Destination : Chennai (Madras) - Kancheepuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondichery - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Munnar - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Kovalam - Cochin - Shornur - Calicut - Mysore - Hassan - Bangalore.
Duration:25 Nights/ 26 Days

Exotic Flora and Fauna, Lush Vegetation, Miles of beautiful beaches, the delicate scent of spices and the sound of Temple Bells all characterise the South of India. Following the Old European trade routes, this tour takes you from the cosmopolitan city of Chennai, home to some of the country's oldest British Monuments to Mahabalipuram, known for its Coromandel coast. Experience the French colony - Pondichery, on the way you can visit one of India's most famous temples in Kancheepuram, Tanjore, Trichy & Madurai known for its Musical Pillars, Stone dancers, Elephant stables, Monuments, Temples, Mosques, Forts, Ruins

Feel them. Re-live them. Be touched by their magic. And their mystery. Their splendour and their glory. From the middle of the journey we enter to the historical land of pure bliss that can never base its emerald virginity. Kerala. Her beauty pampers you into an eternal trance. Her exeberate subjects you to a sublime catharsis. Travel through the Western Ghats of Kerala - Munnar & Thekkady, drink from her being and you float through a kaleidoscope of emotions. From here you travel towards Kumarakom, a picturesque village located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake and from there for a cruise in traditional 'Rice Boat ' through inland backwaters and lagoons of Kerala gives us a true sense of the sheer natural beauty of this magical country. After that we explore the natural shelter bay of Kovalam and from there to the 'Queen of Arabian Sea' - Cochin. Travel towards the cultural capital of Kerala - Shornur and to the old dynasty of Zamorins of Calicut, explore the rich traditions, culture & art.

Our last part of the tour starts from aroma of sandalwood carvings of Mysore and the temple town of Belur & Halebid and then to Garden city -Bangalore.


DAY 01 CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai from your home country. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to the pre - booked hotel. You are at the southern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, and Chennai - or Madras as it was known earlier - is its capital city. Starting with Chennai as the gateway will put you in touch with a different face of India - classical, ancient, and gentle. Definitely touched by colonialism but not ravaged by wars and intensely aware of its roots and traditions. Afternoon sightseeing of Chennai city, visit the Fort St. George, Fort Museum and the Santhome Cathedral Basilica. O/n Hotel.

DAY 02 CHENNAI TO MAHABALIPURAM
Morning after breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram via Kancheepuram. Visit the Kailasanad Temple and EkambaraNadh Temple. Proceed to Mahabalipuram - The ancient 7th century port famous for its magnificent rock temples & carvings. Check into the hotel. The rest of the day enjoy in the beautiful beach. O/n Hotel.

DAY 03 MAHABALIPURAM
Morning after breakfast we make a short trip to visit the ARJUNA'S PENANCE, is a bas relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, 29 metres long and seven metres high, the Mandapas - are fairly shallow pillared halls or porticos excavated out of the rocky hillside, THE RATHAS - these mid seventh century monolithic temples were influenced by Buddhist architecture as they resemble the monastery, THE SHORE TEMPLE by the sea is surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient texts. The temple was built at the end of the seventh century by King Rajasimha, is unusual for its shrines to both Siva and Vishnu. Evening enjoy the beautiful sunset. O/n Hotel.

DAY 04 MAHABALIPURAM TO PONDICHERRY
Morning drive to Pondicherry, (about 134kms/ 03hrs) with its distinct French colonial atmosphere. With well-laid out streets and avenues, the city is amongst the easiest to move around in. The city presents an unusual combination of European culture and the Indian traditions. An added attraction here is the township of Auroville, an oasis of peace and enlightenment. Another hallowed spot is Aurobindo Ashram which draws devotees from all over the world.

Check into the hotel. Afternoon we make a short walk to Auroville - the Aurobindo Nagari and the Aurobindo Ashram. O/n Hotel.

DAY 05 PONDICHERRY TO TANJAVUR
Morning after breakfast drive to Tanjavur - the ancient capital of the great Chola Empire (about 185kms/ 05hrs).Enroute visit Chidambaram, the Nataraj temple dedicated to the dancing God and the temples in Gangaikondacholapuram. Proceed and check into the hotel.

Afternoon visit the magnificent BRIHADISVARA TEMPLE, known as the 'Big Temple'. The main temple has a 62 metres high vimana (the tallest in India), topped by a dome carved from an 80 ton block of granite. We can see an enormous Nandi, carved out of a single block of granite six metres long. O/n Hotel.

DAY 06 TANJAVUR TO TRICHY TO TANJAVUR
Morning we drive to Trichy (about 56kms/ 02hrs), to visit the Rock Fort, Tiruchi's most famed landmark is 83 m high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the world - approximately 3.800 million years. After that a short drive to Srirangam, the district's most important pilgrim centre is located in an island. Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Kaveri on one side and its tributary Kollidam on the other, is a 600 acre island - town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. There are 21 gopurams, among which the Rajagopuram is the largest in South India. O/n Hotel.

DAY 07 TANJAVUR TO MADURAI
Morning drive to the 6th century built temple town of Madurai (about 150kms/ 04hrs), check into the hotel.
A/n visit the Meenakshi temple - an outstanding example of the 14th century Vijaynagar architecture The temple dedicated to Minakshi, the 'fish-eyed goddess'. The temple's nine towering stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals are superb. Evening once again visit the temple to attend the evening ceremony in the temple. O/n Hotel.

DAY 08 MADURAI TO MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast drive to Munnar (about 120kms/03hrs) - beautiful hill station surrounded by tea estates, some of them the highest in the world.

Arrive and transfer to the hotel amidst tea gardens. Afternoon visit the RAJAMALAI NATIONAL PARK - famous for Nilgiri Thar, the endangered species. Explore the park by foot. The rest of the day stroll over Munnar to see the natural beauties over there. O/n Hotel.

DAY 09 MUNNAR
After breakfast we drive the short distance to the Periavurai Hills. The walk will takes you through beautiful valleys where we can see all the beautiful areas of Munnar. We make our way back to hotel in the afternoon. Afternoon free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 10 MUNNAR TO THEKKADY
Morning before drive to Thekkady (about 110kms/ 04hrs). The journey takes you through cardamom hills enriched with all kinds of spice plantations. Check into the hotel. The rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 11 THEKKADY
Thekkady is famous for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, the place for watching the animals in the natural habitat. The forest here slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar deer and even tigers can be spotted here.
Morning after breakfast we make a 02 hrs cruise through the lake to watch the rich flora and fauna. Evening relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 12 THEKKADY TO KUMARAKOM
Morning we drive to Kumarakom (about 135kms/03hrs), the roads which winds on the Western Ghats takes you through the plantation of rubber, tea, coffee and pepper.
Check into the hotel located on the banks of Vembanadu Lake. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 13 KUMARAKOM
Morning after breakfast we make a 01 hr drive to Aranmula, the hertage village in India, is also famous for its metal mirrors and the only ritual snake boat race of Kerala, which take place every year during Onam season. Visit the Vijnana Kala Vedi, a cultural centre has been introducing foreign visitors into Indian arts since 1977, when it was created by Ms. Louba Schid, an European artist living in Kerala since 1968, studying and performing Kathakali. The objective of the Centre has been throughout to contribute to the preservation of traditional arts, not in creating a museum of the past, but in keeping alive the atmosphere which gave birth and maintained their vitality. Aranmula is world famous for its mirrors, "Aranmula Kannady", unique for its alloy and its ancient method "lost wax" and polishing techniques. The proportion of the alloy is a secret, known only to the manufacturers, ie only to the members of a family who had been passing on this secret from generation to generations. Vijnana Kala Vedi will arrange for visits to the metal mirror workshops and the school for traditional architecture and mural painting. Back to the hotel. O/n Hotel.

DAY 14 KUMARAKOM TO ALEPPEY
Morning after breakfast drive to Alleppey (about 50kms/02hrs)- is also called the Venice of East, interlocked with a large number of canals and bridges.
Board a houseboat from Aleppey and enjoy the cruise through the enchanting backwaters. O/n House boat.

DAY 15 ALEPPEY TO KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast disembark from the Houseboat and drive towards the famous beaches of Kovalam (about 160kms/04hrs) - a beach paradise, with boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and unwinding miles of fine and hisses at the feet of coconuts palms, Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay. Check into the hotel. The rest of the day spends on beautiful beaches. O/n Hotel

DAY 16 KOVALAM
Day at leisure. O/n Hotel.

DAY 17 KOVALAM
Day at leisure. O/n Hotel.

DAY 18 KOVALAM TO COCHIN
Morning after breakfast drive to the commercial hub of Kerala - Cochin (about 220kms/06hrs). Kochi has long been eulogised in tourist literature as the 'Queen of Arabian Sea". It has a fascinating blend of cultures. The rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 19 COCHIN
Morning after breakfast we visit the Mattancherry Palace - also called the Dutch Palace, The Clock Tower, The Synagogue built in the 18th century and the St.Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was buried in 1524. Evening move to Fort Kochi Beach, spend the hours to explore the huge Chinese Fishing Nets, enjoy watching sunset. Also watch the dance drama of Kerala - Kathakali. O/n Hotel.

DAY 20 COCHIN TO SHORNUR
Morning after breakfast drive to Shornur (about 100 kms/03hrs), check into the Hotel River Retreat, a heritage hotel that situated on the banks of river Barathapuzha.

Home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. The institution also offers training in music, drama, and other dance form including Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.

Evening we visit this institution (Kerala Kala Mandalam) on the riverbank. You can watch training session from 0830 - 1200hrs and 1530 - 1730hrs. O/n Hotel.

DAY 21 SHORNUR TO CALICUT
Morning after breakfast drive to Calicut (about 115kms/04hrs), enroute visit the Punnathur Kotta (Elephant Camp) where you can see around 30 - 40 temple elephants at a time. Proceed to Calicut, check into hotel. Evening stroll around the old traditional streets of Calicut. O/n Hotel.

DAY 22 CALICUT TO MYSORE
After an early breakfast, today we will start our interesting drive towards Mysore. The journey offers an enchanting views over Western Ghats. Check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax or evening experience the big vegetable market and the silk avenues. O/n Hotel.

DAY 23 MYSORE
Morning after breakfast we will drive to nearby Chamundi Hills and lateron visit the Mysore Palace, built in 1912 in the Indo-Saracenic style, the main attraction in the palace are the Golden Royal Throne, the Durbar hall, the Kalyana Mandapam, the Gallery and the Ambavillas. Evening free to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 24 MYSORE TO HASSAN
Morning after breakfast drive to Hassan (about 135kms/04hrs), check into the hotel. Visit the CHENNAKESAVA TEMPLE at Belur, the exquisite sculptors cover the exterior with the friezes. The line of 650 elephants surrounds the base, with of rows of figures and foliage above. The detail of 38 female figures is perfect. Later on proceed to Halebid to visit the HOYSALESVARA TEMPLE, set in lawns, has two shrines dedicated to Siva with a Nandi Bull facing each. The largest of the Hoysala temples, it was started in 1121 but remained unfinished 86 years later, also visit the Jain bastis. O/n Hotel.

DAY 25 HASSAN TO BANGALORE
Morning after breakfast drive to Bangalore (about 190kms/05hrs), via Sravanabelagola, visit the Statue of Gommatheshwara, sacred of Jains, stands on Vindhyagiri. The 17 metres high statue is nude. Arrive Bangalore and transfer to the hotel for wash & change. Late night transfer to International airport to board flight to your home country.

DAY 26 BANGALORE TO USA
Fly to your home country