Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum – Chennai (Duration: 12 Days)

Day 01: Chennai

Morning, proceed for the city tour of Madras, which is now known as Chennai and is one India’s four metropolises located on the Coromandel Coast, it is the gateway to south India and also an important harbour. Chennai has a blend of Dravidian and Gothic architecture in its buildings. It was the first citadel of the British. Tamil Nadu is a bastion of banyan treeHinduism, whose past endures into the present. Visit the St. George Fort built in 1640 A.D which now houses the Tamil Nadu State Legislature and Secretariat, San Thome Cathedral, which is said to contain the remains of St Thomas and the famous bronze Museum. Overnight at hotel

Day 02: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Chennai

Morning visit Kanchipuram – this is one of India’s seven sacred cities and one of its loveliest temple towns also known for its handloom silks. Visit Kailasnathar, Vaikuntaperumal, Ekambareshwara, Kamakshiamma and Sakiswarar Temples. Later in the day visit Mahabalipuram known for its Pallava Art and its beautiful long beach, visit Cave Temples, Rathas, Arjuna’s Penace and Shore Temples, after sun set drive back to the hotel for overnight.

Day 03: Chennai – Chidambaram – Tanjore (150 – Kms)

Morning checkout and drive to Tanjore, enroute visit Chidambaram, which is one of the foremost Saivite shrines; the very name Kovil refers to Chidambaram, where Natarajan is enshrined in the Chit Sabha or the Hall of Consciousness, in the Ananda Tandavam (Dance of Bliss) pose. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the 5 elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). The Moovar (Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar) as well as Manikkavacakar have sung praises of Chidambaram. Several literary works praise the glory of Chidambaram. Chidambaram is one of the 5 dance Halls of Shiva (Kanakasabhai). The five dance halls are Chidambaram, Madurai, Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli and Kutralam.
Later continue driving to Tanjore, on arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon, visit Tanjore (Thanjavur), which was the ancient capital of Chola kings. Visit the Brihadeshwara temple, which was built by Raja Raja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola and is termed as the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. This temple is one of the monuments in India with World Heritage listing. Also visit the Thanjavur Palace which was constructed in 1550 and has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers.

Day 04: Tanjore – Trichy (50 kms)

Morning checkout and drive to Trichy, on arrival transfer to hotel. Later in the afternoon visit Trichy the most famous landmark of this bustling town – the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. It is reached by a flight of steep steps cut into the rock and from its summit you get a fantastic view of the town plus its other main landmark, the Sri Ranganathanswami Temple. This temple is one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River and covering a staggering 2.5 sq km. Evening drive back to hotel or take a walk through old city particularly big bazaar street and China bazaar. Overnight in Trichy.

Day 05: Trichy – Madurai (165 kms)

Morning checkout and drive to Madurai, on arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace and Vandiyur Mariamman Teepakulam where annual float festival takes place. Overnight at hotel in Madurai.

Day 06: Madurai – Thekkady (150 kms)

Morning checkout and drive to Thekkady, on arrival transfer to hotel. Take a boat ride in Thekkady lake at 1500 hrs to see the wild animals on the bank of the lake especially elephants who comes to bathe with their siblings. Evening visit Spice Plantations & Market. Overnight in Thekkady.

Day 07: Thekkady – Kumarakom (130 kms)

Early morning take a boat ride again in the Thekkady Lake, later checkout & drive to kumbarakonamKumarakom – back water country, on arrival transfer to resort overlooking the Vembanad Lake. Enjoy the ambiance of Kumarakom, visit Kumarakom bird sanctuary which houses different species of migratory birds. Early evening take a rice boat cruise in the canals of Kumarakom. Overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 8: Kumarakom – Alleppey (By Houseboats)

Morning board the houseboat cruise for Alleppey for an overnight journey, enjoy the cruise in Vembanad Lake. The journey will take us through the tropical countrysideallepey enchanting backwaters of Alleppey to Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets, typical villages and regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous. The Deluxe houseboats have Sitting Area, Dinning Area, Sun Deck to enjoy sunset and fishing, Bed room with double & twin bed with attached English toilets and running hot & cold water. Breakfast, Lunch & dinner will be served on board the houseboats, overnight cruising in the Vembanad Lake.

Day 9: Alleppey – Kovalam (175 kms)

Breakfast will be served on board, arrive Alleppey Jetty at 0900 hrs, assistance on arrival transfer drive to Kovalam, on arrival transfer to beach resorts, rest of the day free to relax at the beach resort.

Day 10: Kovalam

Morning take a sight seeing tour of Trivandrum City covering the Padmanabhaswamy Temple , Chaitra Art Gallery and Napier Museum. After lunch take an excursion tour to Cape Camorin (Kanya Kumari) – 84 kms, enroute visit Padmanabhapuram Palace. Kanyakumari is the southern most tip of India where the three seas Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal meet. Visit Vivekananda Rock and Kumari Amman Temple. Enjoy the sunset over the Indian Ocean and drive back to Kovalam. Enjoy Kathakali dance performance before you dine. Overnight at the Kovalam beach resort.

Day 11: Kovalam

Day free to relax at the beach resorts one can take ayurvedic massages available at the resort, overnight in Kovalam.

Day 12: Kovalam – Chennai (Madras)

Morning drive to Trivandrum for half an hour, on arrival transfer to airport to board the flight for Chennai (Madras) . Assistance on arrival at Chennai, transfer to hotel. Day free to relax, after farewell dinner transfer to International airport to board the flight back home.