Chennai (Madras) – Mammallapuram (Mahabalipuram) – Kancheepuram- Pondicherry – Chidambaram (Dharasuram) – Thanjavur (Tanjore) – Trichy (Thiruchirappalli) – Madurai – Periyar (Thekkady) – Alappuzha (Alleppey) Our Land – Kochi (Cochin / Ernakulam)

Day 1: Arrive Chennai (madras) – Mammallapuram (Mahabalipuram)

On arrival, you will be net by our representative and driven to Mammaliapuram (Mahabalipuram) – check in on arrival

Day 2: Mammaliapuram (Mahabalipuram) – excursion to Kancheepuram

Today explore Kanchipuram – the city of ‘thousand temples’ there are around 200 temples in Kanchi alone. Visit Kailasanathar Temple dedicated to Siva, is one of the earliest temples in south India built in the 8th century A.D. There are58 small shrines situated around the main shrine. Another importance of this place is the handloom industry, Hand woven Kanchi Cotton and silk are very famous. We visit one of the silk industries. Afternoon visit Mahabalipuram k Mammaliapuram (Mahabalipuram nown for their artistic extravaganza and beauty. Stay overnight at Mahabalipuram.

Day 3: Mammallapuram (Mahabalipuram) – Pondicherry

Drive to Pondicherry, the place of the first and last settlement of French in India. Check in hotel for the day’s stay afternoon visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram – the meditating center, promenade (beach area) and the Church of the sacred Heart of Jesus noted for its Gothic architecture and Glass corridors etc.

Day 4: Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Dharasuram – Thanjavur (Tanjore)

Today proceed to Tanjore in the morning…enroute visit Chidambaram, one of the holiest cities in India known for the Nataraja Temple – where Shiva dances and also visit Kumbakonam, temple city. On arrival, Tanjore check in hotel.

Day 5: Thanjavur

Visit Tanjore known for the serene Brihadeeshwara temple, built by the Cholas in the 10th century AD, now preserved as a world heritage monument, Tanjore palace and museum.

Day 6: Thanjavur – Trichy (Thiruchirappalli) – Madurai

Proceed to Madurai by car. Enrroute visit Thrichy to see the Rock Fort Temple and the amazing Srirangam, with its aprawlling complex of shrines and carvings. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. On arrival Madurai check in hotel.

Day 7: Madurai

Visit Madurai including the Madurai Meenakshi Temple and experience perhaps the grandest display of Dravidian architecture. It has profusely carved gigantic ‘gopurams’ or gateways, the tallest reaching 160 ft. we would also like to show you the Thirumala Nayak palace.

Day 8: Madurai – Priyar (Thekkady)

Morning drive will take you through small villages to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Periyar dotted with all green is the pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature’s splendor. The Periyar wildlife sanctuary is situated on the banks on the Periyar Lake. On arrival check in to Elephant Court Hotel

Day 9: Periyar

Morning explore tea plantations, spice plantations and markets. I the afternoon a boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot wild animals. Overnight stay at Elephant Court Hotel

Day 10: Periyar – Alappuzha ( Alleppey) Our Land

Morning drive down the ghats to Changanassery to board motor boat to Our Land Resort in Alappuzha.

Day 11: Alappuzha (Alleppey) – Houe Boat Check in to a Luxury House Boat at 1200 noon Village visits, fishing, bird watching etc. from house boat.

Day 12: Alappuzha (Alleppey) – Kochi ( Cochin/ Ernakulam)

Drive to Kochi and check in to hotel. Afternoon cruise on the canals in Kochi and Chinese fishing nets. Leter a Kathakali performance, a traditional dance of Kerala or Kalarippayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala. Old Harbour Hotel

Day 13: Kochi

Morning sight seeing tour of Kochi. The colonial influence of Kochi becomes evident when we visit the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1567, housing the Grand Scrolls of the old Testametn and the Dutch palace, with its 17-century murals of the Ramayana. We also visit St Francis’ church, where Vasco da Gama, the voyager who “rediscovered “India for Europe (Columbus having failed) was first buried. Old Harbour Hotel

Day 14 : Kochi departure

Transfer to Kochi airport for for departure or to Kovalam for beach holidays.