India Individueel Reizen: Dussehra Festival info
TOUR ITINERARY DUSSEHRA FESTIVAL TOUR DIMSUM REIZEN:
23/ Sep / 2006 : ARR CHENNAI AND TRANSFER TO HOTEL
In the late evening arrival our executive will meet you at Airport and followed by transfer to hotel. (Overnight at Hotel in Chennai)
24/Sep/2006 : CHENNAI TO MAMALLAPURAM (65 KMS 1.5 HRS)
Checkout from the hotel at 08.00am and drive to the laid-back beach town of Mamallapuram. On arrival sight seeing of Mamallapuram by Walk. We call it the ‘History walk of Mamallapuram’ which includes visits to all Major places of Interest (7th century monuments), a visit to Sculpture studio, a local snake charmers snake show including small magic right from his sleeve. This 03hrs interesting walk starts at the The Arjuna`s Penance (Bass Relief) and onward visiting monuments of Krishnas Butterball, Rayalagopuram, Ganeshratha, Varahacave, Ottikkal mandapam, Trimurthi caves, Koneri mandapam, Lions throne, Mahishasuramardini mandapam, Dharmaraja mandapam, Ramanuja mandapam, Five rathas (symbolises equality of men & women) & to end with at the famous Shore temple. To taste the south Indian flavor we have included a banana leaf lunch at one of the oldest restaurants of Mamallapuram. Return to hotel and at rest of the day at leisure. (Overnight at Hotel in Mamallapuram)
25/Sep/2006 : IN MAMALLAPURAM / VILLAGE SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast today, drive to a small agrarian village. Relax while enjoying tender coconut juice under a neem tree on coir cots. Spend some time discussing the different livelihood activities that feed the villagers, their belief systems and the system of village governance. After a delicious lunch of fresh south Indian fare, explore the village on foot visiting families, the temple, the fields and more. ( Overnight at Hotel in Mamallapuram)
26/Sep/2006: MAMALLAPURAM TO THANJAVUR VIA PONDICHERRY (325 KMS 6 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Thanjavur stopping for lunch on the way at Pondicherry. After lunch proceed to Thanjavur were you reach in the evening. This evening walk to the Rajarajeshwaram Temple for an incredible sunset. Locals gather in this park-like setting to relax, enjoy the comfortable night air and to view the ‘Big Temple’ silhouetted against the fading range sky. (Overnight at Hotel in Thanjavur)
27/Sep/2006 : IN THANJAVUR / SIGHT SEEING
After breakfast proceed for a sight seeing of Thanjavur visit - the world famous Brihadeshwar temple (houses one of Asia’s biggest nandi –the bull). The temple built by the cholas is very special for its architecture. The most exiting is that the temple does not have a shadow falling on ground at any time of day but falls on its own body. Then on visit the Bronze gallery at palace museum. Later drive to hotel check in and break for lunch. At 16.00hrs we take you on a special visit to the near by village to experience the art of Statue making & Glass painting. You can watch people at work clarify all your doubt related. You also have the possibility of trying it out practically at the work spot in the village. Later return to hotel. (Overnight at Hotel in Tanjore)
28/Sep/2006: THANJAVUR TO KURUMBA VILLAGE (OOTY) (380 KMS /8 HRS)
Full day driving through the hills of the Nilgiri Plateau, stopping for lunch at Coimbatore. Pass along the small towns and fields of Tamilnadu. Stop for tea at a riverside Café and walk through a spice plantation to a small waterfall. Arrive in Nilgiri mountain in the evening, where you will be staying in a forest resort. (Overnight at Kurumba Village Resort)
29/Sep/2006: KURUMBA VILLAGE TO OOTY VIA KURUMBA TRIBEL VILLAGE VISIT
(35 KMS 1.5 HRS)
After breakfast early morning drive to visit the Kurumba tribes by toy train. One of the five ancient tribes of the Nilgiris (Todas, Kothas, Kurumbas, Irulas and Badagas), the Kurumbas were (and are) closest in being in tune with the beauties as well as rigors of nature. There are several sects of them; the names of all those groups speak of their intimate connections with nature. According to the author of Cultures and Tribes of South India, the different sects of Kurumbas are offshoots of the original Kadu Kurumbas (Kadu = Forest). There are others such as Betta (mountain) Kurumbas, Ane (elephant) Kurumbas, Bevina (neem) Kurumbas, Jenu (honey) Kurumbas, Mullu (thorn) Kurumbas and Mannu (earth) Kurumbas. They used to exist only with what they found in the forest such as roots of wild yams, honey and, perhaps, a few animals they hunted. Kurumba is the Tamilised name of either Kuruma or Kuruba in the native tongue. The sect that inhabited Burliar and its surroundings worshipped Kuribattaraya (a male deity which meant the Lord of many sheep) and Musnie (a female deity, on the lines of Goddess Shakthi). They also had another deity called Hiriabetta. The Kurumba faith spoke of all beings turning ‘devas’ after their death; the kind ones became creative ‘devas’ and the others became destructive devas. (Overnight at Hotel in Ooty)
Toy Train : DEP –07:45 hrs to 09.00 hrs
30/Sep/2006: IN OOTY / SIGHT SEEING - TODA VILLAGE
Bidding farewell to our hosts, begin driving towards the upper Nilgiri plateau where the Toda people live. The Todas origins are unknown and still debated. Their language is unlike any other on the sub continent. They have very unique customs that are followed to this day and their population is very small, which makes them one of the world’s most rare ethnic groups. Since the Toda settlement we are visiting is on the edge of the Nilgiri Plateau, hike out to the cliffs edge to enjoy panoramic views of the valley below. Tonight, dine with the villagers and listen to their folk tales, learn of the Toda rituals and the effect of modern times on their way of life. (Overnight at Hotel in Ooty)
01/OCT/2006: OOTY TO MYSORE
After breakfast drive to Mysore to celebrate the Dusshera Festival! Stroll through the colorful Deveraj Market. This is the main market where the locals shop for such products as sandalwood, camphor, flowers, silks, brass and ironware. Visit the palace grounds to witness the festival preparations. (Overnight at Hotel in Mysore)
02/OCT/2006 : INN MYSORE / SIGHT SEEING – Dussera Festival Celebrations
Spend the day witnessing the Mysore Dusshera Festival! Watch the grand procession led by elephants draped in gold tapestries and their foreheads freshly painted. See the dancers and listen to the local musicians play traditional festival songs. All this merriment culminates at the Chamundi temple this evening. (Overnight at Hotel in Mysore)
DUSSERA : Day Of Victory
Vijayadashami or Dussera, the 10th day of the bright half of Ashmn, is celebrated as the day of victory to rejoice about Durga's triumph over the demon Mahishasura. In Mysore, at the hiiltop Chamundi tempie, Dussera is a picturesque festival. The goddess is the maharaja's family deity and a procession of elephants, courtiers and court symbols attracts tourists by the thousands as it wends its circuituous way to the temple, decorated splendidly for the festival. With the decline of the royal family of Mysore however, this festival has lost some of its traditional lustre.
03/Oct/2006 : MYSORE TO BANDIPUR (100 KMS /2.5 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Bandipur National park for lunch which is also a Tiger Reserve. Afternoon leisure for own activities. ( Overnight at Hotel in Bandipur)
04/Oct/2006 : IN BANDIPUR / SIGHT SEEING
After breakfast SIGHT SEEING : Bandipur National Park, lying in the shadow of the Western Ghats, is one of the finest habitats of the Asian elephant. Drained by the Moyar River, its open forest makes it easy for visitors to see the elephant and gaur in their natural surroundings. Spend the day on a jeep safari through the Bandipur National Park, which is also a Tiger Reserve. In 1973, Bandipur became one of the first of India's Tiger Reserves and the southernmost of the nine reserves specially established under Project Tiger. Other fauna you might see while in Banipur includes: tigers, leopards, Indian bison, wild dogs, hyenas, jackals, bears, civets, loris, otters, pangolins, porcupines, squirrels and jungle cats! Also due to the topography, excellent climate and abundant water from the rivers Kabini, Nugu and Moyar, the park boasts of a huge variety of birds. The park also has its fair share of reptiles, the largest of which is represented by some excellent marsh crocodiles. (Overnight at Hotel in Bandipur National Park)
05/Oct/2006 : BANDIPUR TO COCHIN ( 380 KMS / 8 Hrs)
After breakfast full day drive to Cochin on the lunch at Coimbatore city .You will reach Cochin at evening.
( Overnight at Hotel in Cochin)
06/Oct/2006 : IN COCHIN / SIGHT SEEING
After breakfast, at 09.00am proceed for sight seeing tour of Cochin visiting - ‘The Jewish Synagogue’ at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, ‘The St. Francis Church’, the oldest European Church in India, ‘The Santa Cruz Basilica’ originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, The Dutch Palace, Spice market at the narrow streets and the ‘Chinese fishing nets’ are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Return to hotel for lunch and later in the evening at 05.30pm visit the famous dance drama of Kerala, the “Kathakali”. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. (Overnight at Hotel in Cochin)
07/Oct/2006 : COCHIN TO ALLEPPEY BY ROAD AND CHECK IN TO HOUSE BOAT.
(65 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)
This journey affords a glimpse of people whose life centers on the water as we cross shallow lakes and call in at settlements along our route. We reach the houseboat at around 12 .00 noon and board the houseboat. Your own personal crew drives the boat into the backwaters and anchors in a serene location for lunch prepared on the boat to your taste. After lunch you sail past the numerous canals passing extensive paddy fields, villages. After dusk the motors of the boat are turned off and the houseboat is rowed till morning in and around Alleppy. We leave the following morning at 10.00 am after breakfast.(Overnight in House Boat)
08/Oct/2006 : ALLEPPEY TO KOVALAM ( 170 KMS / 4 Hrs)
After breakfast check out of Hotel and drive to kovalam .On arrival check in to the hotel
and relax. (Overnight at Hotel in Kovalam)
09/Oct/2006 : IN KOVALAM
Day at leisure for Own activities. (Overnight at Hotel in Kovalam)
10/Oct/2006 : DEPARTURE TRANSFER
Check out from hotel according to the flight timing to board the flight to on ward destination.
