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Day 1 arrive Madras  |
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Arrive Madras by international flight. After clearing immigration and customs formalities you are met by a representative from First Tours and transferred to Fisherman’s Cove, a snug resort located on Covelong beach amid whispering casuarina and palm trees.
(Fisherman’s Cove) |
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| Day 2 Madras |
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Madras – home of the ancient Dravidian civilization, hardly touched by the invasions from the north, is often claimed to be "pure" India. In the morning visit the Kapaleswar temple complex and the Parthasarathi temple complex. Enjoy hot lunch at Annalakshmi Restaurant. The restaurant compliments southern India temple architecture and serves fine south Indian food in a beautiful environment. In the afternoon visit the Government Museum that houses the worlds most complete and impressive selection of Chola bronzes and stone sculptures from South India and the Deccan.
(Fisherman’s Cove) |
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| Day 3 Madras / Mahabalipuram / Madras |
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After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Mahabalipuram. Set in a boulder-strewn landscape on the Bay of Bengal this 7th century city is called to be a sculptor’s delight, which boasts some of India's most sublime rock-cut art. Sightseeing includes visit to the Pallava period cave temples, monolith temple chariots and relief sculptured rock panels. In the afternoon visit Dakshinachitra. This living museum has relocated the 18th, 19th and early 20th century houses and re-created village streets and work places providing authentic insights into the domestic architecture, life-styles and culture of the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
(Fisherman’s Cove) |
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| Day 4 Madras / Madurai |
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 Transfer to the airport in time for Indian flight IC 671 Madras / Madurai (1145/1240). Arrive Madurai and transfer to Taj Garden Retreat situated on the Pasumalai hill with a panoramic view of the temple city. In the evening visit Meenakshi-Sundareshwar temple to witness the Aarti ceremony, the festival of lights, and the colorful procession in which Lord Sundareshwar is carried to the Goddess Meenakshi to sleep by her side.
(Taj Garden Retreat Madurai) |
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| Day 5 Madurai |
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Start the sightseeing today visiting the Meenakshi-Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures life of the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostrations of countless devotees and glittering market stalls. In the afternoon visit the Indo-Saracenic style Thirumalai Nayaka Palace which was built by the Nayak rulers of Madurai in 1636.
(Taj Garden Retreat Madurai) |
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| Day 6 Madurai / Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary) |
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Early morning drive 85 miles in 4 hours to Thekkady. Arrive Thekkady and check-in to Taj Garden Retreat situated close to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in a 3.5acre retreat perched on a hill, nestling within thick woods strewn with flowering shrubs, bountiful fruit trees and coffee plants. Afternoon is at leisure to relax. You may wish to go for a Spice Plantation tour.
(Taj Garden Retreat Thekkady) |
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| Day 1 to Day 6 | Day
7 to Day 12 | Day
13 to Day 18 |