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This tour promises you numerous memories that are adorned with intricate creations witnessed at the temples and ones fragrant with the whiff of typical sandalwood. The cosmopolitan Chennai is a rich experience in itself. Behold, while the magic unfolds - as you travel from Mamallapuram, Kumbakonam to Tanjore and Madurai - all decorated with magnificent temples that tell the ancient glory. They are living proofs of the rich Indian heritage. It lifts the soul and leaves the whole being peaceful and placid. Against the back drop of coconut groves and paddy fields taste the adventure at Periyar - the home of Indian Elephants, lush green forests and crystal waters. Cochin marks the end of this journey but leaves the heart wanting for more of it !!. |
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Tour Itinerary: |
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Day 01: DEPART CANADA.
Start your tour at either YYZ or YVR. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey. |
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DAY 02: CHENNAI AIRPORT TO MAMALLAPURAM / ARRIVAL TRANSFER.
Upon arrival in Chennai, our Executive will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer from Airport to Hotel. (Overnight stay in Mamallapuram) |
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DAY 03: MAMALLAPURAM.
After breakfast depart for the sightseeing of Mamallapuram covering The Arjuna`s Penance (Bass Relief) and onward visiting monuments of Five rathas (symbolises equality of men & women) & the famous Shore temple. Apart from the monuments we also visit to a Sculpture studio. After Sightseeing, you will enjoy & experience the traditional lunch of South Indian special's served on Banana leaf. Evening leisure on the beach. (Overnight stay in Mamallapuram). |
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DAY 04: MAMALLAPURAM TO KUMBAKONAM/SWAMIMALAI
(Via. Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Dharasuram).
Check out of the hotel and drive to Kumbakonam - a small typical Indian town. Enroute visit temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram (famous Shiva temple) with its beautiful high towers full with many small sculptures depicting stories of old epics. Proceed to visit Dharasuram temple (built in memory of the White elephant - AIRAVATH from the gods family), the temple has its original name as "Airavatheshwar temple". Further more you will be taken for a special visit to the Silk Weaving at a near by place (walk able distance). Untouched by regular tourist & no hassle of shop keepers/sellers, this visit will give you glimpse on weaving industry & the hard work behind it. Onward drive for about 30mnts to reach your hotel in Swamimalai. The hotel here is special with its rich heritage & unique building structure. (Overnight stay in Swamimalai)
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DAY 05: SWAMIMALAI TO TANJORE.
Check out of the hotel and drive to Tanjore - the chola citadel. Tanjore is also known as the rice bowl of India, as a major part of Rice is been cultivated & distributed from here to other parts of the country. On arrival at Tanjore visit - the world famous Brahadeshwara temple (houses one of Asia's biggest Nandi -the bull). The temple built by the cholas is very special for its architecture. The most exiting is that the temple does not have a shadow falling on ground at any time of day but falls on its own body. Then on visit the Bronze gallery at palace museum. Later check in the hotel and at 16.00hrs we take you on a special visit to the near by village to experience the art of Statue making & Glass painting. You can watch people at work clarify all your doubt related. You also have the possibility of trying it out practically at the work spot in the village. (Overnight stay in Tanjore). |
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DAY 06: TANJORE TO MADURAI / VIA.TRICHY.
Check out from hotel after early breakfast and drive to Trichy - a town situated on the banks of river Cauvery. On arrival visit the famous " Sriranganathaswami temple" at Srirangam - The most revered of the 108 pilgrimage shrines of Vishnu, and the largest temple complex in all India, it is surrounded by seven concentric walls (the outermost wall having a perimeter of over 3 kilometers) and 21 towers called "Gopurams". The most attractive among the Gopuras is the one at the entrance with lot of colors and stands one of the tallest amongst many other temple towers in Tamilnadu. Srirangam enshrines a statue of Vishnu reclining on a great serpent. Then on visit the local market (Gandhi Market) at the main town. Later drive to reach the old city of Tamilnadu - Madurai. On arrival check in to hotel and in the evening visit to Meenakshi temple for the night ceremony where God Shiva (Meenakshi`s husband) is taken in a palanquin to the bedroom of Meenakshi. This is a daily procession and next day early morning before sunrise God Shiva is brought back to his shrine with in the temple complex. God Shiva here is known as Sundareshwar. The temple has its full name as " Meenakshi Sundareshwar " temple. (Overnight stay in Madurai). |
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DAY 07: IN MADURAI/ Sight seeing.
Morning after breakfast sight seeing tour of Madurai by Cycle Rickshaw. The Bi-Cycle Rickshaw tour of Madurai offers you a memorable experience of being in this old city. It takes you to the interesting narrow streets & lanes of Madurai showing the typical life of people in here. The Rickshaw pullers of Madurai were getting very unpopular with the locals, as the locals preferred the more modern mode of transport. The Cycle Rickshaw - the most eco friendly form of transport was fast being phased out, and the hundred and twenty rickshaw pullers of Madurai were being deprived of a lively hood as they were unable to buy the modern forms of transport like the auto rickshaw/taxi etc. To give these pullers another lease of life we at Hi-tours have designed this tour as part of our commitment to promote responsible tourism. By taking this tour you are supporting the rickshaw pullers and at the same time, encouraging the locals to use the rickshaws and all of this in a very eco friendly way. By Cycle Rickshaw we visit - Meenakshi temple (one of the largest temple complexes in south India), Flower/Fruit & Spice Market, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum ( closed on Monday ) , Small scale Industry like Vessel making & Cloth making.. (Overnight stay in Madurai). |
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DAY 08 : MADURAI TO PERIYAR/THEKKADY.
Check out from hotel after breakfast and drive to Periyar (also known as Thekkady). The name Periyar comes after the Dam made here by the English in 1895. A wild life reserve hence is an ideal place to track down wild life such as Elephants, Bison, Deer and numerous other varieties of birds. The landscape here is with very tropical and you will be surrounded by tea, coffee & other spices. On arrival check on to hotel and at 16.00hrs leave for a guided plantation tour to the nearby garden where in various species of spices and other aromatic plants are cultivated. The guide explains & clarifies your doubts on this tour. Depending on the day's opportunity you will also taken to visit a tea factory nearby. You will also experience elephant ride for (20 minutes ) (Overnight stay in Thekkady) |
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DAY 09: IN PERIYAR/THEKKADY.
Early morning at 06.00am you go on a Guided Jungle walk at the Periyar tiger Reserve/national Park. This 03hrs walk (not very hard) is very interesting and gives you the chance to see the wildlife life at a very close distance. If you are lucky you may even spot the rarely sighted leopards & tigers. Return to hotel and rest. At 15.30hrs we leave for the most popular boat trip ( OPTIONAL TRIP ) at the National Park - the best way to observe game in wild is by boat. There are many animals to see, including herds of elephants, bison's and packs of wild boars that roam through the woods and parade along the shores of the lake just before sunrise and sunset. You can also see also different species of apes. The golden langur monkey that lives here is rarely seen in the rest of India. Other animals in Periyar are otters and porcupines. Water turtles can often be seen sunning themselves on the pieces of wood that stick out of the water. Osprey and Cormorants belong to the most important species of birds in this area. (Overnight stay in Thekkady)
Entry Tickets for Boat ride has to be taken directly by the client by producing a Xerox copy of passport. |
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DAY 10: PERIYAR TO ALLEPPEY /BACKWATERS
[House Boat Cruise: Alleppey Round Trip].
Depart from hotel at 08.00am and we drive down hill through the beautiful landscape of tea gardens to reach the land of backwaters - Alleppey. On arrival check in to a private House Boat at 12.00noon that is waiting to take you on a tour through the backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the landscape from the protection of the cabin. The population's whole life takes place here on the water. The people sail, fish, swim and bathe here. They do their washing and their washing up. They are so adapted to the water that you can see people talking for an hour, while they are up to their necks in water. Canoes with huge sails still transport people and you can find vegetable sellers, fisherman and other household materials being brought door to door by small wooden boats. This whole area is surrounded with coconut palms and, lush green Rice fields. The major cropping here is of coconut and it is said that the name for this place KERALA was from the old name of coconut as KERA. This trip enables you to learn/ know more on life of people who are dependent on backwaters. (Overnight onboard House Boat). |
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DAY 11: ALLEPPEY TO COCHIN.
Disembark from Houseboat at 10.00am and drive to Cochin - a cosmopolitan city in the federal state of Kerala. An hour's drive from here will reach you to Cochin. On arrival check in the hotel and depart for the sight seeing tour of Cochin visiting -The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, The St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India, The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. Evening at 16.30hrs visit the Chinese fishing nets - huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Onward at 17.30pm we visit to the famous dance drama of Kerala, the "Kathakali". This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Evenings by the Chinese fishing area is very lively with the daily fish market in here. All the live catch from time to time comes to sale. If you are a person who like to eat fish, then you can buy very fresh fish from here and ask the nearby restaurant to cook the same for you. (Overnight stay in Cochin)
Jewish Synagogue & Dutch palace are closed on Friday & Saturday. |
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DAY 12: DEPARTURE.
Breakfast at hotel and later check out of the hotel and drive towards Cochin airport to board flight back to Canada. |
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(END OF OUR SERVICES)
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| TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES: |
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Deluxe accommodation. |
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Daily buffet breakfast. |
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Return airport transfers. |
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Transportation by Private Air Conditioned Car. |
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Traditional Lunch in Mamallapuram. |
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Bi Cycle Rickshaw tour at Madurai. |
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Trekking / plantation tour at Periyar National Park. |
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Elephant ride in Periyar. |
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Kathakali dance performance visit at Cochin. |
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Backwater Cruise at Alleppy. |
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Private English speaking guide. |
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Sightseeing as per package details. |
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All presently applicable land taxes. |
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International & Domestic airfare. |
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| TOUR PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE: |
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Meals other than those mentioned in above inclusions. |
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Camera fee and tips |
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All things of personal nature like laundry, telephone etc. |
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And all other than those listed in above inclusions. |
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| Tour Length |
12 Days |
| Visit |
Canada (Arrival) - Chennai - Mamallapuram - Kumbakonam/Swamimalai - Tanjore - Madurai - Periyar - Alleppey - Cochin - Canada (Departure) |
| Prices |
Starting At CAD 3,150* Only. |
| Dates |
DAILY PRIVATE DEPARTURES |
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| Kathakali dance performance visit at Cochin. |
| Elephant ride in Periyar. |
| Backwater Cruise at Alleppey. |
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| DAILY PRIVATE DEPARTURES |
| TOUR PRICE: |
| TOUR COST LAND + AIR : (From Toronto) |
| Per Person on twin sharing: |
CAD 3150 PER PERSON +Air Taxes |
| Supplement for single room: |
CAD 790 |
| Second Person only pays: |
CAD 2250 + Air Taxes |
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| TOUR COST : (From Vancouver) |
| Per Person on twin sharing: |
CAD 3350 PER PERSON +Air Taxes* |
| Supplement for single room: |
CAD 790 |
| Second Person only pays: |
CAD 2250 + Air Taxes |
| Special Promotion: Book and Pay before July 30, 2010 - Second person international air free. |
| * Some weekend surcharge applicable. Not valid for travel from Dec 05, 2010 to Jan 05, 2011. |
| ** Prices are Based on Per Person on Twin Share Basis. |
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