South India Explorer

DAY 01 ARRIVE CHENNAI
You are welcomed on arrival by our representative in Chennai and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 02 48 Miles, 02 hrs (One Way) CHENNAI –KANCHIPURAM-CHENNAI
Post breakfast proceed for half day city tour of Chennai. Start with a visit to Fort St. George, built in 1640 A.D by the British East India Company, under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon. Later visit Kapaleshawara temple – a fine example of Dravidian style architecture dedicated to Lord Shiva. At last visit Government Museum - is a multi-purpose State Government Museum located in Egmore, which is the heart of the city, spreading to an area of 16.25 acres of land. In the afternoon drive to excursion Kanchipuram, ‘The City of Thousand Temples’ is one of the seven holy cities of the Hindus. Only 126 temples remain in Kanchipuram now but the town still attracts visitors from around the country. Pilgrims, customers of silk, and the simply curious come to see the numerous carved temples and participate in the bustle of this busy town. The town is home to several important temples. Ekambareswar Temple is best known for its gopuram (tower) that rises to 58.5 metres. The granite walls are covered with intricate sculptures of mythical figures and Shiva and Parvathi. Originally built by the Pallavas, it was later reconstructed by the Chola and Vijayanagara kings. There is a `thousand pillared hall’, which is quite impressive. The Kailasanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the oldest temple of Kanchi. It reflects the freshness and simplicity of the early Dravidian style of temple architecture and was built by the Pallava king Rayasimha in the 8th century. Drive back to the Chennai.

DAY 03 100 Miles / 05hrs CHENNAI–MAHABALIPURAM
After city tour you will be transferred to Mahabalipuram which would take an hour. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Later visit the Cave monuments. This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. Later visit the Shore Temple, built during the reign of the Pallava King Rajasimha (700 – 728 AD). As its name suggests, the Shore Temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal (Mamallapuram was the port city of Kanchipuram, the Pallava capital). Return to hotel for overnight.

DAY 04 86 miles, 03 hrs MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERY
After breakfast, drive to Pondichery. On arrival check - in to your hotel on arrival. Rest of the day free is for leisure.

DAY 05 111 Miles, 04 hrs PONDICHERY – TANJORE
After breakfast, visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Promenade and Pondichery Museum. In the afternoon, drive to Tanjore. Stopping enroute at various temples such as Chidambaram Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram Temple and Darasuram Temple. On arrival at Tanjore, check in to your hotel.

DAY 06 110 Miles, 4hrs TANJORE – MADURAI
Post breakfast, visit Brihadeswara Temple. Also known as the Big Temple it dates back to 985 – 1012 AD and is one of the World Heritage monuments. After city tour drive to Madurai. On arrival check-in at hotel This evening visit Meenakshi Temple, one of the biggest temple complexes in India (46 feet long and 790 feet broad) built in the 17th century AD. The complex includes a bazaar that bustles from dawn to nightfall. The high point of the Meenakshi temple is Hall of a "Thousand Pillars". Overnight at hotel

DAY 07 100 miles, 03 hrs30 MADURAI - PERIYAR
After breakfast start your drive to Periyar wildlife sanctuary. On arrival in Periyar, check-in to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08 IN PERIYAR
After breakfast, take a cruise on the Periyar Lake. This cruise is the best way to view the sanctuary as it is located in the heart of the forest and acts as the main watering hole for the animals. Sometimes it is possible to watch a whole herd of elephants cross the lake. The afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight at hotel

DAY 09 84 miles, 03 hrs PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM - HOUSEBOAT
After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom and board your house-boat which will be your home for the day. A full day cruise in the backwaters takes off through a network of canals with a backdrop of villages and coconut trees on the shores. Enjoy all meals on-board prepared by the talented staff. The house-boat docks at a jetty for the night.

DAY 10 HOUSEBOATS - KUMARAKOM
After disembark from houseboat at Kumarakom, check in to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure to relax at the hotel or you can enjoy an Ayurvedic Spa treatment at the hotel on direct payment basis.

DAY 11 IN KUMARAKOM
The day is at leisure to relax at the hotel. You can enjoy an Ayurvedic Spa treatment at the hotel on direct payment basis.

DAY 12 51 miles, 01 hrs30 KUMARAKOM - COCHIN
After breakfast start your drive to Cochin. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Later start half day tour of Kochi (Cochin) and Ernakulam which comprise visits to the Dutch Palace (CLOSED ON FRIDAYS), the Jewish Synagogue - (CLOSED ON SATURDAYS) St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. See the Chinese fishing nets, which dot the harbor as you drive along the coastline. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Also visit Jew Street which is famous for antiques. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 13 COCHIN - DEPART
After breakfast, drive to airport to board your flight to onward destination

End of our services……………

Note: Dutch Palace (CLOSED ON FRIDAYS) The Jewish Synagogue - (CLOSED ON SATURDAYS)

Inclusions

Accommodation on bed & breakfast basis on twin sharing basis as mentioned in the itinerary
Meeting and Assistance on arrival/departure at Airports/Hotel.
Surface travel & sightseeing / excursions as per program by Air-conditioned car Porterage at Airport/Hotel.
Services of English speaking local guides at the monuments
Entrance fees at the monuments for single visit only as per the above program
Government services tax

Any services or meal other than the ones mentioned above.
Visa charges, airfare / airport taxes, table drinks, telephone calls, tips, camera fees, laundry etc or any other items of personal nature.
Any other expense/changes due to unforeseen circumstances while in Country
Any other thing not mentioned in program or `cost includes’.