Pre and Post Tour Sample Itineraries - South India
South India and the Kerala Backwaters
Art of Living Highlights and Preferred Hotels
content coming
OPTION 1 Quick Reference Itinerary for Malabar and Coromandel Coast South India
|
Days |
Sectors |
Recommended Hotels |
Highlights, Activities and Interests |
|
Day 1 |
Arrive Chennai / |
Taj Fisherman’s Cove |
UNESCO protected Mamallapuram's Dravidian cave temples and ancient bas reliefs. temples and archaeological site. |
|
Day 2 |
Mammlapuram/Kanchipuram / Pondicherry |
Le Dupleix |
Kanchipuram one of the most important Hindu temple towns of India and renowned for its elaborate silk weaving and production of madras cottons. |
|
Day 3 |
Pondicherry |
Le Dupleix |
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville’s international intentional community, the French quarter of Pondi. |
|
Day 4 |
Pondicherry |
Dune Eco Resort |
Funky villas by the sea with ayurvedic treatments and wonderful food. |
|
Day 5 |
Pondicherry via Tiruchirappali // Chettinad (drive of 5-6 hours) |
Bangala Estate |
Fascinating temple town Trichy situated on the banks of the Cauvery River. |
|
Day 6 |
Chettinad |
Bangala |
Karaikudi, situated in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, the biggest city in Chettinad and famous for its Ganesha temple, antiques, woven textiles, crafts, majestic mansions and a most distinctive cuisine. |
|
Day 7 |
Chettinad/ Periyar |
Spice Village or Shalimar |
Scenic landscapes, tea and spice plantations, Ayurvedic treatments, National Park for trekking. |
|
Day 8 |
Periyar |
||
|
Day 9 |
Periyar/ Kumarakom |
Radisson, Coconut Lagoon or Kumarakom Lake Resort or Philikutty’s Farm Estate |
Intriguing and ancient way of life on Kerala Backwaters, Kathikali Dance performances, fresh fish and seafood. |
|
Day 10 |
Kumarakom |
||
|
Day 11 |
Kumarakom / Houseboat |
Luxury 1 or 2 en-suite cabin houseboat |
Romantic, tranquil escape to drifting the smaller canals of the Backwaters |
|
Day 12 |
Houseboat / Cochin |
Brunton Boatyard |
Fort Cochin with its atmospheric setting on the Arabian sea, bustling water traffic, colonial architecture, Mediterranean influences. |
|
Day 13 |
Cochin |
Sightseeing, private cooking class, great shopping |
|
|
Day 14 |
Cochin / Departure |
Option 2 Quick Reference Itinerary for GEMS OF SOUTH India
|
Days |
Sectors |
Recommended Hotels |
Highlights, Activities and Interests |
|
Day 1 |
Jaipur via Delhi / Bangalore / Mysore |
Hotel Metropole |
Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive 3.5 hrs to Mysore en route visiting Srirangapatnam- – a complex of Tipu Sultans’ Fort and Palaces and Mausoleum, richly decorated with carving and frescoes |
|
Day 2 |
Mysore |
Hotel Metropole |
Regal MYSORE – the Sandalwood City where thanks to royal patronage, artists, writers and craftsmen have flourished, making it the cultural epicentre of Karnataka. It is a major centre for the manufacture of incense, and its flowers-spice-vegetable market amongst the finest in India. Also Mysore silk is well known for its quality and everlasting luster. Sightseeing of Mysore and the City Palace. Dinner at Kodava Family home with classical Indian music performance. |
|
Day 3 |
Mysore / Waynad |
Tranquil Resort |
Life on a plantation – modern colonial style. Tour a working plantation and visit pre-historic caves |
|
Day 4 |
Waynad |
Day at leisure or trekking or sightseeing |
|
|
Day 5 |
Wayanad/Calicut/Cochin |
Brunton Boatyard or Old Harbour Inn or Malabar House |
|
|
Day 6 |
Cochin |
Sightseeing of Cochin where the Dutch, the Portuguese, the French, the Jews and early Chinese traders have all left their mark. Evening cooking lesson and private dinner of superb Syrian Christian dishes. |
|
|
Day 7 |
Cochin / Houseboat |
Luxury 1 or 2-cabin en-suite houseboats |
Lunch & dinner served on the houseboats. Access the smaller canals where the vibrant daily life of the backwaters can be observed. |
|
Day 8 |
Houseboat/Kumarakom |
Coconut Lagoon – Private Pool Villa Or Newly established and luxurious Radisson Plaza Resort and Spa which has the most spectacular spa centre in all of India specializing in Ayurvedic and Western treatments. Alternatively stay at Philikutty’s Farm, with 5 delightful and comfortable villas on an island farm in the backwaters, run by a caring family with wonderful food. |
|
|
Day 9 |
Kumarakom |
Day at leisure |
|
|
Day 10 |
Kumarakom/Cochin/ International Departure |