South India Tour Program

Breakfast at hotel

Morning visit to half day Chennai sight seeing tour includes a visit to the Government Museum and Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays) and also a visit to the famous 16th century Kapaleeshwarar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shivaties. Non-Hindus are only allowed up to the outer courtyard. Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral.

After noon day at leisure

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning depart Pondicherry enroute visit to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram Mahabalipuram- It occupies a stunning position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Built by the Pallava rulers in the seventh century, the complex comprises of 14 cave temples, nine monolithic "Rathas", three stone temples and two relief-sculptured rock panels. These two rock panels give a graphic description of Arjuna's penance when he prayed for the powers of Shiva and forms the largest Bass Relief in the world. Particularly of interest is the shore temple built on the water's edge with an east facing altar designed to catch the rising Sun. This has now been declared a World Heritage Site.

Visit Stone Cutter shop/ center in Mahabalipuram.

Kanchipuram is one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities. This "Golden City of a Thousand Temples" dates back to the early Cholas in the 7th century AD. Only around 70 temples of the original 1000 old temples are still intact and the most famous of them is the Kailasanatha Temple built with sandstone in the early seventh century A.D.

Visit Silk weaving shop / centre in Kancheepuram

Later proceed to Pondicherry. On arrival check in at hotel
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning sight seeing Pondicherry Afternoon sightseeing of Pondicherry which traces its origin to Saint Gasthya, the revered sage of the South. Visit Aurobindo Ashram, an 'Ashram' for peace and harmonious living, founded by saint-philosopher Sir Aurobindo. Also visit the Museum which has rooms furnished with period furniture of French India: church of Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Later depart Pondicherry by surface for Tanjore enroute visit Chidambaram.

The small town of Chidambaram is built around the great temple complex of Nataraja - the dancing Shiva. The Nataraja Temple Complex is a highlight of the Dravidian architecture and was built by the Cholas from 907 to 1310.

After the temple visit drive to Kumbakonam and visit Airteshwara Temple in Darasuram

Later on continue drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at the hotel

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning proceed for an excursion to Trichy. Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple, yet another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascent is climaxed by magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri River. Visit Srirangam a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which contains within its walls a bazaar, as well.

Afternoon sightseeing of Tanjore. Visit the beautiful Chola temple of Brihadishwara. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Thanjavur one of the highlights of a visit of the South. It is also famous for its silk, one of the best of India.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Morning depart by surface for Chettinad. On arrival check into hotel

Overnight stay at hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Half day sight seeing of Chettinad (KARAIKUDI) Chettinadu or the land of Nattukkottai Chettiars, is famous for its fortress like homes and temples that are architectural marvels and lip smacking food. It is a hidden treasure. The palaces and mansions reflect a conglomeration of architecture building styles. Burma teak motif, handmade tiles, stained glass windows, elaborate chandeliers and intricate carpentry are all unique ingredients of Chettinadu Mansion. Every home is an architectural splendor.

Rest day at leisure

Overnight stay at hotel

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning depart by surface for Madurai. On arrival check into hotel

Overnight stay at hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Morning half day sight seeing of Madurai Visit the Meenakshi Temple, the city's main attraction. This temple is nearly 2000 years old placed in the heart of the old town - a splendid example of Dravidian architecture. Later visit Tirrumalai Nayak Palace, this Indo-Saracenic building was constructed in 1523 and was originally four times large as today.

Evening visit the Meenakshi temple to attend the evening ceremony known as ‘Bedtime of the God’, A colorful procession, goes around the temple and has various short ceremonies at different shrines, before the final prayer at the entrance of her chamber The entire procession takes about 45 minutes.

Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning depart by surface to Periyar. Arrive Periyar and check-in at the hotel

Afternoon enjoy boat ride at Lake Periyar to view the wild life.

This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here; including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, and White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel

Day cruise Alleppey to Alleppey with Lunch , Two hour boat trips on the lake are the usual way of touring the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated in the Thekkady district of Tamil Nadu bordering with Kerala, Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary is one of the most important and frequently visited in India. It conveniently falls between journeys from different parts of Tamil Nadu to important tourist destinations in Kerala.

Later proceed to Cochin. On arrival check in to hotel

Overnight stay at hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Afternoon proceed for city sightseeing On arrival cochin proceed for city sightseeing visit to fort Cochin with the first stop being the St.Francis church, india`s oldest European built church. Proceed on to the large pastel coloured Santa Cruz Basilica.. Strung out along the tip of Fort Cochin the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets provide an interesting sight. The next stop on your tour of Cochin is the Mattanchery palace, the home of the former Raja of Cochin. The palace houses an interesting collection of murals from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata etc. The last stop on your tour of Cochin is the Jewish Synagogue or the Magen David Synagogue (closed on Monday) Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. The Jews arrived on India's west coast as traders, supplying Rome, Constantinople and the rest of Europe with valuable spices. They first came to Kerala as refugees from Jerusalem when it first fell to Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC. Jews have been a strong community in Kerala for at least a thousand years, first at Kodungallur until their expulsion in 1568 and then at Cochin where there used to be 8 synagogues. The white Jews retained their purity and distinctive community, while other Jews inter married with the locals and came to be called Black Jews.

In the evening, witness Kathakali Dance performance. Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Kathakali draws heavily from drama and is danced with elaborate masks and costumes.

Overnight stay at hotel

Breakfast at hotel

In time transfer from hotel to Cochin airport for flight to onwards destinations.

End of itinerary

All hotels check-out / check-in time 12 noon

Note: Distance / approximate drive time based on Nepal Road conditions. Drive time may reduce / exceeds depends on the traffic conditions city to city on that particular day.