Best of South India

Duration : 18 Nights / 19 Days
Destinations : Chennai – Tirupati – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry - Thanjavur – Trichy – Rameshwaram – Madurai – Kanyakumari – Kovalam – Alleppey – Thekkady – Munnar – Cochin - Chennai

Day 01 | Arrival at Chennai

Afternoon/evening arrive at Chennai airport. Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai.

Day 02 | Chennai

Breakfast at hotel. Morning start sightseeing tour of Chennai city. Kapaleeswarar Temple– Mylapore also an eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalakshetra– A school of art and music that encourages exponents of Bharatnatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing.

Fort St. George– Fort St George is the name of the first English (later British) fortress in India, founded in 1644. The modern city of Chennai. St. Mary's Church– The oldest Anglican Church in India with its premises. Sri Parthasarathy Temple– Built by the Pallavas in the 8th century AD. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai.

Day 03 | Chennai – Tirupati (135 Kms/ 3-4 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Tirupati. On arrival check-in at hotel. Visit Sri Venkateswara Temple– Sri Venkateswara Temple is one of the ancient and holy temples, which is located at the 7th peak of the Venkata Tirumala Hill. The temple houses an idol of Lord Venkateswara, which is about 8 ft in height. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Tirupati.

Day 04 | Tirupati – Mahabalipuram (190 Kms/ 4-5 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check-in at hotel. The Shore Temple– The Shore temple (built in 700–728 AD) is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. As one of the group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. It is one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of South India. The Cave Temples– Cave temples of Mahabalipuram are located on the hillock of Mahabalipuram town. Also called mandapas or rock-cut caves, they are sanctuaries or temples covered with bas-reliefs. Overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.
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Day 05 | Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (110 Kms/ 2-3 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check-in at hotel. Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram– The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual community (ashram) established at Pondicherry by Sri Aurobindo on 24 November 1926 (Siddhi Day). At the time there were few disciples staying with Sri Aurobindo. Matri Mandir– The Matrimandir (Sanskrit for Temple of The Mother) is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of Integral yoga, situated at the centre of Auroville initiated by The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is called soul of the city and is situated in a large open space called Peace. Matrimandir does not belong to any particular religion or sect.

Promenade Beach– Promenade Beach (or, known as, "Pondicherry Beach") is the popular stretch of beachfront in the city. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Pondicherry.

Day 06 | Pondicherry – Tanjore (140 Kms/ 4-5 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Thanjavur. On arrival check-in at hotel. Visit Brihadeeswarar Temple– The Peruvudaiyar Kovil also known as Periya Kovil, Brihadeeswara Temple, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajeswaram at Thanjavur. The temple constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architect's marvel. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples". Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Thanjavur.

Day 07 | Tanjore – Trichy (60 Kms/ 1-2 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Trichy. On arrival check-in at hotel. Visit Sri Ranganathar Swamy Temple– This is hindu temple dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of Hindu deity, Vishnu located in Srirangam. Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort– The Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort is a historic fort and temple complex built on an ancient rock. It is constructed on a 273-foot high rock. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Trichy.

Day 08 | Trichy – Rameshwaram (230 Kms/ 4-5 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Rameshwaram.“Rameshwaram”– It’s a town and which is located on Pamban Island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 50 kilometres from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. According to Hindu mythology, this is the place from where the Hindu god Rama built a bridge, across the sea to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from her abductor Ravana. On arrival check-in at hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Rameshwaram.

Day 09 | Rameshwaram

Breakfast at hotel. Morning start sightseeing tour of Rameshwaram city. Visit The Ramanathaswamy Temple– This is one of the most important as well as frequently visited temples in South India.The Five Faced Hanuman Temple– It’s most renowned temple in Rameshwaram. Where Lord Hanuman revealed his five faces. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Rameshwaram.
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Day 10 | Rameshwaram – Madurai (170 Kms/ 3-4 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Madurai. “Madurai”– Madurai known as “Athens of the East”. On arrival check-in at hotel. Visit Meenakshi Temple– The Temple has almost become synonymous with the place. This is Madurai's most famous landmark. This 17th century temple has two sanctum Sanctorums: one dedicated to Lord Shiva as Sundareswar ("Lord of Beauty") and the other to Meenakshi, his wife. Meenakshi holds a parrot and bouquet. Meenakshi in Sanskrit means "one who has eyes like a fish".

Thirumalai Nayak Palace– This palace is located about one Kms south-east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple. The palace was constructed in a Indo-Saracenic style by Thirumalai Naicker. In the evening watch Night Ceremony at temple. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.

Day 11 | Madurai – Kanyakumari (240 Kms/ 5-6 Hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning excursion to Kanyakumari. “Kanyakumari”– Kanyakumari is a town and a well known Hindu pilgrimage site in Tamil Nadu. It’s also popularly known as Cape Camorin and located at the edge of Indian Peninsula. On arrival check-in at hotel. Evening free to visit at Sun set points to see sunset. Overnight stay at hotel in Kanyakumari.

Day 12 | Kanyakumari

Breakfast at hotel. Morning start sightseeing tour of Kanyakumari city. Visit Devi Kanya Kumari Temple– Devi Kanya kumari is Shree Bhagavathy in the form of an adolescent girl child. Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial– The memorial was erected to commemorate the evening of December 25, 1892, when Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari as a pilgrim and swam to the rock in the sea and spent the whole night there in deep meditation.

Gandhi Mandapam– It enshrines the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public view before immersing its contents in the three seas Overnight stay at hotel in Kanyakumari.

Day 13 | Kanyakumari - Kovalam (90 Kms/ 1-2 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Kovalam. On arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free . Overnight stay at hotel in Kovalam.
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Day 14 | Kovalam – Alleppey (161 Kms/ 3-4 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Alleppey. On arrival embark on deluxe Houseboat local people called Kettuvallam. Houseboat Sail along the winding network of Kerala backwaters, see the unique water world and experience its myriad charms. You will enjoy an overnight leisure stay in a houseboat also enjoy lavish Lunch & Dinner at houseboat. Overnight stay at houseboat in Alleppey.

Day 15 | Alleppey – Thekkady (140 Kms/ 3-4 hrs)

Breakfast at houseboat. Morning drive to Thekkady. On arrival check in at hotel. Later Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary– Periyar, spread over an area of 777 sq km, has about 35 tigers and leopards. The park encompasses a 26 sq km artificial lake and is the home of sambars, wild boars, elephants and antelopes which can be occasionally seen on the banks of the river during a boat cruise.

Here you will enjoy boat safari on Lake Periyar to view wildlife. This is best way to see wild animals in Periyar wild Park. Later one can visit Spice plantation of Periyar is the best way to explore the land known for its different aroma of spices. Elephant Ride– One can enjoy a ride on an elephant through a spice plantation where a light gentle breeze will refresh you with the mild scented air (This is optional tour). Overnight stay at hotel in Thekkady.

Day 16 | Thekkady - Munnar (100 Kms/ 2-3 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Munnar. On arrival check-in at hotel. Later, visit Mattupetty dam– Mattupetty is built between the hill ranges and it is used mainly for water storage for hydroelectric projects. Its reservoir is an idyllic place to enjoy the serene nature. Echo Point - Go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute. You can hear your echo back! Its quite interesting. If you have kids with you they will love it. Tea Plantations -How can one resist a tea garden tour when you are in Munnar? Rolling hillsides covered with tea plantations is a sight to behold. The lush greenery and the soothing cold wind with a mild aroma of tea leaves totally rejuvenates you.

Tea Museum– This tea museum is first of its kind in India. It is located at KDHP’s Nullatanni estate in Munnar. Anyone visiting this museum will get a clear picture of how laborious this tea processing really is. Overnight stay at hotel in Munnar Evening visit at studio to watch Kerala’s famous traditional Kathakali Dances show. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. Overnight stay at hotel in Munnar.

Day 17 | Munnar – Cochin (200 Kms/ 5-6 hrs)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Cochin. On arrival check-in at hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Cochin.

Day 18 | Cochin

Breakfast at hotel. Morning start sightseeing tour of Cochin city. Visit Jewish Synagogue– Cochin is the oldest existing synagogue. The prosperous Jewish trading community built it in 1568 AD. It was partially destroyed in the 1962 war. Later it was rebuilt by the Dutch. Chinese Fishing Nets– These nets popularly known as Cheenavala is one of the unique features of the city. These are massive nets used by local fishermen to catch fish. Other than Cochin, these nets are found only in China.

Fort Kochi Beach– The beach is a wonderful experience during sunsets with the silhouettes of Chinese fishing nets and ships forming its background which makes the experience a memorable one. Mouth watering fresh seafood is available at the stalls near the beach. Santa Cruz Basilica, Dutch Palace– The Palace is located at Mattancherry and incorporates fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Cochin.

Day 19 | Cochin – Chennai (By Flight) / Departure

Breakfast at hotel. Later drop at Cochin airport to board on flight to Chennai. On arrival take your International flight for onward destination.
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