Southern India Tour

Day 01- 02 : KOCHI
Kochi, also known as Cochin, is considered to be the finest natural harbor in the world. It is 220 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala state in India and is located between Arabian Sea and Kerala Backwaters. The harbor city is also acclaimed to be the "Queen of the Arabian Sea. " The city is nestled along saltwater lagoons and its vast expanse of blue waters alongside the coastline provides a breathtaking view to the visitors. There are romantic beaches and excursion places in and around Kochi that draw a large number of tourists towards this an erstwhile sleepy fishing village. Historical Importance Kochi remained an important spice trading centre of India for centuries. It was frequented by traders from China, Arabia, Britain, and Holland during sixteenth century. Present day Cochin offers several attractions for the visitors. It can be divided into two parts - the old Cochin which lies in West and the modern Kochi, which lies in the East and comprises of Ernakulam district and the outlying islands. Both of these parts are connected by a network of dedicated ferry services.


Attractions in Kochi Fort Cochin: Fort Cochin is among the oldest remnants of British, Dutch and Portuguese architecture in India. The fort consists of great explorer Vasco da Gama's House, tea broker's bungalows and traders' residences in its vast expanses. The fort was first built by Portuguese settlers at the waterfront to protect their residences. It was initially known as Fort Emmanuel. It was later destroyed by Dutch and Portuguese built a wooden church in it in 1516, now known as St. Francis Church. A walk through Fort Cochin will bring alive the ambience of fifteenth century. You will surely revive the adventurous spirit of Vasco da Gama and his ordeals. It was once a bustling cultural hub and an important military base. The Dutch and British influences are profoundly visible in the architecture of the fort.

Chinese Fishing Nets Chinese Fishing Nets are a major tourist attraction of Kochi. They are operated from shore and employ a centuries old huge mechanism to catch fishes. These fixed land installations consist of bamboo and teak poles that resemble hammocks. The large stones and boulders tied to the ropes counter the weight of poles and nets. Each Chinese Fishing Net measures about 10 m in height and stretches upto 20 m in water. Each net is operated by six fishermen and cannot be used in tidal waters again and again. Legend had it that the nets were introduced to the royals of Kochi by Chinese trader Zheng He in fourteenth century. The nets are locally known as Cheenavala and the water body encompassed by these nets provides a soothing view to the viewer during sunrise and sunset.

Jewish Synagogue The famous Jewish Synagogue is located at Mattancherry in Kerala. It was built in 1568 and is considered to the oldest one of its kind in this part of the world. It walls are scribbled with original tenets of the Old Testament. Walk through it and you will be amazed to see the hand painted Chinese tiles, which have still not lost their sheen. Interestingly enough, each tile has a unique identity and no two among them match exactly with one another. Don't forget to admire the 18th century Clock Tower which is located within the premises of Jewish Synagogue. It appears like an alert sentinel who is still zealously guarding the synagogue with full sense of responsibility.

Bolghatty Island The romantic appeal of Bolghatty Island draws a large number of honeymooners. The island houses 1744 built Dutch Palace, which is known for its slanting tile roof, high ceiling with impressive interiors and sprawling green lawns. The palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel by Kerala Government. A leisurely ferry ride into the deep blue waters of Bolghattty Island will set perfect ambience for honeymooners, newly wedded and nature lovers.

St. Francis Church
St. Francis Church is the first European church in India. The wooden church was first built in 1510 and it was refurbished in 1546. A cenotaph was built in it in 1920 in the memory of locals who laid down their lives during First Great War. Vasco da Gama, the great explorer, was buried here in 1524 AD but his mortal remains were taken to his home country Portugal, 14 years after his death. The carved gravestone of Vasco da Gama is still present in the church. Its boundary wall was erected in 1924 AD.



The then Indian Government declared St. Francis Church a protected monument of 1923. The living church has become a landmark of history and several prominent churches have been modeled in India keeping its design and architecture in mind. Its semi circular arched windows and entrance, façade, stepped pinnacles, bell turret and the crowned chancel of roof still inspire church architects in India and outside.

Willington Island Willington Island is a man-made island which was created using the soil and earth extracts of nearby Kochi harbor. The island is named after Lord Willington, the viceroy of erstwhile British India. The picturesque island is set against the backdrop of enchanting Kerala backwaters which provide a soothing experience to the tourists. Headquarters of Southern Naval Command of Indian Navy are located on Willington Island. The island is connected to the mainland of Ernakulam district by Venduruthy Bridge, which is a road cum railway bridge. It houses Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industries Building, Custom House, Tourist Information Office and Souvenir Shops.

Cochin Museum
The maritime museum of Kochi is located on INS Dronacharya. It provides glimpses into the genesis and evolution of Indian Navy through centuries. The museum also presents information on the ship building activities in India. It has a separate section which highlights achievements of Indian Navy, when it took on its aggressors and defeated them. The Indo -Portuguese Museum is situated in Fort Kochi and is a living example of Indo-Portuguese architectural style. The prized collections of the museum include a sixteenth century teak wood made altar, a nineteenth century chasuble and a seventeenth century silver and wood processional cross. Several sculptures, vestments and precious metal objects were donated to the museum by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Mattancherry Palace
The double storey Mattancherry Palace was built in 1557 by Portuguese and was presented to Raja Veera Karala Varma. It was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. It houses Nalukettu - the home to royals and a Bhagwathi Temple. The palace has a rich collection of murals which are spread over a floor area of 300 sq ft. The themes of the murals have been taken from Hindu mythological texts like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Kumarasambhavam and the deity Guruvayurappan. The palace presents a panoramic view of the serene Kerala Backwaters.


Dining Hall of Mattancherry Palace is carved out of ornate wooden ceiling. The floor of the palace is built in traditional Kerala flooring style, which has become rare now. It is made from burnt coconut shells, plant juices, egg whites and charcoal, and appears like polished black marble. Portraits of Rajas (Kiings) of Kochi, royal umbrellas, howdah, coins and ivory palanquin are other important exhibits of Mattancherry Palace.

What to Enjoy in Kochi?
Kochi offers you a plethora of opportunities to loosen yourself in the nap of its beautiful natural surroundings, pristine waters and captivating landscapes. Its romantic beaches act like a magnet for honeymooners and love birds, while its Backwaters are very popular among the tourists. Adventurists can enjoy a number of water sports options that are available all along the coastline of Kochi. Your Kochi tour would be incomplete without a leisure houseboat ride in the enchanting Kerala Backwaters. Do not forget to enjoy the fascinating Kathakali dance which is still performed in traditional style by the artists. During sightseeing of Kochi, visit Mattancherry Palace, antique shops and fragrant spice bazaars.

Day 03 : KERALA BACKWATERS
Southern India Tourism has a lot to offer you. Cruise through the scenic Kerala Backwaters. Admire nature in its fulsome. The blessed land of Kerala offers you several lifetime experience opportunities. Disconnected from the madding crowds and a fast paced life of the cities, Kerala Backwaters provide you a perfect soothing experience and much needed relaxation and romantic ambience in the nap of nature. The tranquil backwaters stretch for over fifteen hundred kilometers along Kerala coast and are dotted with awe inspiring views and serene surroundings. Kerala Backwaters are the result of the water mass being created by two big lakes - Vembanadu and Ashtamudi. The slow paced life of the locals and amazing surroundings of the backwaters will simply mesmerize you. Kerala Backwaters tour is best explored in a traditional houseboat sailing, called Kettuvallam. The bamboo built traditional houseboats are fitted with all modern facilities like a sun bathing deck, lanterns, bedroom, kitchen, solar lamps, fans, life jackets etc. All of these amenities give you a homely feeling and make your cruise comfortable. As the houseboat cruises through the enchanting Kerala Backwaters, you will get the opportunity to admire the surrounding scenery. En-route, there will be swaying coconut groves, mud roads, chirping birds, marine life, rustic homes, lush green paddy fields, spice plantations, water lilies and ethnically built tea stalls. Your houseboat will be anchored at a tranquil part of the backwaters at the end of your cruise. The view of sunset from the houseboat will make your Kerala honeymoon tour much more romantic and you will forget all your concerns and will fondly remember the mesmerizing experience for the rest of your lifetime. The cooks on board the houseboat will serve you fish delicacies with the catch of the day. There will be other local delicacies that will be served to you on a traditional banana leaf platter. There is facility of Ayurvedic massage on board the houseboat, so that you may experience the traditional and holistic way of body care, which is truly Indian and local. The prominent destinations of your Kerala Backwaters tour will be Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Kumarakom, Kochi, Kollam, Alleppey, Kasargod, Kozhikode and Kuttanad. Alappuzha is famous for its Nehru Trophy boat race, Trivandrum is famous for Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kottayam has attractions like St. Mary's Church, Latex production units etc. Cochin has attractions like Dutch Palace, Valara waterfalls etc. while Kozhikode is popular among tourists for its bird sanctuary, Art Gallery and Kappad Beach.


Day 04-05 : PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK
uring your fourth day of South India Tour visit tea, coffee, rubber, and spice plantations by boat. View herds of elephants and other wildlife in Periyar Sanctuary. The sprawling Periyar National Park is spread over an area of 777 sq km in Western Ghats region of Kerala, in southern India. The park is located at the banks of Periyar Lake and its wildlife core area is spread over 350 sq km. Primarily a Tiger Reserve, the park is equally popular among tourists who come here to spot wildlife in its natural surroundings like Mouse Deer, lion tailed Macaque, wild elephants and wild boars. Besides animals, the park also boasts of a variety of birds and reptiles that include darters, kingfishers, Malabar Hornbills, monitor lizards, python and king cobra.

The flora and fauna of Periyar National Park is equally elusive. Its thick evergreen forest has trees who shoot up to 140 feet in height. The richness of the flora of the park is proved with the fact that it is dotted with nearly 2000 types of flowering plant species and there are close to 170 species of ferns in it. Major plant species of the park include Terminalia, Banyan, Gulmohar, Plumeria, Jacaranda and Bamboo. There are marshy grasslands and water bodies which are very popular among elephants as they love to relax and enjoy mud bath in them. Periyar National Park is home to 62 species of mammals, 45 species of reptiles, 320 species of birds, 38 species of fish, 27 species of amphibians, four species of primates and 160 species of insects.

What should you be doing in Periyar National Park ?

Once inside Periyar National Park, do not miss to enjoy Tiger Trailing, Elephant Safari and Boat Cruise. The park is mainly a tiger reserve, and if you are patient enough, you will be able to spot a tiger hunting its prey, or at least hear its roar. With elephant safari, you can go deep inside the forest and spot a variety of animal species without disturbing them like Sambar, leopards and Nilgiri Tahr. If you want to fully engross yourself in the ambience of the park, you should enjoy a boat safari in the park. You may spot the wildlife of the sanctuary from a safe distance and admire the natural surroundings. The upper deck of the boat will provide you a perfect platform to view and admire the wildlife of the sanctuary.
For more curious and adventurous travelers who want to enjoy their ecotourism in a more natural way, there is the facility of trekking in the nearby Cardamom Hills. Spectacular mountain valley, high altitude trees, scented tea gardens and awe inspiring scenery make Cardamom Hills visit a must for everyone who has come to explore Kerala Tour in its fullest. During your trekking expedition of the hills, you will reach the remotely located villages which are known for their spice and tea plantations. You will get the chance to chat with the locals and get first hand insight into their slow & traditional lifestyle and customs of the people, which are largely untouched even to date. Kumily, a small town, which is located just 4 kms from the park, is known for its spice plantations and excellent resorts accommodation. The town is an emerging tourist destination of the region.

Day 06 : MADURAI

During sixth day of south india tour witness mysterious rituals in Sri Meenakshi Temple on sixth day of your Southern India Tour. Madurai is perhaps the most popular tourist attraction of Tamil Nadu in South India. Also known as the Athens of the East, the city is most famous for its imposing Meenakshi Temple. The artistic splendor of the temple will leave you amazed and wondering as to how those master artisans and workers of yesteryears created such a mammoth structure with so much artistic creations and masterpieces. Foreign travelers like Marco Polo, Megasthanese and Ibin Bathutha have praised the beauty and architecture of Madurai in their ancient and historically important texts. Madurai saw its golden days during the reign of Pandiya Kings, who ruled the region from seventh to tenth centuries.

Legend had it that Madurai was once a dense forest which was dotted with Kadamba trees. Indiran - the king of heavenly gods used to worship a Lingam in the forest. When King Kulasekara Pandiya came to know about it, he was much pleased and decided to build a temple around the Swambu Lingam, which appeared of its own before his eyes. The temple was named as Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple by the king, which is one of the names of Lord Shiva.

Madurai city was founded by king Pandiyan and it was formed in the shape of a Lotus Flower, with the temple lying at its centre. The surrounding corridors of the city are meant to be the petals of the grand Lotus flower design. Meenakshi Amman Temple consists of four "Gopurams", which are actually 160 feet high towers that are decorated with beautiful entrances to the temple complex. There are several halls in Meenakshi Temple but the Hall of Thousand Pillars is most famous among them all. Golden Lotus and the stone carvings of mythical gods and divine drama "Thiruvilayadal" are simply remarkable and get much appreciation from the visitors.

Other attractions of Madurai include Annamalai, Nagamalai and Gandhi Museum. Annamalai and Nagamalai are actually rock formations which are adorned both by the Hindus and Jain devotees. People of Madurai have great respect for their age old traditions and still prefer to wear traditionally decorated saris, which are popular wear of women, while men folk wear Veashti. Culturally rich Madurai has more surprises for you like folk dance and ballad performances. Sa ngam Period traditional Tamilian musical instruments (which were first used in around 300 AD ) are still played with full zeal in fests and festivals.



Weekend getaway spots of the city include Eco Park, Athisayam water theme park, Rajaji Children Park, MGR race course stadium and Hava Valley. Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Thiruparankundram, Kazimar Big Mosque, Gandhi Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral Church, Koodal Azhagar Koil, Goripalayam Durgah and Theppakulam are the prominent landmarks of Madurai. Popular tourist attractions that are close to Madurai are: Kodaikanal, Rameshwaram, Azhagar Kovil and Suruli Falls. There is much more in store for you to explore during your Southern India Tour.

Day 07 : PONDICHERRY
Drive through the scenic coastal road to Pondicherry. Also visit nearby Auroville - The Township for Human Unity.

Day 08-09 : MAMALLAPURAM
Cycle around the Shore Temple and see Arjuna’s Penance rock.

Day 10-11 : MYSORE
View the magnificent Maharaja’s Palace and witness Puja ceremony at Chamunda Hill on tenth day of your South India Tour.

Day 12 : MASINAGUDI
You have a lot to explore during your Southern India Tour. Proceed on excursion to Nilgiri Hills on foot. Enjoy safari ride in the nearby Bandipur National Park, which is home to tigers, elephants, spotted deer and other wild animals.

Day 13 : OOTACAMUND
Walk through the eucalypt blanketed hills and admire the rolling tea estates on the thirteenth day of your Southern India Tourism.

Day 14-15 : KOCHI
Visit Malabar Coast and admire the Dutch, Portuguese and British Raj architecture. Stroll through the local bazaars. Your South India Tour ends. Return back to home with sweet memories of India!