NEI (UK)'s holidays to India... welcome..

South India Discovery

A combination of some of the extraordinary temples of Tamil Nadu, rolling tea gardens of Munnar and the finest unexplored beaches of Northern Kerala.

DAY 1 :        FLY UK to CHENNAI

DAY 2 :       CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai International airport where you will be met and then escorted to your hotel in Mamallapuram to recover from the long journey and relax. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 3 :        MAMALLAPURAM
The morning is free for you to find your bearings, or maybe watch the fishermen land their days catch. In the afternoon there will be a half day tour to explore this fascinating old port town. You will visit the magnificent 7th century Shore Temple, which, although ravaged by the elements and the pounding ocean waves, still reflects the glorious past of the intrepid founders of the town. The temple is unusual for its shrines to both Siva and Vishnu. Later you will visit the Five Rathas, mid seventh century monolithic temples influenced by Buddhist architecture, followed by a visit to Arjuna’s Penance, a bas relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, 29 metres long and 7 metres high. Nearby are the Mandapas – which are fairly shallow, pillared halls excavated out of the rocky hillside. Throughout the tour stonemasons can be heard chipping away at lumps of rock until beautifully carved statues result and stopping to watch the craftsmen at work is a unique experience. You will return to the hotel in time to watch the sunset. O/n at hotel.

DAY 4 :        MAMALLAPURAM to PONDICHERY
After breakfast you will be driven to Pondicherry (about 120kms/3hrs), which still enjoys a hint of its former French colonial atmosphere and seen in the grid pattern of the streets, its distinctive police uniforms and the occasional colonial building. Yet despite its invigorating seafront and relaxed atmosphere, the town is visited above all for the nearby Sri Aurobindo Asham which draws visitors from all over the world. On arrival, check into your hotel. In the afternoon you can visit Aurobindo Ashram. After returning from the Ashram, the rest of the day will be free for you to stroll round the town or just relax. O/n at hotel.

DAY 5 :        PONDICHERY to THANJAVUR
After breakfast you will be driven to Thanjavur (about 190kms/4hrs), en-route visiting Chidambaram, whose Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Cosmic Dance of Evolution, is a vast complex covering over thirty-five acres. On arrival in Thanjavur, you willcheck into the hotel and can relax for the remainder of the day. O/n at hotel.

DAY 6 :       THANJAVUR
After an early breakfast you can visit the massive Brihadishvara Temple, dedicated to Shiva and built by the great patron Raja Raja 1 in the eleventh century AD, as a breathtaking statement of imperial grandeur. You will also see the excellent museum containing some very fine Chola bronzes, considered by many to be the pinnacle of Hindu craftsmanship, and a wide range of ancient stone carving. Afternoon at leisure or, perhaps, an excursion to nearby Swamimalai village. O/n at hotel.

DAY 7 :       THANJAVUR TO TRICHY
After breakfast you will be driven to Trichy (about 65kms/2hrs), situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, and best known for the spectacular Rock Fort Temple. Upon arrival, you will be checked into your hotel and later will have the chance to visit the temple, perched on a massive rocky outcrop, rising abruptly from the plains to tower over the old city. From here you get beautiful views over the town, including the Sri Ranganatha Swami temple in the north, one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India. It is built on an island in the middle of Cauvery River and covers a staggering 2.5 sq. kms with seven concentric walls, the outer three housing 20 thousand people and the inner walls protecting the temple itself. You conclude your sightseeing by visiting the Ranganatha Swami Temple. O/n at hotel.

DAY 8 :       TRICHY TO MADURAI
After breakfast you will be driven to Madurai (about 135kms/3-4hrs),and checked into your hotel . After time to relax and freshen up, later in the afternoon there will be some sightseeing of Madurai including Thirumalai Nayak Mahal. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, all that remains of this magnificent mansion today are the principal entrance, the dancing hall and the main hall.;and Mariamman Teppakulam ,built by Thirumalai Nayak in the 17th century, this huge tank in the eastern part of the city was said to have underground channels connecting it with the Vaigai River. O/n at hotel.

DAY 9 :       MADURAI
After breakfast you will be escorted to the Meenakshi Temple. With its huge gopurams towering over the city, the life of Madurai revolves around the Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple, dedicated to Meenakshi, the lovely consort of Shiva or Sundareswar, as he is known in Madurai. Originally built by the Pandya king Kulasekhara in the 13th century, it attained its present splendour only in the hands of the Nayaks, 400 years later. After spending as much time as you want at the temple the rest of the day is free to relax or, in the evening, stroll around the bustling bazaar around the temple. O/n at hotel.

DAY 10 :       MADURAI TO MUNNAR
After breakfast you will be driven through stunning landscapes, to Munnar (about 125kms/3-4hrs), situated in the heart of the Cardamom Hills, at an altitude of 1700m. Munnar is surrounded by endless green, rolling hills and 30 of the world’s highest tea estates. On arrival, check into your hotel and relax. O/n at hotel.

DAY 11 :       MUNNAR
After an early breakfast you will have a chance to see the tea plantations and to explore Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports the largest population of Nilgiri Thar existing in the world now. The Nilgiri Tahr is seen in the highlands and rocky regions of this national park. Exploring the sanctuary on foot is recommended as the views are superb. Afternoon free to relax or stroll around the small picture book town of Munnar. O/n at hotel.

DAY 12 :       MUNNAR TO KOCHI
After breakfast you will be driven to Kochi (about 145kms/4hrs) On arrival, check into the hotel and relax for the rest of the day. O/n at hotel.

DAY 13 :       KOCHI
Kochi spreads across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the famous Kerala Backwaters. After breakfast there will be a full days sightseeing tour of the city. Some of the places which will be visited are the Mattanchery Dutch Palace. Built of stone, the palace’s great attractions are the murals featuring some of Kerala’s finest paintings and the coronation hall of Kochi Maharajas.;the Jewish Synagogue , built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1664, its interior is a delight of styles, with hand painted blue and white floor tiles from Canton, 19th century Belgian oil-burning chandeliers and an elaborately carved Ark housing four scrolls from the Torah; Jew Town, the area around the Synagogue is a centre of the spice trade and curio shops.
St. Francis Church, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan fathers, this is India's oldest European church. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his mortal remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal. The tombstone still remains; Chinese Fishing Nets/Vasco da Gama Square, these huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast. Erected between 1350 and 1450 by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, these nets are built of teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to watch the nets being lowered into the sea and catch being brought in is the Vasco da gama Square, a narrow promenade that runs along the back of the beach. The Square is an ideal place to idle, or enjoy an al fresco meal from one of the stalls serving fresh delicious seafood, tender coconut etc.
In the evening there will be a chance to experience Kathakali, the dance drama of Kerala, in a local theatre. O/n at hotel.

DAY 14 :       KOCHI TO NEELESHWAR
After breakfast you will be escorted to Ernakulam town railway station to board express train [6349] to Neeleshwar at 11.05 arriving 18.44hrs. You will be met on arrival and transfer ed to this beautiful resort situated on one of the finest beach es of Kerala.The resort has beautiful cottages set in landscape gardens. Overnight at Resort

DAY 15 :       NEELESHWAR
The morning is free to relax or explore the beautiful beach. Late rain the fternoon you can take a restful sunset cruise through the beautiful and unspoiled back waters in a deluxe houseboat. After enjoying bird watching and the sunset you return back to the resort. O/n at Resort

DAY 16 :       NEELESHWAR
After breakfast you can visit the music and dance academy in the local town, and follow this by a visit to the Shiva temple and Anand Ashram. In the afternoon you can visit Bekal Fort, the largest in Kerala and one time headquarters of Tipu Sultan, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. Overnight at Resort.

DAY 17 :       NEELESHWAR TO MANGALORE TO MUMBAI
After breakfast you will be driven to Mangalore airport ( 2hrs) to board a flight to Mumbai. There will be assistance at the airport and depending upon the time of your international flight, arrangements will be made for you to freshen up at a local hotel or enjoy a last meal at a local restaurant.