South India Discovery: Kerala and Tamilnadu

Flights to Cochin (Airport Code COK) arrive from major cities of India, South-east Asia and Middle-east Asia. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer to the hotel.

No sightseeing is scheduled today but depending on your arrival time and if you wish, we can rearrange the itinerary and arrange some visits today. Cochin has been the principal port for southwestern India for centuries and so we can notice the evident Portuguese, Dutch and British influences as we travel through Kerala. Cochin, also called Kochi is made up of an array of islands. Cochin is known for palace architectures, old spice warehouses, Jewish synagogue and churches.

Overnight hotel in Cochin.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you for sightseeing of Cochin. We begin from Fort Cochin, also called Old Cochin. Fort Cochin was the fishing village in pre-colonial Kerala and later it went to the control of Portuguese, Dutch and British in different period of time. We visit the Church of St. Francis which is the oldest church in India. Vasco de Gama- the Portuguese explorer was originally buried in this church but his body was later moved to Lisbon, Portugal. Next, we visit the Portuguese built Mattancherry Palace (closed on Friday) where you will find some of the finest murals in India. The Chinese Fishing Nets are also attractions of Cochin as they are in no other states of India. The fishing nets are huge and have elegant construction. The way they are operated is quite hypnotic. Interestingly, catches can be purchased individually and needs to be taken to a street vendor nearby who will cook it for you.

In the afternoon enjoy the Kathakali dance – the stylized and theatrical art form retelling stories from Hindu legend. Kathakali, as a form of dance has evolved from many social and religious dramas which existed in the southern region in ancient times.

Overnight hotel in Cochin.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Alleppey by car (Approx. 38 miles/1 ½ hrs. drive) and embark on Houseboat.

Upon arrival, check into the traditional houseboat accommodation and cruise on the Kerala's backwaters. The boats are made by joining wooden planks together with the help of coconut ropes. Originally, these traditional boats were used for transporting rice. The boats have one or two fan-cooled bedrooms with western style en suite bathroom and shower. The sides can be opened to allow the breeze to flow freely. You will have private crew, steering the boat and cooking meals and serving for you. Tea and soft drinks are also served.

As you float along the backwaters, you can observe the local life in the shores. Some are fishing and others are washing clothes and children trying their English with you while they are splashing in the water. Backwater cruising also offers opportunities to view the various species of aquatic birds; mainly storks, egrets.

Afternoon, we take canoe trip through the narrow canals that go through the paddy fields, coconut lagoons and isolated islands. We observe the daily life of the locals in the land as well as on water.

Overnight in Houseboat.

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Thekkady (Approx. 100 miles/4 hrs. by car). Thekkady is a popular hill resort and a spice trading town. Thekkady is also known for wildlife Sanctuary and is home to wild elephants.

The afternoon is for boating trip on Lake Periyar. The boat takes us around the sanctuary. Most commonly spotted animals are monkeys, wild-pigs, deer, wild-buffaloes and elephants. Tiger sighting is very rare. The boat ride lasts in about 2-hour.

Overnight in Periyar.

Early morning, we go for a nature walk in the forest and enjoy the calls of birds and monkeys. Children under 12 years are not allowed on a nature walk.

Later, drive to Madurai (Approx. 94 miles/3 ½ hrs.)- a vibrant ancient city on the Vaigai River in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Meenakshi Amman Temple with 14 towers, known as Gopurams, is the main attraction here. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel.

After dinner, we visit the temple to watch the evening procession ceremony of Lord Shiva. Amidst chanting and prayers, the idol of Lord Shiva is carried on a palanquin from his shrine to his residence where Goddess Meenakshi waits for him.

Overnight in Madurai.

After breakfast, we return to the Meenakshi temple complex again to see the temple in day light. The temple complex has 14 towers which are known as the Gopurams, meaning gateway towers. Two of the towers which are elaborately sculptured and painted are for the main deities. Meenakshi Temple is among the most famous temples of India. The temple is known for its outstanding and impressive architectural grandeur.

Next, we visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a 17th century palace, built by King Thirumalai Nayak. Designed by an Italian architect, this temple is a classic fusion of Dravidian, Islamic and European styles. The palace, listed as the national monument of India and protected by Tamil Nadu Archaeological department, is truly an architectural wonder of India.

Afternoon, we transfer to Tanjore, now known as Thanjavur (119 miles, 4 hours) - an important South Indian hub for religion, art, and architecture.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel.

Overnight in Tanjore.

Moring excursion to Trichy- officially known as Tiruchirapalli (38 miles, 1 hour). The city lies almost in the center of Tamilnadu State and is famous for its Rock Fort Temple.

The Rock Fort Temple is the landmark of the city of Trichy. The Rock Fort, situated on a massive rocky outcrop on the bank of River Kaveri that dramatically spurts amid the flat land. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the gigantic temple features a 100-hall and a Vimana (a mythological flying machine) covered with gold! The rock-cut cave temples on the southern face of the rock are spectacular.

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam is situated 4 miles from the downtown Trichy. With seven rectangular-walled courtyards and 21 towers, this temple claims to be the world's second largest temple complex after Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It's among the most revered Hindu temple in India. Some of the rock carvings here are considered best in India.

Afternoon, we return to Tanjore and proceed for local sightseeing. Tanjore also boasts some UNESCO recognized heritage temples. We visit the Brihadeswara Temple dating back to 11th century and claiming to be among the tallest temples of the world. It's undoubtedly an architectural wonder and a perfect example of the Chola rulers love and passion to the creative architecture.

Next, we visit the Palace of Tanjore. Situated near the Brihadeswara Temple, the Palace of Tanjore is a huge building built over several decades by the kings of different dynasties. We visit the Art Gallery situated in the palace. The palace preserves some of the magnificent and precious Granite and Bronze statues of the Chola period.

Overnight in Tanjore.

After breakfast, depart for Pondicherry which is a long day travel (122 miles, 5-hours) with two important stops for sightseeing.

We first stop in Kumbakonam (25 miles, 1 hour from Tanjore) to visit some of the 118 temples of the city.

Kumbakonam city was the capital in the medieval Chola kings and became the center of studies for Hindu culture and European education during the British reign. Some of the prominent temples we visit here are Kumbeswara Temple, Ramaswamy Temple and Sarangapani Temple etc.

Now, continue our travel and stop in another temple town of Chidambaram (47 miles, 2-hours) which is an important pilgrimage destination for the devotees of Lord Shiva. We visit the Natraj Temple situated in the center of the town. Natraj is the dancing form of Lord Shiva. Spread out over 40 acres, Natraj Temple complex includes several other temples, a water pool, and the 'hall of thousand pillars’. The complex is open to everyone but the gold-plated sanctum sanctorum that houses the idol is for Hindu worshippers only.

Pondicherry is journey of another 44 miles and takes about 2 hours from Chidambaram.

Overnight in Pondicherry.

After breakfast, we set out to explore the former French colonial city of Pondicherry, also called Puducherry. French left in 1954 but we can still see the French legacy well preserved in French quarter, with yellow colored colonial villas, elegant boutiques and tree-lined streets.

We begin from the Aurobindo Ashram - one of the most renowned and the wealthiest Hindu retreat in India, with devotees from India and all over the world gathering here for spiritual knowledge. Next, we head to the Puducherry Museum (closed on Monday and national holidays) with a wide range of exhibits including rare bronzes and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties.

Now, we drive little out of the city to visit the Auroville - or the ‘City of Dawn'. A project of spiritual leader Aurovinda, Auroville is a universal town that promotes peace and progressive harmony, above all faiths, all politics and all nationalities. We begin from the visitor's center, that offers detailed exhibitions and video viewings on the city’s aims and activities and we take walk around.

On the way back, we stop in the French Quarter, a corner of Pondicherry which has French colonial influences. We take a heritage walk starting at the French Consulate near the north end of seafront Goubert Ave, then gradually head south, passing by the Bharathi Park with neoclassical governor's residence, Raj Nivas, Gandi Memorial, Hotel De Ville, White Town-Dumas, Romain Rolland, Suffren and Labourdonnais Sts.

We meet our transport and then transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Pondicherry.

First, we check into our accommodations and then we proceed for sightseeing of Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram. Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock-cut temples built along the Coromandel Coast and caves associated with Hindu epic Mahabharata.

We visit Arjuna's Penace- a huge open-air sculpture that shows the various events that occurred during Arjuna’s Penance. It's built on two big rocks which are approximately 43 feet high. The rock sculpture is intricate and is unlike any other that is found in India.

Next, we visit the Thirukadalmallai - one of the 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is an 8th century temple built in the time of Pallavas dynasty. It has Dravidian Pallava style architecture with a white colored tower that is a marvel to behold.

Now, we move on to the Rock-Cut Cave Temples of the 7th century. The rock sculptures here are dedicated to various Hindu deities and these are among the finest masterpieces of Indian art. We also visit the Shore Temple, that overlooks the shore of Bay of Bengal and that's how it got its name. This is a distinct Pallava style architecture, finely cut into granite rock, decorated with various rock cut reliefs and sculptures.

Final stop of the day will be at Pancha Rathas which are open air rock cut reliefs, designed in the form of chariots named after the Pandava from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. We can notice the distinctive Dravidian style of architecture in the design. The monoliths are carved out of pink granite and the tallest one of them is around 40 feet high. The sculptures in the niches in the chariot shaped temples are various characters of Hindu mythology.

Depending on available time and interest, we may or may not visit all the attractions listed but the above are the most important ones and of course, there are a lot more to see in Mahabalipuram.

Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Today get transferred to Chennai airport in time, (Approx. 38 miles/1 hr. drive) to catch your flight for on-wards destination.