Arrival Chennai|Transfer to hotel |Overnight Hotel

Overnight at hotel

Chennai or Madras as it used to be called is the state capital of Tamil Nadu and one of India's largest cities. It has good links to the rest of the subcontinent and the international airport is a major hub for the south of India.

Chennai has a good range of hotels and is excellent for shopping.

Full day car and driver at disposal.Overnight at Hotel

Today sightseeing with your guide - Fort ST. Geroge:Marina Beach: ANNA Memorial: Government Museum: Return and overnight at hotel.

Morning drive to Mahabalipuram.Upon arrival checkinto hotel PM: Sightseeing Mahabalipuram with Local guide .

Overnight at Hotel

Today drive to south of Madras on the coast lies Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), the ancient port of Pallavas. The pallavas have created many marvelous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples. Krishna Mandapam, has a big bas relief, notable for its realistic representation. The world's largest base relief measuring 27m x 9m, whale back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demi-gods, men, beasts, birds and representation of the entire creation. Shore Temple, one of the oldest in south dating back to 8th century AD is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The Five Rathas, a group of
five monolithic temples, each created in different style Mahabalipuram entrance -Time/Between 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m).

Morning drive to Pondicherry. Upon arrival chekinto Hotel. Afternoon visit Aurobindo ashram etc., Overnight at Hotel

Overnight at Hotel

Once the capital of French India. It has a distinct French Atmosphere amidst the surrounding Tamil country. you wil be staying at The seaside promenade hotel , Goubert Salai ( former Beach Road) . Today Car and Driver at Disposal to visit Pondicherry- 'the city of dawn' inspired by the mother and disciple of Aurobindo.

Today your car and driver at disposal to Tranquabar. Overnight at Hotel

Tranquebar, 15km south of the ancient Chola port of Pumpuhar, and 15km north of the former French comptoir of Karikal, was a Danish settlement from 1620 to 1845. Bungalow on the Beach located 15 km north of in Karikal at Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu, the Bungalow on the Beach comprises of two 17th century Danish bungalows that have been converted into a heritage hotel recently. This elegant hotel not only offers a scenic view of the ocean but also has an old Danish Fort and a medieval Pandya temple situated on either side that are nice places to have a look at. Besides, the Bungalow on the Beach also has the distinction of being the first hotel to be established in
Tranquebar.

Morning drive to Chettinadu . Afternoon visit Chettinadu Palace etc.Overnight at Hotel

Transfer Chettinadu was the royal city of the Cholas, Chettinadu situated in Tamil Nadu state located 20 miles to the west of the coastal line of Bay of Bengal .Chettinaad region became a hub of activity with craftsmen working in wood, brass, silver and other metals being in great demand especially for the construction and renovation of temples.The Chettinaad cuisine reflects the lifestyle of the Chettinad people. The achis (Chettinad women) use sun-dried and salted vegetables, seeds and fruits in their cooking. Essentially vegetarians, the Chettinaad people imbibed a taste for non- vegetarian food on their travels and the South East Asian influences are clearly visible. Thus Chettinad style of preparing chicken, meat and fish dishes has become immensely popular.

Morning Car and driver at disposal to Madurai .Evening pooja cermony Overnight at Hotel

Madurai the 2000 year old capital of the Pandayan Kings, and check into your hotel - a beautiful hotel on a hillock in the midst of acres of gardens. Madurai, known as Athens of the East, it is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vigai. The city believed to be more than 2000 yeras old capital of the Pandayan Kings, The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him.

Evening witness Prayer Ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple .Every day Night Ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple after 08.30 p.m. the Evening "Arti" is a must see for all visitors. The consort of Goddess Durga ? Shiva is brought to her Chamber in procession. The entire procession takes about 45 Minutes

Full day visit of Madurai city and Overnight at hotel

One of South India's most historic pilgrimage cities, bustling Madurai is renowned for the magnificent Meenakshi Temple, which can attract up to 15,000 visitors on one day alone. The temple complex has sections dating back as far as 2,000 years and is one of the country's most dramatic displays of Dravidian architecture.

Most travellers visit Madurai solely to see the exceptional Meenakshi Temple complex, which, apart from its architectural splendor, is an auspicious Hindu pilgrimage site. The temple's Gopurams (soaring gateway towers) display intricately carved, often curious, depictions of Hindu deities, animals and celestial figures (Time/Beween 05.00 a.m to 01.00 p.m and 04.00 p.m to 10.30.pm.).

The Gandhi Memorial Museum, located in a former palace, has an admirable exhibition chronicling India's independence movement (spanning 1757 to 1947). An item of clothing (replete with blood stains), said to have been worn at the time Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, is on display here(Time/Between 10.00 a.m to 01.00 p.m and 02.00 p.m to05.30 p.m -Open all days.

Transfer Madurai to Periyar Wild life sanctuary. Evening Gameviewing by Shared Boat /visit markets + Shopping.Overnight at hotel

Today we drive up the ghats on a route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, coco, green pepper and arecanut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar -the cardamom hills on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Periyar was established in 1934 and is one of the largest sanctuaries in India. It is one of the best sanctuaries in which to observe herds of elephants. Evening the boat journeys provide unrivalled opportunities for observing mammals, particularly Elephants, at close range. On arrival check in to hotel.

In the month from November to February, temperatures here often go below freezing point and hence warm clothes are recommended /Viewing is best by boat at sunrise and sunset - there is also a rich variety of bird life and other animals that may be seen include bison, wild boar, and sambar. ( Timings 07a.m to 09.00 a.m / 09.30a.m to 11.30a.m /11.30a.m to 01.30p.m / 02.00p.m to 04.00p.m /04.00 p.m to 06.00p.m) and Local Spice Market visit etc.(Timings 10.00 a.m to 08.00 p.m).

Today Periyar Wild life sanctuary to Kumarkaom. Check in and Overnight at Farmhouse.

Periyar National Park - the 21 mile long lake is artificial, built by the British in 1895 for irrigation purposes. The scenery, shapes and colors often remind people of the Scottish Highlands. A longer excursion deep into the forests on foot with local tribal guides will help to make this an intimate and unique experience(Timing 07.00 a.m to 10.00 a.m /01.30 p.m to 04.30 p.m ).

Later drive to Vechoor village and on arrival checkinto Philipkuttyfarm House-One of the many fascinating experiences for visitors is without doubt the Home Stays. Rest of the day is free to enjoy the backwaters around and overnight at your homestay

Full day privat activities-Cooking demo etc., Overnight at Farmhouse

Philipkutty farm house set in one of the most idyllic locations in Kerala, Vechoor is a tiny settlement, nestled in the backwaters of Kerala and evokes images of Kashmir, an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forest, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies.

Philipkutty offer comfortable accommodations and exclusive leisure options like boating, fishing, angling and swimming etc.,.Rest day is free to enjoy backwater around and overnight at your homestay.

Today fornoon House boat day cruise with lunch and reach Alleppey.Transfer to Cochin(65kms/Two hours drive) . Kathakali dance Perfomance.Overnight at hotel

Embark into your houseboat and take a cruise through the fascinating backwaters, an ideal way to observe village life, The backwaters are a net work of lakes, coconut shaded canals and estuaries - tiled and thatched cottages bright with hibiscus dot the embankments. House Boat cruise in the canal by Bamboo Poles,sail through the lagoon with favourable wind. You will enjoy the scenic beauty of colourful villages and the cruise through the fascinating backwaters, an ideal way to observe village life. You will have traditional lunch on Board

You will disemabrk at Alleppey , Later proceed to Cochin, also known as 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' due to its natural harbour being one of the finest. Cochin is a city made of islands connected to Ernakulam on the mainland by bridges and ferries.Upon arrival checkinto hotel.

In the evening learn about Kerala's fascinating art form - Kathakali. The Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime and you will enjoy the dance performance. Kathakali (Dance drama) - Witness the artist's make-up demonstration at 17.15 hours and attend the dance performance at 19.00 hours and ends at 2000hrs. Return to you hotel for an overnight's stay.

Today sigthseeing of Cochin with Local guide. Evening Harbour cruise by private boat. Overnight at Hotel

Today morning visit to cochin -It is the oldest European settlement in India. In 1502 Vasco da Gama seized the port
for the Portuguese. Lured by its spices and ivory, the Dutch arrived in 1602 and displaced the Portuguese in 1663. In 1795 Cochin passed into British hands. All of these conquerors left their marks, and present-day Cochin, Mattancherry, is a curious pot-pourri of Jewish synagogues, Chinese fishing-nets, Portuguese churches, Dutch palaces and British cricket greens. The atmosphere is perceptibly Mediterranean but the climate is characteristically sub-tropical.

Top off the day embark your private motor boat and cruise through the eventful history of the city and it began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Cochin, which till then a land locked region, was turned into one of the finest natural harbors in the world.

Finally you will reach Fort Cochin area to witness sunset set thru the Chinese fishing nets which is erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance . Later disembark and return to your hotel.

Departure Cochin for airport

In time transfer to Cochin straight to the airport (approx 40 Kms/Two hours drive) to board flight