South India Heritage Tour

Day 1: Arrival Chennai

On arrival at Chennai airport/railway station in the morning. Meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. Later proceed for city tour of Chennai. Chennai, the capital city, popularly known as the'Gateway to the South' represents a culture that differs from that of northern India. The places of interest in Chennai are Kalakshetra, a school of art and music which encourage exponents of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing. Fort St. George built in 1653 during the British reign in India, now houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. Sri Parthasaratha Temple, built by the Pallavas in the eighth century AD. Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore also an 8th century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Later back to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai.

Day 2: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram, 70 km west of Mahabalipuram that is a town of thousand temples. Among the seven sacred cities of Hindus, it was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Beside from temples, the city is also renowned for its silk weavers, who settled here some 400 years back and have given it an enviable reputation. Later on we shall move at Mahabalipuram, driving south of Chennai on the shore which is the old port of Pallava. The pallavas have generated several marvellous monuments with sculptural buildings, temples, Monolithic Rathas and Temples. Overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

After relishing morning breakfast, Proceed for sightseeing of Mahabalipuram. Krishna Mandapam has a bas relief, notable for its realistic representation. The world's largest bass relief measuring 27m 9m contains figures of gods, guys beasts, birds and a representation of the whole creation. Shore Temple, one of the oldest in south dating back to eighth century AD is a fantastic example of the first phase of structural temples built in the Dravidian style. The five rathe are a set of five monolithic temples, each of which is created in various fashion. Later Check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel at Mahabalipuram.

Day 4: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (100km-3hrs)

After breakfast, transfer to Pondicherry hotel. After lunch city tour of Pondicherry. Even though the French influence is progressively fading, Pondicherry retains some Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sightseeing places are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. This ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry main city. Its original charter aimed to create a town of the future where individuals from India and overseas could live and work together in a spiritual environment. Evening back to your hotel.

Day 5: Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Kumbakonam (150 Km)

Overnight at hotel. Morning after breakfast, transfer to Kumbakonam, en route visit Chidambaram, the seat of the Cosmic Dancer, dedicated to Lord Nataraja. Spread over a place of 40 acres with gopuram on every side, the temple is distinguished by the 5 sabhas or counts. The towering gopurams, the tallest one on the north would be 42.4 m have been carved on it with 108 dances presents of Bharatanatyam. Overnight stay at hotel at Kumbakonam.

Day 6: Kumbakonam - Tanjore (40km-1hr)

Check out after an early breakfast and drive to Tanjore and check in at the hotel that is chosen for your stay. After resting for some time, head out for sightseeing areas such as Art Gallery, Brihadeeswara Temple, Saraswati Mahal Library and The Palace. Return to the hotel for your overnight stay at Tanjore.

Day 7: Tanjore - Trichy (60km-1.5hrs)

After breakfast in the hotel in Tanjore. Head out for a complete day excursion to Trichy. In Trichy, you can visit the attractions such as Thiruvanaikaval Temple, Rock Fort Temple, Elakurichi and Valaloor. Following the visit, return to Tanjore. Overnight stay at at Hotel in Tanjore.

Day 8: Trichy - Madurai (165km-4hrs)

After breakfast, checkout from the hotel from Tanjore hotel and drive down to Madurai. On arrival, check at the hotel that is chosen. After lunch, you can tour around Madurai's attractions such as Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Thirupparankundram Temple, Alagar Koil and Gandhi Museum. Following the tour is finished, come back at the hotel for your overnight stay at Madurai.

Day 9: Madurai - Thekkady (140km-4hrs)

Take breakfast and after that drive to Thekkady. Thekkady offers diverse attractions including wildlife sanctuary, hill station and a spice plantation. Hence it's was very popular among nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Reach and check in at the hotel. Freshen up and unwind in the comforts of your room. Evening if required, can visit traditional Kathakali & Kalaripyettu show. Today your stay would be in Thekkady.

Day 10: Thekkady Sightseeing

Today morning at 7.00 am, proceed to Periyar Wild life Sanctuary. The place where one can indulge in a Wildlife cruise to view a large variety of wildlife. Wild Elephants, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar Deer, Wild Bison, Wild Boar and lot of unique birds can also be spotted. You may also take pleasure in other delightful and thrilling activities like spice plantation tour, bamboo rafting, jungle trekking and elephant rides. Don't forget to take a visit to local spice market for buying handicrafts and some garden fresh spices. Return to hotel for an overnight stay at Thekkady.

Day 11: Thekkady - Alleppey Houseboat (170km-4hrs)

After staying with the nature, relish the morning breakfast and proceed to the famous backwaters of Alleppey. Check in to the houseboat which is an indigenously developed and designed private vessel with fully furnished spacious bath attached bed rooms, hygiene kitchen, dining area and private front deck to catch the cool beauty of the backwaters. Cruise through the Coconut fringed small canals, and the exceptional life of the backwater. Most individuals and above all the nature around you'll make long-lasting impressions on your thoughts. Today your stay would be in Houseboat.

Day 12: Alleppey - Kochi (100kms-2.5hrs)

After having traditional Kerala breakfast, Proceed to your last destination that is Kochi. Check-in to the hotel. Later, go for a half-day city sightseeing tour of Kochi. The major attractions for tourist are St. Francis Church, Chinese fishing nets, Santa Cruz Basilica, Jewish Synagogue, Jewish Street, and Mattancherry Palace/Dutch Palace. Today your stay would be in Cochin. (Attn: Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue closed on Friday & Saturday)

Day 13: Cochin Airport Departure (40km-1hr)

Enjoy the breakfast. Today is the conclusion of your Southern Heritage Tour. Later pack your baggage with a promise to return once more to this part of the world. Proceed on time in Cochin Airport to board flight home.