Day 1 : Arrive in Chennai (Flight TBA)
On arrival at Chennai airport, our representative will welcome you and assist for transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning enjoy a half day guided tour of Chennai.
Chennai is the cultural centre of South India. Capital of the modern state of Tamil Nadu, it is the fourth
largest city in India as well as the heart of the South Indian film industry.
Begin your tour by visiting Fort St. George, built around 1653 by the British, it occupies a place of pride
and prominence in Chennai. The State Legislature and the Secretariat are located inside this fort. Visit
the Fort Museum which hosts a fascinating collection of memorabilia from the days of the British Raj.
In the afternoon we go on a Trail an easy walk through Mylapore, a bustling neighborhood in the heart
of Chennai, pre-dates the city by at least 2000 years, and has kept alive many traditions and arts that
Chennai is so well known for. Exploring the fascinating stories hidden away in the mundane rituals of
daily life, stories behind everyday sights, stories of Gods and demons, of ancient customs and
symbolisms, and of Mylapore & Madras.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Chennai.
Day 3 : Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (By Road 140 kms / 4-5 hrs)
Breakfast and check out from the hotel.
Start our drive to Pondicherry en-route visiting Mahabalipuram a small seaside village, which was once
the main port of the Pallava Dynasty between the 5th and 9th centuries. Declared a World Heritage Site
by UNESCO, Mahabalipuram boasts some of India’s most sublime rock-cut art, the. Here we shall visit
the The Arjuna’s Penance which is one of the greatest ancient artworks inscribed in two monolithic
rock boulders, The Shore Temple located along the coast of Bay of Bengal which captivate every
traveler. This granite built pagoda provide a picturesque contrast with usually a clear blue sky and its
azure sea making it a must visit attraction. And then to The Pancha Rathas which is another intriguing
complex that us full of architectural beauty. It lies nea the southern end of Mahabalipuram town and
houses five chariots or pancha rathas that are skillfully carved out of a granite in Dravidian architectural
style. These five chariots are named after the Pandavas from the Mahabharata era.
Post visit we continue our drive to Puducherry (formely) Pondicherry - the French ruled this area for
300 years, and today, it still stands as a living monument of French culture in India. Being a small and
quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, it has imbibed the Tamilian culture too very well.
On reaching the Pondicherry town we check in to the hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel in Pondicherry.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we start our day with the visit to Auroville - a great place of personal and spiritual upliftment. An
experimental township founded in the year 1968, the literal translation of its name means "City of
Dawn". Flocked by people from all around the world looking for spirituality and "Union with the One",
Auroville is the heart and soul of the city of Pondicherry.
Then, to Shri Aurobindo Ashram named after its creator- Sri Aurobindo Ghosh. The foundation of this
ashram was laid on 24th November in the year 1926 when he was surrounded by his disciples all over
after he retired from politics and settled in Pondicherry. This ashram was set up with the aim of helping
people attain moksha and inner peace. Thousands of tourists from all over visit the ashram to
experience and achieve spiritual knowledge.
Return back to hotel to relax for a while….
Late afternoon we proceed for our Walking Trail to the French Quarter where the Pondicherry’s
colonial past comes alive as we take you through its quaint boulevards and sleepy streets, to discover
this little piece of France left behind in India. Seeped in culture and heritage, every building, every corner
tells a story. Quirky twists of history and unforgettable characters are just some of the things you will
hear about. Behind every charming façade, you’ll find incredible stories. We’ll explore the architecture
and the ironies, the contradictions and the culture, the things Pondicherry did right and many things
that didn’t work out. Surrounded by the British in India, the French here were gritty, stubborn and
refused to disappear and lot more….
Overnight at the hotel in Pondicherry.
Day 5 : Pondicherry – Tanjore (By Road 180 kms / 4-5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel, check out and start the drive to Tanjore.
En-route we shall visit the 9th century Shiva Temple at Chidambaram which is one of the most ancient
and celebrated shrines in India. Then we visit Gangaikondacholapuram and Darsuram Temples at
Kumbakonam, famous for their Chola architectural style.
Continue with the drive to Tanjore and on arrival check-in to your hotel. Tanjore has the distinction of
having been the capital of the Cholas, one of the greatest dynasties of the South. It bears witness to
this, being dotted with no fewer than 74 temples, the most famous of which is the Brihadeshwara
temple, a World Heritage monument.
Overnight stay at hotel in Tanjore.
Day 6 : Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai (By Road 140 kms / 04 hrs)
Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Tanjore visitng the Sri Brihadeshwara Temple
built by the great Chola king, Raja I in the 10th century. This World Heritage temple is an outstanding
example of Chola architecture. Continue to Tanjore Palace, a vast structure built partly by the Nayaks
and partly by the Marathas around 1550 AD.
Post visit continue the drive to Trichy, which is a blend of history, a pilgrim site and a thriving
commercial city. Situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, it was a Chola citadel during the Sangam
Age and was also briefly ruled by the Pallavas and the Pandyas. Visit Trichy's main attraction, the Rock
Fort Temple. The fort is the centre of the city and is a remarkable structure that dominates the
landscape.
After the visits in Trichy, we continue to drive to Madurai, tucked snugly into the banks of the sacred
Vaigai River. Madurai is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and is a destination for thousands of pilgrims for
centuries.
Overnight at the hotel in Madurai.
Breakfast at the hotel.
We start our tour of Madurai city visiting Thirumalai Nayak Mahal - the palace was built in 1636 by
Thirumalai Nayakar. A classic example of the Indo-Saracenic style, the piece de resistance of this Mahal
is its carved dome outsoars without the support of girders or rafters. The stucco work on its domes and
arches is remarkable. The gigantic pillars and structures represent the amazing architectural mastery of
Nayak Kings. The courtyard and the dancing hall are being the center of attractions. There are around
248 pillars of each 58 feet tall and 5 feet diameter. Furniture and utensils used by the kings have been
exhibited inside the palace.
Next visit would be to Sree Meenakshi Amman Temple, the most famous temple in South India. The
huge temple that extends beyond 6 hectares of land is dedicated to god Shiva and it is named after
goddess Parvati. The thousand pillar hall is one of the amazing works in the temple that if famous for
architectural brilliance. It is the temple’s museum and statues here are exquisite. Post visit return back
to the hotel.
Late afternoon we proceed for our Walking Trail of the ancient Madurai city and chance upon her
stories; of fickle kings and towering monuments; of whimsical Gods and extraordinary mortals; some set
a millennia ago and some of a more recent vintage….
Overnight at the hotel in Madurai.
Day 8 : Madurai – Thekkady (By Road 150 kms / 3-4 hrs)
Today post breakfast at hotel check out and drive to Thekkady. On reaching Thekkady check in to your
hotel.
After freshen up proceed for a Spice Plantation Tour where you get to understand the different types
of spices grown and available in this region. Thekkady is considered as a heaven for
natural spices like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, nutmace, ginger, and clove.
Early evening we take you to enjoy a performance of traditional Kalaripayattu, a martial art, which
originated as a style in Kerala itself. The word Kalari first appears in the Tamil Sangam literature to
describe both a battlefield and combat arena.
Overnight at the hotel in Thekkady.
Day 9 : Thekkady – Kumarakom (By Road 120 kms / 3-4 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Start the day with your visit to the Periyar National Park, here you get the opportunity to view the wildlife on a Boat Cruise on the Periyar Lake. A boat ride on the splendid Periyar lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few places where the chances are pretty high that you will spot an elephant in the wild at close quarters and from the safe confines of a boat. Not just elephant but if it’s your lucky day, gaur, masher, otter and other wildlife.
Post visit return back to the hotel and then check out. Start the drive for Kumarakom.
Kumarakom is a village on the banks of Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala. It’s laced with canals, where houseboats ply the waters. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to many species including cuckoos and Siberian storks. Nearby, the Bay Island Driftwood Museum displays wooden sculptures.
On reaching Kumarakom check in to your resort. The day will be to relax & be at leisure enjoying the beauty of the backwaters.
Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom.
Breakfast at the hotel. The day will be free at leisure and simply to engage in various activities offered by the hotel. (You can choose and pay directly)
Practice yoga and meditation in the morning. Or go bird watching with the resident naturalist. Experience village life with a local, and learn all about a different world.
Or just simply enjoy the pool or engage yourself in the some rejuvenating Ayurveda therapies. In the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on the lake in a converted rice boat.
Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom.
Day 11 : Kumarakom – Cochin
After breakfast check out and we start our drive for Cochin, now called 'Kochi' is the commercial hub of Kerala and a town of great historical importance. It has one of the finest natural harbors and is called the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". On reaching Cochin check in to your hotel and relax.
Evening we take you to enjoy the Traditional Kathakali Dance performance.
Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.
Breakfast at the hotel.
proceed for the city tour visiting The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. 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 Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders.
Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out will be at 1200 hrs.
You shall be given the departure transfer to the airport 03 hours prior to your departure fight time or as advised to report by your airlines.
