Enchanting South India (12 Days) 

     Upon arrival at Chennai International airport and after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at hotel

     In the morning following breakfast, visit Kapaleeshwar temple. This ancient shrine dedicated to Shiva is centrally located and among the area’s most popular landmarks. Lord Shiva once pinched off one of the heads of Brahma to restrain his pride. A crestfallen Brahma came to this place, installed a Siva Lingam and did penance. The Lingam is known as Kapaleeswarar. At noon, visit the “National Art Gallery and Government Museum”, which houses a fine collection of items in various sections of geology, archaeology, numismatics, anthropology, botany and zoology. Later, visit Marina Beach, which extends from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram. Welcome dinner at a local specialty restaurant (for group tours only). Overnight at hotel. (B, D)

     After breakfast proceed to Kanchipuram– the ancient capital of the Pallavas, famous as a city of 1000 Temples that still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th centuries and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. After visiting Kanchipuram proceed for Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel, later visit the city of Mahabalipuram famous for the seven pagodas. Overnight at hotel (B)

     Morning drive to Pondicherry, a charming coastal town that was formerly a French colony and still has a few touches of French culture. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. In the afternoon go on a sightseeing tour to the French Tamil quarter and the world famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual center founded on modern sciences and yoga. Overnight at hotel (B)

     After breakfast depart for the Great Chola Capital Tanjore (The Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu). On arrival check-in at your hotel at Tanjore and start your sightseeing of the world famous Brihadeshwar temple. The temple built by the cholas is very special for its architecture. The most surprising is that the temple does not have a shadow falling on the surrounding grounds at any time of day but falls on its own structure. Overnight at hotel (B)

     After breakfast check-out from hotel and drive to Trichy. On arrival check-in and start the sightseeing of Trichy, a town situated on the banks of river Cauvery, visiting the famous “Sriranganathaswami temple” at Srirangam. It is surrounded by seven concentric walls and 21 towers called “Gopurams”. At the next site we visit the "Rock fort temple" at the main town, 437 rock-cut steps will take us to the Ganesh Shrine, commanding a breathtaking view of the entire town of Trichy. Overnight at hotel (B)

     Depart from hotel after breakfast and drive to Madurai – the old city of Tamilnadu. "Madhuram" means "sweet" in Sanskrit. On arrival check-in at hotel. At noon, start sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple. People are blessed by the temple elephant. Visit also the Tirumalai Nayak palace and Gandhi Museum. Later return to the hotel. Late evening visit to Meenakshi temple for the Aarti ceremony with a fanfare during which the god Shiva is lead to the bedroom of his wife, Meenakshi. Overnight at hotel.(B)

     After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Periyar (also known as Thekkady). Periyar was named after the Dam erected here by the English in 1895. On arrival at Periyar check-in at the hotel. At noon, we leave for a guided plantation tour to the nearby garden. In the evening enjoy the most popular boat trip at the National Park. There are many animals to see, including herds of elephants, bison and packs of wild boars that roam through the woods and parade along the shores of the lake just before sunrise and sunset. Overnight at hotel. (B)

     After breakfast in the hotel drive to the backwaters. On arrival board a houseboat from Kumarakom jetty. During the cruise, you will be able to drop in at some villages to check out the techniques and procedure involved in coir making. Lunch and dinner are served onboard, and you will be spending your night in the middle of the lake. Overnight at houseboat (B, L, D)

     After a leisurely breakfast on board disembark at Alleppey jetty, which is also known as “Venice of the East” because of the narrow canals and backwaters. Transfer to Cochin. In the evening visit the famous dance drama of Kerala, the “Kathakali”. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Overnight at hotel.(B)

     After breakfast go on a sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting "the Jewish Synagogue" at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, "the St. Francis Church" the oldest European Church in India, "the Santa Cruz Basilica" originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, the Dutch Palace and Spice market in narrow streets. Later return to hotel and in the evening visit the "Chinese fishing nets" huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have been brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Overnight at hotel. (B)

     Transfer to the airport as per your flight schedule to board the flight for your onward journey. (B)