Inde programme March 2013.docx

Discovering South India
March 2013
Tour Route:
Chennai (03) – Tiruchirapalli (02) – Madurai (01) –
Kanyakumari (02) –
Kovalam (02) – Houseboat (01) – Kochi (01) – Mysore (01)
via Bangalore –
Bangalore (01)
12 Mar (Tue):
Arrive Chennai
(D)
Leave Luxembourg by Luxair flight at 06.45 to Frankfurt. Arrival at 07.35.
Continuation with Lufthansa Flight LH 758 at 10.05, arrive Chennai at 23.45,
upon your arrival in Chennai, you will be greeted by our representative at the
International Airport. After a warm welcome, you will be escorted to your hotel for
03 nights stay.
13 Mar (Wed):
Day in Chennai
(B, D)
Today, enjoy a city tour of Chennai, driving along the Marina Beach (which
stretches for over 12 km); visiting St Mary’s Church (India’s oldest surviving
British church built in 1680) and Fort St George (built by the British around
1653). Also visit the National Art Gallery and Santhome Cathedral.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in the hotel.
14 Mar (Thu):
Day in Chennai (Excursion to Kanchipuram &
Mahabalipuram)
(B ,D)
This morning after breakfast, embark on an excursion to Kanchipuram and
Mahabalipuram
Kancheepuram is known as the city of thousand temples, and is one of the seven
most sacred pilgrim centers for Hindus. Besides its temples, Kanchipuram is also
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known for its fascinating silks. This beautiful city has many silk weavers residing
here from more than 4 centuries ago, giving it the reputation of the ‘Silk city’ of
India. Kanchipuram silk sarees are exotic pieces of art, woven from pure mulberry
silk and decorated with fine gold thread (zari). A short stop over at
Kancheepuram also includes a visit to see the silk weaving process. Later,
continue drive to Mahabalipuram, a town famous for its rocks carvings and
monolithic sculptures.
Visit the Shore temple (one of the oldest temples in south India, belonging to the
early 8th century AD), Arjuna's penance (the world's largest bas-relief measuring
27m x 9m - this huge rock consists figures of Gods, men, beasts, birds and
represents the entire creation), Five Rathas (five monolithic temples, each having
its own style - also known as the "Panch Pandav Rathas").
Return to your hotel late in the afternoon with time free at leisure.
15 Mar (Fri):
Chennai to Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)
(B, D)
Morning after breakfast at hotel you will be transferred to Chennai airport to
board flight for Tiruchirapalli.
Depart Chennai
Jet Airways 9W 2787 12.30 hrs
Arrive Tiruchirapalli
13.35 hrs
You will be met on arrival & transferred to your hotel.
Trichy is famous for its rich cultural and splendid architectural heritage.
In the afternoon visit the Srirangam Temple & Rockfort Temple.
16 Mar (Sat):
Day in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)
(B, D)
Day is free for own activities – Vehicle at disposal
17 Mar (Sun):
Drive Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) – Madurai (130 km /3.5
hrs) (B, D)
After breakfast at hotel drive to Madurai visiting Tanjore en route, upon arrival in
Tanjore visit the Brihadeshwara Temple, which is often referred as the crowning
glory of Chola Temple architecture; later visit the Thanjavur Palace, which was
constructed in the 16th century and has huge corridors, spacious halls,
observation and arsenal towers.
In the afternoon continue drive to Madurai upon arrival you check in at your
hotel. Late in the afternoon visit the Gandhi museum and Tirumalai Nayak Palace
which is famous for its rectangular dance courtyard. In the evening visit the
famous Meenakshi temple and stay on to enjoy the evening Aarti (prayer
ceremony) to see the rituals being performed by priests.
18 Mar (Mon):
Madurai - Kanyakumari (220 km /5 hrs)
(B, D)
After breakfast embark on a drive to Kanyakumari.
Upon arrival you check in at your hotel with time free for optional activities.
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19 Mar (Tue):
Day in Kanyakumari
(B, D)
In the morning leave for city tour, Kanyakumari is famous as the place of union of
the three oceans - The Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Vivekananda was a social reformer and
saint of modern India and was supposed to have meditated on the rock where the
memorial stands, later continue to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and
Thiruvalluvar Statue. Enjoy Kanyakumari, the boat trip to the memorial and the
beach during the day and sunset in the evening.
20 Mar (Wed):
Kanyakumari to Kovalam (110 km /02.5 hrs)
(B, D)
After breakfast at hotel drive to Kovalam, upon arrival check in at hotel with day
at leisure or free for optional activities.
21 Mar (Thu):
Day in Kovalam
(B, D)
Day is free for own activites – Vehicle at disposal.
22 Mar (Fri):
Kovalam to Allepey (160 km /04 hr);
Cruise Alleppey to Kumarakom
(B, L, D)
This morning, drive to Alleppey, a coastal town in the backwaters of Kerala.
Upon arrival in Alleppey, board your houseboat to cruise through the backwaters.
Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and
are best experienced while slowly rowing down the labyrinth of canals in a
traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'Kettuvallam'. See life on the
banks, lush green rice fields, and coconut groves with occasional temple or church
as you cruise through the canals. Enjoy the special Kerala style meals prepared
by your chef on board. Overnight stay at houseboat.
23 Mar (Sat):
Kumarakom to Kochi (60 kms /1.5 hr)
(B, D)
This morning, enjoy breakfast on board. Alight your houseboat at Kumarakom
and drive to Kochi, the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of
Kerala. Starting from the Dutch, Portuguese and the British, Kochi was the site of
the first European colonial settlements in India.
Optional Cultural Performance Evening: This evening, you have the option to
watch a spectacular Kathakali performance. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre
forms in India. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual.
Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories
from the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and the Ramayana (at extra charge)
Optional Motor Boat Cruise: Enjoy a sunset motor boat cruise along the coastline
of Kochi, where you see the spectacular sunset and the daily lifestyle along Kochi
harbour (at extra charge).
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24 Mar (Sun):
Kochi to Bangalore and Mysore
(B, D)
After breakfast you will be transferred to Kochi airport for flight to Bangalore
Fly Kochi/Bangalore by Jet Konnect Flight 9W 2306
Depart Kochi:
0825 hrs
Arrive Bangalore:
0930 hrs
Upon arrival in Bangalore enjoy the city tour of Bangalore visiting the
Government museum, one of the oldest museums of India; drive past Vidhan
Soudha, the state legislative chambers, and the beautiful botanical gardens called
‘Lal Bagh Gardens’. Later in the day drive Mysore-Bangalore (140 kms /04.5 hrs
by coach).
Upon arrival in Bangalore check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.
25 Mar (Mon):
Mysore to Bangalore
(B, D)
This morning, enjoy a city tour of Mysore visiting the Maharaja's Palace, one of
the biggest palaces in India; St Philomena's Church; Sri Jayachamarajendra Art
Gallery in the Jag Mohan Palace, which has a collection of exquisite paintings.
Later in the afternoon drive to Bangalore visiting Srirangapatnam en route. Upon
arrival in Bangalore in the afternoon you check in at your hotel. (Rooms Retained
till late check out). Late at night you will be transferred to Bangalore International
airport to board flight Frankfurt – Reporting time at airport is 03 hours prior to
flight departure.
26 Mar (Tue):
Depart Bangalore
Check in at airport, and clear Indian immigrations on your own to board flight LH
6864 at 03.25 for Frankfurt, where you arrive at
27 Mar (Wed):
Arrival Luxembourg
08.45. Continuation by Luxair flight at 12.50. Arrival in Luxembourg at 13.35
We hope you enjoy your stay in our Incredible India…we look forward to
welcoming you!
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QUOTATION - PER PERSON
Group Size
12 to 26 March 2013
14 Guests
EUR 3.048.-
Single Room Supplement
EUR 823.-
Indicative Hotels
Cities
Name of Hotels
Category of Rooms
No. of Nts
Chennai
Pride Hotel Chennai
Deluxe Rooms
3
Tiruchirapalli
Hotel Sangam
Standard Rooms
2
Madurai
The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Superior Rooms
1
Kanyakumari
Sparsa Resort
Deluxe Rooms
2
Kovalam
Travancore Heritage
Beach Grove Rooms
2
Allepey
AC Deluxe House Boat
AC Cabins
1
Cochin
Dream Hotel Cochin
Deluxe Rooms
1
Mysore
Fortune JP Palace
Deluxe Rooms
1
Bangalore
Clarks Exotica
Deluxe Rooms
1
Depending on availability, either the above mentioned hotels or alternative
hotels of similar standard will be provided
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Inclusions & Exclusions
INCLUSIONS
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Accommodation on twin sharing basis - single supplement as indicated
Daily breakfast and dinner included
Meeting and assistance on arrival and departures
Chauffeured air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers, excursions and
sightseeing tours
Entrance fees
Domestic / International air fare
English speaking local guide will be provided for sightseeing and
excursion tours
All currently applicable taxes
Backwaters Experience: overnight at houseboat in Kerala back waters
on full board basis
EXCLUSIONS
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Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone, fax, internet,
beverages, camera / video camera fee at monuments, medical
expenses, airport departure tax etc.
tips and gratuities
travel insurances
Indian Visa Fees
Optional excursion tours, as mentioned in itinerary
Any other services not mentioned in Price Inclusions above
SPECIAL NOTES
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Check-in, check-out time at hotels is usually 12:00 noon
In case of any significant foreign exchange fluctuations or amendment
in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to
adjust the tour price accordingly.
Rates are on Per Person Basis
Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary.
Depending on availability, either the above mentioned hotels or
alternative hotels of similar standard will be provided.
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Conditions de réservation et d'annulation
Acomptes à payer :
40% du prix du voyage à l’inscription, et ce au plus tard le 20 avril 2012, le solde est
à régler un mois avant le départ.
Pour vous inscrire je vous prie de me faire parvenir un mail avec une copie de votre
passeport. ([email protected]) et de m'indiquer votre adresse et votre numéro de
téléphone.
Frais de changement et d’annulation :
entre le jour de l’inscription et 30 jours avant le départ 60%
entre 29 jours et 8 jours avant le départ 80%
à partir de 7 jours avant le départ : 100%
Les prix indiqués sont des prix groupe. Un paiement par carte de crédit n'est pas
prévu. Si toutefois vous désirez payer par carte bancaire, un supplément de 1.8% vous
sera mis en compte.
Nous vous conseillons vivement de souscrire une assurance voyage, soit au minimum
une assurance annulation, afin de vous couvrir contre des frais d'annulation pour cause
de force majeure. Les détails concernant les diverses possibilités d'assurances, vous
sont joints en annexe.
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