Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Kanchipuram -
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjavur - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom
- Alleppey (Houseboat) - Cochin
Day 01: Arrival Chennai 
Arrive Chennai - the gateway to
southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the
oldest cities of the country. Assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day
at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02: Chennai
Today go
for a sight seeing of Chennai visiting museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery,
High court, Fort museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park. Over
night at Chennai.
Day 03: Chennai - Kanchipuram / Mahabalipuram ( 76
kms - 2 hrs )
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram- is the ancient
capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124
shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th
century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha,
Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for
its silks. Later drive to Mahabalipuram and check in at hotel. Overnight stay at
hotel.
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Day 04: Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called
Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique
sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town , shrines and huge sculptures
cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in
the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of
demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The
only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine,
unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its
sanctum-sanctorum. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05: Mamallapooram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry (243kms -
6.5hrs)
After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamallai - a pilgrim centre with
an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. After lunch, proceed to Pondicherry, which
carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French
colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in
1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St.Agasthaya settled down.
Check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 06: Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to visit
Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This
ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and
modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel,
visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a
new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in
harmony and Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus. Overnight stay at hotel.
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Day 07: Pondicherry - Tanjore (170kms -
4.5hrs)
After breakfast drive toTanjore. Reach Tanjore or Thanjavur by
noon. After lunch explore the beautiful Chola temple of Brihadeeshwara, Palace
and its Art Gallery which contains several granite and bronze statues of the
Chola period. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 08: Tanjore - Madurai
(185kms - 4.5 hrs)
After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of
Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and
tradition. Visit Trichy. The Rock Fort is the landmark of Trichy. Enjoy a climb
of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb
to a Shiva Temple. Later proceed to Madurai. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 09: Madurai
After breakfast proceed to proceed
for sight of Madurai. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid
out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in
the centre. Your visit would include - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's Palace,
Great tank and Gandhi museum. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10:
Madurai - Periyar (165Km - 4hrs)
Today you will drive down to Kerala
'GODS OWN COUNTRY" and to its famous wildlife sanctuary. Check in at the resort
near the wildlife reserve. After lunch proceed to wildlife sanctuary for a wild
life cruise. Optional : Later go on an elephant safari in the jungle. Back to
the hotel. Spent the night at the resort.
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Day 11: Periyar - Kumarakom (140Km - 3.5
hrs)
After breakfast proceed to Kumarakom famous for its Backwater.
Checkin to the resort on the banks of the Vembanand lake. Full day at Leisure at
the resort. Relax your body with an Ayurvedic message. Overnight stay at the
resort.
Day 12: Kumarakom - Houseboat
After breakfast
proceed to Alleppey. Checkin to the waiting houseboat. Enroute you can see many
romantic beauty of the nature which will remind you that you are in the "God's
Own Country". You can view coconut palm fringed canals and local people going
for a fresh catch of the day & Tapping of toddy (Local beverages) from palm
trees. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the
houseboat.
Day 13: Alleppey - Cochin (90 kms - 2.50 hrs )
On
arrival at Cochin, check-in at the Hotel. After lunch go across the Cochin
Harbour, which takes you to the gateway of the Arabian Sea. On arrival at Fort
Cochin, proceed on a sight seeing tour, which includes a visit to the Dutch
Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing nets, etc. Evening
go for a sunset cruise at the Arabian sea.. Overnight stay at
Cochin.
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Day 14: Departure Cochin (40 km -
1hrs)
Morning free for shopping. Depart as per schedule to the Airport/
Railway station at Cochin to connect onto your flight for onward Journey. Tour
ends…..
