Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
As you arrive at Chennai Airport, our representative will receive you at airport and transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Relax & retrieve
Day 02 : Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (75Kms approx –2Hrs/65 Kms–1.5 Hrs)
After breakfast check out and proceed for a quick city tour, Visit the famous National Art Gallery & Museum. The museum remains closed on Friday. It has a selection of ancient paintings of almost all schools as well as section devoted to modern art. Visit the magnificent Fort St George and the St Mary’s Church. Also visit the San Thome Cathedral and the Mylapore Shiva Temple. Later drive to Mahabalipuram en route visiting terrific & marvellous temples at Kanchipuram, also called the golden city of thousand temples. Major temples to see at Kanchipuram are Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Kailashanathar Temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, etc, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving hand loom industry and also known as Silk City since the main profession of the people living in and around is weaving silk saris; more than 5,000 families are engaged in this industry. Continue drive to Mahablipuram and check into hotel Rest of the time at leisure. Relax & retrieve.
Day 03 : Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch which a well established sea port was during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. This was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. Formerly, Mahabalipuram was known and called as Mahabalipuram. The former name of this place ‘Mahabalipuram’ has a history. A very rude cruel king Mahabali reined this place and in a fierce battle king Mahabali was killed by Lord Vishnu and the place was named after the dead, arrogant kind Mahabali) Visit the Shore temple and afternoon is at leisure to relax at beach. Relax & retrieve
Day 04 : Mahabalipuram – Pondichery (138 kms / 3 ½ hrs)
After breakfast drive for Pondichery, arrive and check into hotel. P.M. visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on rue de la Marine, is one of the most well known and wealthiest ashrams in India, with devotees from across the world flocking to it for spiritual salvation. Auroville - or the ‘City of Dawn’ was conceived as a lay of research into the ideal of human unity by the Mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo also visit the heritage buildings etc. Relax & retrieve
Day 05 : Pondicherry - Chidambaram – Thanjavur (177 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Thanjavur via Chidambaram - one of the most ancient and most celebrated of shrines in India. It is a great religious as well as historic and cultural significance, on arrival check into the hotel, Visit famous Brihadeeswara Temple – the foremost among the Great Living Chola temples. The temple is very popular among tourists. This city is also known for Tanjore Painting, a unique painting style. Other attractions in this city include the Royal Palace Complex, Shivganga Tank, Rajarajan Mani Mandapam, Rajarajan Museum, Mariamman Temple, etc. Relax & retrieve
Day 06 : Thanjavur - Trichy – Thanjavur (54 kms one hour one way)
After breakfast excursion to Trichy. Visit the magnificent citadel – Rockfort. It houses many architectural structures such as Thayumanavar Temple, Ganesa Temple and Siva Temple. Other attractions include Teppakulam Tank, Ranganathaswamy Temple, Nadir shah Mosque, etc... Relax & retrieve
Day 07 : Thanjavur – Madurai (120 Kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast drive to holy city of Madurai. On arrival check into hotel, Freshen up and relax. In the evening attend Aarati ceremonies (prayers) held at the Meenakshi Temple. Sound and Light Shows are also organized at the premise of the temple complex. Relax & retrieve
Day 08 : Madurai
Have a very hearty breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy sightseeing in and around Madurai covering the world famous Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple is known for its magnificent gopurams. Relax & retrieve
Day 09 : Madurai – Periyar (160 kms / 4 hrs)
Have your breakfast at the morning. Continue the journey to Thekkady. It is the famous wild life sanctuary of South India. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Periyar wild life sanctuary is the home of wild elephant, boar, deer, and more. In evening go to the lake from boat to watch wild animals. Relax & retrieve
Day 10 : Periyar
After taking hearty breakfast, go to see the amazing type of plants and animals. After that visit for species plantation like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. Return back to the hotel, local market is on the way. Take a visit of local market. Here can buy some perfume species. Relax & retrieve
Day 11 : Periyar – Cochin (195 kms 5hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Cochin. P.M. visit fort Cochin, the Jewish Synagogue - built in 1568 AD contains Grand Scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates containing the privileges granted to the Jews by the Cochin rulers. The floor of the synagogue is paved with exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles. The Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic, the Ramayana can be seen here. St Francis Church, built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here. The Chinese fishing nets can be seen at the entrance of the harbor. The Chinese through trade contact taught this technique of catching fish. Relax & retrieve
Day 12 : Cochin
Day at leisure – Shopping (great place to shop Antique furniture). Relax & retrieve
Day 13 : Cochin – Alleppy [75 Kms 1 Hrs 30 Minutes]
Transfer by surface to Alleppy, which is popularly known as the Venice of east. The place having large number of inland canals. Board the house boat.
Kettuvallom or Houseboats (Rice boats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters which give a glimpse of paddy fields, toddy tapping.
A normal house boat is about 67 feet approx in length and has a width of around 13 approx feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two assistant the houseboat takes s you through the scenic backwaters of Kerala. The Traditional Kerala cuisine will be served on the board. Stop at village markets, Villages to get a feel of village life. Watch the traditional toddy taping, coir making etc. Relax & retrieve
Day 14 : House Boat – Kumarakom
Post breakfast drive to Kumarakom. Kumarakom a water Village: On arrival check in at Back Water Resort hidden among the palm trees on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad, at the mouth of the Kavanar River, The Nature is set on an abandoned coconut plantation in the very heart of these fascinating backwaters and has been designed to give visitors an authentic insight into Kutanad life. Most of the places can only be reached by boat – a ferry leaves from one of several mainland embarkation points at scheduled times throughout the day. PM: Relax at Resort. Relax & retrieve. Option for Ayurvedic massage
Day 15 : Kumarakom – Kovalam (175 kms 4-5hrs)
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s.A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.
The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse-sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmers, Catamaran cruising etc. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minute. - Rest of the day is at leisure. Relax & retrieve.
Day 16 : Kovalam- Cape Camorin-Kovalam (74 kms one way/1.5 hrs)
Morning, stroll down the beautiful beaches of Kovalam followed by journey to Cape Camorin. Visit Vivekananda Rock & Ashram, Amman Devi Temple and to see the 3 Seas meet over here (Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean & Arabian Sea) Sun Set from here is very scenic. Drive back to Kovalam in the evening. Relax & retrieve
Day 17 : Kovalam – Trivandrum
Transfer to airport to board flight from Trivandrum airport.
