South India Trip by Smooth Holidays Pvt. Ltd

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 / Arrival Kochi

Arrive Kochi, meet assist at the airport. Transfer to hotel and night stay in Kochi.

Day 02 / Kochi Sightseeing

After Breakfast Full Day city sightseeing. Kochi (formerly Cochin) is the most beautiful coastal city and one of the largest ports of India. It is a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Here you can see the oldest church in India, congested Portuguese-built colonies, Chinese fishing nets, an ancient "white Jewish" community which has survived for 1000 years, a fabulous 16th century synagogue, a palace which contains the most beautiful murals, and many other attractions. The Fort of Cochin is the oldest European fort in India. The St Francis Church is the oldest European church in India The Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568, is the oldest in the Commonwealth. Night stay in Kochi.

Day 03 / Kochi - Allapuzha (Alleppy)

Morning proceed to half-Day tour to Gundu Island by boat through the backwaters and see remarkable coir industries on the way. In the afternoon, drive to Allapuzha, arrive and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Allapuzha.

Day 04 / Allapuzha - Kottayam - Thekkady (Periyar National Park)

Proceed to backwater cruise to Kottayam. Afternoon drive to Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Night stay at the lodge. Kottayam is a pretty town at the foothills of the Western Ghats. It is a commercial centre noted for its trade in rubber, spices, tea, etc. It is also the main centre of the Syrian Christians (75% of the Kerala Christians). Night stay in Periyar.

Day 05 / Periyar National Park

Spend the Day in the jungle, in Periyar, best approached from Kottayam (80km). The 800 sq. km wildlife sanctuary skirts the Periyar Lake at its centre. Cruise on the lake while taking in the pleasures of this habitat. You can see tigers, deer, wild dogs, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar squirrel and sloth bears. The lake attracts all kinds of water birds. In the vicinity are lofty observation towers, and a medieval palace, now a hotel. Night stay in Periyar.

Day 06 / Periyar - Madurai

Transfer to railway station to the train to Madurai, arrive and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Madurai.

Day 7 / Madurai - Chennai

Proceed to half-Day tour of Madurai. Situated on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is the ancient capital of the Pandya Kings. Legend has it, that the divine nectar falling from the locks of Lord Shiva gave the town its ancient name, Madhurapuri-the land of nectar. ToDay, it is an important business centre. The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her consort Lord Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord Vishnu. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand-pillared hall. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Madurai. Afternoon, transfer to airport to board the flight to Chennai. Arrive Chennai and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Chennai.

Day 8 / Chennai - Departure

Morning proceed for half - Day sightseeing tour of Chennai. The city is the capital of Tamil Nadu, earlier known as Madras. Chennai is bestowed with a 4.5 kilometre long stretch of shore, called Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. A lighthouse here enables the visitor to see the entire city-a breathtaking sight. Also spend some time at the 40km long fascinating beach. Historically important are an old Catholic Church and a famous Durgah. Later transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey