Ecstatic By Nature

Start point atA - Madurai Airport, Airport Road, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaAirport Road,Madurai, TN

End point atM - Madurai Airport, Airport Road, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaAirport Road,Madurai, TN

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Day : 1 - Megamalai - Abode of Clouds

Night stay at B1 - Megamalai Forest, Megamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -143 Kms.

Hotel - Cloud Mountain Bungalow Resorts

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt B1 - Megamalai Forest, Megamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -143 Kms.

Activities - Tour of Megamallai Hills

Factors at the Halt include : Forests,Rivers / Lakes,Hills,Treks,Great Views.

Megamalai is a very offbeat hill station situated on the eastern side of the Caradamom hills, in Western Ghats. Megamalai is a 3.5-hour drive from Madurai and just an hour's drive from Kumily / Thekkady in Kerala. Megamalai is a quaint hill station set at over 1500 meters above sea level. The highlights of Megamalai are a scenic lake set in the middle of picturesque tea plantations, and the scenic drive from the lower camp to reach this hill station. On the first night of the trip, we shall camp at a comfortable forest bungalow guest house in Megamalai.

Day : 2 - Drive through the hills

Night stay at C1 - Thekkady, Kumily, Kerala, India
Distance from days start -40 Kms.

Hotel - Sterling Thekkady

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt C1 - Thekkady, Kumily, Kerala, India
Distance from days start -40 Kms.

Activities - Wildlife Boat Safari in Thekkady

Factors at the Halt include : Forests,Rivers / Lakes,Hills,Treks,Small Boats / Canoes,Wildlife.

Thekkady / Kumily is one of the most popular tourist spot in Kerala with its activities centered around Periyar national park and wildlife safaris. At Thekkady we shall take a boat ride through the Periyar lake. If you are lucky you stand some chance to spot some wildlife during the boat ride. However, with or without the wildlife spotting the boat ride sure is an exciting experience that is not to be missed while in Thekkady. After the boat ride, we can do a short elephant ride through the forest. After checking into your hotel, you can have a relaxed afternoon by exploring the spice shops in Kumily town or by taking a leisurely stroll in the forests around.

Day : 3 - A 100 km bus ride through Forests

Halt D1 - Vandiperiyar, Kerala, India
Distance from days start -17 Kms.

Activities - A KSRTC Bus ride through Periyar wildlife sanctuary from Kumily to Pathanamthitta

Factors at the Halt include : Wildlife,Unique Experiences.

Night stay at E2 - Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
Distance from days start -111 Kms.

Hotel - Hotel Amala

Star Rating of Hotel :

This is probably the most exciting day of the trip, as this day we are going to Pathanamthitta from Kumily on a 100 -kilometer bus ride through one of the most well-protected national parks in the country. The bus is operated by KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) and is the only vehicle allowed to operate through this forest road. The bus is normally filled with tourists who want to experience this exhilarating trip through Periyar Tiger Reserve. The bus leaves from Kumily and takes Gavi route to reach Pathanamthitta by early evening and the ride takes about 6 hours including stopovers for photo shoots at scenic locations including that of Gavi reservoir. One of the highlights of the trip is the bus ride through various Dams that are part of the Sabari Irrigation Project and their reservoirs along the way. You can also spot at a distance the famous Hindu Shrine of Sabarimala, which is one of the most revered spots of Makara Jyothi sighting site. The Optional activities during the trip include a coracle ride in the Gavi reservoir or Angamoozhi. On reaching Pathanamthitta bus stand, your cab will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel, for you to stay in Pathanamthitta for the night.

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KSRTC bus to Gavi and Pathanamthitta
KSRTC bus to Gavi and Pathanamthitta
Forest Route Gavi
Gavi Waterfalls
Gavi Reservoir
Bus Route
Gavi Sights
Wildlife spotting

Day : 4 - Varkala Beach

Night stay at F1 - Varkala cliff, Varkala, Kerala
Distance from days start -59 Kms.

Hotel - Clafouti Resort

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt F1 - Varkala cliff, Varkala, Kerala
Distance from days start -59 Kms.

Activities - Visit Varkala Beach and Cliffs

Factors at the Halt include : Beach,Great Views.

Pathanamthitta to Varkala is just about 2 hours drive, as it passes through the lush green countryside of Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts of Kerala. Varkala is one among the most famous beach destinations in Kerala and it is famous for its cliff-top eateries and bars that overlook the Arabian sea. On reaching Varkala we shall check into your beach property so that you get the rest of the day to be spent in this idyllic beach destination and its vibrant cliffs.

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Varkala Beach
Varkala Beach
Varkala Cliff Views
Varkala Cliff Views
Varkala Cliff Views
Varkala Cliff Restraurants and Bars

Day : 5 - The Jatayu Statue & Southern Hills

Halt H2 - Palaruvi Waterfalls, Road to Palaruvi Waterfalls, Palaruvi, Kerala, India
Distance from days start -55 Kms.

Activities - Trek to Palaruvi Waterfalls

Factors at the Halt include : Treks,Waterfalls.

Night stay at I3 - Courtallam Five falls, District, Courtallam, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -62 Kms.

Hotel - Mango Resorts

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt I3 - Courtallam Five falls, District, Courtallam, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -62 Kms.

Activities - Visit Courtallam Waterfalls

Factors at the Halt include : Forests,Waterfalls.

En route to the hills of South Kerala again, we shall be visiting the famous Jatayu Earths center statue and hill. Jatayu Earth Center, is the world's largest Bird sculpture and the statue is made in honor of women and women's safety. As per Hindu Mythology, Jatayu is a huge hawk that stopped Ravana, as he was eloping with Sita to Lanka in his flying chariot and at this spot, the Demon king Ravana is supposed to have slain the bird who tried to protect Sita and block Ravanas passage to Lanka with her. There is a thrilling cable car ride to reach the top of the hill. After visiting Jatayu Earths center status we shall stop by one of the most famous restaurant in South Kerala, The Vazhiyorakkada, for an awesome traditional Kerala lunch laden with the non-vegeterian delicacies of the region, like Duck, squid, Fish and prawns. From Jatayu Rock we shall head East towards the hills of Kollam district and our first stop there would be Palaruvi waterfalls, which is a spectacular waterfalls that is set in the middle of a forest and can be approached only after a short trek through the forest. If it is non Monsoon time, you can have a dip in the natural pool where the water falls. After Palaruvi, we shall cross the hills to the other side of Western ghats to enter Tamil Nadu state where we shall visit the famous Kuttalam waterfalls. Kuttalam is famous for its perennial water falls. There are 2 sets of waterfalls in Kuttalam and the most famous one being the five falls. After visiting the Kuttalam waterfalls we shall stay back in a resort in Kuttalam.

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Jatayu earth center bird statue
The birds eye view of the statue
Vazhiyorakkada lunch spread
Cable car ride to Jatayu Earths Center
Palaruvi waterfalls
Palaruvi Waterfalls from far
Palaruvi waterfalls
Kuttalam falls
The five falls Kuttalam
Kuttalam waterfalls

Day : 6 - Kodaikanal

Night stay at J1 - Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -147 Kms.

Hotel - Kodai Resort Hotel

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt J1 - Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -147 Kms.

Activities - Visit Coakers Walk, Kodaikanal Hill station

Factors at the Halt include : Rivers / Lakes,Hills,Great Views.

From Kuttalam we shall drive to Kodai hills, known as the princess of hills in India. Kodaikanal is set in the Palani Hills in the Western ghats and is situated at an elevation of 2300 meters above sea level. While in Kodai we shall be just driving and enjoy the views around Kodaikanal in a more relaxed manner. We shall also take a walk in Kodai's star attraction, the Coakers walk and do boating in Kodai's beautiful lake. We shall also visit the Silver Cascade waterfalls while in Kodai. After the tour of Kodai we shall check into a resort to spend the night in Kodais cool environs.

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Coakers Walk
Kodaikanal lake
Boating in Kodai lake
Sights around Kodai
Bear Shola Falls
Pambar Waterfalls
Beautiful views and meadows
Kodai views
Sights around Kodai
Sights around Kodai
Silver Cascade Waterfalls

Day : 7 - Madurais splendour

Halt K1 - Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -155 Kms.

Activities - Visit Madurai Meenakshi Temple

Factors at the Halt include : Spiritual,UNESCO Heritage Site.

Night stay at L2 - Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -154 Kms.

Hotel - The Heritage Resort

Star Rating of Hotel :

Halt L2 - Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Distance from days start -154 Kms.

Activities - Madurai City Tour

Factors at the Halt include : Rural / Ethnic Stay.

On day 7 we head to Madurai city to visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple. Meenakshi Temple is located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai. Madurai is also the third-largest city in Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva. The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of Madurai and it is mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th-century-CE texts. The temple is famous for its beautiful corridors and carvings. After visiting the Meenakshi temple, we shall be spending the night in a luxurious resort in Madurai.

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A closer look at the temple
The temple interiors
Madurai Meenakshi temple complex
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
Madurai Meenakshi temple complex

Day : 8 - The last day of the trip

On the last day of the trip, we shall check out of the resort and have a small city tour before heading to the Airport or Railway station for you to return to your homes.