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Colours of South India
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Introduction

This tour is a highly recommended itinerary for those wishing to experience the beautiful scenery and rich culture of Southern India. Explore some of India's most important pilgrimage sites and temples, taste spices at their source, cruise waterways, and experience the multicultural harbour town of Cochin and the exciting city of Mumbai.



Contact Details
Trip Highlight
  • Uncover the history behind the unique WorldHeritage-listed Shore Temples at Mamallapuram
    World Heritage-listed Shore Temples at Mamallapuram Image
  • Stroll colourful streets and view magnificent buildings in the former French territory of Puducherry
    Stroll colourful streets and view magnificent buildings in the former French territory of Puducherry Image
  • Visit one of India’s biggest pilgrimage sites, the grandiose Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
    Meenakshi Temple Image
  • Search for wild elephants and other wildlife in Periyar National Park
    wild elephants and other wildlife in Periyar National Park Image
  • Cruise along the famed palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala
    Cruise along the famed palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala Image
  • Explore Fort Kochi’s unique heritage, a legacy left by various former colonisers
    Explore Fort Kochi’s unique heritage Image

Day 1

Arrive Chennai

Arrive Chennai Vanakkam and welcome to Chennai! On arrival you will be personally met by a Vision Tours Representative and transferred to your luxury hotel. The city is the gateway to the rich and varied culture of South India.
(No Meals)

Stay (Option 01): The Pride Stay (Option 02): Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park Chennai
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Chennai
Marina Beach

Day 2

Chennai

Discover the San Thome Cathedral Basilica built by the Portuguese before wandering along India’s largest urban beach, Marina Beach. This evening indulge in a wonderful meal of South Indian specialities.

(Breakfast, Dinner)
Stay (Option 01): The Pride Stay (Option 02): Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park Chennai
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Chennai
St Thomas Basilica

Day 3

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

(Driving Time: Approx 5 hours)

Travel to Mamallapuram and explore the spectacular World Heritage-listed Shore Temple, perched dramatically on a promontory by the sea. Continue to Puducherry (Pondicherry), the former capital of the French territories in India. Steeped in history, this quaint town charms with its cathedrals, French style villas and tree lined boulevards.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Stay (Option 01): The Sunway GRT Grand Stay (Option 02): Accord Puducherry Mahabalipuram Pondicherry
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Mamallapuram
Shore Temple
"Amazing Facts
One of the most spicy and aromatic cuisines in India, comes from Chettinad. The cuisine of the Chettiyar community is famous for its delectable taste and inviting aroma which comes from mixture of various spices found down south of India. Today although the Chettiyar community is famous for its style of cooking, funnily enough they come from the trading community. They have been trading since days immemorial, essentially in spices and other material and had good ties with South East Asian countries. Today the Chettiyar cooks come in the league of the best cooks in India.

Day 4

Pondicherry

Soak up the French flavours during a heritage walking tour, stroll past charming colonial architecture, street side cafes and visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Journey to Auroville (City of Dawn), and discover why this universal town was established. See the Matrimandir, a metallic sphere covered in gold.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stay (Option 01): The Sunway GRT Grand Stay (Option 02): Accord Puducherry Pondicherry
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Pondicherry
Auroville Poducherry

Day 5

Pondicherry – Thanjavour– Chettinad

(Driving Time: Approx 8 hours)

Journey through the ‘rice bowl’ of Tamil Nadu to Tanjore. Discover the monumental Sri Brihadisvara Temple, during your visit to this World Heritage site. Continue further into Tamil Nadu to your accommodation, a wonderfully restored mansion in the small village of Karaikudi.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): Chettinadu Mansion Stay (Option 02): Chettinadu Mansion Chettinad
image of Brihadeshwar Temple
Chettinad
Brihadeshwar Temple

Day 6

Chettinad

Experience a bullock cart ride through the narrow streets. Visit a pottery village and enjoy a demonstration of weaving at the small weaving centre in town. This evening appreciate a unique classical dance performance before experiencing a traditional meal served on a banana leaf.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stay (Option 01): Chettinadu Mansion Stay (Option 02): Chettinadu Mansion Chettinad
image of Chettinad Palace
Chettinad
Chettinad Palace

Day 7

Chettinad – Madurai

(Driving Time: Approx 3 hrs)

Journey to Madurai, one of South India's greatest temple towns and important pilgrim site. This evening take the opportunity to absorb the rituals and celebration during the evening puja ceremony.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stay (Option 01): Fortune Pandian Hotel Stay (Option 02): The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai
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Madurai
Mariamman Teppakulam

Day 8

Madurai - Thekkady

(Driving Time: Approx 4 hrs)

Periyar Tiger Reserve Witness one of South India's biggest pilgrimage sites, the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple, during your visit. This Hindu temple, the heart of this 2,500 year old city, is estimated to house more than 30,000 sculptures. Later journey through the Western Ghats to Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala and take a private boat journey on Periyar Lake to observe the wildlife including wild elephants.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stay (Option 01): Abad Green Forest Stay (Option 02): The Elephant Court Thekkady
image of jodpur
Thekkady
Boat Ride at Periyar Lake

Day 9

Thekkady

Periyar is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in Southern India and one of India’s oldest. Wander through a small family-owned spice plantation and learn how spices grow before enjoying a lunch prepared by the family with spices from their farm. Tonight witness the ancient martial art form Kalaripayattu.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stay (Option 01): Abad Green Forest Stay (Option 02): The Elephant Court Thekkady
image of udaipur
Thekkady
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 10

Thekkady - Alappuzha

(Driving Time: Approx 4 hrs)
Periyar Tiger Reserve -Kerala Backwaters Travel to Kuraarakom, access point to the famed Kerala backwaters. "Houseboat" Take the opportunity to cruise through small villages and Stay overnight on board a houseboat.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Stay (Option 01): Cosy Houseboat Stay (Option 02): Cosy Houseboat Alappuzha
image of udaipur
Alappuzha
Vembanad Lake Alappuzha

Day 11

Alappuzha - Kochi

(Driving Time: Approx 2 hrs)
Kerala Backwaters -Kochi Cruise along the backwaters and navigate the network of waterways which weavethrough villages. Travel to Kochi, better known as Cochi and, an important trading centre for spices. Watch a Kathakali performance, a highly evolved classical form of dance, drama and music that is more than.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): Holiday Inn, Cochin Stay (Option 02): Crowne Plaza Kochi Kochi
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Kochi
Chinese Fishing Nets

Day 12

Kochi

This morning head to the harbour and watch the local fishermen manipulating the old Chinese fishing nets. Discover the influence of the Dutch, Portuguese, British, Arab and Chinese during your tour of Dutch Palace. Visit Jew Town and the Jewish Synagogue, the oldest in India. Enjoy a Privatecruise : private cruise around Kochi Harbour, witness spectacular sunsets and keep an eye out for the dolphins known to be in the waters. Return to the hotel and indulge in a sumptuous seafood farewell dinner.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Stay (Option 01): Holiday Inn, Cochin Stay (Option 02): Crowne Plaza Kochi Kochi
image of udaipur
Kochi
Jewish Synagogue

Day 13

Kochi Departure

Depart Kochi Enjoy some time at leisure before your transfer to the airport for your onward or homebound flight.
(Breakfast)
Kochi
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Kochi
Chinese Fishing Nets
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Contact

Ansar Mohammed
Travel Consultant
Vision Tours Pty Ltd
Ground Floor, 3 Raglan St, South Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC 3205
Tel:+61.3.9918 1793
Fax:+61.3.9529 5339
Email:ansar@visiontours.com.au
Website: www.visiontours.com.au
Package Category And Price
No of Passengers Traveling Together Superior Hotels Deluxe Hotels
2 To 3 Passengers $3475 $3765
4 To 6 Passengers $3135 $3495
** Single Room Supplement $1195 $1395

** Price is Per Person on Twin/Double Room Sharing
** Package Valid Till 31 March 2019
** Supplement Applicable During Xmas & New Year
Place Superior Hotels - Option 01 Deluxe Hotels - Option 02
Chennai The Pride Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park
Puducherry The Sunway GRT Grand Accord Puducherry
Chettinad Chettinadu Mansion Chettinadu Mansion
Madurai Fortune Pandian Hotel The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Thekkady Abad Green Forest The Elephant Court
Alappuzha Cosy Houseboat Cosy Houseboat
Kochi Holiday Inn, Cochin Crowne plaza Kochi

Includes

  • 12 nights’ accommodation on twin sharing basis at hotels mentioned above or similar.
  • Meal Plan: Accommodation on half board basis i.e. bed + buffet breakfasts + dinners at all the hotels /local restaurants.
  • One Lunch on board the backwater cruise
  • Day cruise of the back waters
  • All transfers, excursions and sightseeing tours will be by using 01 air-conditioned coach as per the routing given above
  • Entrances at monuments, road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges, interstate taxes, and porterage at all hotels and airports.
  • Services of local English speaking guide will be provided during the tour for sightseeing.
  • Vision Tours representative on all arrival/departure transfers.
  • All currently applicable taxes including Government service tax.

Excludes

  • Expense of personal nature like use of Mini bar; wi-fi in the hotel; laundry, and telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc.
  • Tips to the guide
    • 2 to 4 pax: AUD 35 per person per day
    • 5 – 8 pax: AUD 25 per person per day
    • 8 – 10 pax: AUD 15 per person per day
    • 11 pax and above: AUD 8 per person per day
  • International Airfare / Domestic Airfare
  • Any insurances

Notes

  • Check In / Check Out time will be 12 NOON.
  • Prices are subject to change with any increase in the cost.
  • In case on any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly.
  • Our quote does not include any other service, which is not indicated in the itinerary.
  • Distances mentioned in the itinerary are approximate & driving time depends upon the traffic/ road conditions, en-route sightseeing’s and refreshment stops taken by the group.
  • Any additional expense incurred due to a change in the Government of India and Reserve Bank of India regulations pertaining to taxes, currency fluctuation fuel hikes, airfares and transport and any force major situation due to political conditions, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly with/without prior notification
  • At the time of hotel reservation, we will provide the accommodation as per the hotels / category of rooms mentioned in the proposal failing which the rooms will be provided in an alternate hotel / category for which the supplement / reduction will be advised accordingly.

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