SATURDAY DEPARTURES
ITINERARY
1st day
Leave London Heathrow in the afternoon by British Airways for Madras,
gateway to South India.
2nd day
Arrive Madras in the morning and transfer to the Trident Oberoi Hotel for a
three night stay. It was here on the Coromandel Coast that the British East
India Company got its first foothold in India, the beginning of Britain’s
long association with the sub-continent. Fort St George was built in 1641 and
for a century Madras remained the chief British settlement in India before Calcutta
and Bombay became predominant. The city still retains a colonial elegance, with
many vestiges of its illustrious past.
3rd day
Today we visit Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India, capital
of the Pallava and Chola empires, dating back to the 6th century. Its temples
and shrines are remarkably preserved. Also visit the coastal city of Mahabalipuram
with its wonderful monolithic monuments and stone sculptures from the Pallava
era, including the spectacular Shore Temple decorated with a row of Nandi bulls.
4th day
A day to relax, or perhaps take an optional city tour of Madras including the
Fort, National Museum and San Thome Cathedral.
5th day
A short flight takes us to Madurai, one of the great pilgrimage centres of
the south, whose vast Meenakshi Temple is one of the most colourful in all India.
Our morning visit to the Temple includes the beautiful Court of a Thousand Pillars
(16th century). The whole temple area is teeming with pilgrims and traders,
its bazaars abounding in spices and temple offerings. Also see the Tirumalainaik
Palace. The afternoon is at leisure. Accommodation at the Tel Madurai Hotel.
6th day
In the morning drive through attractive scenery to Petition Wildlife Sanctuary,
one of the best places in India for viewing elephant. Bird life is also rich,
and in the afternoon we take a boat cruise on Lake Periyar to see herons, hornbills
and egrets. Overnight at the Aranya Novae Hotel.
7th day
A morning drive through coffee and pepper plan1stions to Kottayam for lunch.
Continue by boat on Kerala’s backwaters, through coconut groves and quiet
lagoons, passing tiny fishing ham1sts and farming communities. On arrival in
Alleppey continue by road to Cochin and the Malabar Hotel.
8th day
Cochin is a charaterful town on the edge of the Arabian Sea, and was one of
the earliest European settlements in India. The morning city tour includes the
Jewish Synagogue, the Portuguese Church, the Dutch Palace and the English-style
Fort Cochin. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening there will be the opportunity
to see a performance of Kathakali dance-drama, unique to the region.
9th day
Morning flight to Madras. Day rooms at the Trident Oberoi Hotel before departure
for London by British Airways.
10th day
Arrive London in the morning.