Splendours of South India

Arrive Chennai in the evening and drive to Mahabalipuram. Overnight stay is planned in Mahabalipuram hotel.

The morning is dedicated to the discovery of the site of Mahabalipuram and its temples. You will see one of the finest examples of Indian rock art of the seventh and eighth centuries. Spend evening in leisure on the beach and have overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

Relax in the morning. Early noon depart for Pondicherry, a former French colony that still keeps a strong imprint of the French language, including street names. Overnight stay scheduled in Pondicherry hote.

After breakfast, visit the white city-the historic district of Pondicherry. The town plan is vaguely reminiscent of French coastal cities. Prime attractions are Auroville (Aurobindo Ashrama), old churches, colonial buildings and waterfront overlooking the Gulf of Bengal. Explore Pondicherry leisurely and enjoy night in the hotel.

Today discover the city of Thanjavur & visit the temple of Nataraja in Chidambaram. In the morning, depart for Thanjavur. Along the way, visit Chidambaram Nataraja temple, one of the masterpieces of Dravidian style of temple architecture. On arrival at Thanjavur, the former capital of the Chola dynasty (onwards 850 AD), you will be transferred to the hotel. The city is adorned and surrounded by magnificent monuments and temples. Overnight stay has been scheduled in Tanjhavur.

In the morning, visit the palace complex of Tanjhavur, dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the temple of Brihadishwara. Early afternoon, depart to Trichy, the town that is perched on a rocky outcrop. Explore the stunning temples of Rock Fort Srirangam. Overnight stay is planned in Trichy.

While visiting south India, a tour to Chettinad region in Tamil Nadu must be made. Chettinad region is the cradle of rich merchants and bankers who migrated to large cities in the region but did not forget to build magnificent palaces in their villages. You will arrive in the evening in the great city of Madurai.

Madurai is a sacred city and throughout India is known as Kashi of South. Mythologically, it was born out of a drop of nectar fell from the hair of Shiva. Madurai carries a rich historical lineage for being the capital of the Pandyas. This is one of the oldest cities in South India, and also one of the holiest. You will a large number of pilgrims and sadhus performing various religious rituals. Visit the huge Meenakshi Temple, one of the most fascinating of South India and the Thirumalai Nayak Palace. By late afternoon, a walk is needed in the bazaar and alleyways. Overnight stay is scheduled in Madurai hotel.

Exploring the Periyar reserve is on the chart today. Having taken breakfast, head to the west, and immerse yourself in the lush surroundings of the Western Ghats. This step marks the entry into Kerala. On arrival at Periyar, you will be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the afternoon to explore the Periyar Reserve. Despite a large number of tourists, the reservation remains rich in scenery and wildlife. Many activities like boat ride on the lake, elephant trekking in spice plantations, jeep or on foot roaming in the jungle, bamboo rafting for the more adventurous, or relaxing during ayurvedic massage at the hotel are on offer. Evening in leisure and overnight stay in the hotel is planned.

After breakfast, depart to the banks of Vembanad Lake, located in the middle of Palai Plain with its rice fields, coconut trees and peaceful villages in the sight. On arrival, you will be directly transferred to the hotel. Walk on the banks of Lake Vembanad. Most hotels offer bicycles to discover the Kerala countryside and a traditional boat (kettuvalam)to explore bird sanctuary in the Vembanad lake. Overnight stay will be in Kumarakom hotel.

Today you will board a houseboat with traditional welcome by the crew. You will embark on navigating on canals and lagoons. Enjoy the serene atmosphere on the calm water. You have to imagine a sort of Venice in the tropics, a city of liquid boulevards, where the boats come and go constantly, the boatmen lead by pushing the bottom with long bamboo poles. On the banks, you cross antique houses built of teak, mahogany and rosewood; villages covered with flowers of hibiscus & bougainvillea; shimmering green rice fields and eternal presence of coconut. The stay in houseboat is on fullboard basis.

Relaxing at the beach Marari is planned. Your quiet getaway on the backwaters ends shortly before lunch. For beach enthusiasts, a stop on the beach of Marari is possible to enjoy a swim before hitting the road to Kochi. Arrive early evening in Kochi. You will be transferred for overnight stay in the hotel.

Kochi tour will unfold footprint of various European influences, from Portugal to England, with a backdrop of tropical Malabar Coast. Discovery of the oldest church in the country, winding streets lined with mosques and old Portuguese houses, Chinese fishing nets, a synagogue of the sixteenth century, a palace built by the Portuguese - Fort Cochin will be an exotic experience. Kochi is also an ideal place to attend a performance of Kathakali. Overnnight stay has been planned in Kochi hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Wayanad. Long road to Calicut, the gateway to the Portuguese on Indian soil, takes you to Wayanad. You start leaving the coastal plain and its rice fields to climb winding roads to reach the Wayanad reserve. You will see the forests of eucalyptus and spice gardens below. On arrival at Wayanad, you will directly be transferred to to the resort to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

In the morning, walk in the nature reserve of Wayanad. In the afternoon, move to Mysore. On arrival at Mysore you will be transferred into the hotel.

Discovering the wonders of the city of Mysore is onn the chart today. Have breakfast and commence morning tour of Mysore city, famous for its jasmine, incense and sandalwood. Visit the palace of the Maharaja (light up only on Sunday evening), the Chamundi hill and stroll through the markets. In the afternoon, heading north, we reach Hassan, the only nearby town provided with a choice of accommodation. Overnight stay is scheduled at Hassan.

We go on a day trip visiting the beautiful temples of Halebid and Belur, masterpieces of the art & architecture of the Hoysalas. The Hoyasala kings ruled the region for nearly 300 years from the eleventh to the thirteenth century. After sightseeing of Belur and Halebid, return to Hassan for overnight stay.

After breakfast in Hassan hotel, proceed for Hospet. We cross the Deccan plateau and reach Hospet, near the lost kingdom of Hampi. The ruins of Vijayanagar Empire emerge from the mountains. It’s a must place to visit. Overnight stay is scheduled in Hospet.

Visit Hampi, the former capital of the kingdom of Vijayanagar, one of the most fascinating sites of the country, with its temples, its ancient squares, palaces and its village atmosphere. During its heydays, the prosperity and buildings used to excel Pompei. It’s remniscennt of glorious Hindu Empire. We shall stay put in Hospet.

Discovery of temples and caves of Badami is on the chart today. After breakfast, move for the charming white village of Badami, once the capital of the Chalukya Empire. Located at the foot of a ridge of red sandstone, the dry climate of small town has a real charm. On arrival, you will be directly transferred to Badami hotel. In the afternoon, visit the famous cave temples carved out in sandstone hills. Overnight stay will be in Badami.

Have breakfast in Badami hotel and proceed on a long day drive to Goa. On arrival at Goa, you will be transferred to the hotel for a well deserved rest. Overnight stay in Goa hotel is planned.

The day is meant for lazing on the beach or beaches, and / or visiting Panaji, capital of Goa, with its beautiful Portuguese houses. The beaches of Goa are among the finest in India. A long stretch of sand which are written as a palimpsest, the trends of yesterday and today.

The personality of Goa, a former Portuguese enclave, is distinguished from the rest of India. Goan villages, where the architecture still bears the mark of four centuries of Portuguese influence, reveal their quaint homes buried under the bougainvillea, and some three hundred churches those still have this corner of paradise, not to mention the local culinary specialties. Overnight stay is in Goa.

Transfer to airport and flight to Mumbai. End of services.