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Kerala and the Southern HighlightsFrom $5,002 - 18 Days, Fully Inclusive from selected Australian citiesFrom 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. TOUR ITINERARYDay 1: Australia To ChennaiFly with Singapore Airlines to Chennai for a three night stay. Day 2: ChennaiEnjoy a city tour of Chennai. See Marina each, 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, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, 'the destroyer'. Day 3: Chennai – Kanchipuram & MamallapuramThis morning travel to Kanchipuram and visit the Shreenivas Silk House. Later this afternoon continue to the 7th-century port city of Mamallapuram. Discover the rock cut temples including the Shore Temple, full of recent excavations and artefacts. Afterwards, return to Chennai. Day 4: Chennai To BangaloreRise 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 HassanHead 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 MysoreTravel 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 CoonoorHead to the hills and drive to Coonoor. Located at an altitude of 1,850m above sea level, it is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri Hills. The evening is free at your leisure to relax. Day 8: Coonoor – OotyThis morning take the Toy Train up 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. This afternoon return to Coonoor by coach. Day 9: Coonoor To MunnarContinue the descent from the highlands as you travel to Munnar. Day 10: Munnar To ThekkadyVisit a local tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum. Later, drive to Thekkady where Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located. Day 11: Thekkady – Periyar National Park and Wildlife SanctuaryTake an early morning walk through the sanctuary before visiting a local spice village and market. This evening watch a Kalaripayattu performance, a traditional form of martial arts. Day 12: Thekkady To NedumudyDrive to Nedumudy to board your overnight houseboat to Alleppey. The houseboats are converted from traditional rice barges and are known as ‘kettuvallams’. Cruise the backwaters and enjoy traditional Keralan cuisine. Day 13: Alleppey To KochiDisembark your boat in Alleppey this morning and drive to Kochi. Visit a local market, the Kokkothamangalam Church and a coir factory en-route. This evening watch a Kathakali dance performance. Day 14: KochiTour the sites of Kochi starting with a visit to St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. Visit the Jewish Synagogue, local markets and the unique cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. Day 15: Kochi To KovalamDrive to one of Kovalam's beaches and enjoy the afternoon free at your leisure. Day 16: Kovalam – TrivandrumLeave 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 you will visit the Kanakakunnu Palace, the Observatory and Sree Moolamthirunal Shastri Purthi Memorial. Day 17: Kovalam – Depart TrivandrumEnjoy the morning free at your leisure. After a late check-out, you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport to board your overnight flight to Australia. Day 18: Arrive AustraliaArrive home this morning. kerala beach extensionDAY 17: KOVALAM AT LEISUREAfter saying farewell to your group tour members, you will have the remainder of evening free at your leisure. Note: If you have chosen the Superior or Deluxe Category, at some time this evening you will be transferred to your hotel to check in. The remainder of the evening is free at your leisure. DAY 18: KOVALAM AT LEISUREToday is free at your leisure to explore the Kovalam beachside, restaurants and coastal souvenir shops or to relax on the beach or by your hotel’s poolside. You may wish to book a traditional Ayurvedic massage, schedule a yoga session or simply relax with a view to the ocean.(B) DAY 19: DEPART KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUMAfter breakfast and check-out, the remainder of the day is free at your leisure before you are met and transferred to Trivandrum Airport for your departure flight. (B) Tour reviewsWendy Wu Tours Review:"I am captivated by India and this was my second trip to this fascinating country. As I stepped out of the airport at Chennai where we were to stay the first couple of days, I put aside my Western values and allowed myself to be overwhelmed by the noise, the smells (aromatic and otherwise!), the madness of the roads and traffic, the vibrant colour and the friendliness and charming personalities of the Indian people wherever we happened to be. I travelled solo (as several others), however the group comprising equally of Australians and Brits were just so encompassing, we became one big family almost instantaneously together with a great escort, polite, helpful to the enth degree, speaking excellent English, even if one of our group did take it upon himself to become the official English translater! Yvonne Shelling, Victoria - February 2012 Price guide
Important Note: Above prices include Fuel surcharges and tipping of $622 (correct as at May 2013 and subject to change). Please note the Tipping amount of USD90 is payable on arrival in India. Though status is regularly updated, availability above is indicative only, not live and hence does not guarantee that space is available on your selected tour when you or your agent calls Wendy Wu Tours to book. Booking early is the only way to ensure availability of your selected departure date.
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