Southern Splendors

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head towards Mahabalipuram. The beauty of this place is not only due to the magnificent ancient architecture but the vast casuarinas trees, the silvery sandy beach the classical hand male crafts around have made them all form what is a collective splendor.

Reach Mahabalipuram by noon. Check-in at the hotel. After a little rest head out for Mahabalipuram sightseeing in the afternoon. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Mahabalipuram. Visit Shore Temple, the most famous monument in the town. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th Century CE. Afterward, visit Pancha Ratha. The Pancha Rathas are a set of 5 different monuments. Each one is called a rath and is named after the Pandavas and their family. Then visit Cave Temples, located on the hillock of the town. They are cut and decorated with panels in the Mamalla style of the Pallava period in the 7th century.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast take a day trip to Kanchipuram. The city was also a religious center of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between the 1st and 5th centuries. Out of the 108 holy temples of the Hindu god Vishnu, 14 are located in Kanchipuram.  The city is well known for its hand-woven silk sarees.

Visit Kailasanathar Temple which is the oldest structure in the town dedicated to Lord Shiva. This Hindu temple in the Dravidian architectural style was built from 685-705 CE. The low-slung sandstone compound contains lots of carvings, including many half-animal deities which were popular during the early Dravidian architectural period. Later visit Varadharaja Perumal Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Spread across 23 acres of land, it is not just one temple but a complete temple complex with many temples, pillared halls & pavilions, and tanks.

Later visit Ekambareswarar Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva. The temple complex covers 25 acres and is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the southern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 58.5216 meters (192 ft), making it one of the tallest temple towers in India.

Reach back Mahabalipuram by evening. The evening will be at your leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head towards Pondicherry. The union territory of Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry; generally known as ‘Pondy’) was under French rule until 1954. Some people here still speak French (and English with French accents).

Reach Pondicherry by afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and relax. Rest of the day is at your leisure. The private car will be at your disposal. You can visit markets around.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Pondicherry.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast head out for sightseeing. Visit Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha. The monumental interiors of the temple are decorated with forty incarnations and forms of Lord Ganesha, carved on the stone walls of the temple.

Then visit French Quarter. take a heritage walk tour of French Town. Explore the French Town by literally walking down the lanes of history. Many of the structures in the French Quarter of Pondicherry are colonial buildings and were built by the French during their rule. Some of the buildings in White Town have been deemed heritage sites and are breathtakingly beautiful.

In the evening hang out at Promenade Beach. The Pondicherry beaches have a unique charm where its inherent serene atmosphere contrasts the wild, roaring sea rushing onto it.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Pondicherry.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head towards Thanjavur. Check in at the hotel on arrival. In the late afternoon head out to visit the Royal Palace Museum in Thanjavur. Thanjavur Royal Palace Museum is one of the ancient museums in the town which holds ancient items, images, paintings, and sculptures. The most important fact is that this museum gives every detail about the earlier period.

Have dinner at the hotel. At around 08:30 pm head out for the pooja ceremony at The Brihadeeshwara Temple. It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of fully realized Dravidian architecture. This temple is a perfect illustration of the great heights achieved in the field of architecture by the Chola rulers. Reach back hotel by late evening.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Thanjavur.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, at the hotel, head out for a day trip of Kumbakonam. Visit Airavatesvara Temple built by Rajaraja II in the 12th Century CE. It is a Lord Shiva temple located in Darasuram, near Kumbakonam. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and it is referred to as the "Great Living Chola Temples”. Constructed in the chariot structure and built-in stone, the temple has smaller shrines dedicated to several Vedic and Puranic deities.

Reach back to Thanjavur by noon. In the late afternoon visit Thanjavur brass workshops, where you can have a look at Thanjavur-style paintings and brass work. The evening will be at your leisure. 

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Thanjavur.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head towards Madurai. The cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of India. Ruled by Pandya kings for the longest time in its history, it is called the 'Lotus City' as it was planned and built in the shape of a lotus. Having trade ties with ancient Rome, the place holds a great cultural heritage.

On the way take a short trip to Tiruchirapalli and visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple occupies an area of 155 acres (63 ha) with 81 shrines, 21 towers, 39 pavilions. This temple is the largest temple compound in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Temple is mentioned in Tamil literature of the Sangam Era 1st to the 4th century AD.

Reach Madurai by evening. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Madurai.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast head out for exploring Madurai. Start with a visit to the Madurai Flower Market. This flower market is one of the biggest in Tamil Nadu and sells as many as 10 tons of flowers each day. Then visit the renowned Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai. It is one of the oldest and most important temples in India. Located in the city of Madurai, the temple has a great mythological and historical significance. Meenakshi Temple was nominated as one of the wonders of the world, but couldn’t make it into the list of ‘Seven Wonders of the World’. However, the temple is definitely one of the ‘Wonders of India’.

In the late afternoon enjoy a Food tour. Foodies will love this tour which will take you through the bustling Madurai street food scene. Go to several popular local food stalls and savor delectable South Indian flavors. Later in the evening head out for the Pooja ceremony at Meenakshi temple.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Madurai.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and head straight to Munnar. One of the biggest tea plantation regions of South India, Munnar is one of the most beautiful and popular hill stations in Kerala. The blissful hill station Munnar - famous for its tea estates, soothing lush greenery, and craggy peaks, is located in the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala. It serves as the commercial center for some of the world’s largest tea estates. Munnar has many protected areas that are home to endemic and highly endangered species like the Nilgiri Thar and the Neelakurinji.

After around 4-5 hours journey reach Munnar by late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. In the evening head out to see Kalaripayattu Show. Kalaripayattu is an ancient Indian martial art, which originated as a style in Kerala. It is considered by some to be the oldest martial art still in existence, with its origin dating back to the 3rd century BCE.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Munnar.

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, head out for a guided soft trek tour. It will be a 3-hour trekking tour covering around 9 km of walking through tea plantations, grasslands and rocks. A small backpack with some sun cream is advisable. You may also wish to bring a sun hat. Enjoy an excellent homemade breakfast during the tour.

Then visit Munnar Tea Museum. The tea museum preserves the aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's mountain region of the Western Ghats.

After that, visit Pothamedu Viewpoint, a spectacular spot which offers a panoramic view of the valley. And if the day is clear, you can also see Muthirapuzha River and Idukki Dam from quite a height. The view is made of a series of emerald hill slopes where tea, coffee, cardamom, and pepper make a blanket of green all over the hills.

Reach back at the hotel. The evening will be at your leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Munnar.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, check out from the hotel & head towards Periyar. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady are one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.

Reach Periyar by afternoon and check in at the hotel upon arrival. The evening will be at your leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Periyar (Thekkady).

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Early in the morning, set out for half day guided jungle hike and Bamboo rafting at Periyar National Park. This activity takes close to 6 hrs. Visiting the sanctuary will be like exploring the nature around, enjoying the pristine and peaceful atmosphere around and getting relaxed from your busy schedules. There are bright chances to spot the elephant herd in the jungle while you are hiking.

After a two and half hour jungle walk through the forests you will reach Periyar Lake, where you will enjoy a bamboo rafting experience on the lake. You will have to walk back through the same path to the park’s gate. Reach back to hotel by afternoon. [Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes and long pants for this walk tour].

In the evening, head out to see Kathakali Show. Kathakali is very famous form of Indian Classical Dance.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at hotel in Periyar (Thekkady).

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast check-out from the hotel & head towards Kumarakom, a sleepy little village on the shores Vembanad Lake in Kerala, situated 14 Kms away from Kottayam. It offers wide variety of flora, exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experience. Kumarakom is a true travel pleasure that will mesmerize your senses. It is a paradise on earth. It is one of the foremost travel destinations of India and a jewel in the crown of Kerala tourism.

Reach Kumarakom by late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. The evening will be at your leisure.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kumarakom.

Meals: Breakfast

After early breakfast head out for village tour. Visiting a local village will give an experience beyond imagination for the tourists who look for something different during their trip in Kerala. See how locals do coconut tree climbing, screw pine weaving, net fishing, toddy tapping and other farm activities.

Later enjoy a Shikara boat ride. Shikara boat is comparatively small in size than houseboats and motorboats but it is really beautiful handicraft work in elegant Kerala style.

Reach back at the hotel before noon. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kumarakom.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel & head towards Alleppey (a.k.a. Alappuzha). Welcome to the “Venice of the East” – Alleppey, world-famous for its vast mesmerizing backwaters. Also known as Alappuzha, Alleppey is a city in the South Indian state of Kerala. Bordering the Laccadive Sea, it is known for its wide network of interlinking, palm-fringed canals called backwaters and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts. Allepey is also popular for its houseboat cruises that pass through the serene backwaters, where you can catch glimpses of green paddy fields, choir-making activities, beautiful avifauna, and witness the life of locals in Kerala.

Reach Alleppey by noon. Check-in at a private houseboat. Have lunch on the houseboat. Enjoy a boat cruise through the magnificent Vembanad Lake for an unforgettable experience of backwater cruising.

Dinner & overnight stay at the houseboat in Alleppey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast check out from the houseboat and transfer to Kochi (Cochin). The serene Kochi (a.k.a. Cochin) has been drawing traders and explorers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix of giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses, and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unusual blend of medieval Netherlands, Portugal, and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast.

Arrive at Kochi (Cochin) by noon and check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon head out to explore Kochi. Then visit the Old Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi. Constructed in 1567 CE, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan or Yehudan Mappila people or the Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin. Then visit Mattancherry Palace, a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, which features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. Afterwards, visit Cochin Spice Market & Chinese fishing nets.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kochi.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Kochi Airport. The private car will drop you at airport to catch your return flight.

To all the good things, comes an end. Bid farewell with the memories of amazing fun-filled 18 days of travel through the Southern Splendors, worth remembering for the lifetime!

Meals: Breakfast