Now for Southern India

tantraman · Jun 8th, 2007, 04:04

Hello all, 4 years after doing Northern India I am going back to do the South, including 4 nights in Sri Lanka (not reflected in the plan), here is my proposed plan from Compass, who did a great job on my last trip, please give me any suggestions or ideas thanks and namaste
Day 01: Arrive at Chennai and overnight.
Day 02: Enjoy the city sightseeing and fisherman's village.
Day 03: Drive to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram.
Day 04: Pondicherry tour and ashram visit.
Day 05: Drive to Trichy via Chidambaram & Tanjore.
Day 06: Trichy sightseeing and drive to Madurai.
Day 07: Madurai
Day 08: Drive to Periyar and enjoy spice plantation tour with boat ride.
Day 09: Take a nature trek and visit spice markets.
Day 10: Drive to Kumarokom through tea plantations and board houseboat.
Day 11: Cruise through the backwaters.
Day 12: Cruise through the backwaters and reach Aleppey. Stay in Cochin.
Day 13: Cochin.
Day 14: Take flight to Mumbai and connecting flight home.

Nick-H · Jun 8th, 2007, 10:27

Almost every day you are driving somewhere...

I'd take some more relaxation time, if I were you!

One place you are spending two nights is Madurai. Madurai has one temple to see (albeit a very magnificent one).

I guess you are saving up your relaxation for Kerala...
But I might cut the backwaters to one night, although I am a boat lover, having twice done Kumarakom to Kochi by boat, which would be a very boring trip for a non-boat lover.

Give Chennai an extra night? I know I'm biased on this one, but one day for temple/museum/fort (that's a pretty full day) and one day for shopping and getting the feel of the city.

dhans · Jun 9th, 2007, 01:09

American yes??

Old indian saying: It's better to see one place with a thousand eyes, than to seen 1000 places with one eye. For 14 days either Tamil adu or Kerala might be enough....

Hans

blackbird · Jun 9th, 2007, 01:59

I'm not really sure how you "do" a place, but I'm sure you can't "do" South India in a fortnight.

Shaktipalooza · Jun 9th, 2007, 03:40

Look at the bright side, the OP only has to grind this one out for two weeks.

A couple of years ago I hired a driver for Madurai > Periyar and continued through the tea plantations to Allepey. Was very enjoyable and scenic.

It's an action packed itinerary, some people have the stamina for this I suppose.

Sama · Jun 9th, 2007, 03:57

I would visit the Murugan temple outside of Madurai, not just the Meenakshi temple. When I was in Madurai I was very sorry I did not spend more time there instead of the time I spent at the Meenakshi temple.

There are six major pilgrimmage sites in India for Murugan (Ganesh's brother and son of Shiva and Parvati) and this temple in Madurai is one of them.

tantraman · Sep 24th, 2007, 03:29

thanks, esp yoga gal and Nick-H, I trust Durjay to give me a good trip and since I am travelling alone, I do not mind a lot of action. I am retired so I get all the rest I need at home. namaste

http://www.luxurytoursofindia.com/south-india-tour.html

freenote · Sep 24th, 2007, 04:35

All looks very high class and pricey to me but it takes all sorts to make the world

you might get the chance for a cup of that ginger chia by the nets in cochi but you will have to be quick and watch that the driver doesnt try to hassle you away .Your paying ,your the boss .Have fun

vandy · Sep 24th, 2007, 06:04

Hey there,

Your itinerary looks fantastic.

Have a wonderfull trip,and safe one too.

Happy travelling

vandy

Jun 8th, 2007, 04:04	#1
tantraman Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Orlando Posts: 21	Now for Southern India Hello all, 4 years after doing Northern India I am going back to do the South, including 4 nights in Sri Lanka (not reflected in the plan), here is my proposed plan from Compass, who did a great job on my last trip, please give me any suggestions or ideas thanks and namaste Day 01: Arrive at Chennai and overnight. Day 02: Enjoy the city sightseeing and fisherman's village. Day 03: Drive to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram. Day 04: Pondicherry tour and ashram visit. Day 05: Drive to Trichy via Chidambaram & Tanjore. Day 06: Trichy sightseeing and drive to Madurai. Day 07: Madurai Day 08: Drive to Periyar and enjoy spice plantation tour with boat ride. Day 09: Take a nature trek and visit spice markets. Day 10: Drive to Kumarokom through tea plantations and board houseboat. Day 11: Cruise through the backwaters. Day 12: Cruise through the backwaters and reach Aleppey. Stay in Cochin. Day 13: Cochin. Day 14: Take flight to Mumbai and connecting flight home.

Jun 8th, 2007, 10:27	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,905	Almost every day you are driving somewhere... I'd take some more relaxation time, if I were you! One place you are spending two nights is Madurai. Madurai has one temple to see (albeit a very magnificent one). I guess you are saving up your relaxation for Kerala... But I might cut the backwaters to one night, although I am a boat lover, having twice done Kumarakom to Kochi by boat, which would be a very boring trip for a non-boat lover. Give Chennai an extra night? I know I'm biased on this one, but one day for temple/museum/fort (that's a pretty full day) and one day for shopping and getting the feel of the city. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jun 9th, 2007, 01:09	#3
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,540	American yes?? Old indian saying: It's better to see one place with a thousand eyes, than to seen 1000 places with one eye. For 14 days either Tamil adu or Kerala might be enough.... Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Jun 9th, 2007, 03:40	#5
Shaktipalooza Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 895	Look at the bright side, the OP only has to grind this one out for two weeks. A couple of years ago I hired a driver for Madurai > Periyar and continued through the tea plantations to Allepey. Was very enjoyable and scenic. It's an action packed itinerary, some people have the stamina for this I suppose. __________________ IndiaGroove - Train finder now in beta! Pics from India 2006 Traditional Indian Dance

Jun 9th, 2007, 03:57	#6
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,354	I would visit the Murugan temple outside of Madurai, not just the Meenakshi temple. When I was in Madurai I was very sorry I did not spend more time there instead of the time I spent at the Meenakshi temple. There are six major pilgrimmage sites in India for Murugan (Ganesh's brother and son of Shiva and Parvati) and this temple in Madurai is one of them. __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Jun 9th, 2007, 01:59	#4
blackbird Jai Maa Tarini Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 385	I'm not really sure how you "do" a place, but I'm sure you can't "do" South India in a fortnight.

Sep 24th, 2007, 03:29	#7
tantraman Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Orlando Posts: 21	thanks thanks, esp yoga gal and Nick-H, I trust Durjay to give me a good trip and since I am travelling alone, I do not mind a lot of action. I am retired so I get all the rest I need at home. namaste http://www.luxurytoursofindia.com/south-india-tour.html Last edited by machadinha : Dec 5th, 2007 at 20:12. Reason: replaced full website quote by URL

Sep 24th, 2007, 04:35	#8
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,533	All looks very high class and pricey to me but it takes all sorts to make the world you might get the chance for a cup of that ginger chia by the nets in cochi but you will have to be quick and watch that the driver doesnt try to hassle you away .Your paying ,your the boss .Have fun

Sep 24th, 2007, 06:04	#9
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 673	Sth India & Sri Lanka Hey there, Your itinerary looks fantastic. Have a wonderfull trip,and safe one too. Happy travelling vandy

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