Tamil Nadu and Kerala Backwater Cruise
Tamil Nadu and Kerala Backwater Cruise Destination Details
Chennai Mahabalipuram Pondicherry Tanjore Madurai Periyar Houseboat Cochin
This Tour will give you a glimpse of Tamil Nadu along with the cruise on the Backwaters of Kerala. The tour, starting from Chennai, covers the important destinations of Pondicherry, including the erstwhile French colony of Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram, as well as Thanjavur, Trichy and Mahabalipuram. Then proceed to Kerala visiting Periyar National Park and do Houseboat cruising on the backwaters of Kerala.
Explore Kanchipuram
also known as the
'city of a thousand temples'
Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai
Boat ride at Periyar Lake
Jeep safari at Periyar Wildlife Tiger Reserve
Boat ride at Periyar Lake
Experience beautiful Alleppey backwaters
August till May
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai International Airport you are met by our company executive who would assist you to the Car and then transfer to your pre booked Hotel.
Afternoon visit Fort St. George which was built by the British East India Company. The fort also houses a quaint little museum known as the Fort Museum.
Overnight Accommodation in Chennai
Day 2 Chennai - Mahabalipuram (Drive 58 Kms, 1 ½ hour)
Proceed by Private Vehicle for Mahabalipuram. En-route visit the Cholamandal Art Village, a colony where about 30 artists and sculptors live and work. You can get some great bargains here. Upon arrival in Mahabalipuram check in at your pre booked Hotel
Overnight Accommodation in Mahabalipuram
Day 3 Mahabalipuram – Excursion to visit Kanchipuram (Drive 65 Kms, 1 ½ hour)
Today take a half-day excursion to Kanchipuram, also known as the, 'city of a thousand temples'. The most famous of these are the Ekambeshwara temple and the Varaderajaswamy temple. Drive back to Mahabalipuram to explore its five 'Pagodas' or chariots.
Overnight Accommodation in Mahabalipuram
Day 4 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (Drive 138 Kms, 3 ½ hour)
Depart by Private Vehicle for Pondicherry. Upon arrival in Pondicherry check in at your pre booked Hotel
Afternoon we visit Pondicherry visiting Avroville, Shri Aurobindo Ashram, French Colonial Town
Overnight Accommodation in Pondicherry
Day 5 Pondicherry – Tanjore (Drive 295 Kms, 5 hour)
Depart by Private Vehicle for Tanjore. Upon arrival in Tanjore check in at your pre booked Hotel
Afternoon city tour of Tanjore Including palace, Art Gallery, Museum, later visit to Brihadewawara Temple
Overnight Accommodation in Tanjore
Day 6 Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai (Drive 150 Kms, 5 hour)
Depart by Private Vehicle for Madurai. Enroute Visit Trichy to visit the Rock Temple and Sri Rangnathaswamy Temple.
Later drive to Madurai which is also known as the Temple City and is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. The evening will be spent at the Meenakshi temple to witness 'aarti' ceremony.
Overnight Accommodation in Madurai
Day 7 Madurai
Visit the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. We will also visit the weaver's colony to learn how the famous Madurai cotton is woven.
Later in the afternoon, visit the Gandhi Museum and explore the Tirumalai Nayak Mahal. Enjoy the sound and light show which gives a musical glimpse into the rich history of Madurai. Later in the evening, explore the colorful markets of Madurai.
Overnight Accommodation in Madurai
Day 8 Madurai – Periyar (Drive 140 Kms, 3 ½ hour drive)
Depart by Private Vehicle for Periyar (Thekkady), Also known as Thekkady. It is a National Park and one of the Tiger Reserves in India. Upon arrival in Periyar check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Evening Boat ride on Lake Periyar in Common Boat
Overnight Accommodation in Periyar
Day 9 Periyar
Full Day Jeep Safari in Periyar (Includes Trekking, Pedal Boating and Jeep Safari)
Overnight Accommodation in Periyar
Day 10 Periyar – Alleppey (Drive 155 Kms, 4 Hrsn) & Alleppey – Start 02 Nights Houseboat
Transferred to Alleppey Jetty to board Houseboat. House boating can be the most relaxing experience for any age, size or type of people. Cruise through the back waters of Kerala along the palm fringed waterways and you would be able to breeze past the water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. You can also witness the traditional Keralite village lifestyle unchanged for many years. You hear the merchants selling vegetables in a boat while the village people wait at the bank of Vembanad Lake. Here your crew will prepare delicious Keralite meals from freshly brought vegetables from the market.
(Houseboat starts at 12 Noon)
Overnight in Air Conditioned Houseboat
Day 11 Backwaters (Houseboat)
On this comfortable floating home you may spend your day relaxing and unwinding. As you slowly cruise along the backwater canals of the Arabian Sea, you may choose to stop and explore some of the many small villages, farmlands, old temples and churches that you come across.
Overnight in Air Conditioned Houseboat
Day 12 Houseboat disembarks at Alleppey & Alleppey – Cochin (Drive 65 Kms, 1 ½ Hrs)
Houseboat disembarks at Alleppey at 10:00 Hrs and proceed for Cochin. Upon arrival in Cochin check in at your pre booked Hotel
Later visit Jewish Synagogue Also known as Paradesi Synagogue. It is the oldest synagogue in the entire Commonwealth of Nations and was built in 1568 by the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin.
In the Evening witness the famous Kathakali dance performance performed by professional artists in an A/C Auditorium
Overnight Accommodation in Cochin
Day 13 Cochin
Proceed for city tour of Cochin visiting Mattancherry Palace also known as the Dutch Palace. This palace is also famous for depicting Kerala mural paintings. The palace is built in the traditional style of Kerala architecture.
Jewish Synagogue Also known as Paradesi Synagogue. It is the oldest synagogue in the entire Commonwealth of Nations and was built in 1568 by the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin. Chinese Fishing Nets unique for their size and phenomenal construction. St. Francis Church is the oldest European church in India. The great Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama who discovered the sea route from Europe to India died in Kochi. His body was buried in this church.
Overnight Accommodation in Cochin
Day 14 Leave Cochin
Check out and Our company executive would assist you and transfer you to the Cochin International Airport to board Flight back home
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