The price of the tour package is based on the participation of at least 6 participants. Entrance fees are exclusive (unless explicitly stated). In this trip excursion package tours include the following:
Kochi - Kathakali dance performance
Kochi is the best place to attend a Kathakali dance performance. This traditional dance of Kerala is characterized by grotesque gestures, gorgeous costumes and very extensive make-up. First you will see how the actors make their own makeup and elaborate colourful costumes. The dance is usually based on stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. At the show there is an oil lamp on the front edge of the stage. This lamp symbolizes the presence of the divine. During the dance the significance of the different (hand) poses and facial expressions is explained.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. hours
Included: transport, Kathakali dance performance
Madurai - Sightseeing by bicycle rickshaw
A ride by bicycle rickshaw is a unique way to explore a city like Madurai. Do not get discouraged by the image of a poor man puffing heavily as he pedals his rickshaw. You will be helping him just to earn something decent. You will be rewarded with a unique experience, and he with a good wage.
You walk with a local English speaking guide from your hotel to the Meenakshi temple (about 10 minutes) where you can look around briefly. Then you step in the cycle rickshaw (one person per rickshaw) for a ride of about 40 minutes. On the way you will see the fruit and vegetable market and the Vigai river. The ride ends at the palace of Tirumalai Nayak, the greatest king of the Nayak dynasty who reigned from 1559 to 1781 (entrance fee not included). It dates from the 17th century and was made in Indo-Moorish style. Only the gate, the large courtyard and a ballroom are still standing. The whole complex gives a good impression of the former grandeur. You may look about the palace. From the palace you will be returned to the hotel by bus. For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
15:00 - 17:00
Included: English speaking guide, ride a bicycle rickshaw, transfer by bus back to hotel
Not included: entrance fees, tips for the rickshaw driver
Mamallapuram - Bicycle Tour with lunch
Visit by bicycle the most famous monuments of Mamallapuram, such as the Five Ratha's, the Coast Temple, Krishnas' Butterball and Arjuna's Penance. You will of course see the rice fields and visit a fishing village where you are experiencing village life. Afterwards you enjoy lunch in a traditional South Indian style.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Bicycle Tour
13:30 Lunch
Included: bicycle rental, English speaking guide and buffet lunch
Not included: entrance fees, drinks, camera fees and tip
Mysore - Keshava temple in Somnathpur
The Keshava temple is located on the outskirts of the village of Somnathpur (33 km from Mysore). The temple was built in 1268, during the heyday of the Hoysala's. The walls of this building are filled from top to bottom with exuberant sculptures of scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. The ceilings contain very intricate patterns and beautiful pictures of many different gods and goddesses of Hinduism. For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Excursion time will be made in agreement with the tour leader.
Included: transportation, entrance fees, English speaking guide
Not included: gratuity
Periyar National Park - Jungle Walk
You will be led by a jungle guide on a walk through the national park lasting about three hours.
For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Tour times:
The time is determined by your on-site tour guide and is subject to availability.
Included: transportation, entrance fees Periyar NP, jungle guide
Not included: gratuity
Below is a list of locally offered excursions. The prices are based on the participation of a minimum of 6 participants, and based on a price in Indian and Nepalese rupees (due to exchange rates so the price can sometimes change). Entrance fees are exclusive (unless explicitly stated).
£ 4
Kochi - Kathakali dance performance
Kochi is the best place to attend a Kathakali dance performance. This traditional dance of Kerala is characterized by grotesque gestures, gorgeous costumes and very extensive make-up. First you will see how the actors make their own makeup and elaborate colourful costumes. The dance is usually based on stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. At the show there is an oil lamp on the front edge of the stage. This lamp symbolizes the presence of the divine. During the dance the significance of the different (hand) poses and facial expressions is explained.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. hours
Included: transport, Kathakali dance performance
£ 6
Madurai - Sightseeing by bicycle rickshaw
A ride by bicycle rickshaw is a unique way to explore a city like Madurai. Do not get discouraged by the image of a poor man puffing heavily as he pedals his rickshaw. You will be helping him just to earn something decent. You will be rewarded with a unique experience, and he with a good wage.
You walk with a local English speaking guide from your hotel to the Meenakshi temple (about 10 minutes) where you can look around briefly. Then you step in the cycle rickshaw (one person per rickshaw) for a ride of about 40 minutes. On the way you will see the fruit and vegetable market and the Vigai river. The ride ends at the palace of Tirumalai Nayak, the greatest king of the Nayak dynasty who reigned from 1559 to 1781 (entrance fee not included). It dates from the 17th century and was made in Indo-Moorish style. Only the gate, the large courtyard and a ballroom are still standing. The whole complex gives a good impression of the former grandeur. You may look about the palace. From the palace you will be returned to the hotel by bus. For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
15:00 - 17:00
Included: English speaking guide, ride a bicycle rickshaw, transfer by bus back to hotel
Not included: entrance fees, tips for the rickshaw driver
£ 6
Madurai - Tiruparankundram Temple
Tiruparankundram is an opportunity to escape the bustle of Madurai. The beautiful temple here is part of the rock face and is an important stop for pilgrims. Within the walls of the temple is a school established, where young priests learn Sanskrit.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
Duration: approximately 2-3 hours.
Included: transportation, English speaking guide
Not included: gratuity
£ 9
Mamallapuram - Bicycle Tour with lunch
Visit by bicycle the most famous monuments of Mamallapuram, such as the Five Ratha's, the Coast Temple, Krishnas' Butterball and Arjuna's Penance. You will of course see the rice fields and visit a fishing village where you are experiencing village life. Afterwards you enjoy lunch in a traditional South Indian style.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Bicycle Tour
13:30 Lunch
Included: bicycle rental, English speaking guide and buffet lunch
Not included: entrance fees, drinks, camera fees and tip
£ 9
Mysore - Keshava temple in Somnathpur
The Keshava temple is located on the outskirts of the village of Somnathpur (33 km from Mysore). The temple was built in 1268, during the heyday of the Hoysala's. The walls of this building are filled from top to bottom with exuberant sculptures of scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. The ceilings contain very intricate patterns and beautiful pictures of many different gods and goddesses of Hinduism. For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Excursion time will be made in agreement with the tour leader.
Included: transportation, entrance fees, English speaking guide
Not included: gratuity
£ 9
Mysore - Srirangapatnam
About 12 km away from Mysore is Srirangapatnam, an island in the river Kauvery. Here are the ruins of the walled capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who held sway here, over much of the contemporary southern part of India. There is little of the fort, but the Rangnathaswamy temple is very beautifully preserved. The main attraction is the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan (Daria Daulat Bagh), which serves as a museum. You can view the properties of Tipu Sultan in the richly decorated interior and find some of the walls have good condition frescoes. The palace is surrounded by beautiful Persian gardens.
Excursion time is in agreement with the tour leader.
Included: transportation, entrance fees, English speaking guide
Not included: gratuity
£ 12
Periyar National Park - Jungle Walk
You will be led by a jungle guide on a walk through the national park lasting about three hours.
For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Tour times:
The time is determined by your on-site tour guide and is subject to availability.
Included: transportation, entrance fees Periyar NP, jungle guide
Not included: gratuity
£ 17
Periyar National Park - Plantation Tour & Boat Safari
Near the Periyar National Park there are various spice plantations. In one, you receive an explanation of the plants that grow here, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, tea, nutmeg. You'll also visit a tea factory.
Next you take a boat ride across the lake in the national park. With any luck you'll see all kinds of wildlife, including elephants, wild boar, deer (sambar and gaur) and various birds. For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Tour times:The trip time is determined on site by your tour guide and is based on availability of the boat tickets.
Included: transportation, entrance fees Periyar National Park, entrance fee spice plantation, English speaking guide, boat trip
Not included: gratuity
£ 6
Pondicherry - Auroville Ashram & Sri Aurbindo
Auroville is an international experimental community, a city under construction, based on the ideas of the poet and yogi Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) and his French follower 'The Mother, Mirra Alfassa (1878-1973). They are committed to a community where people live together in peace and harmony regardless of origin, sex, nationality etc. The area where Auroville is built was condemned by the state. Irrigation work of the pioneers has changed this and now there are more than one million trees planted. The large garden enables you to walk to the viewpoint from which you can see the golden spherical Matra Mandir.
The ashram of Sri Aurobindo (Pondicherry) was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and ''The Mother " and is currently still responsible for many cultural and educational activities in" Pondy ". You can view the tomb of Sri Aurobindo, which is located in the ashram. Around the corner from the ashram is the Hindu Temple Sri Manakula Vinayagar.
For this excursion there is a minimum number of 6 participants.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
14:00 Departure to the Auroville Information center
3:15 p.m. Visit Matra Mandir
16:00 Depart from Auroville to the Aurobindo Ashram and the Manakula Vinayagar temple
5:30 p.m. End of excursion.
Included: transportation, entrance fee
Not included: gratuity
£ 7
Thanjavur - Sightseeing
The Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur is considered one of the grandest in India and is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The complex is spacious, the walled temple is 241 x 122 meters in size (about four football fields). It includes various shrines and pillared halls. Right inside the sacred shrine to Lord Shiva, you see a three meter high statue of Nandi the bull. The colossus is cut from a rock and weighs anything from 25 tons. The dome of the temple makes it even more colourful though it is in fact made from a solid block of granite of about 80 tons.
You also visit the Thanjavur Palace Museum, the Art Gallery, in which beautiful bronze statues are to be found. Then, in a foundry you'll get to see how bronze sculptures are made.
Excursion Time (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader):
8:30 Visit Brihadeshwara Temple
9:45 Visit Tanjore Palace Museum and the "Bronze Art Gallery '
12:00 Visit foundry
1:00 p.m. End of tour
Included: transport, English speaking guide
Not included: Entrance fees, Camera fees and tip