Key Features
• Discover colourful Hindu temples
• Cruise quiet backwaters & wander the fascinating streets of Fort Kochi
• Spend time in a hill station & on Mamallapuram's sandy beaches
Included
13nts hotel, 1nt sleeper train - hotels in Chennai, Ooty and Mamallapuram graded comfortable, all others as standard - sleeper train berths in 2nd class air-conditioned open plan carriage; 13 breakfasts & 1 dinner included.
Transport
Bus/Train/Boat/Rickshaws/Taxis.
Group Size
Approx. 13 to 18.
Tour Staff
Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides.
Ancient Madurai
After a tour of Chennai (Madras), we head south by train to Tiruchirapalli to see the great Rock Fort, and on to reach Madurai, with its soaring towers. Here we mix with the swirling crowds who pack into the Hall of 1000 Pillars within the Meenakshi Temple, a place of unceasing festive pandemonium.
Malabar Riverboat
A scenic bus drive takes us to Thekkady, where we search for wildlife in the National Park before descending the Ghats to embark on a by riverboat cruise, chugging through the exotic Malabar backwaters to Alappuzha. The palm-fringed waterways are alive with picturesque fishing boats, huge butterfly fishing nets and local ferries.
Mysore & Mamallapuram
After time in Fort Kochi we drive to Metupalayam, then climb by rack-rail train through the Nilgiri Hills to the scenic hill station of Udhagamandalam (Ooty) at 2268m. In the princely city of Mysore we see the Maharaja's Palace and giant Nandi Bull. Finally, we head back to Chennai and straight out to the wide sweeping beaches at Mamallapuram on the Bay of Bengal to relax, swim in the Indian Ocean and admire the shore temples.
Comment
A diverse tour exploring the unique culture of South India, you should be in reasonable health to enjoy this fast-paced tour.