harbor from the times of the British and Portuguese, Cochin has a rich heritage of forts, churches and temples. Day 11: Cochin Highlights of Visit the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555 AD; . Jewish Synagogue Southern India built in 1568’ Chinese Fishing Nets & St. Francis Church. Later drive to Mattencherry area to stroll in the animated bazaar. In 17 nights / 18 days the evening there is a visit to the cultural centre to see the traditional dance form of Kathakali. Day 12: Calicut (By Train) / Kalpetta Take a train to Calicut today, Mangladweep Express (1245-1720 hrs) and drive to Kalpetta on arrival, your base for two nights Day 07: Madurai/Periyar Day 09: Trivandrum/Alleppey in the Wayanad jungles. Drive to the backwaters of Alleppey and Today we drive from the busy and bustling Day 13: In Kalpetta switch over to a houseboat. Each boat temple town of Madurai to the quiet jungle This morning we will visit Edakkal Caves Enjoy the beaches, lakes has a fully equipped kitchen and an resort of Periyar. It is one of the finest (27 kms) where only a cleft is left in reality, experienced cook to prepare authentic and cool waterways of Southern India... sanctuaries for studying the Indian Elephant of about 96ft. long & 22ft. wide in the rock. Kerala cuisine with seafood specialties in its home. In the afternoon you will be taken There are some interesting carvings of pre- See the highlights of three different southern Indian states namely Tamil Nadu, Karnatka and Kerala in this long tour that has a lot to and fresh vegetables. The waterways of around to see some spice plantations. historic age. We will also visit Suchipara offer. We start with shore temples at Mahabalipuram followed by visiting Pondicherry known for its Aurobindo Ashram and French Kerala play a major role in the economy of about 22 kms from Kalipetta and you have influence; temples of Trichy & Thanjavur & Madurai, elephant sighting at Periyar game reserve, beach stay at Kovalam, houseboat the state as they link remote villages and to take a serpentine road through tea stay in Alleppey on backwaters, harbor city of Cochin for its Chinese fishing nets and Jewish synagogue, North Kerala’s rain forest Day 08: Trivandrum islands with the mainland. All Meals and Early morning enjoy a boat ride in the gardens to reach it. On return from Lakkdi, of Wayanad, visit to Ooty, the hill resort of the British where we take a toy train zigzagging its way up and down the hairpin curves, overnight stay on board the house boat we can stop at Pookote Lake, where Uruvu and to the sandalwood city of Mysore, close to India’s IT capital Bengaluru, before taking a train back to Chennai. Lake Periyar to see the wildlife. Drive to Trivandrum and visit Napier Museum Day 10: Cochin Eco Shop is a must for two dozen varieties Day 1: Australia – Delhi Day 04: Pondicherry/Thanjavur the locals. Some of the major attractions in dating back to 1880.; Sri Chitra Art Gallery You will get up early today by chirping of of products made of bamboo. the city are the Meenakshi Temple, Gandhi Met and assisted on arrival at Chennai and This morning we drive to Tanjore, primarily housing paintings from the Mughal, Rajput birds and occasional ripples in the water. Museum, Koodal Azhagar Temple etc. 1 hour (60 kms) drive to your beach resort a place for the art lovers, especially for and Tanjore schools of art. Later continue Your breakfast will be cooked before Day 14: Ooty your eyes by your expert boat-crew. A long and winding drive will bring you at Mahabalipuram, where you are booked those who love temple architecture your drive of another 30kms to arrive at your beach resort. Drive 1 hour to Cochin. Being a major today to Ooty in the heart of the Nilgiris to stay for two nights. and wonder about kings who erected these magnificent monuments. The Day 02: Mahabalipuram Brihadeeswara Temple, the wonderful Palace, Art Gallery and the Saraswati Mahabalipuram with its picturesque Mahal Library are some of the other things location on a rocky outcrop between the to see in Tanjore. beach and a lagoon is a happy combination of history, good beaches, hassle-free Day 05: Thanjavur tourism and fabulous fish and lobster. In Trichy visit Rock Fort, from where Visit the charming Rathas and carved relief the view is spectacular. The Vinayaka rocks depicting Arjuna’s Penance; Shore Temple at the top is reached by climbing Temple housing the shrines of both Shiva a tunnel in rock. Half way up is the Sri and Vishnu; Krishna Manadapam with a Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to bas-relief of Lord Krishna etc. Lord Siva having a 100-pillar hall. Also visit Tiruvanaikkaval or Jambukeswara Day 03: Pondicherry Temple named after the elephant , which Drive to Pondicherry, a French colony is believed to have worshipped Lord on the coastline of India famous for Sri Siva here. Aurobindo Ashram, where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for the most parts Day 06: Madurai of their lives and Pondicherry Museum, Drive today to the temple city of Madurai. a home to some of the most exquisite You can also participate in the many collections on architecture and sculpture. festivals and regale in the rich tradition of 18 www.napt.com.au Reservation Hotline: 1300 138 198 19 Mountains. The Botanical Garden is an ideal park and a source of 1897. In the afternoon take Shatabdi Express train (1410- 2115 information about the region’s flora. For those who like to enjoy hrs) to Chennai. boat rides and fishing, a visit to the Ooty Lake is a must. Day 18: Chennai/Australia In time transfer to the international airport to board your flight for Day 15: Ooty/Conoor/Ooty onward destination After a very early breakfast, enjoy a spectacular train ride from Udhaghamandlam (the rail head for Ooty) to Conoor. The train starts from Mettupalayam at 0745hrs and goes up to Ooty Conoor. We will be boarding this train on its return journey. Departure at 0915 hrs, Arrival 1025 hrs. In Conoor, you will again switch over to your bus, to return to Ooty. Day 16: Mysore DELHI Drive to the sandalwood city of Mysore today. In the evening we will take you to the terraced Brindavan Gardens. Here the well- manicured steps are bordered by water- courses. Musical fountains with soft colored lights add to the visitor’s delight. The view of the gardens during the nights is a thing to be seen. Day 17: Mysore/Chennai (By Train) from The city of Mysore offers a visitor an insight into the lifestyles, Australia cultures and traditions of its erstwhile rulers. Atop the hill visit the Chamundeshwari temple of the royal family’s patron deity. Mysore Chennai to 15 km from away is Srirangapatnam with many interesting places Ooty Australia Kalpetta Mahabalipuram of which the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan is a must visit. The Thanjavur Pondicherry Cochin Madurai Mysore Palace has both Hindu as well as Muslim influences. The palace, designed by an English architect and completed in 1912, was built in place of an earlier palace, which was burnt down in Tour Code: HSI 20 www.napt.com.au.