ENCHANTING SOUTH INDIA

Day 01: Arrival Chennai

Chennai, drive to Mahabalipuram.
Mahabalipuram was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. This tiny sea ‑ side village of Mahabalipuram, is set in a boulder ‑ strewn landscape.

Hotel: Vivanta by Taj – Fisherman’s cove

Day 02: Mahabalipuram
Visit Arjuna's Penance, carved in relief on the face of a huge rock, Arjuna's Penance is the mythical story of the River Ganges issuing from its source high in the Himalaya.

Shore Temple, that represents the final phase of Pallavas art and was built in the late 7th century during the reign of Rajasimha.

Five Rathas the architectural prototypes of all Dravidian temples, demonstrating the imposing Gopurams and Vimanas; multi pillared halls and sculptured walls, that dominate the landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Day 03: Drive to Chennai
Visit Kapaleswara Temple an ancient Shiva temple & biggest in Chennai, a masterpiece of Dravidian style that displays the architectural elements. There are some fragmentary inscriptions dating back to 1250 AD.

Government Museum - The main building has a fine archaeological section representing all the major south Indian periods including Chola, Vijayanagar, Hoysala and Chalukya.
IMP: Museum remains closed on Fridays.

Fort St. George & Museum, which was built by the British East India Company. The fort was built in 1640 AD, under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon.

Dinner at Rain tree

Hotel: Taj Coromandel

Day 04: Fly to Madurai
Connect flight AI 671 Dep 1215 / Arr 1305

Evening at leisure

Hotel: The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai

Day 05: Madurai
Morning visit Meenakshi Temple & Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, with shopping

Meenakshi Temple, is nearly 2000 years old placed in the heart of the old town - a splendid example of Dravidian architecture. The present temple was designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayak and subsequently built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak.
IMP: Meenakshi Temple remains closed from 1200 hrs till 1530 hrs.

Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, Indo-Saracenic building was constructed in 1523 and was originally four times large are today.

Afternoon is free for shopping

Evening enjoy rickshaw ride with a visit of Meenakshi Temple to attend the evening ceremony known as 'Bedtime of the God'

Day 06: Drive to Periyar
Periyar is an example of nature's bounty, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing veritable visitor satisfaction, sprawled over an area of 777 Sq. Kms. Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India.

Afternoon is free at leisure. You can also opt for a relaxing Ayurvedic message (on direct payment).

Hotel: Spice Village

Day 07: Periyar
Morning visit a tribal village an interesting 01 hour visit, whereby the clients will be able to observe the lifestyle of the Tribal from close quarters.

Drive to an Elephant Camp where we will organize elephant bathing and elephant feeding. Also enjoy a 30 min Elephant joy ride.

Visit Spice Plantation, and walk through the aromatic spice gardens where the air is laden with the fragrance of nature's bounty. Spices can be defined as “aromatic substances of vegetable origin, used for flavoring food or as a preservative."

Evening enjoy a Cooking class where in you will be introduced to different preparations of rice, vegetable dishes, the use of coconut in food and the preparation of a Keralan festive lunch or dinner (known as a ‘Sadya’).

Day 08: Drive to Cochin
Afternoon at leisure

OPTIONAL: Evening enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Drama at a local theatre..

Hotel: Brunton Boatyard

Day 09: Cochin
Visit St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader was buried in this Church.

Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry.
IMP: Closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Dutch Palace originally built by the Portuguese. Later, in 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented it to the Raja of Kochi. The palace has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana.
IMP: Closed on Fridays.

Afternoon is free for shopping or you can relax in the hotel

Day 10: Drive to Kumarakom
Day is free to relax.

Hotel: Coconut Lagoon

Day 11: Kumarakom
You can opt for an invigorating Ayurvedic message (on direct payment basis) or just indulge in nothing and enjoy the serene atmosphere of backwaters

Optional: Go for Day cruising covering beautiful rivers and canals with palm trees and small houses near to it.

Day 12: Drive to Kovalam

Hotel: The Leela

Day 13 & 14: Kovalam
Days free to relax or enjoy the beach

Day 15: Drive to Trivandrum Airport
Transfer to the International airport to connect flight back home. (Check Out time 12 noon)

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Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Chennai - Madurai - Periyar - Cochin - Kumarakom - Kovalam