South India backwater tours(I-46)

Arrive Bangalore. Drive directly to Hassan. Overnight Hassan.

Full day excursion to Belur and Halebid. The Chenna Kesava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of Hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara. Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are master pieces of Hindu art. On the return, if time permits, visit Sravanbelgola. At Sravanbelgola, hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 kms is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara which is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years. Overnight Hassan. Overnight Hassan.

Morning drive to Calicut. Arrive Calicut and transfer to hotel. Calicut was a major center of trade between Kerala and the outside world. The city of Calicut came into existence in the 13th century. The name Calicut is derived from 'calico,' the fine variety of hand-woven cotton cloth said to have originated from this place.The outer world came to know about India in 1498 when the Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama came to Calicut and obtained permission to carry out trade from here. Places of interest are - Kappad where Vasco da Gama set foot in India, Pazhassirajah Museum, an art gallery displaying paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Dolphin's Point, the Science Planetarium and Mananchira with a musical fountain. Overnight Calicut.

Morning drive to Trichur. Trichur (Thrissur), the name derived from 'Tiru-Shiva-Perur' (the town with the name of Lord Shiva) is the cultural capital of Kerala. Its most prominent feature is the Vadakkumnathan Kshetram or temple, which has Shiva as its presiding deity. Many rulers and dynasties beginning with the Zamorins of Kozhikode, Tipu Sultan of Mysore and Europeans including the Dutch and the British have had a hand in moulding the destiny of this region. Raja Rama Varma, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran was the architect of the present Trichur town. Overnight Trichur.

Morning drive to Cochin. Overnight Cochin.

Morning citytour. Cochin is a natural harbour created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbour. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world  map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques and Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Overnight Cochin.

Drive to Periyar.
The earliest sanctuary to be set up in 1934, it extends to 777  square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats.  Wild life  can  be  seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in  a  motor  boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. Overnight Periyar.

Day free in Periyar. Overnight in Periyar.

Morning drive to Alleppey. Embark on a rice houseboat.  The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian Sea is the Venice of the East, for the numerous canals that meander through the town. Bathing in the backwaters on the Vemband Lake is refreshing. This town holds a thrilling event of snake-boat race every year in August. It is also known for its cashew nuts, coir trade, rice, pepper  crops & coconuts. Night on board.

Drive to Varkala. Overnight Varkala.

Varkala is a calm and quiet hamlet and the beach is a quiet sea resort rich in mineral water springs. A dip in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins; hence the name 'Papanasam beach'.  the places of interest are a two thousand year old shrine the Janardhanaswamy Temple and the Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the great Hindu reformer and Philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928). Overnight Varkala.

Drive to Kovalam. Overnight Kovalam.

Kovalam is one of the most   beautiful beaches of the world. The surf here is ideal for surf-riding and the water invites the visit to ride the -Catamaran- or log, with the fisherman, or to take a cool swim. Nearby is the Beach Centre of aquatic sports. At the Yoga and Health Centre, Yoga classes and transcendental meditation are held. Ayurvedic oil massages and oil bath are given by experts. Overnight Kovalam.

Drive to Kanyakumari. The coast town of Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin lies at the southernmost tip of India where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. It has been an important centre for art, religion and trade for centuries. Flanked by hills and paddy fields on one side and the ocean on the other, Kanyakumari is the 'Land's End' of India. Beautiful beaches with multi-coloured sands, spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and ancient temples with a rich architectural heritage make this coastal town a popular tourism destination. Kanyakumari literally means a virgin and gets its name from the Kumari Amman Temple. Legend has it that the princess Kanya Devi, one of the many forms of Goddess Parvati was supposed to marry Lord Shiva. But due to his inability to turn up on the auspicious time, the wedding never took place and hence the name, Kanyakumari. Overnight Kanyakumari.

Drive to Trivandrum. Visit   the   famous  Sri Padmanabhaswamy  Temple  dedicated  to  Lord Vishnu.  Rebuilt in 1733, it ia an excellent example of  South  Indian architecture.  Visit  the  Zoological Park  (except  Mondays),  Napier Museum    with  its  bronze collection,Sri  Chitra  Art  Gallery  with paintings  from  various schools; from countries  like  China,  Japan, Java and Bali. (Both closed on Mon/Wed mornings.) Overnight Trivandrum.

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