Arrive in Chennai. Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Day of leisure.

Night stay in Chennai.

In the morning after breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai covering St. Thomas Church, Kapaleeshwar Temple, and Fort St. George. Drive past Marina Beach, the natural sandy beauty, spacious promenade and beautiful gardens of the beach attract tourists visiting Chennai.

Night stay in Chennai.

Meal: Breakfast

In the morning, drive to Kanchipuram-- known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, is one of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for both its temples, many of them remarkably well preserved, and for its hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India and it is the only one associated with both Shiva and Vishnu. Visit Ekambareswarar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple, and the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is justly famous for its particularly fine silk saris, embellished with stunning patterns. Visit the local homes of the weavers and watch them create magic out of silk thread into saris. Continue to drive to Mahabalipuram & transfer to the hotel. Later, proceed for city sightseeing.

Mahabalipuram - This is a small, quiet seaside resort with a unique 7th-century Shore Temple, a lovely beach, and some of the most beautiful rock-cut temples in the world. Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already a famous seaport in the 1st century AD. This town was a workshop for temple building. Visit the seven pagoda-style Shore temples, lashed by the waves of the sea, and the seven rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments & animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were constructed in a single century-long burst of creative enthusiasm, starting in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630- 68). End the visit by photography of the beautiful Shore temples at sunset.

Night stay in Mahabalipuram.

After breakfast, drive to Trichy, the short name of Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as a pilgrim center, it is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Later, a city tour to visit Rock Fort and its temple at a height of over 23 mts. Also, visit Srirangam and Jambukeswarar Temple.

Night stay in Trichy.

Meal: Breakfast

In the morning, drive to Thanjavur (Tanjore)(104kms/03hrs) en route and visit the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Thanjavur, once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brihadeshwara Temple (or the big temple of God). The temple tower rises to a height of 15 mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts. Continue driving to Madurai. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old, is laid out on the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.

Night stay in Madurai.

Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu- the ancient seat of learning. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus. Situated on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is the ancient capital of the Pandya Kings. Legend has it that the divine nectar falling from the locks of Lord Shiva gave the town its ancient name, Madhurapuri—the land of nectar. Today, it is an important business center. The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her consort Lord Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord Vishnu. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand-pillared hall. Also, enjoy a ’light & sound Panorama’ in Thirumalai Nayak Temple or visit Alagar Hills & Tripura Rock Temple. In the evening, listen to the distinctive temple music at Thiruparankundram.

Night stay in Madurai.

In the morning, drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper, and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Arrive in Periyar and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to walk around in the peaceful town known for various Spices and coffee plantations.

Night stay in Periyar.

Meal: Breakfast

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see wild elephants. In the afternoon, drive to Munnar, the famous hill station of Kerala. Arrive in Munnar and transfer to the hotel.

Night stay in Munnar.

The day is free to relax and to walk around. Munnar is situated near the Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats. Also, visit Rajamalai & Eravikulam National Park, 15 Km from Munnar, this is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat (Hemitragus Hylocrius). 2. Marayoor, 40 Km from Munnar, is the only place in Kerala that lays claim to the natural growth of Sandalwood. The Muniyara caves with murals and relics from the New Stone Age Civilization. A Children’s Park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a Single Banyan Tree, is of great interest to tourists.

Night stay in Munnar.

In the morning, drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam and stay in one of the backwater resorts. The panoramic backwaters here offer an ideal retreat to enjoy nature at its best.

Night stay at Kumarakom.

In the morning, drive a short distance before switching over to a boat through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey. The backwater cruise in a country boat is the best way to explore the villages and rural life. In Alleppey, you will be taken aboard your floating houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom and en-suite restroom for your comfort. Enjoy unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip a coconut, get disturbed by only the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in water, and savor mouthwatering delicacies prepared in front of you by your Kitchen crew. Spend the night on board the houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater through a maze of canals and lagoons and enjoy freshly caught freshwater fish cooked to your taste on board.

Night stay in Alappuzha.

In the morning, drive to Kochi (225 Km drive). The Commercial Capital of Kerala, and the most cosmopolitan of Kerala’s cities, Kochi is a fascinating blend of cultures. Arrive & transfer to the hotel. Later, proceed for sightseeing in Kochi that covers:

1. The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological museum, and Kerala’s first-ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions (closed on Mondays).

2. Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge cantilevered fishing nets, was erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from the Court of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King.

3. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Church a Basilica in 1984.

4. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, is the oldest Synagogue in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays). The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the center for Spice & Handicraft shops.

5. Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Regent of Kochi (closed on Fridays).

Night stay in Kochi.

After breakfast, drive to Ooty. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The evening is free to explore the beautiful & ravishing beauty of Ooty. Also, visit the Botanical Garden: A variety of exotic and ornamental plants adorn this garden which is the venue for the Flower show held in May every year.

Night stay in Ooty.

Meal: Breakfast

The day is free to relax and explore the surroundings. It is one of the most popular hill resorts in Southern India at an elevation of 7216 ft. above sea level. The Eastern Ghats are mighty and attractive while the Western Ghats have wooded loveliness. Nature unfolds itself in and around Ooty in a myriad of profiles, each one with a distinctive grandeur and individuality.

Night stay in Ooty.

In the morning, drive to Mysore. The city got its name from Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon king. Chamundeswari, an incarnation of Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, killed the demon. It is also the capital of sandalwood, musk, and rosewood. Mysore emerged as the capital of the Wodeyar kings, in 1399 AD. The original wooden palace was destroyed in a fire in 1897 during a marriage ceremony. Henry Erwin, a British architect, designed the new palace and handed it over to the king in 1911-12, at a cost of Rs. 4.2 million. Though royalty no longer exists in its accepted form, the descendants of the royal family still live here. The palace is a blend of Indo-Saracenic, Mughal, and Hindu architectural styles. The entire effect is magnificent. Other attractions include the Lalit Mohan Palace, at the foot of the Chamundi Hill. E. W. Fritchley, a British architect, built it in 1931. Then, there is the Jagan Mohan Palace, built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV in 1861 as a royal auditorium. Today, it is a famous art gallery, containing royal paintings.

Night stay in Mysore.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, visit the places you must have been longing to visit: Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery - Housed in the Jag Mohan Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings dating back to 1875. St. Philomena’s Church – Built in the Gothic style, one of the largest churches in the country. Chamundi Hills - Right on the top of the hill, Brindavan Gardens - Witness the exuberant beauty of Brindavan Gardens.

Night stay in Mysore.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Bangalore en route to visit Srirangapatna - the capital of warriors - King Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan, have magnificent monuments that are well worth a visit. Set & refresh in the hotel then go to visit Mysore Palace: Once the residence of the Wodeyars, built in 1912 in the Indo-Saracenic style, this palace exudes a grandeur that is unmatched. The Golden Royal Elephant, the Durbar Hall. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.

Night stay in Bangalore.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to visit the city of Gardens: You will see Vidhan Sudha - which houses the State’s Legislature and Secretariat, Nandi Temple - One of the oldest temples, popularly known as the Bull Temple, etc. Later, transfer to the airport to board the flight back home.

Meal: Breakfast