1

Arrive at Chennai airport. Welcome at the airport and transfer to Chennai city for a short tour.

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu is a metropolitan city which serves as a gateway to the South Indian culture. The city has been a key player in the development of culture and history of India as it has witnessed many movements which have been written down in the pages of history.

We shall visit Fort St. George, a structure that was established in the year 1639 along the coast of Bay of Bengal, Fort St. George is said to have marked the birth of the city. A Museum from inside is decorated with cannons of Tipu Sultan and many interesting artifacts. Situated in the fort St. Mary’s Church, which is also called as Westminster Abbey of the East. It is the first Anglican Church in Asia.

Anna Samadhi and museum is a memorial built on Marina Beach. The structure was built to commemorate the death of former Chief Minister of the Indian state Tamil Nadu, C. N. Annadurai. He was cremated here. The entrance arch greets you with Tusk shape giving way to a highly polished marble tile structure, broad pathways and building of ornamental octagonal mantapams.

Later drive to Mamallapuram.

Arrive and check in at hotel.

An ancient port with a flourishing maritime trade, Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram, as popularly known as, is situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It was the chief seaport of the Pallavas who ruled over South India from the 1st century BC to 8th century AD and is recognized as the site of some of the greatest architectural and sculptural achievements in India.

Overnight stay.

2

In the morning leave for Kanchipuram.

Kanchipuram, the golden city of a thousand temples, was once the capital of the Pallava dynasty. It is considered one of the seven sacred cities of India; some of the best temples were built here during the reign of the Pallavas between the 6th and 7th centuries. Subsequently, Kanchipuram also served as an important city of the far-flung empires of the Chola and the Vijayanagara dynasties. The city has also been, through the years, a great seat of learning and culture. The city is famous for its hand woven saris, famed as Kanchipuram saris worldwide.

Return to Mamallapuram.

Visit the shore temple which is one of the oldest temples in south India and belongs to the latter half of the 7th century AD. Said to have been constructed by King Rajasimha, it is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in the Dravidian style. It has two shrines dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, facing the east and the west.

Overnight stay.

3

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. Arrive and check in at hotel.

A French colony up to year 1954, Pondicherry is a small conclave in India that retains a distinct French ambience and culture.

This small, quiet Union Territory is well known for Sri Aurobindo Ashram founded by Sri Aurobindo, the well-known philosopher, attracts thousands of people from all over the country and abroad who come here to learn yoga and to meditate.

During afternoon visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, well known as the center of Integral Yoga, the Ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo, a patriot, philosopher and savant.

The Ashram symbolizes the ideals of Sri Aurobindo and Mother. The activities of the Ashram include agriculture, industries art and culture. The samadhi, the final resting place of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother is always decorated with flowers and attracts a large number of devotees.

After visiting Ashram return to hotel for overnight stay.

4

In the morning leave for Chindambarm.

Also known as Thillai as the place was originally a forest of Thillai. Chindambaram is an important Pilgrimage center and a sacred place for Saivites. The town represents a rich cultural heritage of India.

Visit Nataraja temple.

Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraj, is the most unique temple as it is the only temple which is dedicated to the art of Bharatnatyam and Lord Shiva is not represented in usual Linga form but in dancing form. Continue drive to Tanjore and after arrival check in at hotel.

Tanjore is a spiritual, cultural home of ancient temples and craft. Tanjore derives its name from Tanjan, a giant, who, according to legend, devastated the neighborhood and was killed by goddess Sri Anandavalli Amman and Lord Vishnu. The place is well renowned for Tanjore Paintings and Thavil, a percussion instrument.

In the afternoon, visit Brihadeshwara temple. The glorious Chola legacy has left behind not less than 74 temples in and around Tanjore, of which the Big Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1010 AD, the temple is the crowning glory of Dravidian temple architecture. There has been continuous worship for over a thousand years here and the architecture of the temple symbolizes the fusion of ritual and philosophic concepts that flowered in the region.

Overnight stay at hotel.

5

Morning excursion to Trichy.

Trichy is a city of rock fort, situated on the banks of the river Kaveri. Tiruchirappalli, popularly known as Trichy, has an antiquity of centuries. The place was a bastion of the Chola power. After that it came under the control of the Pallavas who ceded it the Pandyas. Trichy again became part of the Chola Empire in the 10th century AD.

Today, Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the fort, there are several churches, colleges and missions dating back to the 1760s.

Visit Rock Fort temple, Trichy’s most famous landmark is an 83m high rock. It is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. Atop the rock is the Ucchi Pillayar Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka, from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Trichy. A flight of steps leads to the Mathrubutheswarar or Thayumanaswami temple dedicated to Lord Siva where the lingam is a projection of the rock itself. Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple has a 100-pillar hall and a Vimana covered with gold. On the southern face of the rock are several beautifully carved rock-cut cave temples of the Pallava period.

Also visit Srirangam Temple, which is the most important pilgrimage site of Trichy. Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of the Cauvery 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 Ranganatha Temple. There are not less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. The 72m high 13-tiered Rajagopuram dominates the landscape for miles around.

Continue drive to Madurai and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

6

Morning city tour of Madurai.

Madurai, a sacred confluence of culture and religion, is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and the city is built around the temple that was built by Pandian King Kulasekhara around 2,500 years ago. The city got its fame during the Sangam period in the conglomeration of Tamil scholars around 100 years ago. The city has also served as the capital city of the Pandya Kings and has been visited by many travelers.

In the afternoon we shall leave for sightseeing tour of the city.

Visit Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple. The temple is the largest temple complex in the country. It is an excellent example of the Dravidian architecture. The temple features two sanctuaries out of which one is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Sundareswarar and the other to his consort Meenakshi.

The Tirumala Naik Palace is located at the distance of 1.5 km from Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple. Built in 1636 AD by King Tirumalai Nayak, one of the leading rulers of the Nayak dynasty. The original structure is four times larger than the present structure and was divided into two parts. The structure was famous for impressive stucco work and alluring arches.

Overnight stay at hotel.

7

In the morning leave for Periyar.

Periyar National Park and wildlife Sanctuary are a protected area in Pathanamthithi in Kerala. The sanctuary is a famous elephant and a tiger reserve. Covering an area of 925 square kms, the park was declared as a National park in 1982.

Arrive and check in at hotel.

In the afternoon, enjoy boat cruise and you may spot Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, gaur, sambar, Travancore flying squirrel, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri langur, Salim Ali’s fruit bat, stripe-necked mongoose, and Nilgiri marten. It is even a bird watcher’s paradise as you can spot various birds such as Malabar Gray Hornbill, Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue-winged parakeet, Crimson-backed Sunbird, spot-bellied eagle-owl, little spider hunter, brahminy kite, Oriental darter, and black-necked stork.

Overnight stay at hotel.

8

In the morning leave for Kochi.

Arrive and check in at hotel.

Cochin, now known as Kochi is situated in the south west coast of India in Kerala. It is even acknowledged as the gateway of Kerala and as queen of the Arabian Sea. It is the second most important city in the west coast of India. The gateway of Kerala is surrounded by the Western Ghats on the west and Arabian Sea in the east. Cochin has dated back to the rich history as Dutch, British, Portuguese, Chinese and Arab have left their indelible mark which have become the evidences in the books of history.

In the afternoon we shall leave for sightseeing tour of the city.

Dutch palace museum, also known as Mattancherry Palace two storey structure has been built in traditional Kerala style architecture. The Portuguese palace features murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the kings of Kochi. There are four separate wings with central opening courtyard. The central courtyard houses the temple of the royal deity, Pazhayannur Bhagavathi.

The community is centralized around Jew town where you will visit its crown Jewel also dubbed as Jewish Synagogue that was destroyed by cannon fire during the Portuguese raid and was rebuilt. The interior of it is captivating and is worth a visit.

Built in 1503, St. Francis Church is the oldest European church having a great historical importance. It was the mute witness to European colonial struggle in the Indian subcontinent from 15th – 20th century. The church houses one of the oldest cemeteries in India, the Dutch cemetery.

Along the beachfront, Chinese fishing nets is a legacy of the earliest visitors to the coast. They are said to have been brought by traders from the court of Kubla Khan between 1350 AD. Employed mainly during high tides, you can see fishermen haul up the nets at 6 am, once again at 11 am and then finally around 4 pm.

In the evening, enjoy the classical dance of south India, Kathkali. It is stylized Indian dance drama renowned for its attractive makeup of characters, elaborate costumes, well defined movements, and detailed gestures presented in tune with a playbook.

Overnight stay at hotel.

9

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Alleppey.

Arrive and embark the houseboat.

Alleppey is a land of backwater tourism. Alleppey is an important tourist destination in Kerala with beautiful lakes and rivers. It is also acknowledged as a “rice bowl of Asia” with an unending expanse of rice fields. Alleppey is a gateway to peace and tranquility with a wonderful view of lagoons, picturesque lakesides, swaying coconut trees and sandy shores. It is also known as the Venice of south India where you will find a great emulation of inland canals.

Enjoy a memorable backwater cruise at enchanting backwaters to explore its breathtakingly beautiful surroundings and fascinating Kerala countryside. Traveling along on a houseboat through palm-fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of lush paddy fields and the unique tiny hamlets lined up all along on the edges of the waterways are sights one can never forget.

All meals will be served on board. Overnight stay at houseboat.

10

Disembark the houseboat and then drive to Kovalam.

Arrive and check in at resort.

Surrounded by Arabian Sea, Kovalam is a beach town. It was once a tranquil fishing village clustered around its pristine white beaches. It is a great base for Ayurvedic treatments and yoga courses. The city is very famous due to low tidal waves and shallow waters.

The rest of the day is free to relax on the Beach

Overnight stay

11

Morning city tour of Trivandrum.

We shall visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple (non-Hindus are not allowed to enter inside the temple). The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The name of the temple can be found in the epics and Puranas. Built in the Dravidian style, the temple is replication of Adikesava Perumal temples located in Kanyakumari.

Puthenmalika Palace also known as the Mansion of horses was built by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. It is situated on the south eastern side of Padmanabhaswamy temple. The palace is an example of traditional Kerala architecture. The palace features typical sloping roofs, overhanging eaves, enclosed courtyards and pillared verandahs. The ceilings of the palace are adorned with intricate wooden carvings. The temple is made of marble, teakwood, rosewood and granite and is worth a visit.

The Napier Museum is an art and natural history museum. Established in 1855, the museum is an architectural masterpiece designed by Robert Chisholm. It is an important landmark of the city due to its unique ornamentation and architectural style with gothic roof. The Indo-Saracenic structure also boasts of a natural air conditioning system.

Established in 1935,Sri Chitra Art Gallery is an art gallery situated in the north of Napier museum. The gallery houses a unique collection of traditional and contemporary paintings. It exhibits exquisite works from the Mughal, Rajput, Bengal, Rajasthani, and Tanjore art schools.

Return to Kovalam for spending the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay.

12

The full day is at leisure to relax on the beach or you can explore the Ayurvedic facilities at the resort.

Overnight stay.

13

In the morning, transfer to Trivandrum airport and catch a flight for onward destination.