South India Fam Tour - 2016

A Journey from land of Temples
to Gods own country …
By - Shashank , Uday & Monika

History of Tamil Nadu
Ancient History (1st to 9th centuries) – Tamil Nadu was ruled by Early Cholas
between 01st to 04th century. During later half of 04th century Pallavas emerged
into prominence and dominated for 400 years
Medieval History (9th to 15th centuries) – Cholas rose as a strong power in 09th
century. Pandyas emerged in early 14th century and in later 14th century a new
kingdom was built called Vijayanagr empire .
Modern History (17th -19th century) -The British, under the British East India
Company, established a settlement further south, in present day Chennai, in the year
1639.

Dravidian Architecture
The principle part, the temple itself, is called the Vimana (or Vimanam). It is
always square in plan and surmounted by a pyramidal roof of one or more
stories; it contains the cell where the image of the god or his emblem is
placed.
The porches or Mandapa (or Mantapams), which always cover and precede
the door leading to the cell.
Gate-pyramids, Gopurams - which are the principal features in the
quadrangular enclosures that surround the more notable temples.

Major Dynasties contributed to Temple
Architecture
Pallava (600-900) - Greatest accomplishments of Pallava architecture are the
rock- cut of temples at Mahabalipuram
Chola (900-1150) - Chola architecture achieved its peak at Thanjavur.
The temples have rising pyramid towers crowned with dome-like roofs. Sculptures and paintings
adorn the walls. Bronze sculptures of this era are the finest in southern India. Cholas built temples
such as Bridaeshvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram
Hoysala (1100-1350) – These temples are famous for most difficult work done in the temples. The
soft soap-stone type material used by the Hoysala architects . Belur & Halebid Temples were built
by this dynasty..
Vijayanagara (1350-1565) -The characteristic feature of this period is the development of the
temple complex: concentric series of rectangular enclosure walls with the gopuras (towered
gateways) in the middle of each side. Like Vittal & Virupaksha Temple in Hampi

Five Rathas, Mahabalipuram
Brideshawara , Thanjavur
Belur Vittal Temple, Hampi

About Tamil Nadu
Capital : Chennai
Monsoon : June, July & October & November
No. of Districts : 32
Population : 67.86 Million
Language : Tamil & English
Main Crops : Rice, Maize, Cotton
Ranked Second largest Economy .
Stands second in employment.
87 %Hindu, 6% Christians , 5.9% other
Pongal is Main Festival .

Itinerary of the trip
14 May– Arrive Chennai - Sightseeing.
15 May – Chennai + Dakshinchitra (12 Kms) – Crocodile Park + Mahabalipuram (24 Kms) +
Sightseeing.
16 May - Mahabalipuram – Sadaras fort + Salt making + Pondicherry (99 Kms) - Sightseeing +
Heritage walk
17 May: Pondicherry – Chidambaram (60 Kms) – Gangai Kondacholapuram (50 Kms) – Darasuram
(40 Kms) – Kalamkari - Kumbakonam - The Mantra Kumbakonam (15 Kms)
18 May – Kumbakonam village walk (Tribhuvanam Silk veaving village) Thanjavur (60 Kms) –+
sightseeing of Tanjore – Trichy (60 Kms)-
19 May – Trichy s/s – Pudukottai Museum - Namnasumudaram ayanar Temples – village walk -
Chettinad (146 Kms) - Walk + Atinagudi Tile factory – Madurai (90 Kms) Madurai
20 May – Madurai (90 Kms) – Heritage walk - Hotels visit – Evening aarti ceremony at Meenakshi
temple
21 May – Madurai – Coonoor (287 Kms) - Hotels visit - Ooty hotel visit (25 Kms) –

Itinerary of the trip
22 May – Trekking (20 km) Ooty – Calicut hotel Kadavu
23 May – Calicut – Guruvayur elephant camp – drive to Munnar
24 May – Munnar trek through tea plantation – Tea Museum –
25 May – Munnar – Periyar (Spice village (Organic farm and paper making) – boat ride in Periyar –
tribal dance
26 May – Periyar – hotel visits in Periyar - Alleppey – houseboats and hotel visit Alleppey – Day
cruise - Cochin
27 May – Cochin – Manjira village Activities - Kumarakom
28 May – Cochin Muzaris project + heritage walk - Kathakali dance and drama
29 May – fly back to Delhi

About Chennai
-All dynasties ruled the region: Cholas, Pallavas, Pandyas,
Vijaynagara
- The City ruled by Portuguese, Dutch & Britishers
-04th largest city of India and leading commercial center of India

Sightseeing of Chennai
Andrew Kirk
Flower Market
Parthasarthy temple
Fish Market

Andrew Kirk
• Neo classical architecture.
Constructed in 1821

Parthasarthy temple
Dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Constructed in 8th Century by
Pallavas dynasty

Marina beach
2nd Longest Beach in the world : Marina Beach

01st Hotel when you go from airport to city. Just 01
km from airport.
Feels like a 04 star Hotel not a grand Hotel. Lobby is
just Ok.
Rooms are Ok with lot of wood work used in the
rooms.
Only 02 floors in the hotel due to close proximity to
the airport
GRT Radisson

Domestic hotel
We do not recommend this to our
guest
Vijay Park

Nice 03 star hotels.
We can use this hotel to our guest
Decent Lobby
Radha Regent

Just 01 km from airport.
Very nice 05 star hotel
Hilton

Nice 05 star hotel
Base category is OK
However 1st higher category
nice and specious
Taj Club

Radisson Blu Nice option in 05 star category near to
airport.
Next to Radisson. Nice ambience. Looks
much better than Radisson. Nice wood
work has been done.
Pool area is also nice and better as
compared to Radisson. Rooms are also
good and brighter as compared to Radisson
Trident

It is closer to city center. 02 km from city center and 12km
away from airport.
Accessibility is a slight an issue with hotel. Bus cannot go
up to the Hotel appx 200 meters due to metro work.
Rooms are OK. I would rate this hotel as a 04 star hotel
not more than that.
NO swimming pool in the Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott

Decent 04 star Hotel.
Marble used in Lobby
City center
Rooms are nice with wooden flooring
Nice South Indian restaurant
AccordThe Accord

Decent 03 star Hotel
Rooms are OK.
Wooden flooring is not in
good shape
They have pool but not
operational
Small restaurant
The Pride

Sarovar took this hotel 1 ½ yrs back.
Lobby is much bigger than pride
Room size is also bigger than pride
Overall they need to concentrate on
cleanliness of the Hotel.
Recently renovation have done in the
hotel
This is a better product in 03 star
category.
Abu Sarovar

Day 02: Chennai – Dakshinchitra (36 Kms) – Mahabalipuram 24 Kms

-A Unique Heritage
center
-27 Kms from MAA and
25 kms from
Mahablaipuram
-Offers authentic insight
into lifestyle of the south
Indian peoples
-- Traditional houses
from different regions
have been purchased,
dismantled and relocated
here.
-Promote Craft through
hands.
-Craft shops & Bazaar
Dakshinchitra

-A Unique Heritage center
-27 Kms from MAA and 25 kms
from Mahablaipuram
-Offers authentic insight into
lifestyle of the south Indian peoples
-- Traditional houses from different
regions have been prurchased,
dismantled and relocated here.
-Promote Craft through hands.
-Craft shops & Bazar
-A Tamil Nadu House. The house belongs to a Chettiar family.
-House dates back to 19th cnetury
.

Kerala House
Less Height as compared to Tamil Nadu . Open courtyard is not there. More wood is used.

Museum Timings
8 am to 8 pm ( All Day Open )
Entry Charges
Museum - 50rs per person.
It is the largest Seashell Museum in India.
It houses over 40,000 specimens of rare & unique
seashells.

Five Rathaas
07th century monolithic rock cut temples
Built from one stone.
World Heritage site
Five Rathas also called as Temple Chariots
Named After Five Pandyas

One of the Simplest Ratha.
It is in the hut shape.
Dedicated to Durga
Draupadi Ratha

History of Tamil NaduThis chariot
dedicated to
Lord Shiva.
It has images
of a Royal
Couple, Shiva
Leaning on his
Nandi.
Arjuna Ratha

One of the Simplest Ratha.
It is in the hut shape.
Dedicated to Durga
Bhima RathaArchitecture like Buddhist Monastery.
Named after Bhim for its strength.
Lower part is unfinished.
Decorations on external faces of Rathas

Dharmaraja Ratha
Most tallest & largest Ratha.
Crowned by Octagonal domed
roof
Sculptures like Harihara (vishnu
/ shiva)

Nakula Sahadeva
Ratha
It is in curved shape. Appears like backside of
Elephant. Large Elephant is next to Ratha .
It is believed that temple may be diedicated to
Lord Indra.

Shore Temple
It is one of the oldest structural stone temple. It is five storied rock cut
structural temple. Exclusive combination of history & nature splendor. World
Heritage site. Three shrines – two dedicated to Shiva and one to Vishnu.
First ray of sun falls on shivling

Krishna Mandapa
It is one of the oldest cave cut temple. Here the Govardhan story is prescribed
that how lord krishna save the villagers from the storm by lifting the mountain

It is a monolithic granitic rock.
It weights over 250 feet and stands
on a extremely slippery area on less
than 04 feet area.
Krishna’s Butter ball

Hotels in Mahabalipuram…….

MGM Beach Resort
It is 30 ksm from Chennai and 25 Kms
from Mahabalipuram. Decent 03 star
hotel. Rooms are in cottage style. Nice
pool and beach area is also good

Budget hotel
Washrooms are not good
Not recommendable to our
guest
Sea Breeze

Nice beach resort.
Lobby is smaller as
compared to Chariot.
Rooms are in cottage
style. Sit out area
with every room.
Very close to beach.
It has got a nice feel
& ambience of beach
resort
Ideal Beach Resort….

Hotel looks abit flashy..
Looks like a domestic Hotel.
Beach is away from the Hotel.
Though hotel was neat & clean but did not
seems to be the first choice for our clients.
Grand Bay resort….

Nice mix of luxury & traditional
architecture. Wooden pillars in
Kerala style
They have 02 Lobbies.
Largest Pool in Asia.
Radisson

Indeco Mahabalipuram
It was British camping sight in 1940 .
Hotel looks very old and they need to
improve on maintenance of the Hotel.
They have used green theme, which was not
gelling very well.
Need to improve on cleanliness of Hotel.
Only plus point is that it is closer to shore
temple.

It is a nice resort. Lobby & Rooms
are nicer as compared to Ideal.
Beach of Ideal is much closer as
compared to Chariot.
Most of the rooms are in main
buildings and not in cottage style.
Chariot Beach Resort

Nice hotel
Rooms are specious
Restaurant is Okay
Confluence Hotel

It’s a very nice hotel
Little far away from
Mahabalipuram
They have beach activities
Inter Continental

First floor renovated
Second floor they are planning for
renovation
No elevator in hotel
Mamalla Heritage

Day 03: Mahabalipuram – Sadaras (12 Kms) – Pondicherry 85 Kms

Sadras Fort
Dutch fort founded in 17th
centaury
Built for commercial
purpose
In 1818 was took over by
British East India Company
but later abandoned
It is now maintained by
the Archaeological Survey
of India

Puducherry
99 Kms – 02 ½ Hrs from Mahabalipuram
Pondy came in to lime light after arrival of
French in 1674 Francois Martine was
administrative head .
In 1750 there was war between French &
Britishers. Pondy finally came back in to the
hands of French in 1814 till 1954. In 1954 it
became part of Republic of India.
20 Sep 2006 named as Puducherry.

.
Puducherry have mixed culture as Dutch,
Britshe& French ruled here.
Famous for old French buildings
Puducherry

Auroville
Meaning city of dawn. It is an spiritual
community set up with the objective of
human unity.
It was founded by mother in 1968. Total
area of Aurovile is appx 2000 acres and
appx 2100 are living from 43 countries.
Matrimandir started in 1971 and
completed I 2008. This temple is for
those want to concentrate. 54 Kg of gold
is used in 1500 gold panels.
Inner chamber is completely white and a
crystal glass globe.

Heritage Walk in Pondicherry
02 ½ -03 hrs walk
Walk through French quarters is a wonderful experience. French
quarter are also known as white town .
French people continue to stay there and you can find lot of foreigners.
This area includes French houses, Govt. buildings, café etc.
Yellow & white colour buildings are French buildings.
Grey & white colour buildings are Ashram
Totally white color buildings are govt. offices.
Walk start from Ashram – Ganesha Temple – Governors' House –
Ashram 'dinning hall – Recreational Club – Legislative Assembly -
Ayi Mandapa – Gandhi statue – and walk ends at Le Café

Aurobindo Ashram
In 1910 Aurobindo came to
Pondy.
Mirra Alfassa (mother) came to
Pondy and became follower of
Aurobindo.
She build Ashram in 1926
Ashram includes the house of
mother & Aurobindo. It was build
with propose to provide shelter
who interested in Yoga and
meditation

Ganesha Temple
It is one of the ancient temple of Pondy.. It was in existence before
French came. French tried to demolish this temple many times.
Beautiful paintings inside the temple .

Ganesha Temple
Ganesha Temple

Ayi Mandapam

Gandhi statue Le Café Restaurant

Approx 20 Kms from Pondicherry City
Resort based on Sustainable Tourism
Provides 02 Cycles per Room for roaming
around the resort.
Not recommended for clients wanting to
stay in Pondicherry.
The Dune, Eco Village Resort

Nice 04 star Hotel.
Rooms & Lobby is
nice.
This is a much better
product as compared to
Chennai Accord
Accord

Not far from Le Pondy. It is appx 10
kms outside city.
Bus cannot go to the Hotel.
Beach is also bit far from the Hotel.
Lake in between beach & Hotel
Windflower

Du Parc
Located in French Quarters
Can be compared with 03 Star Hotel

Villa Shanti
Located in French Quarters
Very nice boutique style hotel.
Open Restaurant on the
ground floor
Can be used for FIT’s

Appx 13 Kms outside city.
Beautiful Resort. Huge gardens and
rooms are spread out in these gardens.
Architecture is mix of French & Indian
. Beach Hotel but beach is bit rough
Le Pondy

It is 130 year old House. CGH
took over in 2007. Only 10
rooms.
Perfect choice who is interested
to stay in a small boutique old
house and interested in Heritage.
It is located in Tamil quarters of
Pondicherry.
Authentic stay….architecture of
the hotel & rooms is Tamil
Masion Perumal

03 star
20 Year old Hotel, and it is visible
too.
Std rooms are basic and not up to the
mark.
New wing started recently. Rooms
are beautiful.
Anandha Inn

A nice 03 star Hotel
06 years old Hotel.
Rooms are nice…
Roof top pool
Beautiful view of the city.
Much better than Anandha inn
Atithi

Located in French quarters and Very Close to
Beach Road.
Buses cannot go to the hotel.
Architecture is mix of French.
Lobby level restaurant.
Decent 04 Star hotel
Deluxe Rooms are non Sea Facing
Others Rooms are Sea Facing
Promenade

Constructed in 18th
century.
Located in French
quarters.
Very small hotel with 09
rooms only.
Rooms are nice overall the
hotel is not that much
charming.
Le Duplex

Located in French
quarters. Beautiful hotel
belongs to CGH.
French architecture of the
Hotel. Arches designed
used in the Hotel.
Rooms are BIG.
Nice ambience…
Palais De Mahe

Fairly New Hotel , opened 03 years back
Located in Pondicherry City and very close
to Atithi Hotel.
Rooms are nice and spacious
Nice ambience…
Bus can go inside the porch
Shenbaga

Pondicherry – Chidambarm Approx – 62 Kms) Gangaikonadacholapuram (Approx - 50 Kms)– Darasuram
(Approx -39 Kms)– Kumbakonam

istory of Tamil Nadu
Kumbakonam hotelsFive Holy Shiva Temples
in India
Jambukeshwara Temple, Trichy , Tamil
Nadu – Water
Natraja Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil
Nadu - Sky
Arunachaleshwar Temple,
Thiruvannamalai , Tamil Nadu - Fire
Kalahastheeswar Temple, Srikalahasti,
Andhra Pradesh - Air
Ekambarewar Temple, Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu - Earth

istory of Tamil Nadu
Kumbakonam hotels
Chidam
Chidambaram Temple
Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples
Temple is associated with Nataraja, or Shiva in his
Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss)

Four most honoured
Saivite Saints :Appar,
Sundarar, Sambandar
and Manikkavacakar
All ritual duties in the
temple are performed
by Deekshithar

Gangaikondacholapuram Temple
Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044
A.D) son of Great Rajaraja-I,
build this temple
The name means The town of
the chola who brought Ganga

Darasuram Temple
Bulid by Rajaraja Chola II (1146-63), is a superb example of 12 Century
Chola architecture.
Stories from epics and Hindu mythology are depicted
The sanctum is in the form of a chariot

Kalamkari art Form

Village Visit
Art Workshop
Farm Visit
Interaction with
Locals
En route while
going to
Kumbakonam
Kalamkari Village Activities

Kumbakonam Hotels
Quality Inn
Indeco Swamimalai
Paradise Hotel
Mantra Veppathur

Quality Inn
Nice 03 Star category hotel
Rooms are neat & clean
No swimming pool
Located in Kumbaknom
city

Indeco Swamimalai
It is built in Village theme.
They provide foot massage for clients
03 Kind of room categories
 In restaurant they used antique thing
01.Heritage wing 02 .Palace wing
03. Zagir dar wing

KubakonamParadise Hotel
Rooms are spacious and in
traditional style.
A Nice authentic Resort

Mantra Veppathur
It is located in Vepathur Village.
Location of the Hotel is nice & quite.
Spread around plantation
Food is very nice but they do not service Non
– veg.
Traditional ceremony of breaking the
coconut when clients depart from the Hotel

Day 05 – Kumbakonam – Tanjore (40 Kms –
01 hrs ) – Trichy ( 60 Kms – 1 ½ hrs)

Thribhuvanam silk Weaving Village
Walk for an hour from
Mantra
It has been silk weaving
Village for Several Centuries
Most of the weaver hailed
from Gujarat
No Machine only Hand Loom
Famous for saree. Takes 15
days

Thanjavur Sightseeing
Art Gallery
Brihadeeswarar Temple ( Big Temple)
Bronze Factory Visit

Thanjavur Art Gallery
Nayak Ruler Palace
Three Section - Pooja Mahal stone sculptures)
Indira Temple (God stone Sculpture) & Rama
Hall (Idols of bronze)
The gallery represent the collection of stone
sculpture from the Pallava, Chola, Pandya
and Nayaka periods
9 am -1 pm; 3 pm - 6 pm

History of Tamil NaduBuilt by emperor Raja Raja Chola I
and completed in 1010 AD
Vimana height is 216 feet (66m)
and it is one among the tallest
towers in the world
The big statue of Nandi present at
the entrance.
0600-1230 & 1600-2030 hrs (Unesco
world Heritage)
Brihadeeswara Temple ( Big Temple)

Vimana
Horse-drawn chariot structure

Thanjavur Hotels
Svatma
Ideal River View
Sangam Hotel
Star Residency
Hotel Parisutham
Lakshmi Hotel
Tanjore Hi

Svatma
Boutique
Good Food
Best In Thanjavur
Two Block - Heritage
uilding & new Wing

Ideal River View
 02 Kms off the road .
All the rooms have balcony area.
 Hotel organises the cycling tour from
hotel to their Organic Farm
We can also give the visit of Organise
Farm to our clients
Idea River View

Lakshmi Hotel
03 year old property
39 rooms
Good alternate for star
residency
Few of the leading Travel Agents
are already using this hotel for
their series business.

Hotel Parisutham
Rooms are not much spacious
Can be used in 03 star category hotel

Sangam
Nice 03 + star hotel.
Rooms, Lobby everything is
OK.

Star Residency
03 Star Standard hotel , not up to
mark
Lobby area and Restaurant is not
much clean.
With Swimming pool

Tanjore Hi
Budget Hotel
Small but Neat &
Clean
City Centre
restored 1920
colonial house

Day 05 – Tanjore – Trichy ( 60 Kms – 1 ½ hrs)
Trichy Hotels
Grand Gardenia
Sangam
Hotel SRM

03 star hotel
No swimming pool
Local Crowd for its
Restaurant _ Famous for
its Chettinad Food
Grand Gardenia

Good Hotel in 03 star (Alternate of
Sangam)
Huge lobby area
Near to airport ( not in city centre)
SRM

Sangam
 Nice 03 star plus hotel
Best hotel in Trichy

Day 06 – Trichy – Chettinad (75 Kms –02 hrs )
- Madurai (90 Kms – 02 hours)

Sri Ranganathaswamy Dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of
Lord Vishnu
Largest functioning temple complex in the world
156 Acre- Largest Temple of India / Largest
Religious Complex in the World
Temple Complex has 21 Gopurams, 50 sub shrines,
9 sacred pools,

Rockfort Temple Two Hindu temples inside the Rockfort, The
UchchiPillaiyar Koil and The Siva Temple
273-foot high rock.

Pudukottai Museum
53 Kms from Trichy.
105 Year Old
The museum has different sections
including art and craft gallery, painting
gallery, armory gallery, anthropology,
stone sculptures, and wood-carving
galleries. Sections
Oil Painting of Raja Ravi Varma is
Famous

Chettinad
Distance – 75 Kms from Trichy
The Chettinad region is well known for its
18th century mansions, whose wide
courtyards and spacious rooms are build
with marble and teak wood. Construction
materials, decorative items and
furnishings were mostly imported from
East Asian countries and Europe
Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a
powerful banking and business
community. It is also known for its local
cuisine & architecture

Heritage visit in Chettinad Village

Chettinad Hotels
Chidambra Vilas
Chettinad Mansion

110 Years old House converted in to a
Hotel. Restoration took 03 year
It is a authentic experience of staying
in a old & royal Chettinad House .
Rooms are big & spacious.
Private property leased by Sangam
Group
Chidambra Vilas

Chettinad Mansion
Property look bit old
Only 12 rooms operational

Day 07: Madurai – City of Temples / Athens of the East

Daily routines of local people –
cow milking, kollam making,
morning aarti ceremony at local
temple, small local restaurants
bazaars: Flower market &
Banana market
The walk start from Meenakshi
Temple and ends in Nayak Palace
Heritage walk

Meenakshi Temple
Temple is dedicated to Lord Sundershwara &
Meenakshi.
Lord Shiva appeared on earth to marry
Meenakshi incarnation of Parvati.

Total 14 Gopurams. Tallest is the southern one with height of 170 Feet.
Each gopuram have thousand of sculptures. In every 12 years these are painted.

Shiva shrine located in
middle of temple. Both
the shrines have golden
vimana
Shiva & Meenakshi shrines

es Aarti ceremony at MeenakshiTemple
Aarti takes place at appx 09 to 0930 PM Hrs except Fridays when it takes place at appx 10 to1030 PM

67 Rooms. 18
months old. A
very nice &
modern 03 star +
Hotel.
Pool area is small.
Located 06 kms
out of the city.
Much better than
many other hotels
in city
Poppy’s
Madurai

Std. Rooms are not up to
the mark. Washrooms
needs renovation. They
are upgrading std rooms
to club rooms.
Std room of poppy are
much better than of
Fortune.
Pool area is nice
Fortune Pandiyan

Lobby looks very flashy.
Rooms are still OK.
Restaurant was not clean.
Still better than Thanjavur
Hotel.
Star Residency

Nice 03 star Hotel
Golden theme used in
the Hotel.
No swimming Pool
Rooms are beuatiful.
Royal Court

03 star new and neat & clean
Hotel
Orange colour theme in the
public area.
rooms & washroom are bit
smaller but very nice.
SITA / TWX are already
working with the hotel
Astoria by Sparsa

It is a beautiful Resort.
Architecture is in Chettinad style.
Ambience of the rooms is very nice.
Lot of wood work is used in the
rooms
Luxury villa rooms have pvt. Pool
in the rooms
Avoid using Std. club rooms, which
they generally avoid giving to
travel agents.
Heritage Madurai

It is located on hill so offers
nice view of the city.
It has colonial touch.
Std room are not up to the
mark. Old furniture is there in
the rooms
Superior (first higher) OK
THE GATEWAY HOTEL
PASUMALAI MADURAI

Nice Hotel. Lobby & rooms are
decent.
Marble flooring in the rooms.
One has to come outside the
main building to reach a small
pool.
GRT Regency

A nice 03 star Hotel
13 years old hotel but well maintained.
Rooms are OK with wooden flooring.
Clients staying in the left wing of the
hotel has to cross through small passage
to reach the restaurant. This passage is
facing the main road.
Germanus

Huge Lobby.
Rooms are nice.
Sangam

Day 08: Madurai – Coonoor - Ooty (310 Kms- 10 Hrs drive)

Hotels in Coonoor…

Small inventory : Total
10 rooms
Base (suite): 06
MGM Coonoor

Ooty Hotels
Taj Savoy
Fortune Sulivan Court
Gem Park
Accord Highland
Monarch

Fortune Hotel
Nice 03 Star plus hotel
No swimming pool
Looks very nice & beautiful European
design in the lobby area

Taj Savoy
Best Hotel in Ooty
Heritage Hotel.
Exterior in colonial style.
Beautiful white color cottages.

Gem Park
A very nice 3 Star hotel with
swimming pool.

Accord Highland
3 star hotel
Rooms are ok
The view of the valley from the hotel

02-03 star hotel .
Rooms are very basic
Monarch

Neat and clean
budget hotel
Rose field Heritage

Trekking in Ooty
Highlights:
• Tea Estate
• Wildlife
• Toda Tribe
• Walk through
jungle
• Eucalyptus oil
making

CalicutOoty – Calicut (Approx 152 Kms / 05 hrs drive)

Calicut The Raviz Kadavu
Very nice resort.
Rooms are spacious
Services are very good

Calicut
Nattika Beach Resort
Beautiful Ayurveda Resort
Very Nice location
Very close to the beach
Restaurant serves Ayurvedic
meals only

Day 10: Calciut – Munnar (Approx kms 279/ 08 hrs)

Tea Museum Visit
Country’s first ever Tea
Museum
Closed on Monday
Very nice experience with 45
mins Video on Munnar and
introduction of Tea
plantation in Munnar
A must experience in
Munnar
Ticket cost INR 95 Per
Person

Abad Copper Castle
Nice 03 Star Hotel
Superior Rooms recently
renovated
Restaurant is OKAY.

Ambadi Estate
A Resort, located approx
10 kms from City Centre
Nice Rooms
They have in-house
activities such as Trekking,
Spice Plantation

Deshadan Mountain Resort
03 Star Hotel
Buses and Tempo cannot go to the hotel
Felt that this hotel is not for our clients
as rooms are not very clean
Restaurant is pretty basis
No activities provided by the hotel

Tall Tree
Nice 03 Plus Category
Resort
Buses can go to the hotel
Rooms are neat and clean
Activities provided by the
hotel including spice
plantation and trekking

Best hotel in Munnar
Beautiful Rooms
They have many activities
in house
They are building
swimming pool as well
which will be operational
from coming season
Windamere Hotel

East End Munnar 03 Star hotel
Two Wings: Old and New Wing
Two Restaurants: Breakfast is served in
New Wing and Lunch, Dinner in Old Wing
Rooms are nice
Restaurants need facelift as it seems like
a marriage hall

Day 12: Munnar - Periyar (Approx 100 kms / 3 hrs)

Abad Green
Forest Hotel
Basic Hotel. Can be
compared with 03 star hotel
Rooms were being
renovated
Hotel have two categories.
Base Category is with out
AC.
Public Areas are okay. But
rooms need more
renovation

Very nice Hotel.
Rooms are very nice and clean.
Very good public areas,
reception and restaurant
Cardamom County

Beautifully made resort. Lot of
wooden work
Traditional Kerala Style
Rooms are very nice and clean
Can be compared to 4 Plus category
hotel.
Elephant Court

Greenwoods
03 Plus category hotel
Rooms are neat and clean
Restaurant is nice
Gives feeling of closeness to nature

Very nice Hotel with good views
This hotel is not really in Munnar but 05
kms before entering Periyar.
Rooms are nice and clean.
Can be used as 04 star if rates are good.
Poetree Sarovar Portico

Spice Village
Very beautiful resort
Rooms are spacious and nice
Guests can visit In House Organic Farm
Guests can also see in house Paper
making and cooking demonstration
without any additional charges
Located very close to National Park

Tree Top
Very Nicely built Hotel
Can be compared with 03 Plus
Category
Rooms are nice
Restaurant will be under a bit of
renovation to increase Covers

Wild Corridor
Hotel is located on the hill top. Thus
one has to walk, hike to get to the
restaurant, reception, swimming pool
and rooms
Staff not very professional
Rooms are nice and clean

Day 13 – Periyar – Allepey – Cochin
(180 Kms / 4 hrs )
Alleppey Day Cruise

Alleppey House Boat
Ever Green
Xandari Houseboat (Muthoot)
Marvel Cruise

Ever Green House Boat
Good House Boat
Deluxe & Premium House Boats

Xandari Muthoot House Boat
Best House Boat
10 House Boats – 01 /02/ 03 Bedrooms

Marvel House Boat
9 House Boats – 01 Bedrooms – 2 / 02
Bedroom-06 / 03 BR - 02

Ramada – Allepey
Nice 04 Hotel / 121 Rooms (50 Sup)
Good Restaurant
One Physically Challenged Room

Day 14 - Kumarakom (Manjira village
walk and activities)
Country Boat
Village Life
Coir Making
Weaving Coconut leaves
Farming
Toddy Tapping
Net Fishing
Taste of Tender Coconut

Activities Begins with Country Boat

Kumarakom Hotel Visit
Backwaters Riples
Aveda Resort & Spa
Zuri Kumarakom Resort &
Spa
Eastend Lakesong
Kumarakom Lake Resort

Backwater Ripples
Nice 3 + star
Third Cat. Got
Lake view
Nice Restaurant
Total 34
Rooms(1
Physically Ch.)

Aveda Resort & Spa
Rooms were sold out
Nice Lobby
4 star

Zuri Kumarakom
Nice 4 *
72 Rooms
Physically
Challenged room
01 in higer cat.
Pool villa

East End - Lakesong
3 *
69 Rooms
NO Physically
Challenged room
Not Maintained
Base cat. Very
basic

Kumarakom Lake Resort
5 *
66 Rooms
Physically
Challenged
room Yes
Renovation
Pool access
rooms

Cochin Heritage Walk
Chinese fishing net
Fish Market
St. Francis Church
Dutch Cemetery
Santa Cruise Basilica
Fort Immanuel
Vasco De Gama House

Fort Immanuel
Vasco Da Gama House
1724
Cochin Heritage Walk

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
Constructed 1557 by Dutch & Presented to
Veera King.
Bhagwati Temple inside Kerala Style
Mansion – Nalukettu (Aristrocrate Family)
Closed on Friday
Jewish Synagogue
Constructed 1567
Closed on Friday & Saturday

Cochin Hotel Visit( Hotels Ernakulum)
Abad Atrium
Le Meridian
Crowne Plaza

Le Meridian
Nice Lobby
05 Star
Rooms are good & Spacious .

Crown Plaza
Nice Lobby / 05 Star / Spacious / Gardens/ 04 Restaurant
Rooms are good & Spacious/ .

Abad Atrium
Good Three Star Property
Approach is not good
Rooms are good.

Cochin Hotel Visit( Hotels fort Kochi)
Malabar House
Spice Fort
Kodar House
Eight Bastion
Old Harbor
Brunton Boatyard
Hotel 18
Killians Hotel
Tissa’s inn Hotel

Malabar House
Nice Rooms
17 Rooms / 11 Deluxe
On Renovated / August onward Operational
01 Room Physically Handicapped

Spice Fort
Nice Hotel
Small Lobby
Can be used in 03 star
TV set is just on the corner of Bed .

Koder House
Small Hotel
No Lobby
Not for IA Client

Eight Bastion
CGH Property
Small however Nice rooms
Swimming Pool

Old harbour
Nice Lobby / sold out

Brunton Boatyard
Best in Fort Cochin
CGH
Heritage style
Cannot be compared with Modern Hotel

Hotel 18
Budget Hotel
28 Rooms
Can be used for Djosar
Coach Parking

Killians
Hotel is OK
Rooms are Good/ No view

Tissa’s Inn
Small Hotel
Restaurant Small
Rooms are OK
Only 9 rooms
Not for IA clients

Cochin Hotel Visit (Hotel in Wellington)
Casino CGH

Cochin (Kathakali Dance and drama)
Make up at 17.30 / show at 1830
Stories of Mahabharat & Ramayan & Purans
Originated in Kerala during 17th Cent.

Old Silk Route vs Old Spice Route

Cochin (Moziri Project)

• Muziris is said to be from native Tamil name “Muciri”, which was said to
be in the region, Periyar river perhaps branched into two like a cleft
palate.
• As per Greek Travel Book, Periplus of the Erythraen Sea (01st Century AD)
gives an elaborate description of the Chera Kingdom.
• Muziris disappeared from every known map of antiquity, and without a
trace, presumably because of “Cyclone and Floods” in the Periyar in
1341 AD.
Importance of Muziris

Excavations done to find
Muziris
• In 1945, excavations conducted at Kodungallur yielded nothing that went
back to before the 13th century.
• Another excavation was carried out in 1969 by ASI at Ceraman Parambu, 02
kms from Kodungallur. Only antiquities of 13th and 16th century was recovered
• In 983, a large hoard of Roman coins was found at a site around six miles
from Pattanam (Muziris).
• From 2007, Kerala Council for Historical Research uncovered a large number
of artefacts.

Discoveries from
Pattanam
• Mediterranean (100 BC to 400 BC)
• West Asian, South Arabain & Mesopotamian (300 BC to 1000 BC)
• Chinese (100 BC to 400 BC)
• Urban Life (100 BC to 400)
• Tree Tamil Brahmi Scripts were also found, which are dated to 02nd AD,
probably reading “A – MA – NA”, meaning “ A JAINA” in Tamil. This indicates
Jainism was prevalent on the Malabar Coast at least from 02nd Century

South India Fam Tour - 2016

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South India Fam Tour - 2016