Cultural South India
- Basilica of San Tome, Fort Museum
- Seven Pagods, Kailasanatha temple, Ekambareswara temple
- Caves, Krishna Mandapam, Arjuna’s Penance
- Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara
- Srirangam Temple
- Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace
- Sanctuaries
- Vembanand Lake, Houseboat
- Marari Beach
| Title | Cultural South India |
| Details | Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjore – Tiruchirapalli – Madurai – Periyar – Kumarakom (Houseboat) – Alleppey – Marari Beach – Departure |
| Duration | 11Nights / 12 Days |
This leisurely tour through Chennai, Mahabalipuram to Kochi covers all the highlights of Southern India. From Tiger reserves to sleepy old hills, backwaters and ornate temples there are enough variety to make your tour memorable. There are several interesting towns and cities to visit; you will also come across the popular Chinese fishing nets of Kochi and jungle walk in Periyar. During the tour, stopping at ancient temples and colourful market will make the trip more interesting. Exploring Madurai sitting on cycle rikshaw is the most interesting thing to go for. It is a trip, completely designed of contrast and surprises. Everything that you experience in Southern India will remain in your mind and heart forever.
Day 01 : Arrive Chennai – by flight To Mahabalipuram - by surface / 72 kms /approx 1.5 hrs
You will arrive early morning at Chennai International Airport after which you would be driven to Mahabalipuram.
Afternoon, you will proceed for sight seeing tour of Mahabalipuram . Visit the spectacular carved relief depicting Arjuna’s Penance. The magnificent Shore Temple, built by king Rajasimha in the seventh century and Varaha Cave.
Morning, after breakfast excursion to Kanchipuram. It is one of the seven sacred cities of India. One of the best silk sarees is manufactured here. Some of the well-known and suggested temples are Kailasanatha Temple, Ekambareswara Temple and Varadharaja Temple.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Pondicherry, which has a rich French cultural heritage. The French legacy is visible in the well-planned town, neatly laid roads, wide and vibrant beaches, beautiful promenades, architecturally imposing churches and public buildings and the statues.
On arrival check in your hotel. Later you will proceed for sightseeing tour of Pondicherry - visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, located on Rue de la Marine, is the most popular attraction in Pondicherry.
Day 04 : To Trichy via Chidambaram – by surface / 198 kms / approx 6 hrs
After buffet breakfast at hotel, you will be driven from Pondicherry to Trichy en-route stopping at Chidambram, the capital of the Cholas from AD 907 to 1310. After visiting Chidambaram, continue your drive to Trichy. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. Visit the Rock Fort, which is a landmark of Trichy.
Day 05 : To Madurai via Tanjore – by surface / 213 kms / approx 6 hrs
After buffet breakfast, you will be driven from Trichy to enroute visiting the famous city Tanjore. Magnificent temples still bear witness to the splendour of Chola architecture. The Chola kings built the majority of Tanjore's (also known as Thanjavur) 93 temples.
Afternoon, you will proceed to visit Tanjore city. Your sightseeing tour will start with visit to Brihadeeshwara Temple, built in the 10th century by Raja Chola. Besides the temple, you will visit the Palace most of which is in ruins housing the Tamil University Museum, the Art Gallery, the Saraswati Mahal Library which houses palm leaf & paper manuscripts.
After visiting Tanjore continue your drive to Madurai.
Day 06 : In Madurai
Madurai's main attraction is the famous Meenakshi temples in the heart of the old town, a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with gopurams (towers) covered from top to bottom with a breathless profusion of multi-colored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. . Another attraction is the Tirumalai Nayak Palace (1636) restored by Lord Napier, dance drama concerts are performed daily.
In the evening, you will proceed to the Meenakshi temple complex to witness the evening Aarti ceremony
Day 07 : To Periyar – by surface / 140 kms / approx 4 hrs
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Madurai to Thekkady, which is also known as Periyar. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
In the afternoon, proceed to Periyar National Park to view the wildlife by boat. Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. Evening explore local spice markets.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Kumarakom and upon arrival proceed for check-in at the hotel.
Commence you drive to the lush backwaters of Kottayam in Kerala, lies a veritable paradise, which is called Kumarakom, or the 'Venice of the East'. Evening proceed for the sunset cruise on the backwaters.
Today embark Houseboat a sojourn in Kettuvallams, the House boats of Kerala, offers a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque aspects of the God's Own Country. The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring images of the backwaters
Through backwaters you will be reaching to Malabar Coast and disembark and from here you will be transferred to Marari Beach. After reaching here you can relax for some time.
Here you can glimpse into the traditional fishing villages of Kerala along with their ancient sustainable life style. It also has world class Yoga and Ayurveda Center which attracts most of the tourists, concerned about health and wellness.
Drive to Cochin Airport in time to board your flight for home / onward journey.