This tour is a highly recommended itinerary for those wishing to experience the beautiful scenery and rich culture of southern India. Explore some of India's most important pilgrimage sites and temples, taste spices at their source, cruise waterways, and experience the multicultural harbor town of Cochin and the exciting city of Bombay. We start our tour in Chennai visiting important cultural sites the seaside town of Mamallapuram, where Pallavan stonecutters produced some of the finest carvings in India; Pondicherry where the neatly laid roads remind us of the French colonial era, Thanjavur which still bears witness to the splendour of Chola architecture, found in the carvings of Meenakshi Temple, a temple that buzzes with Hindu pilgrims performing rituals at all hours of the day. Periyar, visit local spice plantations growing cardamom, pepper, vanilla, tea and coffee and enjoy a boat ride in a nearby wildlife reserve to scout the forest for resident elephants and birds. We than board an overnight cruise for exploring the scenic Backwaters of Kerala a vast, intricate network of lagoons, canals and lakes. Listen for the birdsong drifting out of the nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and observe the local life along the waterways. Cochin also known as Kochi, an evocative harbor town here we experience the city's rich past flavored from Portuguese, British, Dutch, Chinese and Jewish traders — including a 500-year old church, a 16th-century synagogue and a royal palace. Enjoy gourmet south Indian specialty dishes and witness a highly ritualized "Kathakali" dance and enough time to browse for antiques and perhaps indulge in a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment—a specialty of southern India And conclude with touring in Mumbai, India’s high-energy capital and the home of the Bollywood film industry. Enjoy the city’s wonderful restaurants, markets, and private touring of the most interesting cultural attractions.

 

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai

 

Arrive Chennai the gateway city of Tamil Nadu State. Our tour Manager will welcome us at the airport arrival lounge with A signboard. Transfer to hotel where you receive a traditional welcome with Garland and Tilak while the hotel formalities is completed. Rest of the day is at leisure and stay two nights at Chennai.

Day 02 :Chennai

Chennai formally known as Madras, popularly regarded as the ‘Gateway to the South'. It represents a culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India. This city encourages all forms of development, both modern technology and the traditional arts and crafts and embraces a series of paradoxes. The numerous temples, shrines, forts and palaces are a reflection of the rich and diverse historical heritage of the city. Before we proceed for the sightseeing our tour Manager will brief us about the day tour. We visit Kalakshetra, a school of art and music that encourages exponents of Bharatnatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing. Also visit Marina beach one of the longest beaches in the world. Afternoon free to explore city. (B,D).

Day 03 : Chennai – Mahabalipuram (Driving Time: Approx 1 hour 30 mins)

After breakfast travel to Mahabalipuram, en-route visit Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples and one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, back in 2nd century BC the city was the capital of the early Cholas Kingdome. In this context, it is particularly known for being the seat for bearing culture and philosophy. The city is also famous for its silk weavers, settled around 400 years ago and has given it an enviable reputation. The weavers use the highest quality silk and pure gold thread. Later proceed to Mahabalipuram for overnight stay two nights at Chariot Beach Resort. (B,D)

Day 04 : Mahabalipuram

Today we enjoy sightseeing tour and visit Shore Temples, one of the oldest in south dating back to 8th century is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. Three separate buildings make up the temple and numerous carvings can be found throughout the temple. Due to the architectural and heritage value attached to it, the UNESCO has crowned this historical city as a ‘World Heritage Site’. Later visit Krishna Mandapam, which has the world's largest bas-relief measuring 27 m x 9 m, whale back shaped rock, contains figures of gods, men, beasts, birds and representation of the entire creation. Rest of the evening free to relax at leisure. (B,D)

Day 05 : Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (Driving Time: Approx 3 hours 30 mins)

We travel to Pondicherry, the town ruled by the French before India got independence in 1947. This French legacy is visible in the well planned town, neatly laid roads, wide and vibrant beaches, beautiful promenades, architecturally imposing buildings and statues of Joan of Ark and Joseph Francois colonies in India from 1742-54. The day is free to take stroll in the street of this beautiful town. Stat two nights at Pondicherry. (B,D)

Day 06 : Pondicherry

After breakfast we enjoy the city sightseeing tour and visit to Rai Nivas, Sri Aurobindo Ashram and explore the medieval town of the French province, the town has managed to preserve its French aura. From its delectable restaurants offering French cuisine and streets bearing French names, Pondicherry's French connection is very much alive. The city’s temples and churches and imposing monuments of the colonial era are some of the sites worth visiting in this small port city. (B,D)

Day 07 : Pondicherry - Thanjavur (Driving Time: Approx 5 hours)

Today we travel to Thanjavur, en-route visit Trichy, that it is popularly known as and visit Rock Fort; that looms at a spectacular height of 83m on a massive rocky outcrop and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple; the largest temple complex in the world and most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Trichy is home to many historic temples, monuments, churches and mosques. Uraiyur that is the local name of the old Trichy city has over 2500 years of known history. After visit continue to Thanjavur. Stay two nights at Thanjavur. (B,D)

Day 08 : Thanjavur

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Thanjavur, the "Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu" and also known as the Granary of the South India, lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and criss-crossed by lengthy network of irrigation canals. Thanjavur rose to glory during the later Chola Reign between 11th and 14th centuries AD and became the centre of learning and culture. It is also known for its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and South Indian Musical Instruments. Rest of the day is free to explore. (B,D)

Day 09 : Thanjavur – Madurai (Driving Time: Approx 3 hours)

Today we travel to Madurai, the great temple town of South India. The city known as the Athens of the East and is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. Madurai has a rich cultural heritage which is passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. It was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD and was the capital city for the great Pandya kings. Rest of the afternoon free for your own activities. Stay two nights atMadurai. (B,D)

Day 10 : Madurai

After breakfast proceed for city tour, the second largest city on the banks of the River Vigai believed to be more than 2500 years old. We visit a magnificent Meenakshi Temple and experience stunning architects as the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. The entire city is built around this temple. It attained 26th place in the list of top nominees for the new Seven Wonders of the World. Madurai is home to many poets and artisans and houses an abundance of literary wealth of both classical and modern Tamil. Jasmine flowers are well known all over the country, they carry a special fragrance unique to Madurai. (B,D)

Day 11 : Madurai – Thekkady (Driving Time: 3 hours)

This is the day we add a little different flavour to our tour as we travel to Thekkady, famous for the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and stay at Hotel Tree Top. Afternoon we enjoy spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee and tea estates. On your way back you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Stay two nights at Thekkady. (B,D)

Day 12 : Wildlife Sanctuary

After breakfast explore the Periyar wildlife sanctuary on the boat, the sanctuary centre piece is the man-made Periyar Lake, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala and is a home to Tiger , bison, wild boar, sambar, monkeys, wild elephant, antelopes and a wide variety of birds. More than 260 species of birds are found here, like the Great Indian Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, Black winged Kite, Barbets, Plovers, among many others. Afternoon is free with the option of a jungle walk. (B,D)

Day 13 : Periyar – Alleppey (Traditional Backwaters cruise)

Today we travel to Alleppey and embark the houseboat, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this beautiful land. Enjoy fishing and sunset when moving towards Kumarakom. All meals with overnight on the Deluxe Houseboat. (B,L,D)

Day 14 : Kumarakom – Cochin (Driving Time: Approx 2 hours)

After breakfast we disembark the houseboat and travel to Cochin, set on a cluster of peninsulas and islands in the Indian Ocean. A city tucked in the beauty of coconut palms and endless blue waters; it is one of the important towns in South India, with a natural harbour. Cochin offers a pleasurable blend of charming sightseeing with salivating culinary delights that will surely blow your mind. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city. Stay two nights at Cochin. (B,D)

Day 15 :Cochin

We take a ferry across the waterway to the nearby peninsula, discover the remains of Fort Cochin and St Francis church, the oldest church in India. Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan monks and worshiped by Roman Catholics, Dutch Protestants and the Anglicans. Evening witness Kathakali dance show in an auditorium before you enjoy your dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 16 : Cochin – Mumbai

After breakfast provide in time transfer to airport to connect the flight to Mumbai. In Mumbai assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel for two night stay. (B,D)

Day 17 : Mumbai

Touch, feel and experience the Mumbai, a bubblegum glamour of Bollywood cinema, shopping malls full of designer labels, promenading families eating Bhelpuri on the beach at Chowpatty and red double-decker buses queuing in grinding traffic jams. This pungent drama is played out against a Victorian townscape more reminiscent of a prosperous 19th century English industrial city than anything you’d expect to find on the edge of the Arabian Sea. It’s a city with vibrant street life, India’s best nightlife, and a wealth of bazaars. Enjoy sightseeing tour of Mumbai where you will visit Prince of Wales Museum, Gateway of India, Hanging Garden. Rest of the evening is at leisure. (B,D)

Day 18 : Mumbai Departure

After breakfast provide in time transfer to airport to connect the flights to board your onward flight. (B)