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COAST TO COAST
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COROMANDAL TO MALABAR
South of the Indian peninsula, the eastern Coromandal coast
along the Bay of Bengal has retained the beauty and purity
of the ancient Dravidian culture that remained almost untouched
by the Aryan invasions of the North. Temples of Tamil Nadu
were the fulcrum of society. The art forms that have their
origin in religious worship, continue to colour daily life
here. The Malabar coast along the Arabian sea is a tropical
paradise of undulating palms and sandy beaches, hill resorts,
spectacular temples, backwater cruises and friendly people. |
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MADRAS / MAMALLAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM / MADURAI / PERlYAR / COCHIN
/ KUMARAKOM / KOVALAM
• Day 1. MADRAS / MAMALLAPURAM
(80 kms) Arrive Madras. Transfer to Mamallapuram.
Check into beach resort. Post lunch tour of the 7th century
Pallava cave temples and monoliths, stone temples and sculptured
rock panels. Evening at leisure on the beach. Overnight Mamallapuram.
• Day 2. MAMALLAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM
/ MADRAS (2 hrs) Morning drive to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile
capital of the Pallavas and Cholas, visit its numerous temples
dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses. It is also home to
the weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks. Arrive Madras
in the afternoon. Check into hotel. Evening tour of Fort St.George,
St. Mary's church, the oldest Anglican church east of the
Suez and the Basilica of St. Thomas, believed to have been
built by St.Thomas, the apostle. Also visit the Snake Park
and the Parathasarthy temple. Visit the interesting Madras
crafts center - Dakshina Chitra. Overnight Madras
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Day 3. MADRAS / MADURAI
Morning flight to Madurai. Transfer to hotel. Later proceed
on city tour visiting the temples which are a city
within a city built in the Dravidian style, one for Shiva
and other for spouse Meenakshi. Also visit Teppa Kulu, a tank
with an island temple. Overnight Madurai.
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Day 4. MADURAI I
PERIYAR (4 hrs):
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Proceed
by road to Periyar. Check into Spice Village set in the heart
of the cardamom hills of Kerala. The village lies just outside
Periyar Tiger Reserve and a stay here is a perfect way to appreciate
the environment. This is a place for anyone who loves nature
to fill your lung with fresh air, to savour the rich fragrance
of cinnamon and cloves or to watch young elephants at the water's
edge. Day at leisure to visit nearby coffee plantations, spice
gardens with pepper vines or a trek deep into the tropical forest.
Overnight Spice Village.
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Day 5. PERIYAR : Tour
of Periyar wildlife sanctuary by boat or elephant to view a
rich variety of wildlife- tiger, elephant, wild boar, deer
and monkeys. Overnight Spice Village.
• Day 6. PERIYAR/COCHIN (3hrs) : Drive
to Cochin. Check into hotel. Evening sunset cruise to view Chinese
fishing nets and the Bolghaty island palace. Later view traditional
Kathakali classical dance. Overnight Cochin.
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Day 7. COCHIN/ KUMARAKOM (3 hrs) : Morning
city tour visiting the Dutch Mattancherry palace, and the Jewish
synagogue. Later drive to Kumarakom. Check into cottages of
the heritage Coconut Lagoon Resort situated in the backwaters.
Overnight Coconut Lagoon & day free to explore the backwaters
and the lake by quiet motor-boats and canoes through water channel
or visit the bird sanctuary on the opposite bank or just relax
and enjoy "Pizhichic", a particularly energising Ayurvedic oil
massage. |
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Day 8. KUMARAKOM / ALLEPPEY /
KOVALAM:
Drive to Alleppey, also Known as the "Venice of the east"
for a three hour backwater cruise upto Kottayam. It
gives a uniquely quaint view of the unspoiled village
life of Kerala, past lush green paddy fields, coconut and
banana groves. From Kottayam drive to Kovalam (2 hrs). Check
into your beach resort. Overnight Kovalam.
• Day 9. KOVALAM: Full day at
leisure to enjoy water sports etc. Overnight Kovalam.
• Day 10. KOVALAM: Full day
at leisure at the beach for independent activities. Overnight
Kovalam.
• Day 11. KOVALAM / TRIVANDRUM
: Transfer to Trivandrum to board flight to Delhi / Bombay.
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• OPTIONS AND EXTENSIONS
› 1 Extension to Pondicherry from Madras
to visit Mother's ashram and Auroville.
› 2. Day return tour of Kanyakumari India's
southern-most tip from Kovalam.
› 3. Extension to Munnar from Periyar.
› 4. Extension to Bangaram Island resort
in Lakshadweep for scuba diving swimming and water sports.
› 5. Extension to Maldives from Trivandrum
or Andamans from Madras.
6.HOUSEBOAT CRUISES IN THE BACKWATERS OF KERALA (POSSIBLE INTERESTING
VARIATION). |
The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring
images of the backwaters - its natural cocoon like profile
complementing the surrounding countryside. Known as a 'Keftuvallam',
these palm-covered country boats were designed to carry heavy
cargo such as coconuts and spices and to provide living accommodation
for the boatmen. Two of them have been adapted to offer holiday
makers the ultimate backwater experience.
Preserving
their historic character and style, craftsmen have created
a unique atmosphere on board- a luxurious, self contained
world from which to observe rural Indian life flowing gently
by.
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Whether
it is an exploratory, overnight cruise through narrow canals.
a gentle circumnavigation around the still, vast waters of
lake Vembanad, or a longer passage from Cochin to Alleppey,
the experience will bequite different from any other holiday.
The chefs only serve traditional houseboat fare (the spice
content can be reduced, if required), including freshly caught
Karimeen otherwise known as Pearlspot, a delicious backwater
fish - local vegetables and rice. Beer, too served on board,
and other drinks can be ordered and brought on before departure.
• 7. AYURVEDIC MASSAGES
Ayurveda or the science of life, is almost as old as Indian
civilization. Using only natural products, it adopts a holistic
approach, harmonising the body, mind and soul. There are no
distressing side effects and it is an internationally acclaimed
form of healing, particularly in relation to arthritis and
other joint complaints. The clinic at Coconut Lagoon is run
by a fully qualified physician or "Vaidya" who offers free
consultations. Ideally, Ayurveda should be practiced for one
to three weeks, and many people come to the resort solely
for treatment. The 'Pizhichic' is a particularly energising
oil massage, administered by two people who synchronize their
movements.
• BEST TlME: October to April.
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