Dravidian trails

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Dravidian T R A I

L S


W h e r e Nature T a l k s

Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. Backwaters of Kerala being the most popular tourist’s hotspot remains crowed with nature lovers, avid travelers and specifically the honeymooners. The backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons, lakes and rivers that adorn the lush beauty of the state of Kerala and its vicinities.


Explore‌

KOCHI

Serene Kochi has been drawing traders and explorers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj.


And through the interesting trails! Valparai

Muziris Heritage sites

Madurai


When Gods meet in India‌

The Pooram Festival

Arattupuzha is a culturally significant village located in Thrissur district of Kerala. This village, about 15 km from the town of Thrissur is renowned for the annual festival called Arattupuzha Pooram. The Sree Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, which is believed to be more than 3000 years old and its premises are the venue for the festivities. It is believed that during the festival period, Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at the Sree Sastha Temple is visited by gods and goddesses of the neighbouring villages.


Day at Sree Sastha Temple Arattupuzha

The atmosphere during Sasthavinte Melam would have the brilliance of the many brightly lit traditional lamps and also the huge flame bearing staffs, locally called as theevetti. Once this ceremony is over, by early morning the elephants carrying deities of nearby temples would proceed to the adjoining paddy field for the grand spectacle that would have about 50 odd elephants lined up in front of a cheering crowd. The venue would soon become electrifying with groups of traditional percussion ensembles comprising Panchavadyam, Pacharimelam and Pandimelam playing their best possible beats and rhythms, while the caparisoned elephants bearing muthukkudas (sequined, glittering umbrellas) and venchamarams (white whisks) make a delightful sight, as they stand patiently and entertain the crowd. By sunrise, the elephants carrying deities from neighbouring temples that had gathered at the Sree Sastha Temple at Arattupuzha would proceed to the nearby river for the aarattu ceremony. It is a ceremonial cleansing process by immersing the idol in the river accompanied by chanting of mantras and floral offerings. The last to undergo the aarattu would be Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of the Sree Sastha temple at Arattupuzha‌


Temples & Prayers TANJORE

TRICHY

MAHABALIPURAM


Your Stays!

Eighth Bastion

Kochi

Nattika Beach Resort

Thrissur

Briar Tea Bungalow

Valparai

Cardamom House

Dindigul

Visalam

Chettinad

Indeco Swamimalai

Kumbakonam

Palais De Mahe

Pondicherry

Park Hyatt

Chennai


YOUR PROGRAM DAY 1 : Depart from Zurich by flight QR 96 @1510-2250 hours. On arrival in Doha, connect flight to Kochi QR 516 @ 0105 hours.

DAY 2 : Arrive Kochi at 0750 hours. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight I Eighth Bastion

DAY 3 : Morning cycle ride to Ezhupunna village through the back roads. Visit Kumbalangi village. Evening visit the Fort Kochi area.

DAY 4 : Morning drive to Trichur (87 Kms & approx. 2 Hrs) en-route visiting Muziris Heritage Sites.

Overnight I Nattika Beach Resort

DAY 5 : Visit the Ayurveda Museum. Afternoon excursion to Guruvayoor Elephant camp.

DAY 6 : Today you will be taken to Arattupuzha temple to enjoy Pooram festival.

DAY 7 : Morning drive to Valparai en-route stopping at Athirapilly & enjoy a walk with a naturalist to waterfalls (135 Kms & approx. 4.5 Hrs).

Overnight I Valparai Briar Tea Bungalow

DAY 8 : Today drive to Dindigul en-route visiting Murugan temple at Palani (178 Kms & approx. 5 Hrs ). Overnight I Cardamom House

DAY 9 : Morning walk to the Dam site to enjoy verities birds visits. Afternoon visit the village which includes a small temple, Weaving Centers & Coir Factory.

DAY 10 : Early morning drive to Chettinad en-route visiting Meenakshi temple at Madurai & Trichy temples (217 Kms & approx. 6.5 Hrs).

Overnight I Visalam

DAY 11 : Explore the land of Heritage & devotion. Visit Chettinad Palace & the Vinayakar temple.

DAY 12 : Drive to Kumbakonam en-route Tanjore & Darasuram (113 Kms & approx. 4.5 Hrs).Â

Overnight I Indeco Swamimalai

DAY 13 : Morning drive to Pondicherry (129 Kms & approx. 3 Hrs).

Overnight I Palais De Mahe

DAY 14 : Explore Pondicherry: The French town, Tamil & Muslim Square, Churches & temples.

DAY 15 : Drive to Mahabalipuram (100 Kms & approx. 2 Hrs) & visit the temples. Continue drive to Chennai (60 Kms & approx. 1.5 Hrs). Evening visit Mylapore.

Overnight I Park Hyatt

DAY 16 : Early morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Doha QR 515 @ 0430 hours. On arrival in Doha at 0620 hours, connect flight to Zurich at 0825 hours.


Route Map

Valparai


Write to us at info@incent-­‐tours.com for further details…


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