Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

22 INDIAN SUBCONTINENT MEAL PLAN: All meals included ACCOMMODATION Chennai 2 nights 4 ★ The Residency Tirvuannamalai 1 night 3 ★ Sparsa Resort Tiruvannamalai Pondicherry 3 nights 4 ★ Shenbaga Hotel Tanjore 2 nights 3 ★ Hotel Parisutham Madurai 1 night 4 ★ JC Residency Munnar 2 nights 3 ★ Elysium Garden Hill Resorts Cochin 1 night 5 ★ Le Meridien Kochi KERALA HOUSEBOAT 1 night 5 ★ and 3 nights in Traditional houseboat from £499 Upgrade to Luxury House boat for £269 DUBAI 2 nights 4 ★ B&B from £129 or 2 nights 5 ★ B&B from £189 KERALA BEACH STAY 3 nights 3.5 ★ Full Board from £239 or 3 nights 5 ★ Full Board from £399 Visit our website to learn more about our extensions. EXTEND YOUR TOUR DEPARTURES & FROM PRICES 2022 DEPARTURES AT 2021 PRICES CONTACT US FOR DATES • Prices based on flights from London Heathrow to India with Emirates (via Dubai) • Regional departures available • Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £349 DAY 1: UK TO CHENNAI Depart London on your scheduled overnight flight to Chennai via Dubai. DAY 2: CHENNAI D On arrival, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. DAY 3: CHENNAI B/L/D This morning’s tour starts with a visit to Fort St. George, completed in 1653 A.D. as a bastion of British power. Its museum gives a fascinating insight into early colonial life, and nearby St Mary’s is the oldest Anglican church in India. The drive along the elegant promenade by the world famous Marina Beach takes you to Mylapore, the old heart of Chennai. Look inside the San Thome Basilica, resting place of “Doubting Thomas”. DAY 4: CHENNAI TO THIRUVANNAMALAI, VIA MAHABALIPURAM B/L/D Explore the monolithic shrines and temples of Mahabalipuram. Visit the Shore Temple, the cluster of temples known as the Five Rathas and the ‘Arjuna’s Presence’ bas-relief carving. From here continue to Thiruvannamalai and a relaxing dinner at your hotel. DAY 5: THIRUVANNAMALAI TO PONDICHERRY B/L/D Visit to the Arunachaleswara Temple, lying at the foot of the mountain of Arunachala. Pass the sanctum sanctorum which houses the ancient Agni Linga. Whilst exploring the Arunachala mountain, see the Virupaksha cave, where Sri Ramana Maharshi meditated for 23 years. Continue on to Pondicherry. DAY 6: PONDICHERRY B/L/D After breakfast take a rickshaw ride around Pondicherry’s French Quarter. Visit the Notre Dame des Anges and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. See how the New-Age philosophy was extended in the 1960s at nearby Auroville. DAY 7: PONDICHERRY B/L/D Enjoy the full-day at your leisure. DAY 8: PONDICHERRY TO TANJORE B/L/D Set off for Tanjore, via Chidambaram to visit the Nataraja Temple. Continue your journey to Tanjore to enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner at your hotel. DAY 9: TANJORE B/L/D This morning see the Brihadeeswarar Temple and later the Royal Palace. The afternoon is at leisure before an evening cooking demonstration of Indian cuisine. DAY 10: TANJORE TO MADURAI B/L/D Following breakfast, transfer to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in the world. After lunch visit “Potters Village” of Vilacheri. In the evening pay a visit to the Meenakshi Temple, the crowning glory of Madurai and one of India’s finest temples. DAY 11: MADURAI TO MUNNAR B/L/D After breakfast drive to the hilltop hotel near Munnar, South India’s largest tea growing region, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. DAY 12: MUNNAR B/L/D Gaze upon the lake created by the Mattupetty Dam and see the hills at Echo Point. Visit a tea plantation and on your way back, see the Honey Bee Tree. Return to the hotel for your evening meal. DAY 13: MUNNAR TO COCHIN B/L/D In the morning, drive to Cochin, then enjoy an afternoon walking tour through the old streets of Fort Cochin. Stop by St. Francis Church, India’s oldest European church. Other highlights include the Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue. Enjoy an evening watching a mesmerising Kathakali dance performance at a cultural centre, before returning to hotel for dinner. DAY 14: COCHIN TO THE UK B After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK, via Dubai or continue on to your chosen extension. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner FOR YOU TO KNOW: A visa and travel insurance are required when travelling to India and must be obtained before travel. Tips: We recommend you allow approximately £39pp for the duration of your tour. Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur SACRED SOUTH INDIA A magical tour through the spiritual riches and culture of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Marvel at the magnificence of ancient Shiva temples and admire the fusion of European and Asian architectural styles in Pondicherry and Cochin. PACE: TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ Explore the Pancha Bhuta Temples ✔ Discover the history of Chennai ✔ Visit the Arunachaleswara Temple ✔ Mythical red Mountain of Arunachala ✔ Tour of Pondicherry’s French Quarter ✔ Brihadeeswarar Temple at Tanjore ✔ Trip to Munnar’s tea plantations ✔ Witness the evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple 14 days from £1,189pp 04 Nov 20 £1,529 18 Nov 20 £1,499 13 Jan 21 £1,759 27 Jan 21 £1,759 24 Feb 21 £1,519 10 Mar 21 £1,489 21 Apr 21 £1,739 19 May 21 £1,339 02 Jun 21 £1,189 08 Sep 21 £1,439 15 Sep 21 £1,439 22 Sep 21 £1,389 06 Oct 21 £1,429 20 Oct 21 £1,459 17 Nov 21 £1,519 UPGRADE TO A PRIVATE TOUR FROM £149 PER PERSON To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556