Day 01:Arrive Chennai (Formerly Madras)

Upon arrival, we are met by our local representative and transferred to our hotel. We take rest today to recover jet lag. Overnight hotel

Day 02:Sightseeing of Chennai

Chennai, until recently known as Madras, is the gateway city of South India and has a culture distinctly different than that of northern India. The places of interest are Kalakshetra-a school of art and music promoting traditional Bharatnatyam dances, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing; Fort St. George built in 1653 during British reign in India, - now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India with its premises; Sri Parthasarathy Temple built by Pallavas in the 8th century AD; Kapaliswara Temple, Mylapore also an eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; San Thomas Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica; and Theosophical Society - the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society created for the studies of comparative religion, philosophy and science. Overnight hotel in Chennai.

Day 03:Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram, 140 km

After breakfast, we leave hotel for Mahabalipuram. After about 70 km, we arrive Kanchipuram or Kanchi- a city of thousand temples. One of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, it was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Apart from temples, the city is also famous for its silk weavers, settled here some 400 years ago who have given it an enviable reputation. We continue drive to Mahabalipuram-the ancient port of the Pallavas.
The Pallavas have created many marvelous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples. We will visit some of the Pallava’s creation; eg Krishna Mandapam with a big bas relief, notable for its realistic representation, Shore Temple of Dravidian style-one of the oldest in south India dating back to the 8th century , the Five Rathas-a group of five monolithic temples, each created in different style are another attraction. Overnight hotel.

Day 04:Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry, 135 km

After breakfast, we leave hotel for Pondichery-formerly a French Colony. Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sights are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual environment. Overnight hotel in Pondicherry.

Day 05:Pondicherry-Swami Malai, 166 km

Drive to Swami Malai, visiting en-route Chidambram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Swamai Malai is basically a temple town and is a great place for the travelers with interest in Hindu iconography. Upon arrival, we check in our hotel and take the tour of the town.

Day 06:Swami Malai- Tanjore, 91 km

Morning drive to Tanjore, en route visiting temple of Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram. Upon arrival, we check in our hotel and afternoon, sightseeing of Tanjore- the home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional handicrafts. Tanjore, also known as Thanjavur is dominated by the superb World Heritage Site-Brihadishwara Temple and a sprawling Maratha Palace Complex. The temple constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architect's marvel. The Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library are also well known places of interest. Overnight hotel.

Day 07:Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai, 201 km

Today, we drive to Madurai and en route stop at Tiruchirappalli-universally known as Trichy, to visit Sri Ranganathswamy Temple and Rock Fort Temples. Ranganathswamy Temple complex, surrounded by the Kaveri River, is in a 600 acre island town enclosed by seven walls. The Rock Fort Temple, situated on the banks of the Kaveri River is the Trichy's most famed landmark. The attraction is not for the fort itself but the temple at the summit which is believed to be one of the oldest in the world, approximately 3,800 years old. It’s a stiff cliff climb to the top up the 437 stone-cut steps but the worth the effort. Later, we drive to Madurai and upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and take the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 08:Madurai Sightseeing

Known as Athens of the East, Madurai is the second largest city and cultural capital of Tamilnadu, situated on the banks of the Vaigai River. Its one of South India’s oldest cities and has been a center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Madurai where the people wake up to the chant of hymns is proud of the magnificent Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple. Of its 12 gopurams, four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. The 48.8 m high southern gopuram is the most spectacular and has over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight hotel.

Day 09:Madurai-Kanya Kumari-Kovalam, 285 km

Morning drive to Kanya Kumari (Cape Comorin), the southernmost end of India where three Oceans meet. We continue to Kovalam and upon arrival, we check in our beach resort.

Day 10:Relax on the Kovalam Beaches

Kovalam is one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. We just hang loose along the beaches or explore the local areas. In the evening, the quiet atmosphere of the beaches is enlivened by Kathakali performances, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. Overnight hotel.

Day 11:Kovalam-Periyar, 276 km

After breakfast, we leave for Periyar . Periyar sanctuary, also known as Thekkady Tiger Reserve, spreads over an area of 777 sq km. On arrival at Periyar check in to hotel and after some rest, we take plantation tour to the nearby garden where in various species of spices and other aromatic plants are cultivated. Depending on the available time, we will also visit a tea factory nearby. In the afternoon, we enjoy the most popular boat trip at the National Park - the best way to observe the game in wild at Periyar is by boat.
There are many animals to see, including herds of elephants, bison’s and packs of wild boars that roam through the woods and parade along the shores of the lake just before sunrise and sunset. You can also see also different species of apes. Other animals in Periyar are otters and porcupines. Water turtles can often be seen sunning themselves on the pieces of wood that stick out of the water. Osprey and Cormorants belong to the most important species of birds in this area. Overnight at hotel in Thekkady.

Day 12:Periyar-Kottayam-Kumarakom, 136 km

Kottayam, 64 km from Cochin, is a commercial centre of Kerala. Dotted with churches and covered with rubber plantations, Kottayam is just 16 km before Kumarakom and Vembanad Lake. To the city's west are delightful backwaters and to its east is the most fertile and scenic part of the Western Ghats having rubber, tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations. Upon arrival in Kumarakom, we check-in at the backwater resort. Kumarakom is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake. Coconut Lagoon is set on an abandoned coconut plantation in the heart of idyllic backwaters. Rest of the day free.

Day 13:Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin

Morning backwater cruise for 2-1/2 hours to Alleppey- famous for snake boat races, and an intricate network of canals. This district is famous for coir mats and rugs and comes alive during snake boat races organized in January, August and September. Traveling by boat on the backwaters in Kerala is one of the most unique experiences. The boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes and travel along narrow shady canals providing glimpses of small settlements on the narrow land, shops, and schools and trading on boat, lush green rice fields. At Alleppey, we meet our transport and we drive to Cochin or Kochi(56 km). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight hotel.

Day 14:Cochin Sightseeing

Cochin, Kerala's commercial center, has a fine natural harbor. Cochin is famous for Mattanchery Palace, St. Francis Church, Wellington Island, Bolghatty Island, Chinese Fishing nets and Jewish Synagogue. Cruising on the backwaters of Kochi provides glimpses of the rural life, fine view of the harbor and three islands. Evening, we enjoy the traditional Kathakali Dance Show in an auditorium. Overnight hotel.

Day 15:Cochin - Ooty drive, 280 km

We leave hotel early morning for Ooty, also known as Uthagamandalam. Ooty is a famous hill station in the Nilgiri Hills (Blue mountain), founded by the British in the early 19th century. Its green landscape, gardens and tall eucalyptus trees adds beauty to this hill. We drive up to Conoor and then board on the famous miniature steam train to Ooty at 01.35pm. Arrive Ooty at 02.50pm and check in hotel. The train trip offers us many stunning view points and is definitely a memorable experience. Overnight at Hotel in Ooty.

Day 16:Sightseeing of Ooty

Ooty, is an integral part of the great plateau occupying the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats. Located at 2240m above sea level, Ooty is the headquarters of the Nilgris district. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle dot the hillsides of Ooty and its environs. The places of interest in Ooty include Botanical Gardens where "the summer Festival" is held each year during the month of May. The artificial lake and Dodabetta Peak, which is the highest point in the district at a height of 2623 m are popular attractions.
17 km from Ooty is the first of these hills stations. Coonoor is a small town with an equable climate that has made it popular as hill resort. Tea and Tourism Festival is held here during Dec-Jan. The main attraction is the Sim's Park, a small well maintained botanical garden that has several varieties of plants not to be found in other hill stations.

Day 17:Ooty - Mysore drive, 155 km

Mysore, 770 m above sea level, this imperial city was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. The city takes its name from a famous demon called Mahishasur, a great warrior who ruled as a tyrant until he was killed by the goddess Chamundeshwari. Upon arrival, we check in hotel and soon embark on the tour of the city. We visit the imposing Royal Palace with a magnificent Durbar Hall, particularly splendid during the Dussehra Festival when the Maharaja's jewelry, studded gold throne (weighing 200 kgs) is on display. We also visit 2000 years old Chamundeshwari temple perched on a hilltop, and Nandi Bull, a almost 5 m high monolith half way up to the hill. Another attraction is the KRS Dam and the ornamental Brindavan Gardens. The musical fountains and colorful lights transform this place into a fairyland in the evenings.

Day 18:Mysore and around

After an early morning breakfast, we drive 45 km to visit Somnathpur temple-built in 1268 AD and known for its Hoysala architecture. The temple is seated on a star shaped base, set on a chiseled plinth and guarded at intervals by miniature elephants. The temple wall illustrates scenes of Hindu scriptures of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagvata Gita. Later we drive to Srirangapattinam – a place with ancient history, It’s an Island fortress town on the bank of river Cauvery. Visit the Srirengapatnam fort and the summer palace of Tippu Sultan. After lunch, we visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary at a 3km distance on one of the three islands in the Cauvery River. It’s a good place to see Storks, Ibis, Egrets, Darters, Spoonbills and Cormorants round the year. Return to hotel in the evening and rest of the day for own activities. Overnight hotel.

Day 19Drive to Hassan, 150 km

En route visit - Saravanabelagola, the famous Jain pilgrim center and one of the oldest in India. The place is known as one of the greatest monuments of Jain art. The colossal statue of Gomateswara with a height of 57 feet is situated on the summit of Indragiri hill. It is one of the two giant sculptures in the world, after the Colossus Ramses II in Egypt. Later drive a short while to reach the hotel in Hassan. Afternoon, we visit the famous Hoysala temples of “Belur and Halebid”. Typically these temples are squat and star shaped. Belur temple took over 103 years to complete and is a classic example of the Hoysala style of architecture. It rises like a wedding cake in stone, from a star shaped plinth, one of the hallmarks of Hoysala building design. From the base upwards, there is an extraordinary wealth of decorative detail; every available inch is crammed with intricate carvings. In one frieze, 650 elephants jostle one another in a continuous line. Many of the figures of full bosomed women depicted at Belur are believed to be portraits of King Vishnuvardhana's queen.
Halebid - 16 km east of Belur and 27 km from Hassan, the Hoysaleswara Temple dating back to 12th century is astounding for its wealth of sculptural detail. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. The magnificent temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, guarded by a Nandi Bull was never completed despite 86 years of labor. In the inner sanctum, the black lingam, the symbol of Shiva, is still worshipped. The carving at the door is ornate with small details.

Day 20:Hassan-Bangalore (194km)

Drive to Bangalore and board on flight to Mumbai and connect with your international flight.