Itineraries UK.cdr - Tamarind Tours India

Day 07 Kumbakonam - Thanjavur ( 37 Kms / 1 Hrs ) &
Thanjavur - Chettinad ( 102
Kms / 2 Hrs 30 )
Today you will head to
Chettinad; the region of
Chettinad is well known for its
cultural heritage and its culinary
delicacies. En route, you will
visit Thanjavur, where you will
see the Brihadisvara Temple.
This temple is a testament to the
major architectural
achievements of the Chola dynasty in the 11th century AD. The
temple is the first one to be built completely in granite. Also visit the
Bronze museum in Thanjavur, housing a collection of bronze
artifacts of rare artistic quality. Overnight in Chettinad.
Day 08 Chettinad
Today you will explore the
Chettinad village; here you will
experience the culture and
traditions of the region first
hand. The central theme of
Chettinad culture is worship
and every Chettinad village has
at least one temple, while some
have four or even five. You can
also visit the famous Athangudi
tile factory and see how these
famous handmade terracotta
tiles are patterned and sundried.
Overnight in Chettinad.
DETAIL OF BRIHADISVARA TEMPLE
BRIHADISVARA TEMPLE
A CHETTINAD MANSION
Day 09 Chettinad - Madurai ( 115 Kms / 2 Hrs 30 )
Today, leave for Madurai. On arrival, visit the Tirumalai Nayak
Palace. King Tirumalai Nayak built this unique palace with the help
of an Italian architect. The building was started circa 1620 and
blends Dravidian, Islamic and
European styles. The Swarga Vilasam,
which served as the audience hall,
features a dome that rises to a height of
20m without support of any kind. You
will then visit the Meenakshi Temple-
the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year
old city of Madurai. This temple has
stunning architecture and is significant
testimony to the Dravidian
architectural and sculpting skills.
The complex houses 14
magnificent Gopurams or towers,
including two golden Gopurams
for the main deities. Evening at
leisure to walk around and explore
the local market. Overnight in
Madurai.
Day 10 Madurai - Cape
TAMARIND
TOURS
MEENAKSHI TEMPLE
Comorin (250 Kms / 5 Hrs )
KUMARI AMMAN TEMPLE
This morning, head to Cape
Comorin, the southernmost tip
of the Indian Peninsula. Visit the
Kumari Amman Temple. Located close to the shore, this temple is
dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya Kumari. Also visit the
Gandhi memorial. Built in the style of an Orissan temple, this
monument allows people to pay homage to Gandhi, the
ambassador of peace.
Overnight in Cape Comorin.
Day 11 Cape Comorin -
Kovalam ( 65 Kms / 1 Hrs 30 )
After breakfast, head to the
stunning beaches of Kovalam.
The name Kovalam means
'grove of coconut trees' and the
name does not disappoint. The
beaches of Kovalam with their
endless expanse of coconut
groves are truly idyllic. Evening
at leisure. Overnight in
Kovalam.
Day 12 Kovalam
You can spend the day enjoying the fun and relaxation that the
beaches of Kovalam have to offer. Get pampered with some
soothing Ayurvedic treatments. Ayurveda is the ancient Indian
science of holistic healing, where a variety of natural herbs,
powders, poultices and oils are used to cure innumerable ailments
the natural way. Even the perfectly
MADURAI PALACE
healthy can benefit with its stress
reducing and rejuvenating treatments.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 13 Kovalam - Trivandrum ( 16
Kms / 30 Mins )
Post lunch, drive to Trivandrum Airport
to proceed to your onward destination.