The Enchanting Southern India Tour

Day 01 : Chennai
Upon arrival, transfer and check into hotel. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the fourth largest Indian city. In the afternoon, visit the 16th Century Kapaleswhara temple and the National Art Gallery, which offers a timeless collection of old paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, metalware and iron carvings from various periods. Admire the collection of the Bronze Art Gallery at the Government Museum and visit Fort St. George, a fine example of 17th Century British architecture and St. Mary's Church, the first Anglican Church in India. Later, drive along Marina Beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Chennai-Mamallapuram (58 kms/ 2 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Mamallapuram (or Mahabalipuram), famous for its shore temple. En route, visit Kanchipuram, capital of the Pallava kingdom. One of the seven sacred cities for the Hindus, it is equally famous for its hand-woven silks. Visit the main temples, the most striking of which are the Kailasanath temple and the Ekambeshwar temple. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. Mahabalipuram was the seaport and second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram from 5th to 8th Century. Visit the shore temples, the renowned Arjuna's Penance, the Five Rathas and other rock carvings. Overnight at hotel. (Meals : B)

Day 03 : Mamallapuram-Pondicherry (131 kms/ 3-4)
In the morning, drive to Pondicherry, a charming Indian town with a few enduring pockets of French culture and an Ashram. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville on the outskirts of Pondicherry. A unique city conceptualized by the Mother, spread over 20 kms, it was designed by a French architect and opened in 1968. Overnight at hotel. (Meals: B)

Day 04 : Pondicherry-Tanjore (177 kms/ 4 hrs)
In the morning, drive to Tanjore (or Thanjavur), famous for its distinctive art style. En route visit the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram where Shiva is said to have revealed a vision of his cosmic dance. Towering gopurams with thousands of figurines, mandapams with sculptured pillars, lend special interest to this vast temple complex. Upon arrival, transfer and check into hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Brihadishwara Temple built during the 10th Century and admire the large monolithic Nandi, the bull mount of Shiva. Overnight at hotel. (Meals : B).

Day 05 : Tanjore-Trichy (54 kms/ 2 hrs)
In the morning, drive to Tiruchirapalli -popularly called as Trichy. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, take a city tour and visit the Rock Fort Temple, which is perched on a rocky outcrop above the plains and offers spectacular views of the countryside.Also visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam dedicated to Vishnu. Overnight at hotel. (Meals : B)

Day 06 : Trichy-Madurai (128 kms /3-4 hrs by road)
In the morning, drive to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in the south and a center of learning and pilgrimage. Upon arrival, transfer and check into hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to Goddess, Meenaskhi, consort of Lord Shiva. Four of the twelve gopurams (towers), decorated with colorful stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals, loom above the city. Also visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace built by the Nayaks in the Indo-Saracenic style in 1636. Overnight at hotel. (Meals: B)

Day 07 : Madurai
After breakfast, travel to Rameshwaram, one of the holiest cities in India and an important pilgrimage for Hindus. The story behind the name of this place goes back to the Ramayana, when Hanuman returned from Lanka after killing Ravana. Visit the 17th Century Ramanathaswamy temple, famous for its massive sculptures and long corridors. Return to Madurai for overnight stay. (Meals : B)

Day 08 : Madurai-Periyar (160 kms / 4-5 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Periyar, a popular wildlife sanctuary. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy game-viewing and spot elephants, flying squirrels, stripped-necked mongoose and a variety of birds including the Niligari wood pigeon and white-bellied tree pie. The forests also have a healthy population of leopards and tigers. Overnight at hotel. (Meals : B)

Day 09 : Periyar-Kumarakom (185 kms /5-6 hrs)
Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar inside the Sanctuary and see wild animals in their natural habitat. Later, drive to Kumarakom, situated in the scenic backwaters. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel. (Meals : B)

Day 10 : Kumarakom-Cochin (Kochi)
In the morning, drive to Kochi, formerly known as Cochin. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Mattanacherry Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th Century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese fishing nets introduced in the late 14th Century by the Chinese. Overnight at hotel. (Meals : B)

Day 11 : Kochi-Kovalam
In the morning, enjoy a backwater cruise along palm-fringed waterways in hues of green. In the afternoon, drive to Kovalam. Upon arrival, transfer and check into hotel for overnight stay. (Meals : B)

Day 12 : Kovalam
After breakfast, enjoy a visit to Kanyakumari, the southern most tip of India. En route, visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Sucheendram Temple. Also visit the Gandhi Memorial and the Kumari Amman Temple. Return to Kovalam for overnight stay. (Meals : B)

Day 13 : Kovalam-Chennai
After breakfast, transfer to Thirivanantha-puram (Trivandrum) airport for a flight to Chennai. Upon arrival, proceed for onward travel. (Meals : B)

Special Attractions
Chennai :

1. Kapaleshwhara Temple
2. National Art Gallery
3. Fort St.George
4. St.Mary's Church
5. Marina Beach

1. Kailasanath Temple
2. Ekambeshwar Temple
3. Shore temples
4. Five Rathas

1. Aurobindo Ashram<
2. Auroville

1. Nataraj Temple
2. Brihadishwara Temple

1. Rock Fort Temple
2. Sri Ranganathswamy Temple

1. Meenakshi Temple
2. Thirumalai Nayak Palace
3. Rameshwaram

1. Periyar Wild life santuary

1. Backwaters

1. Mattancherry Dutch Palace
2. Jewish Synagogue
3. Church of St.Francis
4. Chinese Fishing Nets

1. Kanyakumari
2. Padmanabhapuram Palace
3. Sucheendram Temple
4. Gandhi Memorial
5. Kumari Amman Temple