Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Today on arrival at Chennai, our local representative will assist you at the airport and transfer to hotel. (Check in time at hotel is 1400 Hrs.). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Chennai
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Chennai, covering –Marina Beach (the second largest in the world), Kapeleeswar Temple, Fort St. George (the oldest fort in Chennai). Also visit Santhome Cathedral, National Art Gallery, St. Mary’s Church, Anna Zoological. Make a brief halt at Kalakshetra - an institution for classical dance, music and art where you can observe rehearsals and interact with students. You will also visit the Crafts Center and the kalamkari or pen work unit where you can see the making of handloom sarees and textile printing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Chennai/Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram (140 Kms/3 Hrs.)
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Mahabalipuram, acclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its spectacular rock-cut temples. En route visit Kancheepuram - the city of 1000 temples and one of the seven sacred cities in India. Thereafter, proceed to the famous Shankaracharya Seer in Kancheepuram. If you wish, you can shop for some exquisite Kanchivaram silk sarees. After visit, continue drive towards Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Mahabalipuram
After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of Mahabalipuram, covering - Mahishasurmardini Caves, Shore Temple, Krishna Mandapam and Arjun’s Penance. Also visit Panch Rathas - a cluster of monolithic temples, Crocodile Farm - home to over 100 crocodiles, School of Art & Sculpture and Snake Venom Extracting Center. Rest of the day relax at the beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Mahabalipuram/Pondicherry (110 Kms/ 2 ½ Hrs.)
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Pondicherry – former French colony till 1954 and now one of the most visited destination of south India. On arrival check in at hotel, later proceed for sightseeing of Pondicherry covering – Pondicherry museum, the Sacred Heart Church, the Rai Niwas - is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry and Sri Aurobindo Ashram- founded by Sri Aurobindo, way back in the year 1926. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 : Pondicherry/Thanjavur via Chidambaram (170 Kms/4 Hrs.)
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Thanjavur (Tanjore). En-route visit the Divine land of Chidambaram - dedicated to Lord Nataraja – (God Siva in the form of a Cosmic Dancer – known as Shiva tandava)). It is one of the few temples where Siva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. This ancient temple was built by the Cholas. It is devoted solely to the art of Bharatanatyam and is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary Lingam. Spread over an area of 40 acres with a gopuram on each side, the temple is distinguished by five sabhas or courts. After visit continue drive to Thanjavur, on arrival check into the hotel. Later proceed to visit Brihadeeswara Temple - is located in the center of the city and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 : Thanjavur/Madurai via Trichy (200 Kms)
After breakfast check out from hotel and proceed for temple visit of Trichy (short name of Tiruchirappalli) visiting Srirangam - 5 kms from Trichy, located in an island of Srirangam. Surrounded by the Kaveri water is a 600 acre island town enclosed within the seven walls on the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. There are no less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. After visit drive to Madurai - situated on the bank of river Vaigai and has been the kingdom of Pandya kings in the past century. The place has a great cultural heritage and strong mythological history to be passed on to the next coming generations. The place is more than 2500 years old and the commercial center was developed in 550 AD. The city is constructed in the form of a lotus and is known as lotus city too. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Madurai
After breakfast proceed to visit King Tirumala`s Palace, Vandiyur Mariamman Tank and Gandhi museum. In the evening witness the Prayer Ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple - also known as Meenakshi Amman Temple is an ancient and one amongst the most important temples of India. Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is dedicated to Sundareswar (form of Lord Shiva) and Meenakshi (form of Goddess Parvati). The term "Sundareswar" suggests "the beautiful lord" and "Meenakshi" means "the fish-eyed goddess". Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Madurai/Rameshwaram (170 Kms/3 to 4 Hrs)
After breakfast check out from hotel drive towards Rameshwaram. On arrival, check in at hotel. Later proceed to visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple - dedicated to Lord Rama. This is one of the seven places in India where pilgrims pray for salvation. The place is unique with 22 holy springs and the longest corridor in India. Also visit is five faced Hanuman Temple. The temple also has a floating stone outside the temple exhibiting the famous stories from the Great Indian spic, Ramayana. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Rameshwaram/Kanyakumari (325 Kms/5 to 6 Hrs.)
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to the shore of Kanyakumari - the name of has been christened after the virgin goddess - Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Later proceed to visit to the miraculous confluence of the three seas - Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. The Vivekananda Memorial - located at the heart of this confluence is a pilgrimage for all the stressed hearts seeking for some respite and solace. After enjoying a pleasant boat ride around the place, we return to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 : Kanyakumari/Kovalam (100 Kms/ 3 Hrs.)
After breakfast check out from hotel and proceed to visit Sri Kumari Amman Temple. Thiruvalluvar Statue - 133 feet in height. The 38 feet, three tier pedestal of the statue represents 38 chapters in the Book of Aram. After visit drive to Kovalam, on arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or explore the nearby sandy beach of Kovalam by your own. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Kovalam/Trivandrum/Kovalam
After breakfast proceed for explore the temples of Trivandrum covering the Padmanabha Swamy temple - the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple). Napier Museum - This is a 19th century monument which comprises of a collection which is quite rare and unique. Return to Kovalam and relax at the beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : Kovalam/Alleppey (175 Kms/4 ½ Hrs.)
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Alleppey, on arrival board on house boat. Enjoy the backwaters cruise, scenery and different places in Kerala Style House boat. Houseboat cruise is the best way to explore the beauty of backwater. Lunch, evening tea/coffee & dinner will be served in the houseboat. Overnight stay in the houseboat.
Day 14 : Alleppey/Thekkady (130 Kms)
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Thekkady. On arrival check in at hotel. Later afternoon enjoy a boat ride on the Periyar Lake, where you also get a chance to spot wild animals and a myriad of birds. The place is known for its exotic wildlife and views of sunset, which one should not miss. Return to the hotel later for an overnight stay.
Day 15 : Thekkady/Munnar (120 Kms)
After breakfast check out from hotel and proceed to visit for a spice garden and explore the variety of spices grown in Kerala. After visit drive to Munnar is 1800 mts above sea level and also the home of South India`s highest peak (anamudi-2695 mts). Upon arrival at Munnar check in at Hotel. Afternoon visit Tea Museum surrounded by tea Gardens- the only Museum of its kind; which illustrates the timeworn method of Tea production. Evening have a short visit at Munnar town. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 : Munnar
After breakfast proceed to visit Rajamala (Eravikulam National Park - open as per the directions by the forest authorities), the best place to see Nilgiri Tahr (Hermitragus Hilarious)- the mountain goat of South India. Mattupetty dam, Echo Point, Kundala Dam, Pothenmedu view Point, Blossom Park etc are some of thehighlights of the sightseeing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 17 : Munnar/Cochin (160 Kms)
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Cochin. On arrival check in at hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing of Cochin, covering, visit of fort cochin, St. Francis church, Chinese fishing net, Mattancherry palace (Closed on Friday), Jewish synagogue (Closed on Friday). Overnight at hotel.
Day 18 : Cochin (Departure)
After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination.
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