South India Cultural Retreat: Itinerary

Healing Arts

Travel News

Gen. Info/Policies
Our Credentials
What Travelers Say

Travel Insurance
Travel Resources
links, books, health kit
FAQs

What's Your Style?
Spirit of India Story
Destinations:
a photo overview
Maps - Icons

Home

Looking for a Travel Partner?
Click Here to View & Place Postings

Back to Highlights Page
South India Pop-Up Map

Arrival in Madras- Day 1
Transfer to hotel Le Meridien (near the airport)

Madras - Trivandrum - Day 2
Madras-Trivandrum dep 11:20, arr 12:30. Transfer to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort

Ayurvedic Beach Resort - Day 3
Relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort including private beach, yoga, massage, nature walks, classical music and dance programs on open-air stage, visits to local traditional village.

"Backwaters of Kerala" - Day 4
From the resort drive to the pier to board a private rice boat (70 kms/2 hrs drive) and then cruise through the narrow canals and wide lakes enjoying the scenic natural beauty -- coconut trees, rice patties, small villages.Meals and overnight on houseboats.

Backwaters - Cochin - Day 5
Morning relax on houseboat, after lunch drive to Cochin 65 Kms/ 1 1/12 hrs.), transfer to hotel. Taj Mallabar Hotel, overlooking the harbor, sea facing rooms.

Cochin - Day 6
Full day sighseeing: palaces, museums. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance at Cochin Cultural Center, arriving by 5 pm to watch the make-up. Dinner at traditional Kerala restaurant. Taj Mallabar Hotel

Periyar - Day 7
Periyar Wild life Sanctuary Home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, monkeys, langurs, a wide variety of birds, and some 750 elephants. Game viewing by private motor-boat in the evening, (the best time to see wild life). Hotel Taj Garden Retreat

Periyar - Madurai - Day 8
Relax at Periyar in the morning. In afternoon, drive to Madurai (135 kms./ 4hrs. drive), "The Temple City of India." Evening relaxed overview of the city, independent strolling. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat in Madurai, cottages.

Madurai - Day 9
Full day sighseeing: Sri Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Tiruparankundram (rock-cut)Temple, Alagarkoil Temple Evening fly Madurai-Madras dep 19:40 arr 20:30 arr. OR 20:40 dep.-21:30 arr. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat

Madras - Day 10
Full day sightseeing of Madras: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Cathedral, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Fort St. George, the Marina. Hotel Taj Coromandel, superior room

Drive to Kanchipuram - Day 11 (11/2-2 hrs)
Visit temples of Kanchipuram enroute to Mahabalipuram. Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Devarajaswami Temple. On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to Hotel FishermanÕs Cove.

Mahabalipuram - Day 12
Morning relax; afternoon sightseeing: Five Rathas, Shore Temple, ArjunaÕs Penance, Mandapams, Krishna Mandapam. .

Madras - Day 13
Relax in the morning. Late afternoon drive back to Madras (80kms./2hrs. drive). Transfer to international airport for flight home.

PRICES

Please request quote. This is a private tour and the itinerary and hotels may be modified if desired.

This is a relaxing vacation that is also an exciting cultural adventure!

Note: Prices based on 2 people, dble occ; for single room add single supplement; solo travelers use solo price. The private tours can be expanded & modified; we can customize according to your preferences and interests.

Package Includes:

Airport Transfers and land transport by private ac car
All accommodations (dble occupancy)
All activities and tours as listed in itinerary
Daily breakfast
All meals on houseboat in Kerala
Traditional Kerala dinner in Cochin
Professional local guides for sightseeing
Entrance Fees to monuments
Porterage

Package Does Not Include

International Airfare
Departure Tax
Tips
Personal expenses
Travel insurance

Facilities & Services at Somatheeram/Manaltheeram: Ayurvedic Massage, Consultations, Yoga Classes, Classical Dance & Music Performances, Indian/European Healthy Cuisine

Note: massages and ayurvedic consultations may be booked directly with the resort upon arrival; optional extra fee for yoga classes, cultural programs

International Airfare
We work with a consolidator and can usually get fares about $200-300 less than airline quotes through a travel agent. Some flights offer greater flexibility, allowing you to arrive in one city and depart from another. This works especially well if you want to do an extension to Nepal and/or Tibet or a stop-over in Bangkok or Europe. Nowadays there are discount flights available online. Try asia.com or orbitz if you want to book on your own.

Please call with questions and to discuss options.

Click Here to Return to Highlights Page

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941