Enchanting South India

Half day sightseeing tour of Chennai

Drive to Mahabalipuram enroute visiting Kanchipuram

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai.

Your tour will start with the visit to, Fort St. George (Closed on Fridays & Public Holidays), which is present, is being used by the Tamil Nadu Government. From the British hold of center, you will proceed to Mylapore, which was inhabited in the 16th century by the Portuguese; visit the San Thome Church, named for the Christian disciple (“Doubting Thomas”) who lived and taught here in the first century.

Also, visit Kapaleeswarar Temple, honoring Shiva, dates back to the 13th century AD and is the biggest temple in Chennai. You will also drive past the Marina Beach, the second longest in the world, stretching for several miles.

Afternoon you will be driven to Mahabalipuram enroute visit Kanchipuram.

Kanchipuram is a busy pilgrimage center, humming with activity around its extraordinary temple precincts. The Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram with a four-storeyed tower and octagonal shikhara is a commendable piece of creativity. Also famous here are the world-renowned Kanchipuram hand woven silk & cotton fabrics.

After visiting Kanchipuram, you will be driven to Mahabalipuram for the overnight stay.

Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) built in the 7th century, is an ancient Pallava port. Today it is the site of several antique sculptural marvels. Declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO, Mahabalipuram boasts of some of India’s most sublime rock-cut art. The only shore temple, which remains here, is the spectacular two-spired shrine, which is unique in that it houses both Vishnu and Shiva in its sanctum.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram

Breakfast at the Hotel later proceed for the sightseeing tour of the city covering Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance & the Cave Temple.

The Shore Temple: Though known as the land of Seven Pagodas, there is only one remaining today. The five-storied Sore Temple on the sea beach was built by the Pallava King Raja Singha at the end of the seventh century in pure Dravidian sculpture. This temple was the last work of Pallava dynasty.

Arjuna’s Penance- This skilfully carved rock of 29X7 meter, is the largest vas – relief sculpture in the world. It gets its name from the figure of an ascetic who is believed to be Arjuna, the hero of Mahabharata, doing penance to obtain a boon from Lord Siva. However, there are others who think that the figure is actually Bhagiratha who entreated Siva to let the river Ganges flow over the earth.

Mandapams/Cave temples: Krishna Temple is the oldest temple. The rectangular Ganesh Mandapam was also built carving out of a whole rock and is worshipped still daily. You can also see Ganesa Ratha, Varcha Cave, Old Light House, Krishna’s Butter Ball, Gopi’s Churn, Valayankuttai Ratha, Kodikal Mandapam, etc.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Sightseeing tour of Pondicherry

Today you will be driven to Pondicherry. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Pondicherry has a rich French cultural heritage, having been the capital of the French colonies in India since the 17th century.

Afternoon 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.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Drive to Tanjore enroute visiting Chidambaram

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Pondicherry to Tanjore, en-route stop at Chidambaram, the capital of the Cholas from AD 907 to 1310;. It is one of Tamil Nadu’s most important holy towns.

After visiting Chidambaram, continue your drive to Tanjore. About a thousand years ago, Tanjore or Thanjavur was the capital of the powerful Chola dynasty. Today, it is the little town set amidst the lush green rice fields of the Cauvery delta. Magnificent temples still bear witness to the splendour of Chola architecture. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.

The afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Half day sightseeing of Tanjore.

After breakfast proceed for Tanjore sightseeing which will start with the visit to Brihadeeshwara Temple, built in the 10th century by Raja Chola. It is considered to be artistically the most perfect of Dravida temples. 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.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Drive to Karaikudi

Cooking demo and dinner at Karaikudi

Today you will be driven to Karaikudi for the overnight stay.

In the afternoon visit the Chettinad residences that dot the region and built over the last 200 years. They initially started as simple single storied buildings, but steadily grew in size and ornamentation to huge intricate structures that will astonish even the most seasoned traveler.

It will be a special Chettinad cuisine dinner on a banana leaf at The Bangala.

Chettinad cuisine originated from the Chettiar community in Chettinad region. It is one of the spiciest and the most aromatic in India. Chettinad cuisine is famous for its use of a variety of spices used in preparing mainly non-vegetarian food.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Drive to Madurai

Today you will drive straight to Madurai. Upon arrival proceed to check in at your hotel

In the afternoon visit Thirumalai’s Nayaka Palace. This Palace was built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian Architect.

Overnight at the Hotel

Evening Aarti ceremony at Meenakshi temple.

Morning is at leisure.

In the afternoon enjoy rickshaw ride and local market of Madurai, later proceed to visit The Meenakshi temple which remains a major religious centre attracting pilgrims the year round, 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.

In the evening, you will proceed you will witness the evening Aarti ceremony in which Lord Shiva is carried in a palanquin accompanied by musicians, temple singers and priests to the temple of his consort Parvati to spend the night.

Note: Foreigners (Non-Hindus) are not allowed inside the inner sanctum of the temple.

Overnight at the Hotel

Drive to Periyar / Thekkady

Evening Kalarippayattu show visit

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you would be driven from Madurai to Periyar, which is also known as Thekkady.

Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq. km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake.

On arrival in Periyar, proceed to check-in at the hotel.

In the evening visit Kalarippayattu show. Kalarippayattu is a martial art which originated as a style in Kerala. The word Kalari first appears in Sangam literature to describe both a battlefield and combat arena.

Overnight at the Hotel

Early morning guided Trek in Periyar sanctuary

Visit Spice Plantation

Today early morning, enjoy a guided trek in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Children Below 12 Years are not allowed). Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq. km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later, enjoy a visit to Spice Plantation followed by Authentic Kerala Lunch.

Spend the rest of the evening at leisure

Overnight at the Hotel.

Drive to Alleppey

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Periyar to Alleppey.

Climb aboard the traditional Kettuvallams (rice boats) converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally these boats were used as ferries to carry rice. Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. The backwater cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees and is a thrilling experience. Lunch and dinner will be served on board.

Overnight on the houseboat

Drive to Kochi

After breakfast, you will be driven from Alleppey to Kochi.

Cochin (Kochi) is spread across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the Backwaters. The city was founded in 1341 when a flood created a natural safe port which became the principal harbour for Malabar coast’s spice trade. Cochin was on the main trade route between Europe and China.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Sightseeing tour of Kochi

After breakfast at the hotel begin with the sightseeing.

First, you will first proceed to Mattancherry and visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Fridays Saturdays & All the Jewish holidays) in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later.

You will also visit The Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays)- which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features.

Continue your drive to Chinese fishing nets. The cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century although, today parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names. Your next stop will be St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal; St. Francis Church is the first church to have been in the new European influenced tradition.

Later enjoy Kerala Kaleidoscope at Greenix Village. A medley of various dances, Kaleidoscope Kerala redefines the intangibly elusive aesthetics of bliss as it evokes the eternally alluring charm of this many-splendour land and it’s infinitely enriching cultural ethos.

Overnight at the Hotel

Assisted Transfer to the airport.

Today in time a LUMLE representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to International airport to board your flight to back home.