Arrive Chennai ,You will be met  by our airport representative  and transfer to Mahabalipuram hotel (54kms/Two hours)by air-conditioned vehicle. Check in  and 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.

AM Leisure at beach /  PM Halfday guided tour Mahabalipuram. overnight at hotel .

Mahabalipuram, driving south of Madras on the coast lies Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), the ancient port of Pallavas. The pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples.

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.(Dakshinachithra -Closed on Tuesdays- Visit Monday / Wednesday /Thu day/ Friday (four days in a week -Time/Between 09.45 a.m to 06.00 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday (Two days in a week -time/Between 10.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.) Mahabalipuram entrance -time/Between 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m)

Morning breakfast and check out drive to Chennai airport (54 kms/Two hours ) to connect flight /Train to Trichy Arrival Trichy airport /Railway station -transfer to Tanjore enroute Lunch and later visit Srirangam Temple and Rockfort . Checkin and overnight at hotel .

Srirangam located in an island Surrounded by the Kaveri water is a 600 acre island town enclosed within the seven walls on the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami temple. There are no less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. The 72 m high 13 tiered gopuram dominates the landscape for miles around ( Srirangam Temple visting Time/Between 0500 a.m. to 01.00 p.m and 04.00p.m. to 10.30p.m)

The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, Trichy's most famed land mark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world aprox.3,800 million years. The attraction is not for fort itself but the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where are the inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. Explore the Bazaars. Tiruchirappalli is famous for its local crafts and industries. It was famous for Cigar making in World War II now it makes the traditional Indian Cigar bidis .

Today morning drive and visit Gangaikondcholapuram (Three hours drive)- Lunch at Sterling Swamumali -Visit Darasuram return to Tanjore . Dinner and Overnight at Hotel

Gangaikonda Cholapuram was erected as the capital of the cholas by Rajendra chola, the son and successor of Rajaraja chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South India at the beginning of the 11th century .The name means The town of the chola who captured the Ganges. It is now a small village, its past eminence only remembered by the existence of the great Siva Temple.The royal palace also was built of burnt brick. The ceilings were covered with flat tiles of small size, laid in a number of courses, in fine lime mortar. The pillars were probably made of polished wood, supported on granite bases; a few pillar bases have survived to this day. Iron nails and clamps have been recovered from this palace site.

Chidambram, the seat of the Cosmic Dancer; dedicated to Lord Nataraja. Spread over an area of 40 acres with a gopuram on each side, the temple is distinguished by the five sabhas or counts. The towering gopurams, the tallest one on the north is 42.4 m are carved on it with 108 dance poses of Bharatanatiyam.

AM Visit Brihedeswara Temple and Museum .Later lunch at hotel PM drive to Madurai (160 kms /Six hours) Checkinto your hotel and early dinner . Later witness Special Pooja ceremony at Meenakshi temple

Tanjore - The home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional hadicrafts, Tanjore (Thanjavur) is famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple. 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

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, and check into your hotel .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.
Tranquebar.

Today morning Guided Sightseeing of Madurai and return to hotel .Evening private activities / Shopping Local market visit etc.,Dinner 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)

Today morning drive  to  Periyar wild life sanctuary (134kms/Five hours) Upon arrival checkinto hotel. Evening boating at Lake periyar .

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 Elephant, at close range. On arrival check in and overnight at Hotel

Full day Explore Periyar National Park - Guided trek- Gameviewing at  Lake periyar-  Spice Planation and Local market visit etc., Overnight at Hotel

Morning Guided trek at Periyar National Park-the 21 mile long lake is artificial, built by the British in 1895 for irrigation purposes. The scenery, shapes and colours 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 )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. viewing by boat at Lake periyar ( 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 (Timings 10.00 a.m to 08.00 p.m )etc., Overnight at Hotel

Today morning drive to  to  Kumarakom (130kms/Four hours ) check into hotel and Evening Boat cruise thru backwater area .Return and over overnight hotel

Transfer Periyar/Kumarakom which was "discovered" barely a decade ago. The lagoon here, with its spectacular view and fringed by coconut groves, has been featured in travel books all over the world. A 14-acre bird sanctuary adds to the natural beauty of Kumarakom. Years ago, an Englishman Henry Baker had constructed his bungalow here. On arrival check into Hotel.

Evening we take a motor boat 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. Watch village girls picking mussels or laundering clothes or pots on the small ghats in front of every house, while their men folk collect sand from the bottom of the canal. Watch the village folk make the golden fiber called coir from coconut husk and transform it into various coir products. Rustling coconut groves abound. So stop over to drink calm fresh coconut water and watch the toddy-tapper tap at work., return to Kumarakom and Overnight at t Hotel

Today drive to Cochin . Upon arrival check into hotel

Morning visit kumarakom birds sanctuary-You can see birds like kingfishers, crow pheasants, cormorants, drogues, wood pecker, Bee-eater, kites , Water ducks, cuckoos, Siberian storks etc are regular visitors here. Retun to hotel and after breakfast leave Kumarakom for Cochin ( 90kms/Two Hours ) the principal port and centre of the spice trade on the Malabar coast. Cochin was the first European settlement in India and the port was founded by Vasco-da-Gama in 1502, Portuguese and British settlers have all left their culture on this colourful city-On arrival Check in to Hotel

Today evening learn about Kerala's fascinating art from- 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 05.15 p.m and attend the dance performance at 07.00 p.m and ends at 08.00 p.m )Return to you hotel for an overnight's stay.

Full day guided tour of Cochin.Evening sunst Harbor cruise and overnight at Hotel

Spread over a series of islands and slender peninsulas is the culturally and historically rich port city of Kochi (also called Cochin). With its intriguing jumble of historic Portuguese houses, Hindu temples, mosques, churches, and even a 16th-century synagogue, Kochi is a shining example of the diversity that is India.We will be visiting the Mattancherry Palace the nearby merchant houses ( Open from 10.00 a.m to 05.30 p.m Closed for visitors on Fridays and all government holidays )and a fine synagogue (Dress Code -Admission will be denied to men and women wearing short pants/skirts, sleeveless t-shirts/blouses. Bare shoulders and mid-riffs are not permitted and should be covered with shawls (Open 10.00 a.m to 12.00 p.m and 03.00 p.m to 05.00 p.m -Closed on all Fridays / Saturdays and Jewish holidays ) Also visit Fort Cochin and St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India (Open from 09.00 a.m to 01.00 p.m and 02.30 p.m to 05.30.p.m.-Closed for visitors on Sundays from 08.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m)

Top off the day embark your private motor boat and cruise thru the eventful history of the city and it began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open estuary at Kochin,till then a land locked region,turning it into one of the finest natural harbours 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 - the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea .Later disembark and return to your hotel .

Today  transfer Cochin - Alleppey Back water Cruise (65kms /One and half hours ) Embark you Malabar House Boat. Lunch-Dinner and Overnight on Board

This morning after breakfast drive to Alleppey to embark the Rice Barge (houseboat) that cruises through the narrow canals of the famous backwaters of Kerala which interlocks and work as a maze of transport routes plunge into wide lakes. Enjoying the scenic natural beauty - coconut trees, rice paddies, small villages and market. This is a unique opportunity to leisurely explore the beauty and tranquility of the Kerala backwaters on a private Rice Barge which has been converted into a comfortable but simple house boat whilst retaining the local style.

Enjoy the scenic beauty of colourful villages. Have a sumptuous meal on Banana leaves. Evening - witness sunset through coconut palms while your boat lights up with hurricane lamps.Thatched awnings on both sides of the boat allows the breeze and views to permeate your senses.

There is a service area at the back where the cook prepares simple meals using as much fresh provisions that is plucked, caught or bought in the back water. Dinner under starry skies. Sleep and dream with the pleasant roll of backwater. Overnight at Rice Barge

Morning after Breakfast disembark at Thottappally Village  and drive to Kovalam (190kms/ Five Hours) Check into hotel and rest of the day leisure at Beach

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 . On arrival check into Hotel and overnight at Hotel

Full day leiusre at Beach

full day Leisure at Kovalam beach -The crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque. Photography is prohibited here.The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times.It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels.Overnight at hotel

Depart Trivandrum for Trivandrum airport

In time transfer to Trivandrum straight to the airport (approx 23kms/One hours drive) to board flight for onwards destination.