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Kerala and the Southern Highlights
From $4,919 - 18 Days, Fully Inclusive from selected Australian cities
From the moment you set foot in southern India you will be transported to another time and place. Southern India is very different from the north, both culturally and geographically.
This amazing tour commences in the colonial city of Chennai. A journey on the Shatabdi Express train to Bangalore will delight any train enthusiast, as will the Toy Train ride to Ooty, taking you through pine forests, offering the most breathtaking views. Learn about the timeless cultivation of tea as you visit a tea plantation. Look out for elephants at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady and enjoy serenity as you cruise the backwaters of Kerala.
This fascinating tour is set to entice even the most widely travelled individual. Your journey will take you to one of the world’s most desirable destinations, a land that will certainly leave an impression.
DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO CHENNAI
Fly with Singapore Airlines to Chennai for a three-night stay.
DAY 2: CHENNAI
Enjoy a city tour of Chennai today. See Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world, visit Fort St. George and St. Mary’s Church. Later this afternoon continue to the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
DAY 3: CHENNAI - KANCHIPURAM & MAMALLAPURAM
This morning travel to Kanchipuram and visit the Shreenivas Silk House. Later this afternoon continue to the rock carvings of Mamallapuram before returning to Chennai.
DAY 4: CHENNAI TO BANGALORE
Rise early this morning and catch the Shatabdi Express train to Bangalore. Tour the city including a visit to the Bull Temple and Vidhana Soudha (Legislature Building).
DAY 5: BANGALORE TO HASSAN
Head west to Hassan and visit the Sravanabelagola Temple, where you can climb to the top. Later, visit the famous temples of Belur and Halebid.
DAY 6: HASSAN TO MYSORE
Travel south to Mysore stopping at Srirangapatnam Fort en route. Later, visit the Maharaja’s Palace and drive up to Chamundi Hill to see the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and the Nandi Bull statue.
DAY 7: MYSORE TO COONOOR
Head to the hills today and drive to Coonoor. The evening is free at your leisure.
DAY 8: COONOOR - OOTY
This morning take the Toy Train to the hill station of Ooty. Visit the botanical gardens and take an optional walk to a local village to gain an insight into the lives of the local people. Return to Coonoor by coach this afternoon.
DAY 9: COONOOR TO MUNNAR
Continue the descent today from the highlands with a full day of driving to Munnar. Local fishermen, Kovalam Beach
DAY 10: MUNNAR TO THEKKADY
Visit a local tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum. Later, drive to Thekkady, where Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located.
DAY 11: THEKKADY - PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Walk through the sanctuary this morning before visiting a local spice village and market. This evening watch a Kalaripayattu show, a traditional form of martial arts.
DAY 12: THEKKADY TO NEDUMUDY
This morning drive to Nedumudy to board your overnight houseboat to Alleppey. The houseboats are converted from traditional rice barges and are known as ‘kettuvallams’.
DAY 13: ALLEPPEY TO KOCHI
Disembark your boat in Alleppey this morning and drive to Kochi. Visit a local market, a coir factory and the Kokkothamangalam Church en route. Watch a Kathakali dance show this evening.
DAY 14: KOCHI
Tour the sites of Kochi starting with a visit to St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. You will also visit the Jewish Synagogue, take a stroll through the markets and see the unique cantilevered Chinese fishing nets.
DAY 15: KOCHI TO KOVALAM
This morning you will drive to Kovalam Beach. This afternoon is free at your leisure.
DAY 16: KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUM
Leave for Trivandrum this morning and visit the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Zoological Gardens and Museums, the Napier Museum and the Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Later, visit Kanakakunnu Palace, the Observatory and Sree Moolamthirunal Shastri Purthi Memorial.
DAY 17: KOVALAM - DEPART TRIVANDRUM
This morning is free at your leisure. After a late check-out, transfer to Trivandrum airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.
DAY 18: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Arrive home this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours Review:
"I have to say I was more than impressed with this tour. We covered so much in 18 days. It felt as though I had been away so much longer. As someone who had lived in India previously I was expecting very basic accommodation on this trip. All the places we stayed far exceeded my expectations. Simply fantastic! The south is so lush and green compared with other parts of India. Overall this trip was ‘excellent’ value for money. Finally I must mention our driver we had from Bangalore in words. His name was Guruswem? We could not have been in safer hands on Indian roads. Thank you Wendy Wu Tours."
Ms C Walsh, New South Wales - February 2010
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