Chennai
On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Leela Hotel for a 1 night stay
Chennai / Mahabalipuram
Morning sightseeing tour of Chennai including a visit to the Government Museum and Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays) and also a visit to the famous 16th century Kapaleeshwarar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shivaties. Non-Hindus are only allowed up to the outer courtyard.
Later, drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral.
Afterwards drive to Mahabalipuram which is approximately 2 hours.
Upon arrival check in at hotel Radisson Blu for a 2 night stay.
Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit Mahabalipuram, is a beautiful beach resort which consists of the tiny village by the sea in which all else is dwarfed by a dream world of awesome Tamil art, an open-air museum of sculpture in living rock. The piece de resistance is Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganga, the world’s largest bas-relief, 764 ft. by 288 ft. (27m by 9m). It is a beautiful composition of hundreds of celestial beings, human and animals all hurrying to a natural rock cleft that divides the giant stone. The best-known landmark of Mahabalipuram, is the Shore Temple which has stood by the sea for 12 centuries. Its twin spires are pure poetry in granite.
Afternoon Free at leisure to explore the beach.
Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry via Kanchipuram (1-2 hrs. drive)
Kanchipuram is one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities and this "Golden City of a Thousand Temples" dates to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sandstone in the early seventh century. Kanchipuram is famous for silk weaving. After sightseeing of Kanchipuram drive to Pondicherry (2 – 3 hrs drive)
Upon arrival check in at hotel for 02 nights.
Pondicherry
Today morning Heritage Walk of French quarter. The buildings in French section of Puducherry are an enduring legacy of French history in India. It tells the story of a colonial adventure in a faraway land, fighting many odds, overcoming a new and difficult terrain and the historic rivalry between the European powers of the time including the Danes, the Dutch and the British besides the French. French Heritage walk takes you through streets that are laid out in a well-planned grid pattern. The buildings in the French section are easily recognizable by their ornate gateways arches, garden courtyards with multicolored bougainvillea’s and the buildings painted in pleasant hues of lime and peach. The grand French names through unpronounceable, adds a certain charm.
Post walk visit Aurobindo Ashram which has played a significant role in the socio-economic-spiritual fabric of Puducherry since its establishment almost a century back Therefore it is not surprising that the Ashram and its various branches together occupy some of the best heritage properties in Puducherry. The Ashram Walk covers the northern section of French Puducherry, taking you through many grand buildings of French lineage, including the Raj Nivas, French Institute. Also included in the walk are some shops that sell products manufactured by the different Ashram ancillaries.
Later visit Auroville Ashram. Auroville is an extension of the Aurobindo Ashram. It is a voluntary commune, 6 miles (10 kms) northwest of Pondicherry where around 800 people from 28 nations live. It looks like a city of the future as its architecture is the result of diverse experiments in building materials, techniques and styles.
Pondicherry / Tanjore - 4.30 hours drive
Today morning drive to Tanjore, visiting Gangaikondacholapuram en route.
Gangaikondacholapuram: Rajendra Chola-I, son of the Great Rajaraja-I, established this temple after his great victorious march to river Ganges on Northern India. His empire extended the whole of southern India to river Thungabathra in the north India, for administrative and strategic purpose he built another capital and named. The Gangaikondacholapuram temple, he constructed consists of 3 stories and surrounded by a huge fort like wall. The temple was located at the center of the Gangaikondacholapuram city and occupies around 6 acres of land.
Later continue the drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at hotel for 02 nights stay .
Tanjore – Trichy – Tanjore
In Tanjore visit the Brahadeeswarar temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The great Chola king Raja Raja I built this temple. It is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture. Its unique architectural excellence has made the UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Monument. The 64.8 meters tall tower over the sanctum is a testimony to the engineering skill of the Cholas. The beautiful Chola Fresco paintings on the inner walls of the temple are no way less than Ajanta paintings.
Also visit The Palace which is just 1 km. from Brahadeeswarar Temple. This magnificent palace is surrounded with huge fort walls. It dates 14th century A.D and was partly built by the Nayaks and partly by Marathas. Even now the royal family of the Marathas resides in this palace. It measures 110 acres in size. It is a grand pile of fascinating building with huge corridors, spacious halls decorated rooms, tall observation towers, beautiful stucco works, wonderful fresco painted walls and ceilings.
Later afternoon sightseeing of Trichy . In Trichy visit Rockfort. This is a 275 ft tall Rock structure and is believed to be one of the oldest and calculated close to million years old. There is a Cave temple cut out at the pinnacle which is believed to have been built in 580 AD. The Temples of Lord Siva called Thayumanavasa Swami temple, where the lingam is said to be projection of the rock itself, is the main attraction of this 350 steps Rockfort. The inscriptions in these temple dates back to 3rd century B.C.
Tanjore / Chettinad (2 ½ hour’s drive)
Morning after breakfast drive to Chettinad and check in at hotel for 1 night stay.
Afternoon sightseeing of Chettinad .
Chettinad belongs to Nattukottai Chettiars Nagarathar community, a prosperous banking and business community. It is also known for its local cuisine, architecture, and religious temples. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many residents of Chettinad emigrated to South and Southeast Asia, particularly Ceylon and Burma. By 2010 only 74 villages remained of the original 96. Chettinad is famous for his old beautifully renovated mansions There were beautifully proportioned pillars in rare tropical woods, ornately carved doorways and doors, narrow panels of wood that came from the lintels and coffered ceiling of former homes, the four branched capitals carved in wood, taken from pillars, that were upturned and used as the base for glass-topped tables, hanging glass chandeliers, glazed tiles pressed tiles, marble-topped tables decorated with tiles along their edges and heavy Victorian and Edwardian style wooden furniture and cuisine.
Day at leisure
Chettinad / Madurai ( 2 ½ hours drive)
After breakfast, drive to Madurai on arrival check in at hotel for a 2 night stay.
Evening visit Meenakshi temple to see the temple closing ceremony in which the idol of Lord Shiva is shifted in temple of Goddess Parvati.(Non-Hindus are not allowed in sanctum of temple) and local sightseeing.
Madurai
Today morning sightseeing of Madurai. Leave a bit early to start from flower market which is at its peak in the early morning hours. While Jasmine rules this flower market other species like red & pink roses, gladiola, marigold can also be seen here. From here drive to great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams, rising high above the surrounding township. Later visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches.
In the evening Food Tour of Madurai. The tour takes you to different restaurants to taste the local flavours of city. Also visit few road-side eateries/kiosks which are popular mong locals for snacks. Amix of walk & drive the tour takes you through city's most authentic eateries to give a true gastronomical experience of Madurai. (some of the local food will be spicy in nature, your guide will however advise you in advance before tasting)
After breakfast enjoy the drive over the Western Ghats to Periyar – 140 kms approx. 3- 4 hours
Upon arrival check in at Spice Village for a 2 night stay on B&B basis.
Later in the afternoon visit a Spice Garden to see different varieties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, clove, vanilla, ginger, tea and coffee growing in their natural environment. Periyar is on 1000 meters above the sea level and is rich in spice growing. 95% pepper in India is produced from here. Vasco de Gama was the first European to land at the Malabar Coast in 1498 A.D. in search of spices. Pepper in those days was exported against the equal weight of gold, so in the beginning of 15th century pepper was called black gold.
Morning guided Nature Trek in the Periyar National Park. Total walking 3-4 hrs. The Nature walk is the right program to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers. This is an interpretive program offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. The group will be accompanied by a trained tribal guide.
In the afternoon enjoy a common boat trip on the lake.
Ranger and shared activity
Morning drive to Kumarakom (165 Kms approx. 4 hours drive) on arrival check in at Coconut Lagoon for 2 nights on B&B basis.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Enjoy a private day trip on a typical rice boat with lunch served on board.
mid morning you will leave to hotel and drive to Kochi - 85 kms around 1 1/2 hours.
On arrival check-in at the hotel for 3 nights on B&B basis.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Today morning Heritage walk of Fort Kochi. This is the best way to explore the local life & culture. Kochi Heritage walking tour through the old streets of Fort Kochi. This is the ideal way to discover a historic town brimming with tales of myriad seafaring visitors who came here to trade. 'Walking through Fort Kochi' is a tour organized as part of the conservation and development initiatives taken up by the Corporation of Kochi. The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, which was till then a landlocked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European township in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century. The walk also include visits to St. Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica and Chinese Fishing Nets. Also visit Jewish Synagogue & Dutch Palace in Mattancherry island.
The Jewish synagogue (remains closed on Saturday) was built in 1568, almost 1500 years after the beginning of the Jewish connection with Kerala. It was built on the land, adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace, given by the erstwhile king of Cochin. The Dutch Palace, (remains closed on Friday) also known as Mattancherry Palace) is a two-storeyed structure, built in traditional Kerala naalukettu (quadrangular) model with four separate wings opening into a central courtyard. While the central courtyard houses a temple of the royal deity Pazhayannur Bhagavathi, the two other temples situated on either side of the palace are dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.
Day at leisure.
Evening witness Kathakali dance performance. Enjoy India's most spectacular Dance Drama based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dancers are elaborately made up with paint and masks, accompanied with drummers and musicians.
Kerala Kathakali Center
At the appropriate time you will transferred to the airport for your flight to Mumbai.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel for 3 nights on B&B basis.
Rest of the day at leisure
Mumbai Sightseeing
Visit Gateway of India, Mumbai's principle landmark. This arch of yellow basalt was erected on the waterfront in 1924 to commemorate King George V's visit to this colony in 1911. Drive past the Afghan Church. Secretariat of Maharashtra Government and along the Marine Drive which is fondly known as the 'Queen's Necklace'. Visit Jain temple and o Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai. Drive past Haji Ali Mosque, a shrine in honour of a Muslim Saint on an island 500 m. out at sea and is linked by a causeway to the mainland. Stop at the 'Dhobi Ghat' where Mumbai's 'dirties' are scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry. Watch the local train passing close by on which the city commuters 'hang out like laundry' - a nice photography stop. Continue to the colourful Crawford market and to the Flora fountain in the large bustling square, in the heart of the city.
Day at leisure
Transfer toMumbai airport for your return flight home.
