Arrive Chennai (Madras)
Day 01
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: – Hotel in Chennai (2 Nights)
South India Tour Packages
Kumarakom – Thekkady
Duration: 15 Nights 16 Days
Chennai
Day 02
We take an excursion to the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs and thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. On our return we tour Chennai, culturally one of the richest cities of India. Our tour of Chennai starts with a visit to The National Art Gallery, Built before 1789,the museum was established in 1857 and contains on of the best collection in the country of bronzes. including the famous icon of Natraja. St. Mary’s Church-Built in 1680, is India’ s oldest surviving British church.
Chennai / Pondicherry
Day 03
(Drive: -132 km)
After breakfast we drive to Pondicherry, situated on the Coromandel Coast of South India._Pondicherry, was the capital of French India, before it attained its independence.It also, traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, what attracts most travelers to Pondicherry is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926, the spiritual tenets of which combine yoga and modern science, are popular within India and abroad.
Overnight: – Hotel in Pondicherry
Pondicherry / Tanjore
Day 04
(Drive: - 150 km)
After breakfast we drive to Thanjavur, popularly known as Tanjore. The town is famous for its distinctive style, “Krishna” is the most popular deity depicted, and in the Tanjore school his skin is white, rather than the traditional blue-black. Tanjore was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings whose origins go back to the beginning of the Christian era. Our afternoon tour of World Heritage Site of Tanjore includes in the Shri Brihadishwara temple built by “Raja-Raja” in 1010, which is the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. The temple, set in spacious grounds, has several pillared halls and shrines. Inscriptions record the names of dancers, musicians and poets a reminder of the significance of this area to the development of the arts. We end our tour of Tanjore with a visit to the Tanjore Palace & Museum.
Overnight: – Hotel in Tanjore (1 Night)
Tanjore / Tiruchirapalli / Madurai
Day 05
(Drive: - 200 km)
In the morning we drive to Madurai. En –route we visit Tiruchirapalli – Trichy, a town deeply immersed in Hindu religion and home to some outstanding Dravidian temple architecture. We begin our tour with a visit to the Rock Fort Temple, the maze of the Mathurubhuteshwar Shrine and various other local temples followed by a visit to some local villages and see the rural life of Southern India.
Overnight: – Hotel in Madurai (2 Nights)
Madurai
Day 06
(Drive: - 150 km)
The life of Madurai revolves around the magnificently carved Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand pillared ‘Mandapam’. Among these are the musical pillars, carved of a single granite rock, that produce music when tapped. Madurai is culturally rich city crammed with shops, street markets, pilgrims.
Madurai / Kodaikanal
Day 07
(Drive 166kms)
A scenic and refreshing drive conveys us to the peaceful hill station of Kodaikanal located at the top of the Palini Hills. Upon arrival we take a boat ride on Kodaikanal Lake giving us a unique opportunity to experience the landscape.
Overnight: Hotel in Kodaikanal (1 night)
Kodaikanal / Periyar
Day 08
(Drive: - 150 km)
Overnight: Hotel in Periyar (1 nights)
Periyar / Cochin
Day 09
Overnight: Hotel in Cochin (2 nights)
Cochin
Day 10
(Drive: - 185 km)
Today we explore Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city, often referred to as the Venice of the East. Here we tour the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue and take a boat tour to visit the Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action.
Cochin / Kumarakom
Day 11
(Drive: - 70 km)
In the morning we drive to Kumarakom. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes that will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. The resorts offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, an ornithologist’s paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the Sanctuary. We start with a boat ride to visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Those adventurous enough may indulge in water sports such as windsailing and water skiing. For those looking to relax, try a canoe ride on the still waters.
Overnight: – Hotel in Kumarakom (1 Night)
Kumarakom / House Boat
Day 12
Overnight: House Boat (1 night)
House Boat / Kovalam
Day 13
(Drive: - 175 km/ 05 HOURS)
Arrive at Alleppey and drive to Trivandrum.We visit the beautiful Temple of Padmanabhaswamy, the Chitra Art Gallery and Napier Museum. From here we proceed to Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. Evening enjoy the cultural program.
Overnight: Hotel in Koala (3 nights)
Kovalam
Day 14
Free Day on the beach. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories make this beach an incredible paradise. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse – sunbathing, swimming, ayurvedic rejuvenating massage. Catamaran cruising etc.
Kovalam / Kanniyakumari / Kovalam
Day 15
Free Day on the beach. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories make this beach an incredible paradise. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse – sunbathing, swimming, ayurvedic rejuvenating massage. Catamaran cruising etc.
Kovalam / Trivandrum / Home
Day 16
Today we are transferred to Trivandrum airport for our flight to onward destination.
