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Travel FileIf you are inspired to take ajourney through SouthernIndia, we’ve put together anitinerary which includes manyof the sights seen by Susie.The guideline price is £2,445per person based on twinshare and is dependent onseason.My rice boat was waiting on thebackwaters. By this stage in myjourney, I was more than ready toput my weary feet up with a coldbeer and let the crew do the work.They also prepared a deliciouslytasty Thali. A further night of rest andrelaxation at the wonderfully luxuriousTaj Garden Retreat and I wasready for Cochin. A major port, this isa city with many attractions includinga palace, synagogue and theChinese fishing nets, a photographer’sdream.Driving up the coast, we reachedCalicut. I was long due someayurvedic massage, a Keralan speciality,and the splendid TajResidency is famed for this. Mymasseuse hit all the right spots andthe oils left me lightly perfumed if abit greasy.The final part of my trip, which Ihad been really looking forwardTHE MEENAKSHI TEMPLEto, was a night in a treehouse. This isabout as far from the traditionalimage of India as possible. Set inthe heart of a beautiful forest, thetreehouses are 90 feet in the air. Iwas a little nervous riding up to mybedroom in a basket but the chatteringbirds soon distracted me. Lodges onthe ground are also available.After a morning exploring the forestfloor with an expert guide, it wastime for me to head back to Calicutfor my flight to Bombay. I hadexperienced so many differentthings, eaten a lifetime’s worth ofcurry and would do it all again at thedrop of a Kerelan coconut!Susie joined Audley Travel inMarch of this year as our ProgrammeManager for the Indian Subcontinent,after previously working for Cox &Kings. Susie is passionate about theregion and has a treasure trove of ideasand tips for those planning a visit.A TEMPLE ELEPHANT AT MADURAI17-day itineraryDay 1: Fly from London to Madras viaDubai.Day 2: Arrive Madras and transfer tothe Taj Connemara. Afternoon city tourincluding Fort George, the Chola BrassMuseum, St Thomas' Church and theHindu temple.Day 3: Morning drive to Kanchipuramfor sightseeing of the temples. Youmay choose to visit the local handloomsari shops. Lunch at Fisherman'sCove. Taj Connemara.Day 4: Drive to Pondicherry with theoption of visiting Mahaballipuram enroute. Afternoon city tour. D'Orient.Day 5: Drive to Tanjore. Afternoon citytour. Parisutham Hotel.Day 6: At leisure in Tanjore. Optionalsightseeing tour of Trichy. ParisuthamHotel.Day 7: Drive to Madurai. Afternoon atleisure. Evening temple visit. TajGarden Retreat.Day 8: Morning city tour. Afternoon atleisure. Taj Garden Retreat.Day 9: Drive to Thekkady. Afternoonspice village tour. Taj Garden Retreat.Day 10: Overnight on traditional riceboat.Day 11: Travel on the rice boat toKumarakom. Taj Garden Retreat.Day 12: Drive to Cochin. Afternoon citytour including the palace, synagogueand Chinese fishing nets. Taj Malabar.Day 13: Day at leisure in Cochin torelax or explore. Taj Malabar.Day 14: Drive to Calicut. Afternoon atleisure. Taj Residency.Day 15: Drive to Vythiri. Afternoon inthe forest. Overnight in the treehouse.Day 16: Return to Calicut for theafternoon flight to Bombay. Orchid hotel.Day 17: Early morning departure forLondon via Dubai.To discuss this itinerary andother options please call ourIndian Subcontinent specialistson 01869 276 218.5