Explore Indian Beaches
Duration : 13 Days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Covelong
- Pondicherry - Kovalam - Varkala - Kochi - Goa
The Indian peninsular has been blessed with sunny beaches, golden sands
and palm-fringed seashores. These destinations are ideal for a relaxing
and rejuvenating vacation. Feel the heaven in the well maintained, bewitching
beaches of South. Kovalam is one of the most popular beach resorts.
Day 01: Covelong
Arrive Chennai, the gateway of south India. On arrival transfer to Covelong.
Day free to relax on the beach.
 Day
02 : Covelong
Today you will be doing a City tour of Chennai. Visit Fort St. George,
Fort Museum, Museum & Art Gallery, Kapaleeswarar temple, Kalakshetra
- the dance school and St.Thomas Bascilia. Later drive to Covelong for
dinner and relax at the beach front.
Day 03 : Covelong
Mahabalipuram, the only surviving shore temple of India. Visit Shore Temple
- The oldest temple of South India which sets an example for Dravidian
art, Arjuna's Penance - A complicated magnificent piece of skillfully
carved work and largest bas-relief sculpture in the world, Rathas - rock-cut
temples, named after the five Pandavas dresembling the Dravidian temples
with their imposing towers, sculptured walls and multi-pillared halls,
Mandapams, Krishna temple, tiger cave, etc.
Day 04 : Chennai - Trivandrum
Day free to relax. Departure transfer to airport to board flight to Trivandrum.
On arrival you will be checked-in to the resort at Kovalam. Kovalam beach
is one of the finest in the country and certainly the best in the state.
Kovalam curves a crescent around a sheltered bay, and its tall palms afford
privacy.
Day 05 : Kovalam
One of the best bathing bays in the world - Kovalam, where a sheltered
beach and a shallow sea offer excellent bathing facilities. The scenery
around the place is enchanting. A visit to the nearby fishing village
is interesting.
Day 06 : Kovalam
Day excursion to Trivandrum visiting Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple - the
most magnificent temple dedicated toi Vishnu reclining on Adisesha. This
is held as a very sacred shrine from antiquity. Government Museum - a
collection of cotemporary Indian art, Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Roerich,
Miniature paintings from the Mughal and Rajasthan school, Persian, Chinese
and Japanese art which is a feast to cultural eyes.
Day 07 : Varkala
Drive to the pristine Varkala beach famous for Hindu Pilgrim centre. A
dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach is believed to purge the body
and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini' for this shore.
The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the
two main attractions of Varkala Beach. It has a breathtaking scenery of
the High cliffs rising over the beach and spurting mineral springs water
springs.
Day 08 : Houseboat
Morning drive to Thottapally and check into your traditional Kettuvallam
Houseboat. Travel through the lush green backwaters of Kerala observing
the traditional lifestyle of the Keralites. You will see the Temples,
fishing, people tending their crops and coconut plantations as you drift
through the canals. A unique and totally relaxing experience. O/N on board
the houseboat.
Day 09 : Kochi
Disembark the boat at Allepey and drive to Kochi, the commercial capital
of Kerala. The twin cities of Kochi and Ernakulam lie facing each other
across the channel and are linked by bridges through Willingdon Island.
It was at Kochi that the Portuguese, Dutch and English trading companies
built their fort, factories and houses. Today you will be witnessing the
make-up session and performance of Kathakali Dance Show.
Day 10 : Kochi
Visit the Dutch Palace - the oldest Synagogue of the British commonwealth,
The Jewish Synagogue - the oldest in India with features like great scrolls
of the old testament, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, gold and silver
crowns, blue willow patterned floor tiles in which each tile is unique,
St. Francis Church - India's oldest European church, Bolghatty Palace,
Hill Palace Museum and Bird Sanctuary. A Harbour cruise to watch the sunset
is truly exhilarating.
 Day
11 : Goa
You will be transferred to the airport to board flight to Goa. On arrival
at Goa, you will be met and transferred to the beach resort in Goa. Goa
is one of the finest beach in India and has more fun & frolic than
just sand and sea. Day free to relax on the beach or water sport activities
(optional).
Day 12 : Goa
Morning city tour of Old Goa. Visit old Goa Churches, Bassilica of Boom
Jesus, Sri Mangueas Temple, Dona Paula & Miramar Beach. Afternoon
at leisure for swimming & sun bathing.
Day 13 : Departure Transfer
Morning free for own activities. Later drive to the airport to connect
flight to onward destination.
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