Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 Arrive in Chennai
Namaste – Welcome to India. You will be assisted at the Airport and escorted to the hotel for check-in.
Today we take a tour of Chennai, visiting Fort St. George, the first bastion of British power in India.
Overnight at the Hotel – Chennai.
Day 2 Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (140 Km / 3 Hrs)
Today we drive down to Kanchipuram, one of the seven holy cities in the country. Visit Kailasanatha Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple.
Drive to Mahabalipuram. Check in to the hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel – Mahabalipuram.
Day 3 Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is world renowned for its beautiful Shore Temple & other temples. Visit Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples in South India. Arjuna's Penance is the world's largest bas-relief. Next we visit Rathas, Monolithic Temples fashioned as Chariots.
Overnight at the Hotel – Mahabalipuram.
Day 4 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry via Auroville (100 Km / 2 Hrs)
Today we drive to Auroville near Pondicherry. The community of Auroville consists of Indian & International Residents. Upon arrival visit Matri Mandir which was designed to be the spiritual & physical centre of Auroville (Temple is opened between 1530-1630 hr).
Further drive to Pondicherry, the land of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the serene world of distinct spiritual vibration & thus renowned as Sacred Land.
Overnight at the Hotel - Pondicherry.
Day 5 Pondicherry - Tanjore (230 Km / 4-5 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Tanjore - called the Rice Bowl of Tamilnadu. Thanjavur is well-known for its exquisite handicrafts like the Art Plate, Pithwork, Bronze Icons, Thanjavur Paintings & the classical South Indian Musical Instruments.
Later we visit Brihadeshwara Temple, also known as Big Temple.
Overnight at the Hotel - Tanjore.
Day 6 Tanjore - Madurai via Trichy (180 Km / 4 Hrs)
Drive to Madurai enroute visit Trichy. Start with Srirangam Temple surrounded by the waters of the River Kaveri and its tributaries. Later we visit Rock Fort.
Continue the drive to Madurai.
Overnight at the Hotel - Madurai.
Day 7 Madurai
Visit Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple.
See the Evening Aarti at the templethe highlight of the tour.
Overnight at the Hotel - Madurai.
Day 8 Madurai - Periyar (150 Km / 4 Hrs)
Today we drive to Periyar (Thekkady), one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, Notable among the inhabitants are the Tigers, Majestic Asiatic Wild Elephants & Distinctive Nilgiri Langur.
In the evening we go for a Spice Plantation Tour.
Overnight at the Hotel - Periyar.
Day 9 Periyar - Kumarakom (145 Km / 4 Hrs)
In the morning, at sun rise we take a boat ride to view the wildlife in the sanctuary on Lake Periyar. After two hours of wildlife viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast.
Later we drive to Kumarakom. Furthermore, Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life like the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish), Chemeen (Prawns) & Konju (Tiger Prawns).
Overnight at the Hotel - Kumarakom.
Day 10 Kumarakom - Alleppey (Overnight Houseboat)
Today you can visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are Cormorants, Teals, & other Ducks & from February to July there are Darters (Snake Birds), Night Herons, Egrets, & Siberian Storks. It also has Golden Backed Woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, White-breasted Water Hen, Tree Pie, etc.
In the evening we go for a Spice Plantation Tour.
Later we board the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, cruise around beautiful backwaters of Kumarakom to Alleppey to observe & experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters.
Overnight on the Houseboat.
Day 11 Alleppey - Cochin (65 Km / 1.5 Hrs)
Checkout from the houseboat and drive to Cochin. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world.
Visit the Jewish Synagogue (remains closed on Friday and Saturday), built in the year 1568. Also visit the Chinese Fishing Nets. In the evening see Kerala's most popular classical dance - Kathakali.
Overnight at the Hotel - Cochin.
