Duration: 12 Nights/13 Days
Destinations: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey – Cochin
Arrive Chennai, after your traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport & to our hotel for check in.
Chennai (formerly known as Madras), is known for its cultural heritage & temple architecture. This region served as an important administrative, military, & economic centre dating back to the 1st century.
Today you will do sightseeing of Chennai, visiting Fort St. George, the first bastion of British power in India & built in the year 1640 AD by the British East India Company. Within the Fort we visit St. Mary's Church, built in the year 1680 & oldest Protestant Church in the East. Fort Museum has 10 galleries & displays armoury, old uniforms, crockery & silverware, coins, palanquins, paintings, letters, old prints, etc. Santhome Cathedral, built in 1504, is said to house the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle
National Art Gallery, recognized in the year 1857, it is undoubtedly one of the country's finest museums. It has sections devoted to geology, archaeology, anthropology, botany, zoology, sculpture & numismatics. Kapileshwar Temple, located in Mylapore, the arresting architecture of the Kapileshwar temple is of the Dravidian style. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva.
Overnight at the Hotel – Chennai (B)
Today you will drive down to Kanchipuram, one of the seven holy cities in the country. It was a city of learning for both Tamil & Sanskrit and was believed to be visited by Hsuan Tsang. In ancient times it was called Kachi. We visit Kailasanatha Temple, built in 8th Century AD. It is built in the typical Pallava style, with a pyramidal tower, a pillared hall & vestibule, enclosed by a wall. Next we visit Ekambaranatha, ancient temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. The 57 metres high Raj Gopuram is one of the tallest towers in South India.
Before returning to Mahabalipuram we visit Kamakshi Amman Temple, built in 12th century AD, as an important Shakthisthalam, known as Parabrahmaroonpini. The main deity is seated on Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Eswara & Sadasiva.
Overnight at the Hotel – Mahabalipuram (B)
Mahabalipuram is world renowned for its beautiful Shore Temple & other temples. It was once the main port & naval base of the great Pallava kingdom & was later made the capital of this dynasty. Most of the temples here are dedicated to Lord Shiva & Vishnu.
Today you will take a guided tour of Mahabalipuram, visiting Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples in South India.
Arjuna's Penance is the world's largest bas-relief. This huge whale-back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts, birds. Next we visit Rathas, monolithic temples fashioned as chariots. They remain an architectural mystery, for each is apparently a faithful reproduction of a structure built of wood.
Overnight at the Hotel – Mahabalipuram (B)
Today after breakfast you will drive to Auroville near Pondicherry. The community of Auroville consists of Indian & International residents who aim to develop a harmonious environment through the implementation of the teachings Sri Aurobindo & the Mother. Upon arrival visit Matri Mandir which was designed to be the spiritual & physical centre of Auroville (Temple is opened between 1530-1630 hr). Further we drive to Pondicherry, the land of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the serene world of distinct spiritual vibration & thus renowned as Sacred Land. Upon arrival will check-in to the hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel - Pondicherry (B)
Today after breakfast you will drive to Tanjore, flourished during the rule of the Nayaks & Mahrattas. It has been the treasure house of art for centuries. It is called the Rice Bowl of Tamilnadu. Thanjavur is well-known throughout the world for its exquisite handicrafts like the Art Plate, pithwork, bronze icons, Thanjavur paintings & the classical South Indian musical instruments.
Later you will visit Brihadeshwara temple, also known as Big Temple, built by Rajaraja Chola I was completed around 1010 AD.
Overnight at the Hotel - Tanjore (B)
Today after breakfast you will drive to Madurai, rich cultural heritage passed for more than 2500 years old & has been an important commercial centre as early as 550 AD.
En route at Trichy
En route you will stop at Trichy, which has very historic temples, monuments & churches. We start with Srirangam Temple surrounded by the waters of the River Kaveri and its tributaries. Kollidam is a 600-acre island-town enclosed within the 7 walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
Later you will visit Rock fort. The most famed landmark is an 83m high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. Overnight at the Hotel - Madurai (B)
Today after breakfast you visit Meenakshi Sundareshwar which was started around 2000 years ago & was substantially expanded between the years (1623-55 AD). Initially there was only the Shiva temple. A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure recognized as Ayiramkaal mandapam or the Hall of a thousand pillars in the outermost corridor.
Overnight at the Hotel - Madurai (B)
Today you will drive to Periyar (Thekkady), one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where one can watch the wildlife at close range.
In the evening we go for a Spice Plantation Tour.
Overnight at the Hotel - Periyar (B)
In the morning when sun rises you will take a boat ride to view the wildlife in the sanctuary on Lake Periyar. After two to three hours of wildlife viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast.
Later you will drive to Kumarakom. It is a cluster of little islands, on the Vembanada Lake in Kerala. Kuttanad, the 'Wonder Land' believed to have been lying below the sea level, sprang out into the marshes when the sea receded later.
Overnight at the Hotel - Kumarakom (B)
Today after breakfast you will visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are cormorants, teals, & other ducks & from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, & Siberian storks.
Later you will check into the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, cruise around beautiful backwaters of Kumarakom to Alleppey to observe & understanding the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters.
Overnight on the Houseboat (B, L, D)
Today after checkout you will depart at Alleppey and drive to Cochin , a very popular & historical sea trade connection with the Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, the Dutch & the British. Spend the rest of day at Leisure or free for personal.
Overnight at the Hotel - Cochin (B)
Today you will visit the Jewish Synagogue (closed on every Friday and Saturday), built in the year 1568. It is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles & Belgian chandeliers. In the evening see Kerala's most popular classical dance, Kathakali. Overnight at the Hotel - Cochin (B)
On time transfer to airport to board your flight for your onward journey with some sweet memories of the tour.
Our tour concludes: India Tour Makers supports you with transfer to the airport to board your onward flight, thanks you for your patronage and looks forward to serving you again in the near future.