Best of South India & Backwaters of Kerala - Columbia Tours

Best of South India & Backwaters of Kerala

Day 1
Chennai

Our representative will meet you in arrivals at Chennai Airport and drive to
Mahabalipuram for a 3-night stay at the luxury Vivanta by Taj – Fisherman’s Cove.

Day 2
Mahabalipuram

Visit the famous Shore temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal – a world heritage
monument dating back to 700 AD and one of the oldest temples in Southern India.
Evening welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 3
Kanchipuram

Half-day visit to Kanchipuram, known as the ‘City of a thousand temples.’ The most
famous of these are the Ekambeshwara and Varaderajaswamy temples. Lunch is
included today at a local restaurant.

Day 4
Bangalore

Morning transfer to Chennai airport. Fly to Bangalore and stop for lunch. Visit
Srirangapatna, an island town on the Cauvery River. The Temple of Lord
Sriranganatha is said to have been built in 894 AD. Continue to the Radisson Blu
Plaza Hotel, Mysore for a 2-night stay.

Day 5
Mysore

Visit Chamudi Hills, where the 12th century Temple of Chamundeswari and the
gigantic sixteen-foot tall monolith of Nandi are perched on the summit. Continue to
Mysore Palace, once the residence of the Wodeyars, built in 1912 in the Indo
Saracenic style. We also stop at a workshop to learn how sandalwood incense is
made by hand. Afternoon at leisure – perhaps explore the nearby local markets.

Day 6
Nagarhole National Park

Drive to beautiful Nagarhole National Park and check-in to the first class Orange
County Resort. Lunch included at the resort. Late afternoon safari on the Kabini
River by boat where gaur (Indian bison), elephants and possibly leopards and tigers

can be observed.

Day 7
Nagarhole National Park

This morning enjoy a park Safari in open-air 4-wheel drive in search of the
exclusive Indian tiger and other wildlife. Lunch and dinner are included at the resort.
After dinner, take a short, guided nature walk discovering the nocturnal birds,
insects, reptiles and molluscs that come to life after dark.

Day 8
Bangalore

Travel to Bangalore (included lunch at a local restaurant). Visit the Tudor-style
Bangalore Palace, a magnificent landmark of a bygone era. Check-in to the deluxe
Vivanta by Taj – MG Road for 1-night stay.

Day 9
Thottapally

Fly to Cochin and drive to Thottapally in the backwaters where we embark the MV
Vaikundum for 3-night cruise on a full board basis. Set sail through Thottapally
Lake observing the Spillway that splits the lake with the fresh water section to the
East and the saline Thottapally River mouth to the West. Cruise through beautiful
scenery arriving at the small village of Kanjipadam where we enjoy a walk through
the village, a canoe ride and some fishing. Dinner and overnight on the MV
Vaikundam.

Day 10
Champakkulam village

Visit the historic 700 years old church. Admire artists sculpting with wood and the
bustling village life including a Snake boat. After lunch on board, cruise to
Pulinkunnu village where we visit the dock. Continue a nearby ancient temple.
Dinner and overnight on the MV Vaikundam.

Day 11
Chavara Bhavan

Sail to Chavara Bhavan, located in Alappuzha, the ancestral home of the blessed
Kuriakose Elias Chavara. It is now a holy shrine where thousands of devotees
gather for prayer. After lunch, cruise past scenic paddy fields to Kavalam village
where we explore the local market. Farewell dinner on board ship tonight.

Day 12
Cochin

After breakfast, drive to Cochin and check-in to the stunning Vivanta by Taj,
Malabar for a 1-night stay. Enjoy a tour of Fort Cochin, where the Portuguese flag
was first hoisted and believed to be the oldest settlement in India. We also visit St.
Francis church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama. Optional
afternoon tour to a spice market with a local chef to learn about the spices of Kerala
(including lunch) The finale to our cruise and tour programme is a farewell dinner

and Kathakali dance performance, the most developed dance-drama art of India.

Day 13
Cochin

Transfer to Cochin International airport for your onward flight.