Southern India Jewels

Welcome to Chennai the largest city in South India. Established in 1639 as one of four divisions of the country under Imperial British rule, it is today is a significant gateway to southern India. The city grew up around the British settlement of Fort Saint George absorbing many villages and now Chennai is a blend of remarkable colonial architecture and strong Tamil influences. On arrival at the Chennai International airport, you will be met and transferred to Mamallapuram. Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Mamallapuram is an enclave of sun, seafood, and sand. In addition to the beach, the town is famous for its ancient rock carvings, especially the Shore Temple that we will see tomorrow. Once the second capital and seaport of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram, Mamallapuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains a renowned center for stone carving. Listen and youll hear the constant tapping of hammers and chisels as artisans chip away at exquisite sculptures.
Overnight in Mamallapuram

This morning visit Arjuna's Penance. Nothing can prepare you for the wonderful bas-reliefs covering two huge boulders. The exquisite detail, dating from the 7th century, depicts the flow of the Ganges down from the Himalayan mountains as well as scenes from Indian daily life.  You won't believe that the Five Rathas shrines are carved whole from an outcrop of rock. Each of the five temples is dedicated to heroes from the great epic of the Mahabharata. Spend time admiring the detail of the carvings which include gods, humans and elephants and wonder why the temples are incomplete and were never consecrated. Visit the Shore Temple and relish the delightful seaside location, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, and landscaped gardens surrounding the temple, a popular place for the locals to visit. Dedicated to both Vishnu and Shiva, the decorative beauty of the temple, built in Dravidian style, has suffered erosion by its proximity to the sea. After the tour enjoy a traditional thali lunch served on a plantation leaf.
Overnight in Mamallapuram

This morning after breakfast depart for Kumbakonam en-route visit the Dharasuram Temple built in memory of the White elephant (AIRAVATH) from the Gods whose original temple name was Airavatheshwar. Continue on to Kumbakonam a picturesque temple town known for its age-old temples including the famous Kumbeswarar and Sarangapani temples. Kumbakonam literally means the place of pot (Kumbam). This beautiful town is naturally set between the Cauvery and Arasalar Rivers. This city was the capital of the historically important Chola dynasty who ruled the region during the medieval period.
Overnight in Kumbakonam

Today after breakfast depart for an excursion to Tanjore. Despite its important history and culture, Tanjore is surprisingly overlooked by visitors to South India. A bustling market town in one of the main rice-growing regions of Tamil Nadu, Tanjore was once the capital of the Chola Empire and, although many buildings from that period no longer survive, the town is still full of lovely temples visit the magnificent Brihadeshvara Temple, over 1000 years old and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, evoking the power of the Chola kings as it towers over the town. Study the detailed inscriptions which depict temple life and the dancers, musicians, potters, goldsmiths and astrologers who lived there. Enter the pavilion in the main courtyard to view the shining black Nandi statue, one of the largest in India, and weighing an astonishing 25 tons. With a history of traditional bronze casting in Tanjore enjoy the opportunity to view masters at work using the lost-wax method. This method, used to create sacred temple bronzes during the Chola period, is still practiced today and is being passed down through the generations to ensure that bronze casting continues to thrive. 
Overnight in Kumbakonam

This morning embark after breakfast for Madurai en route visiting Trichy on the banks of the Cauvery River. Visit the famous Sriranganathaswami Temple at Srirangam, the most revered of the 108 pilgrimage shrines of Vishnu, and the largest temple complex in India. The temple is surrounded by seven concentric walls (the outermost wall having a perimeter of over 3 kilometers) and 21 towers called “Gopurams”. The most attractive among the Gopuras is the one at the entrance with a lot of colors and stands as one of the tallest amongst many other temple towers in Tamil Nadu. Srirangam enshrines a statue of Vishnu reclining on a great serpent. Then visit the local Gandhi Market before departing for Madurai. This vast, pulsating city, one of the oldest cities in South India, dating back 2500 years, sprawls along the banks of the River Vaigai. Wander through the fun, packed streets which are full of pilgrims, wandering cows, open-air kitchens and colorful bazaars. 
Overnight in Madurai

Get right under the skin of this fascinating city and take a leisurely rickshaw ride, with a friendly wallah driving you, through the maze of streets. The Rickshaw pullers of Madurai were getting very unpopular with the locals, as the locals preferred the more modern mode of transport. The Cycle Rickshaw - the most eco friendly form of transport was fast being phased out, and the hundred and twenty rickshaw pullers of Madurai were being deprived of a lively hood as they were unable to buy the modern forms of transport like the auto rickshaw/taxi etc. To give these pullers another lease of life we have designed this tour as part of our commitment to promote responsible tourism. By taking this tour you are supporting the local rickshaw wallahs. At the same time, this encourages locals to use rickshaws and all of this in a very eco-friendly manner. Take in the sights and smells that surround you; pass through vegetable markets and see the locals haggling over the price; stop to admire the 17th-century Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a fusion of classical Indian and European styles; and spend time in the Gandhi Museum which charts India's freedom struggle. Join the locals thronging this bustling temple, one of the largest in India, and soak up the atmosphere. Something is always happening here – ceremonies, musicians playing, weddings, prostrating pilgrims, festivals – making it a compelling place to spend time and enjoy temple life. This evening visit Meenakshi Temple for the night ceremony where God Shiva (Meenakshi`s husband) is taken in a palanquin to the bedroom of Meenakshi. This is a daily procession and tomorrow early in the morning before sunrise God Shiva is brought back to his shrine within the temple complex.
Overnight in Madurai

This morning after breakfast depart for Periyar also known as Thekkady, a breathtakingly beautiful sanctuary located nearly 1800 m above sea level in the dense semi and evergreen deciduous forests of Idukki district. Thekkady is a landlocked home for its myriad fauna and flora as well as for the Mannans, Palians, and Ooralie tribes who still continue their ancient methods of herding and beekeeping. On arrival, check in to the hotel.  This afternoon enjoy a guided plantation tour to the nearby garden where various species of spices and other aromatic plants are cultivated. If time permits you will also have a visit to a nearby tea factory. If time permitting you will also be taken on a short elephant ride. 
Overnight in Periyar

Rise early for the best chance to spot elephant, deer, wild boar, mongoose and colorful birds on a dawn walk. Your experienced guide will know the best places for game viewing and, if you are extremely lucky, you may even come across elusive leopard and tiger. After noon you may also (optional trip) Board a small boat for the chance to cruise the lake at the heart of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. From the tranquillity of the lake, enjoy the lush scenery all around you and keep a look out for animals that may come down to the water's edge – maybe a family of elephants, scurrying Wild Boar or the magnificent Sambar Deer. (
Overnight in Periyar)

This morning transfer to Alleppey coined the 'Venice of the East.' Alleppey or Alappuzha is a mosaic of mirror-still lagoons, picture book lakes, palm-fringed canals and a long sandy beach all brimming with glimpses into the daily life in the Kerala countryside. First enjoy an afternoon cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. Meandering streams, chirpy birds, murmuring forests, and the slender breeze makes you feel that heaven is here. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the landscape from the protection of the cabin. The locals whole life takes place here on the water. People sail, fish, swim and bathe here. They do their washing and their washing up. They have become so adapted to the water that you can see people talking for an hour, while they are up to their necks in water. Peddlers take care of the supplies and public transport goes on the water. Countless water birds wait for their chance to catch a fish. The trip goes through a wonderful area full of palm trees, rice fields and floating water plants that surround the boat like an emerald green island.
Overnight onboard the houseboat

After breakfast on board disembark and drive overland to Cochin the commercial capital of Kerala with its modern part Ernakulam and the old peninsular district of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, Cochin is situated on the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin was an important spice-trading center on the Arabian Sea coast from the 14th century onwards. It was the first European colonial settlement in India. First the Portuguese followed by the Dutch and the British ruled here until the 19th century. After checking in to the hotel; visit the old part of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Visit the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Saturdays) at the heart of what is locally called Jew Town, the St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India, the Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays) built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin King in the 16th century, the Fish market and the famous Chinese fishing nets, which are huge cantilevered nets believed to have been brought to Kochi by Chinese traders from Kublai Khans court in China.  Early this evening see the famous dance drama of Kerala, the Kathakali. This dance is characterised by some great story telling, amazing costumes and extensive make-up.
Overnight in Cochin

Today you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport for your onward flight.