CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY – TANJORE – TRICHY – MADURAI – RAMESHWARAM – KANAYAKUMARI- KOVALAM – KUMARAKOM – ALLEPPEY – PERIYAR – MUNNAR – COCHIN
Our representative will meet you at the Chennai airport and transfer to hotel
The city of Chennai, formerly Madras and originally Madraspatnam, has its roots in a warehouse built by the British on the beachfront in 1639. In 1654, the Fort St. George was established and eventually, village after neighbouring village was added to the territory to form the modern city we know today. In the days of the British Raj, Madras served as the capital of all of South India.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later, proceed for sightseeing around Chennai.
The Neo-Gothic Santhome Basilica is one of the only three basilicas in the world said to contain the relics of an apostle of Christ and is an important Christian pilgrimage. Built over the tomb of St. Thomas, the original building was said to have been established by the apostle himself.
Founded in 1644 by the British East India Company, Fort St George was the engine of trade and commerce that transformed a beachfront hamlet into a modern city. Fittingly, it is now the seat of the legislative assembly of the state of tamil Nadu. The Fort Museum located in the oldest surviving building of the fortress is of particular interest to tourists and has an impressive collection of exhibits spread over ten galleries.
The buzzing Kapaleeswarar Temple with its proud 120 feet tall exquisitely engraved Gopuram is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. Inscriptions from the 13th century and highly ornate stucco work adorn its walls. It’s also the site for the spectacular annual Arubathimoovar Festival, during which a gigantic wooden chariot carrying the main deity is pulled along the roads by hundreds and thousands of frenzied devotees, followed by a procession of gods involving sixty three idols on palanquins. Students of cinema may recall this festival from French master Louis Malle’s Cinema Verite´ venture, Phantom India.
The grand century-old Ripon Building named after Governor Lord Rippon, is today the seat of the Chennai Municipal Corporation.
The Government Museum displays artifacts going back to the prehistoric times. Of particular note are Buddhist scriptures describing the life of The Buddha. The Connemara Library is well -stocked and the National Art Gallery boasts of a fine bronze collections.
The 13 kilometer Marina Beach is the second longest beach in the world. A lovely promenade stretches out into the horizon along the Bay of Bengal, and is the favorite haunt of the residents of Chennai who throng to the beach in the evenings and mornings, walking, running, biking or taking pony rides. Swimming is prohibited as waters off the coast are extremely rough.
Overnight stay at the hotel
After breakfast, we shall drive to Mahabalipuram, stopping at Kanchipuram on the way.
Once a capital of the Pallava Kings, the thousand year old city of Kanchipuram was famous in the ancient world as a seat of learning. Temples and shrines dating back to the 7th century dot the city, making it an important pilgrimage for both the Shaivaite and Vaishnav sects of Hindusim. Today, Kanchipuram is known the world over for its gorgeous hand woven silk. These exquisite silk saris, or Kanjivarams, are the toast of the cocktail circuit from Kashmir to the Kanyakumari.
Check into hotel at Mahabalipuram.
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) was once the main seaport of the Pallava Empire and is famous for its sculptures, in particular, a series of spectacular freestanding boulders on the beach, carved to resemble small temples and animals. Don’t miss Lord Krishna’s Butter Ball, a spherical boulder placed on a 45 degree incline, seemingly teetering, but stable for centuries. Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO designated world heritage site and one of the highlights of your luxury holiday in exotic South India.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later, proceed for sightseeing.
Enjoy visit to the following places:
The Mahabalipuram Caves are temples cut out of solid rock. The interior walls are adorned with sculpted scenes from mythological battles, Gods, demons and beasts both real and mythical. Don’t miss the Mahishamardini Cave depicting the Goddess Durga’s battle with Mahisasur, a Minotaur-like buffalo demon.
Krishna Mandapam is the largest rock-cut temple of the area with exquisite bas relief work depicting the life of Krishna, as well as scenes from the daily lives of ordinary people.
The magnificent giant bas relief work of Arjuna’s Penance depicts a scene from the Hindu epic Mahabharata where the hero, Arjuna, performs penance on a river bank in order to win the devastating Pasupata weapon from Shiva. A cleft in the rock has been cleverly used to depict the river. It’s possible to spend hours examining the extremely detailed figures of gods, men, birds and animals that populate the sculpture.
A group of five intricately carved monolithic temples, the Pancha Rathas or five chariots are named after their resemblance to ceremonial temple chariots (rathas). According to the Archeological Survey of India, the naming of this group of temples after the Pandavas, the five heroes of the Mahabharata, is a more recent phenomenon. The structures are probably Buddhist in origin. In spite of their huge size, each ratha is carved from a single rock.
One of the oldest temples in Mahabalipuram, the Shore Temple houses shrines to both Shiva and Vishnu. It is one of the earliest examples of the pure Dravidian style of architecture.
Proceed to Pondicherry
A French colony until 1950, Pondicherry (Puducherry) is markedly different from the rest of Tamil Nadu state in architecture and town planning. Modelled after towns in the French Mediterranean, Ville Blanche or White Town is dotted with colonial villas, while more Indian style buildings populate Ville Noir or Black Town. Today, unlike in the past, both halves of Pondicherry is open to all residents of the city. Use of French is still common in Pondicherry.
You are free to explore the town in the evening.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Breakfast will be at Hotel.
Founded by nationalist turned mystic Sri Aurobindo, Aurobindo Ashram is a commune housing followers from the world over. The ashram aims to disseminate the philosophy of Aurobindo’s “integral yoga”, a synthesis of ancient mystical thought and modern science.
Overnight stay at the hotel
After breakfast, drive to Tanjore.
Tanjore or Thanjavur was the capital of the Chola empire from the 10th century to the 14th century A.D. and was for long periods the political and cultural nerve center of the region. The Great Living Chola Temples that form a UNESCO World Heritage Site are located
around Thanjavur, also home to the distinctive Tanjore style of Painting.
You have a little time to relax after checking in at your hotel.
Later, proceed for sightseeing.
The magnificent Brihadisvara Temple is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Vimana atop the temple is a 60.95m high 13-storey pyramidal tower, in turn crowned by a 70 tonne stone domed monolith.” The inner walls are adorned with murals of Shiva in the 108 mudras, or poses, of Bharatanatyam, the classical Indian dance form.
The 16th century Palace of Thanjavur is spacious with large halls, shady courtyards, endless corridors, tall observation posts and a ornate bell tower. It is also home to the Royal Museum as well as the iconic Saraswati Mahal Library.
Saraswathi Mahal Library, established in the early 18th century houses a wealth of manuscripts dating back to the Nayak Kings of Tanjore and its subsequent Maratha rulers. Also of interest are rare European manuscripts like Lavoisier’s Traité Élémentaire de Chimie or Elements of Chemistry and Charles Le Brun’s pictorial charts depicting the evolution of man.
The Thanjavur Art Gallery is also worth a visit for its impressive collection of 250 Chola Bronze statues and 150 stone statues dating from the 9th to 12th century.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Drive to Madurai after breakfast, stopping en route at Trichy.
Situated on the banks of river Kaveri, Tiruchirapalli or Trichy is one of the largest cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. In the course of its long and checkered history, Trichy has changed hands many a time, starting off as the capital of the Chola Kings, falling later to the Pallavas and eventually to the Nayaks of Madurai, the Marathas, the Sultanate and finally the British. Each successive ruling dynasty left their indelible mark on the city, and contributed towards its growth as the flourishing, eclectic urban center that it is today.
Highlights include the Rock Fort, with its “Hall of Hundred pillars” and the island of Srirangam with its giant seven-walled Vishnu Temple.
Rock Fort temple or Malaikottai is a temple carved out of an 80m high rock, the rock itself being of prehistoric vintage and older than the Himalayas. Drive to Madurai and check into hotel.
The ancient temple town of Madurai traces its history as far back as the 3rd century BC, and finds mention in the writings of Greek explorer Megasthenes.
The breathtaking Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, a mini-city in its own right, dominates the Madurai skyline. One of the finest living examples of Dravidian art and architecture, its towering gopurams loom over the city, every inch of its outer surface crowded with multicolored carvings of gods, goddesses and beasts of mythology. One of the highlights of your luxury holiday in exotic South India.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.
According to local lore, the foundations of the Sri Meenakshi Amman temple date back to well over two thousand years. Successive generations of rulers built over and added to the work of their predecessors until the compound grew to its current sprawling size of the 65000 square meters. The square-shaped temple grounds are surrounded by high walls with twelve stupendous Gopurams (temple towers) bidding entry to visitors.
Inside, defying description, lies the Hall of Thousand Pillars, each pillar adorned by exquisitely detailed sculptures of celestial beings. A marvel of ancient Indian design, the pillars align in perfect straight lines no matter which angle they are viewed from. Outside the hall, a corridor is lined by the temple’s famed musical pillars, each of which produces a unique musical note when tapped.
Don’t miss the Thousand Pillar Museum in the temple complex.
The spacious Gandhi Memorial Museum chronicles in loving detail the history of India’s independence movement. The museum organizes regular seminars on Gandhi and his principle of non-violence or ahimsa.
Located a few minutes from Madurai, the Vishnu Temple is one of the most important temples of South India and is unique in the layout of its three altars, arranged as they are one on top of one another. Each altar shows the Lord Vishnu in a different posture. The seated Vishnu on the middle altar, Koodal Azhagar, is the main deity of the temple. The temple’s exterior too, covered with beautiful carvings depicting celestial beings, is well worth the traveller’s time.
Built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, the eponymous Thirumalai Nayak Palace fell to ruin after the king’s demise and was restored only partially by the British. Still, the present day structure gives the visitor a good idea of its grandeur in its heydays. Look out for the intricate stucco work on its arches and pillars and the astonishing Sorgavasal or Celestial Pavilion, a 1300 square meter free-standing structure, unsupported by any pillar or girder.
The giant Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam reservoir is fed by a Vaigai River through an invisible maze of underground channels.
During Teppam (tr.The Float Festival), hundreds of boats chockfull of devotees crowd the reservoir in a race to reach the temple at its center.
Overnight stay at the hotel
After an early morning breakfast we checkout from the hotel and head towards Rameshwaram. On arrival, you are escorted to a pre-booked hotel for rest and refreshment. We then visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Rama. This is one of the seven places in India where pilgrims pray for salvation.
The place is unique with 22 holy springs and the longest corridor in India. Our next visit is to the five faced Hanuman Temple. The temple also has a floating stone outside the temple exhibiting the famous stories from the Great Indian spic, Ramayana.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Today after breakfast we checkout from the hotel and drive to Kanyakumari.
After reaching Kanyakumari you check in a pre-booked hotel and rest for some time. Our visit is to the Sri Kumari Amman Temple. Our next visit is to the Thiruvalluvar Statue; 133 feet in height.
The 38 feet, three tier pedestal of the statue represents 38 chapters in the Book of Aram. We end our exploration with a visit to the miraculous confluence of the three seas; Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. The Vivekananda Memorial, located at the heart of this confluence is a pilgrimage for all the stressed hearts seeking for some respite and solace.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Post breakfast driver to Kovalam. Reach and check in at the hotel
Rest of the time will spend at leisure
Kovalam is a small coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala, south of Thiruvananthapuram. At the southern end of Lighthouse Beach is a striped lighthouse with a viewing platform. Palm-backed beaches also include Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. Heading south, Vizhinjam Juma Masjid mosque overlooks the busy fishing harbor. Inland, Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium displays technology used in pearl production.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day will spend at leisure
Overnight stay at the hotel
Post breakfast drive to Kumarakom. Reach and check in at the hotel
Kumarakom is a village on Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala, southern India. 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. In the lake, Pathiramanal Island is a haven for rare migratory birds. Ancient Thazhathangady Mosque is east of Kumarakom.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Post breakfast drive to Alleppey and embark the houseboat cruise
The city of Alleppey or Alappuzha is the headquarter of Alappuzha district and highly popular with travellers for its lush greenery, beaches, lagoons and the famous backwaters of . The name Alappuzha means “the land between the river and the sea” and its intricate network on inland canals earn it the title of “Venice of the East.” This watery network has long been Alleppey’s lifeline, from its days as one of the best known ports on the Malabar coast up until modern times as the world’s gateway to the Backwaters. Alleppey too is an important venue for boat races, in particular the Nehru Trophy Race on the Punnamada Lake on the second Sunday of August. Alleppey is also your gateway into ’s famous Backwaters.
Running along the Malabar Coast of , the Backwaters are a massive 900 square kilometre network of lakes, rivers, streams, lagoons and canals that both connect and divide the land, giving rise to a unique amphibious culture and way of life that’s perhaps unique in the world.
Here, the saline waters of the Arabian sea mix with fresh water from inland streams fed by the Western Ghats, resulting in a knife-edge ecosystem that’s as fragile as it is distinctive. Teeming with fish, mudskippers, crabs, turtles and otters, the lush vegetation on its banks is home to flocks of cormorants and terns.
Human habitation in the region too are a gift of the backwaters, with the brackish channels snaking into the land often being the only means of transportation between villages and towns.
You will be cruising through the backwaters on a traditional thatched houseboat equipped with modern amenities.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Post breakfast Disembark at the houseboat
On the banks of the Periyar river, amidst coffee plantations and the fragrant cardamom hills, lies the Periyar National Park, one of India’s major wildlife reserves. Look out for the Asian elephant, antelope, the Indian bison, the elusive Bengal tiger, the dhole or wild dog, and the extremely rare and endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a species of ibex native to the region.
Birdwatchers may be rewarded with sightings of greater hornbills, darters, herons, egrets, owls and brightly coloured kingfishers.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Breakfast will be served at the resort.
In the morning, go for a jungle walk with a highly experienced guide. This is a unique programme where tourists get the chance to get deep into the forest the least obtrusive way - on foot, maximising the chances of wildlife sightings. These walks can be customised depending on how long the guest wishes to spend in the park.
Later, visit the local spice market, reputed to be the largest in Asia. Spices make for a unique and imaginative gift for friends and family back home.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Post breakfast drive to Munnar. Reach and check in at the hotel
Rest of the time will spend at leisure
At 1600 meters above the sea level and located at the confluence of three mountain rivers, Munnar is blessed with stunning panoramic views and temperate climate that made it a highly popular summer destination with British settlers in the days of the Raj. Munnar’s soil and climate is ideal for tea and the nearby slopes are dotted with plantations. Munnar serves as a trailhead for trekkers hiking to the 2695m Anamudi Peak, the highest point of South India. Munnar is at its stunning best when its hillsides burst in stunning blue with the blooming of the rare, fragile Blue Kurinji flowers every twelve years.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Post breakfast proceed for sightseeing
Built by the British in 1910, Christ Church is known for its beautiful stained glass windows. On the church grounds, plaques erected in memory of British tea planters tell their own poignant story.
The tiny hill station of Devikulam, only seven kilometers from Munnar is a delight for birders, anglers and nature lovers. Its rolling green slopes, panoramic views and the crystal clear waters of the Sita Devi Lake make it among the most picturesque highlights of your exotic holiday in South India.
From the picking of leaves to the teacup, the Kundale Tea Plantation provides an in-depth insight a fascinating insight into what goes into producing the world’s most popular drink. Sundays are a great time to visit as the local planters gather for their weekly get together and swap plantation tales. The plantation’s lake makes for idyllic picnic spot.
A high vantage point that offers panoramic views of the plantations all around, Pothamedu is yet another popular hiking destination in the vicinity.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Post breakfast drive to Cochin. Reach and proceed for sightseeing
Kochi's famed Chinese fishing nets are perhaps one of the most iconic and oft photographed sights of Kerala. Mounted on teak and bamboo poles and supported by large stone counterweights, they hang gossamer-like all along the Fort Kochi seafront. Their origins are obscure with some claiming they were imported by the Portuguese from Macau while according to others, the credit goes to Chinese traders from the court of Kubla Khan himself.
The Old Cochin area is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, and the Paradesi Synagogue built in 1568 is a must-see treasure of this eclectic corner of South India. Known for its distinctive tiled roof and bell towers, the synagogue's interiors feature intricately hand-painted blue and white Chinese willow tiles of which no two are alike. Elegant Belgian chandeliers adorn its central area. An exquisite oriental rug and gold crowns received as gifts from visitors are also on display.
Also of interest is the intriguing International Pepper Exchange that deals in the global trade of black pepper. Nearby are Vasco Da Gama Square, the Santa Cruz Basilica that counts among India's oldest churches, St. Francis Church where Vasco Da Gama was originally interred, VOC Gate and Bastion Bungalow, all of which, according to local records, go back to between the mid fourteenth and early fifteenth century.
Enjoy the Kathakali dance presentation in the evening.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Transfer to Cochin airport and board the flight to home country
“Tour end with memories”
