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Kerala and the Southern HighlightsFrom ZAR36 980 - 19 Days Fully Inclusive From South AfricaFrom the moment you set foot in southern India you will be transported to another time and place. Southern India is very different from the north, both culturally and geographically. This amazing tour commences in the colonial city of Chennai. A journey on the Shatabdi Express train to Bangalore will delight any train enthusiast, as will the Toy Train ride to Ooty, taking you through pine forests, offering the most breathtaking views. Learn about the timeless cultivation of tea as you visit a tea plantation. Look out for elephants at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady and enjoy serenity as you cruise the backwaters of Kerala. This fascinating tour is set to entice even the most widely travelled individual. Your journey will take you to one of the world’s most desirable destinations, a land that will certainly leave an impression. TOUR ITINERARYDays 1-2: South Africa to ChennaiFly overnight with Jet Airways to Chennai for 3 nights. Day 3: ChennaiToday we visit Marina Beach, the 2nd longest beach in the world, Fort St. George and see St. Mary’s Church. Day 4: Chennai – Kanchipuram and MamallapuramDrive south to Kanchipuram, here we visit the Shreenivas Silk House before we drive to the Rock Carvings of Mamallapuram. Day 5: Chennai to BangaloreRise early this morning to catch the Shatabdi Express train to Bangalore. Enjoy a tour of the city including a visit to the Bull Temple and Vidhana Soudha. Day 6: Bangalore to HassanToday we head west to Hassan and visit Sravanabelagola, where we climb to the top of the temple. Outside of Hassan visit the famous temples of Belur and Halebid. Day 7: Hassan to MysoreDrive south to Mysore visiting Srirangapatnam Fort en route. Inside the fortress walls visit a mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Upon arrival in Mysore visit the Maharaja’s Palace, part of which is still in use. We then drive up to Chamundi Hill to see the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple with a panoramic view of Mysore. Day 8: Mysore to CoonoorToday we head to the hills and drive to Coonoor. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Day 9: Coonoor - OotyThis morning take the ‘Toy Train’ to Ooty. The town was developed as a hill station by the British in the early 19th Century and is famous for its tea and coffee plantations. We visit the Botanical Gardens and take an optional 15min walk uphill to the local village, where we gain an insight into the lives of the local people and enjoy the amazing view over Ooty and the surrounding mountains. Later this afternoon we return to Coonoor by coach. Day 10: Coonoor to MunnarContinuing our descent from the highlands we have a full day of driving to Munnar. Day 11: Munnar to Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)Visit a local tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum. Drive to Thekkady and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary. Day 12: Periyar Wildlife SanctuaryRise early for a morning boat ride on Lake Periyar, keep a look out for wildlife such as elephants, bison and wild boar around the lake as we cruise along. This afternoon enjoy an optional 12km walk through the park searching for the local wildlife. Day 13: Thekkady to Nedumudy/HouseboatThis morning we leave Thekkady and drive to Nedumudy, near Kumarakom, to board our houseboat. Popularly known as ‘kettuvallam’, the houseboats are converted from traditional rice barges. While cruising to Alleppey, witness the lives of the people living in villages around the backwater areas of Kerala. Enjoy dinner as we spend a relaxing night on the houseboat. Day 14: Alleppey to KochiDisembarking from our boat this morning we drive to Kochi. En route visit a local market in Alleppey, a coir factory and the Kokothamangalam Church. Later this evening enjoy a Kathakali Dance Show. Day 15: KochiEnjoy a full day tour of Kochi, including a visit to St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried and the Santa Cruz Cathedral with its pastel coloured interior and carved wooden panels. We also visit the Jewish Synagogue, in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, stroll through the nearby markets and witness the unique cantilevered Chinese fishing nets nearby. Day 16: Kochi to KovalamDrive to Kovalam Beach this morning. The afternoon is free to relax, go for a walk on the beach and watch the local fishermen haul in their catch. Day 17: Kovalam - TrivandrumEnjoy a full day tour around Trivandrum. Visit the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Zoological Gardens and Museums where we visit the Napier Museum with its bronze collection and the Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Also visit the Observatory, the Kanakakunnu Palace and Sree Moolamthirunal Shastri Purthi Memorial (State Handicraft Institute). Day 18: Depart KovalamToday is at leisure to relax at the resort or walk along the beach. After a late check out transfer to Trivandrum Airport and board our flight back home. Day 19: Arrive South AfricaArrive home in Johannesburg. |
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