Friday, February 17, 2012

March 2 - 16, 2012: Planned Southern India Itinerary

This is an Intrepid "overland" tour which offers 2 - 3 star hotels which are clean and ensuite. The cost for this tour excluding lunch and evening meals is $1,544 USD which includes breakfast and the majority of the tours and transportation.

Mar 2 -3 Kochi: - Visit fragrant spice bazaars, antique shops, Mattancherry Palace and Fort Cochin. Enjoy an exciting Kathakali dance performance in the evening.

Mar 4 - 5: Ootacamund - Ride the famous Ootacamund toy train through rolling plantations and learn the secret of making the perfect brew at a tea garden.

Mar 6: Mudumalai National Park - Stay in a jungle retreat at the foot of the Nilgiri Hills. Safari into the wilds of Mudumalai National Park, home to tigers, panthers, elephants and spotted deer.

Mar 7 - 8: Mysore - View the illuminated stained glass windows of the ornate Palace of Mysore, once belonging to the Maharaja. Dine with a long-time friend of Intrepid and travel to the Keshava Temple - a great example of Hoysala architecture.

Trip map

Mar 9: Mamallapuram - Travel to Mamallapuram, cycle around the Shore Temple and see the massive rock carving known as Arjuna's Penance.

Mar 10: Pondicherry - Follow the scenic south coast of India to French-influenced Pondicherry and visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Mar 11: Madurai - Witness mysterious rituals in the Sri Meenakshi Temple, a labyrinth of lamp-lit corridors and shrines in the heart of Madurai.

Mar 12 - 13: Periyar National Park - Travel through rubber, tea and coffee plantations, and then breathe in the fresh aroma of spices on a visit to a spice farm. At Periyar National Park, join a forest guide and try to track herds of elephants.

Mar 14: Kerala Backwaters Homestay - Share a traditional feast with a local family and take a sunset boat tour through the Kerala backwaters.

Mar 15 - 16: Kochi - Enjoy free time to explore the vibrant streets of Kochi and admire the medieval Portuguese, Dutch and British Raj architecture before wrapping up this southern Indian adventure.

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