until you experience its Dravidian part! Southern India is historically and culturally much older than the north and has lush vegetation not seen in the north. We tour some of the oldest Hindu Temples, experience a wildlife safari, enjoy backwater cruise from Kerala, view Cochin, the Venice of the East, and relax with Ayurvedic massage in Kovalam.

Day 1: Arrive Madras (Chennai)
Namaste! Welcome to the city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras. After clearing immigration and customs we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Ambassador Pallava, Madras (2 nights)

Day 2: Madras / Mamallapuram
Today we take an excursion to the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. On our return we tour Chennai, culturally one of the richest cities of India. We visit the Kapaleeswarar, the ancient Shiva Temple, Santhome Church and the bazaar.
(B, D)

Day 3: Madras/Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Tiruchirapalli - Trichy, a town deeply immersed in Hindu religion, and home to some outstanding Dravidian temple architecture. Here we start our tour with a visit to the Rock Fort Temple, the maze of the Mathurubhuteshwar Shrine and other local temples. Then we visit some of the local villages and see the rural life of Southern India.
Overnight: Sangam, Tiruchirapalli (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 4: Thanjavur (Tanjore)
We enjoy a day trip to Thanjavur, to visit the Brihadisvara Temple, a World Heritage Site, which was built between 1003 A.D. and 1010 A.D. in the reign of the great King Rajaraja, founder of the Chola Empire tahtstretched over all of South India and neighboring islands in South East Asia. Surrounded by two rectangular enclosures, Brihadisvar is crowned with a pyramidal 13-storey tower that stands 61 m/67 yards high and is topped with a bulb-shaped monolith. The walls of the temple are covered with rich sculptural decorations. Evening, we enjoy a treat with a typical South Indian dinner with a classical Kathakali dance performance. (B, D)

Day 5: Trichy/Madurai (Drive 128kms / 79miles)
Today we drive to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in the South. En route we enjoy a traditional Puppet show. The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction of Madurai and its huge Gopurams tower over the city. The Meenakshi temple has a thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. There are precisely 985 pillars and each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved. Among these are the musical pillars that produce music when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are carved of a single granite rock. The temple has been a hub of Tamil culture and has sponsored the creation of great literature, art, music, and dance in the region for a long time. The city, apart from temple, is crammed with shops, street markets, pilgrims, hotels and restaurants. This is certainly a lively and culturally rich city.
Overnight: Hotel Madurai Ashok, (1 night) (B, D)

Day 6: Madurai/Kodaikanal (Drive 166kms / 102miles)
A scenic and refreshing drive to the peaceful hill station of Kodaikanal located at the top of the Palini Hills. Upon arrival we take a boat ride on the Kodaikanal Lake giving us a unique opportunity to experience the landscape. Evening, we spend time with the local people.
Overnight: Hotel Sterling Resort, Kodaikanal (1 night) (B, D)

Day 7: Kodaikanal/Periyar (Drive 150kms/90 miles)
An interesting day ahead as we drive through the spice and tea gardens. We stop to see the tea estates and learn about the process of growing tea. Later we drive to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Periyar where our experience of the wildlife of India begins. Afternoon, we start with a boat tour for a first-class game viewing experience. The forest here slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill and the lake serves as the waterhole/swimming hole for the animals. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted. The reserve is famous for the Indian elephants, gaur and a host of water birds.
Overnight: Spice Village, Periyar (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 8: Periyar
A full day at Periyar sanctuary game viewing. One of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. Evening is at your leisure. (B, D)

Day 9: Periyar/Cochin (Cruise 185kms / 114 miles)
After short drive to Changanacherry we take a small cruise through the famous backwaters of Kerala. Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is an intricate network of innumerable Lagoons, Lakes, Canals, Estuaries and the Deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. These Backwaters are both the basis of a distinct lifestyle and a fascinating thoroughfare and traveling by boat along the Backwaters is one of the highlights of our tour. This afternoon we arrive in Cochin.
Overnight: Taj Residency, Cochin (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Cochin
Today we explore Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city, often referred to as the Venice of the East. Here we tour the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue and take a boat tour to visit the Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action. (B, D)

Day 11: Cochin/Kovalam (Drive 250kms / 154miles)
A scenic and easy drive gets us to the beautiful Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast near Trivandrum. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories make this beach an incredible paradise. We arrive in the afternoon and take the rest of the day off to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.
Overnight: Somatheeram, Kovalam (5 nights) (B, D)

Day 12: Kovalam
Today we enjoy a visit to the “Lands End” of India: Kanniya Kumari is the southernmost tip of peninsular India where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. A place from where one can see spectacular sunrises and also colourful sunsets. On balmy evenings, one can watch the sun set while the full moon is rising in another part of the sky! (B, D)

Days 13: Trivandrum
Our day at Thiruvananthapuram, earlier known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of Kerala. The name literally splits into "Tiru", "Anantha" and "puram" meaning "the town of Lord Anantha". The temple of Lord Anantha is at the heart of the town and for generations, the kings have called themselves "Padmanabha-Dasa" or the "servants of Lord Ananthapadmanabha", and ruled the state as the representatives of Lord Anantha-Padmanabha. We visit the beautiful Temple of Padmanabhaswamy, the Chitra Art Gallery, Napier Museum and t local market. (B, D)

Day 14: Kovalam
At the end of the tour, an amazing treat! We are driven to Somatheeram, a resort which specializes in the world-renowned Indian Ayurvedic massages. Here we can enjoy the many ayurvedic treatments, including a rejuvenating massage. (B, D)

Day 15: Kovalam
Day at leisure to explore on our own this typically styled Kerala resort. An ideal opportunity to enjoy the other amenities at this health resort including yoga. (B, D)

Day 16: Depart Kovalam
After an interesting insight into the colourful and mystical Dravidian India, we bid farewell to our journey of Southern Spices and are transferred for our flight back home. (B)

Tour Details: Southern Spices of India

Tour Price includes:
• Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes
• Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Services of local English speaking guides
• Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
• Train/domestic or regional airfare Madras/Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)

Tour Price does not include:
• International airfares
• Border/departure/airport taxes
• Insurance
• Visas
• Personal expenses
• Beverages
• Tips
• Services not mentioned above

Departure Dates for 2004: Jan 09 & 23, Feb 6 & 27, Mar 12 & 26, Apr 09, Sep 10 & 24, Oct 08 & 22, Nov 05 & 26, Dec 18.

Tour prices
Jan – Mar US $ 2598.00 two sharing
Apr – Sep US $ 2198.00 two sharing
Oct – Dec US $ 2698.00 two sharing
US $ 575.00 Single Supplement

Tour size: Minimum: 02 Maximum: 20

= World Heritage Site

World Heritage Sites visited:

• Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1985)
• Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur (1987)