South India: Kerala & Tamil Nadu

Day 1: Arrive Chennai - Mahabalipuram 58 kms. 1h

Arrival at Chennai airport. Transfer to Mahabalipuram, overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Mahabalipuram.

Morning city visit that is a small village on the edge of the Bay of Bengal, with sumptuous carved rocks, temples that belong to the world heritage of Unesco. We will discover carved sculptures of the Ganges descending on the earth, pretty temples such as the Rathas, Dravidian temple in the shape of a chariot. We will take a walk to the village or later in the afternoon meet the fishermen who return from fishing, night in hotel.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram –Pondicherry-110 kms. 110 km drive (in 2h30)

takes you to Pondicherry, charming little village in the Bengal Sea. It was the capital of a French territory until 1954. You will pass by Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded in 1926, Auroville an international community best known for its golden-hued Matrimandir meditation dome. Way back to city visit the former French trading post where an intact culture reigns, where you will discover a European atmosphere even today. Stroll through streets and observed the old restored buildings. There are many large typical Indian bazaars to stroll through and observe the activities. As per time availability visit the elegant French war Memorial on the famous Avenue Goubert was erected in honor of the soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, it was built by the Jesuits in the seventeenth century and renovated several times during its long history. Evening the Gandhi monument by the sea and sea-side walk (in the white city) is well appreciated by tourists. Night in hotel.

Day 4: Pondicherry-Chidambaram-Tanjore (176 km) 3h40.

Drive via Chidambaram, is an important destination for Hindu followers of Shiva celebrated here in his dancing form called Natraj. Temple located in the center of the city. Drive to Tanjore One of the capital of the Cholas kingdom, the greatest dynasties in the history of South India, who between 9th to 13th centuries dominated almost all of the Indian sub-continent. Visit a jewel of Chola architecture, the Brihadishwara temple and fort. Are declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its size and its 66-metre high central tower are majestic. To guard the temple tower, a gigantic nandi (the sacred bull of Shiva) sits facing the sanctuary. It’s very photogenic due to sun set light when day fall and is a best moment to captivate. Night in hotel.

Day 5: Tanjore - Madurai (142 km) 3h30

Drive to Madurai, one of the most extraordinary cult places in India and one of the oldest cities in Tamil Nadu. Its gigantic temple dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, goddess with fish eyes was built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-1655) but its origins go back a long time. We can get lost by visiting the many rooms and corridors, and discovering the sumptuous carved pillars: suddenly the devotion of the architect was deep. Night in hotel.

Day 6 : Madurai :

In the morning you will take rickshaw ride in Madurai to explore the heart of this ancient city! You will pass through the typical narrow streets, from one neighborhood to other and discover that each neighborhood has its own specialty: of spices, gold and jewelry, household appliances, pots etc. During the day walk through the local bazaar to visit the flower, spice and vegetable market. Visit the architectural wonder of Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, the Gandhi Museum, and some clothing factories and other local productions or the charm of a pottery village. Day will end by an unforgettable discoveries. Night in hotel.

Day 7: Madurai – Munar -150 kms. 4h30.

After breakfast departure for Munnar. A pectacular road through several villages of Tamil-Nadu, we cross the hills of western Ghat to Munar which is older than the Himalayas. The Munnar region, a haven of peace and tranquility, Located at an altitude of 1600m in the district of Idukki, Munnar was the privileged summer resort of the British rulers in colonial times. This city offers endless stretches of tea plantations, virgin valleys, and hills, exotic species of fauna and flora and wild forests with aromas of fragrant spices. Munnar has all this and more: it's a place you'll never want to leave! Explore the tea and cardamom plantations: this is a treat for a naturalist even in budding because you can observe a wide variety of evergreen trees in the shade of which cardamom is grown. You can meet the natives working in a tea plantation. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Munar –Thekaddy / Periyar 100 kms. 3h30.

Road to Thekkady. Thekkady is a very popular tourist destination in the state of Kerala. The landscapes are dominated by the natural parks, among the most important in the whole country, which shelters wild animals such as elephants and tigers huge plantations and very extensive hills characteristic, After noon check-in in the hotel, walk in the spice and tea gardens, in the evening if the weather allows city visit and spice walk in Kumley. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Thekaddy / Periyar – Allepy or Kumarakom. 130 km, 4h.

Crosier de back water Departure for Allepey by a winding road lined with rubber trees, spice plantation and tea, to reach the Allepey. While cruising you will spend a day at the peaceful rhythm through endless canals between land and sea, walk through the villages in the middle of rice fields and coconut plantations to discover the authentic culture of Kerala. Sip of tea on desk, on board meal cooked by your crew and observing the life around water cannel is life time memory. Night in private floating house.

Day 10: Allepy - Kochi 64 kms. 1h30.

After breakfast at the boat board, he will have short navigation to reach the vehicle, then disembarkation and the road to Cochin located between the Arabian Sea and a group of small islands. This city was Portuguese and then a prosperous Dutch territory on the Silk and Spice Road. We will visit a city of one island among all the islands located around, then main port from where boats depart to the foreign destination. Walk in a magical place where we will walk the old streets of old towns built by the Portuguese almost five centuries ago. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Cochin- visit the Fish market and the city

Early in the morning possibility to visit the Fish market. After breakfast we will visit the Church of St. Francis, the synagogue, the Dutch Palace, and since then we can enjoy the fishermen returning from fishing with their famous and huge nets. A free afternoon to discover yourself the Quarter of antique dealers and wholesalers in spices. In the evening before dinner possibility to attend the optional famous Kathakali show. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Cochin - Kovallam (215 kms.) 5h.

Transfer in the morning to Kovalam. Before arrival visit famous temple of Janardhan Swami dating back 2000 years that is important sanctuary of Vaishnavai in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi (South Kashi or South Benares) after lunch in the city road to Kovallam, free time to enjoy beach, evening walk in the surrounding villages. Overnight at the hotel, with dinner included.

Day 13: Visit Trivendrum

Morning after breakfast departure to visit the Trivendrum. Visit the Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Then return to Kovallam, Free evening. Nights in hotel.

Day 14: Visit of Kanyakumari

Morning after breakfast departure to visit the Kanya Kumari which is located at the southern tip of the mainland of India, at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Kanyakumari Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, dedicated to the goddess Shakati, creating the presence of Kundalini Shakti in the area. By the evening return to Kovallam, Free evening. Nights in hotel.

Day 15: Day at leisure and departure Free day,

One can enjoy the optional Ayurveda massages or simply relax on the beach. Night in hotel or late night transfer to Trivendrum airport - 20 kms, flight to your onward destination.