Chennai to Cochin Temple, Beach & Backwater Overland Tour

Duration	Destination	Departure
14 days and 13 nights	India (Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur (Tanjore), Trichy, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Kovalam, Alleppey, Kochi)	India (Chennai)

Description

The 14 days private tour include Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Darasuram, Thanjore, Trichy, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Kovalam, Alleppey & Cochin in its itinerary. Discover the colonial influence of British, French & Dutch in its respective colony. Visit the Hindu shrines and admire the unique grand structure done beautifully. Each shrine in South India, irrespective of its location displays fine artwork not only in the interiors but also outside on the Gopurams (spire). Enjoy boat cruise in Backwater and relax on the beach at Kovalam.

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Category
3 star hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  13 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.  Bottled drinking water in car.  Government taxes. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
4 star hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  13 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.  Bottled drinking water in car.  Government taxes. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
5 star hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  13 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.  Bottled drinking water in car.  Government taxes. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Program

Day 1:

Arrive Chennai
On arrival assistance & transfer to hotel (hotel check in/ out time 12pm). Later visit Fort St. George, St Mary Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2:

Chennai - Mahabalipuram (120kms)
Drive to Mahabalipuram via visiting Kanchipuram an ancient city famous as city of thousands temple. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit Mahabalipuram UNESCO WHS monuments Monolithic Temples, Krishnas Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 3:

Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (120kms)
Drive to Pondicherry check in at hotel. Later visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 4:

Pondicherry - Thanjavur (180kms)
Drive to Thanjavur via visiting Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and The Great Living Chola Temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Darasuram. On arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 5:

Thanjavur - Trichy (60kms)
Visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Palace Complex built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Drive to Trichy check in at hotel. Later visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple the largest functional temple in the world and The Rock Fort the oldest rock in the world 230 crore years old.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 6:

Trichy - Madurai (135kms)
Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 7:

Madurai - Rameshwaram (170kms)
Drive to Rameshwaram, check in at hotel. Later visit Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Temple & Walk on Adams Bridge.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 8:

Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari (320kms)
Drive to Kanyakumari check in at hotel. Rest time to relax on the beach and watch sunset.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 9:

Kanyakumari - Kovalam (80kms)
Visit Kanyakumari Temple, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vattakottai Fort. Later drive to Kovalam check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 10:

Kovalam
Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Temple, Napier Museum, Kuthira Malika & Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Drive through Shankumugham Beach & Vizhinjam lighthouse.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 11:

Kovalam
Day free for personal activities and relax.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 12:

Kovalam - Alleppey (160kms)
Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat & sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters.
O/n in houseboat. Meal plan: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

Day 13:

Alleppey - Cochin (60kms)
Drive to Cochin check in at hotel. Visit Fort Cochin, St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace & Chinese fishing nets. Evening watch Kathakali Dance. Overnight at hotel.
Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 14:

Cochin - Departure
Departure transfer to airport. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Price includes

 Assistance on arrival at airport.
 13 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
 Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
 Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
 English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
 Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
 Bottled drinking water in car.
 Government taxes.

Price does not include

 Any flight tickets.
 Camera charges at monuments.
 Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
 Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
 Gratuities & optional activities.
 Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Itinerary

Day	Overnight	Itinerary highlights
1	UnratedChennai	Chennai - Chennai Airport or your hotel in the city
2	UnratedMahabalipuram
3	UnratedPondicherry
4	UnratedThanjavur
5	UnratedTrichy
6	UnratedMadurai
7	UnratedRameshwaram
8	UnratedKanyakumari
9	UnratedKovalam
10	UnratedKovalam
11	UnratedKovalam
12	UnratedAlleppey
13	UnratedKochi
14		Kochi

Accommodations provided in each place

Place	3 star hotels	4 star hotels	5 star hotels
Chennai	Raj Park/ MGM East Woods or similar	The Raintree/ Accord Metropolitan or similar	ITC Grand Chola/ The Leela Palace or similar
Mahabalipuram	INDeco Hotels/ Mamalla Beach Resort or similar	Ideal Beach Resort/ Confluence The Banquet & Resort or similar	Radisson BLU Resort Temple Bay/ Fisherman's Cove or similar
Pondicherry	Shenbaga Hotel/ Annamalai International or similar	Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa or similar	Palais De Mahe/ La Villa or similar
Thanjavur	Grand Gardenia/ Oriental Towers or similar	Sangam Hotels/ Ideal River View Resort or similar	Svatma or similar
Trichy	Red Fox Hotel/ Grand Gardenia or similar	Sangam Hotels or similar
Madurai	Astoria by Sparsa/ Madurai’s Residency or similar	GRT Regency/ Fortune Pandiyan Hotel or similar	Courtyard by Marriott/ The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai or similar
Rameshwaram	Daiwik Hotel or similar		Hyatt Place Rameswaram or similar
Kanyakumari	Sea Shore/ Hotel Seaface or similar		Anantya Resorts/ Annai Resorts and Spa or similar
Kovalam	Harmonia Beach Resort/ Sagara Beach Resort or similar	Esturay Island Resort/Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel or similar	Raviz Kovalam/ Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove or similar
Alleppey	Deluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats) or similar	Premium Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats) or similar	Luxury Houseboat (Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons) or similar
Kochi	The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza or similar	Casino Hotel/ Le Maritime or similar	Xandari Harbour/ Le Meridien or similar