After breakfast we will proceed for Chennai sightseeing.

Drive past Fort St George (or historically, White Town) is the first English (later British) fortress in India, founded in 1644 at the coastal city of Madras, the modern city of Chennai. The fort was named after St George who is believed to have preached in the region. The fort currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and other official buildings.

Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas. In the whole world, there are only three churches built over the tomb of an Apostle of Jesus Christ- the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain and Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas built in Chennai. His body was buried on the spot over which the present Basilica stands. The shrine was restored in 2004.

Kapaleeswarar Temple (Kapaleeshwara). One of Chennai's oldest and best-known temples, said to date to the 8th century. Notable above all for its soaring, incredibly detailed 37m Gopurams (entrance gate). There is a large water tank behind the temple, used for the Thaipusam festival.

Marina Beach is 12 kms long and offers excellent opportunities for walks and has a very wide sandy foreshore. The Marina of Madras is the second longest urban beach in the world. Along the shore, there are many buildings built during the British colonial rule. It is the most popular gathering place for locals. Watching the sunrise from the beach is an experience by itself. It's not a swimming beach. Back to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel

This morning we drive 64km south to Kanchipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallavas. It is one of the seven sacred cities of India and attracts a large number of visitors. Dating back to the 2nd Century, the region originally had 1,000 unique temples, of which about 200 still exist.

The 7th-century Kailasnatha Temple is the oldest and also considered the most beautiful of the town's temples. The Varadaraja Temple was built by Vijayanagara Kings in the 16th Century. The main shrine is on an elephant shaped rock. Other temples include the Ekambaresvara Temple and the Vaikunth Perumal Temple. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk textiles so before leaving we visit the Shreenivas Silk House.

Next we drive to the coastal temple town of Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram, to see the rock carvings which date from the 7th and 8th centuries. Here we will see the Shore Temple, the Panch Pandava Rathas and Varaha Cave before returning to Chennai. 

Please note at the temples there is little to no sun protection or shade. Please remember to bring a hat and sunscreen with you. The streets surrounding the temples are filled with markets and locals selling crafts, jewellery and snacks. If you do not wish to purchase anything, please be polite and firmly decline and keep walking along with the group..

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast, drive to Chennai, Arrive Chennai and transfer to Chennai airport to board flight for Madurai.

DEP: CHENNAI                 1425 Hours                                                                    FLIGHT: 6e 7515 (INDIGO)

ARR: MADURAI                1550 Hours

Arrive Madurai, Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Madurai City mainly Meenakshi Temple.

Meenakshi Temple: This is an exquisite example of Temples built by the Pandyan Rulers. There are as many as 11 majestic towers with the main entrance from the east. There are two Shrines, one dedicated to Sundreswarar and the other to his consort Meenakshi. The hall in front of the Sundareswarar shrine is known as Kampathadi Mandapam. The different manifestations of Lord Shiva are depicted on pillars of hall. The hall of thousand pillars is the most interesting feature. This remarkable structure was built in the 16th century. The pillars here have a repeated motif of the Stylised Dragon. There are musical pillars in one of the outer enclosures. Each pillar sounds a different note when struck. Inside, Apillared Portico surrounds he sacred Golden Lotus Tank. According to a legend, this tank was once used to judge the Metits of Tamil Literary Works. Manuscripts of great worth would float on its discerning waters, while those lacking in merit would sink.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast, drive to Periyar.

Thekkady is the location of the Periyar National Park, which is an important tourist attraction for South Indians. Situated in Kerala, close to the Kerala - Tamil Nadu border town - Kumily, it is located about 114 km from Madurai City, 185 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from Kottayam railway station. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands so as the home to herds of elephants, sambar and tigers.

On arrival check in the hotel.

Visit the Spice Plantations. Over twelve varieties of spices are cultivated in and around Kumily. The spice plantation tour covers spice plantations such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, clove, nutmeg etc. and also some Ayurvedic plants and herbs. The duration of the trip is normally one to two hours (optional extra). The service of an experienced guide will give full and detailed explanation of the plants and its uses.

Overnight stay at hotel

After Breakfast visit Periyar National Park.

Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, south India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve. The protected area covers an area of 925 km2 (357 sq mi). 350 km2 (140sq mi) of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982.

The park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady. It is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the southern Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It is 4 km (2.5 mi) from Kumily, approximately 100 km (62 mi) east of Kottayam, 110 km (68 mi) west of Madurai and 120 km (75 mi) southeast of Kochi

This Afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on the Periyar Lake. Periyar is one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. A boat ride on the splendid Periyar Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast and drive to Alleppey and transfer to jetty to board the houseboat.

Alleppey (Alappuzha) is an alluring town with its lovely lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers and is a major Backwater tourism destination today. Referred to as the "Venice of the East", Alappuzha is laced with a network of natural canals called Backwaters and is famous for its Boat races, Houseboats, beaches, marine products and Coir industry. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and waterways crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. The most exciting thing on the Backwaters today is the 'Kettuvallam'(traditional Houseboat), which has become the most popular tourism product in Kerala. The Kettuvallam are an improvisation on the large country barges that ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconuts and other commodities.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast and drive straight to Cochin. On arrival transfer to hotel.

One of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi, earlier known as Cochin, has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions of the world. A city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala’s commercial hub.

Afternoon city tour of Cochin.

Your tour of the city starts with a 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 colored 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 Mattancherry 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. Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth.

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. Kathakali recitals are generally long and while other dance forms are more emotive than narrative, Kathakali is both. It combines dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make- up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast drive Cochin/conoor via Coimbtore (6 Hours).Arrival check-in hotel.

Conoor - It’s a beautiful hill resort on the Western Ghats at the height of 4500 feet. Here pax can also visit tea plantations.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast visit a tea factory. The tranquil hill resort of Conoor is the second largest hill station in the nilgiris hills. It is essentially a small British South Indian summer town where the weather remains pleasantly cool through out the year.

DEP: COONOOR                               1040 Hours                                                   TOY TRAIN: MTP UAM PASS (56136)

ARR: UDAGAMANDALAM            1155 Hours

Our driver shall meet you at Ooty railway station, time for local visits & after visiting beautiful hill station of Ooty, Tea Estates, Botanical garden, walk in local bazar’s and later return back by surface to Conoor.          

Ooty: ooty is the leading hill resort of south India. Situated in the heart of the nilgiris (Blue Mountains), at a height of 2,287 m. (7,500ft.), to the northwest of ooty are splendid downs resembling those of Sussex. The terraced botanical gardens, which are a landmark in ooty, have many rare trees and flowering plants. Ooty is also known for its tea and coffee plantations and there are hundreds of tea estates in and around this hill resort.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast drive Conoor/Mysore (4 Hours).On arrival check-in at HOTEL

 Afternoon visit Brindavan gardens: 17 kms from Mysore, the brindavan gardens have been laid out by the side of the krishnaraja sagar dam with beautiful lawns and beds of flowers, fragrant shrubs, cascades and fountains. Designed and built by dv. M. Visweswariati in 1932, the dam was built over three rivers-kaveri, hemavath and lakshmanathirtha.

Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast we will visit Maharaja's Palace; The Art Gallery, housed in the Jagan Mohan Palace, has a collection of absorbing paintings; Chamundi Hill, is the Chamundeswari Temple at an altitude of 3,489 ft;

Afternoon visit Srirangapatnam: 16 kms. North of Mysore Srirangapatnam meaning "port of the lord of the world" is an ancient religious site on an island in the River Cauvery.  The summer palace of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatanam is known for its fortress and tomb of the famous warrior king. The summer palace has some beautiful paintings depicting Tipu’s various battles with the British army

Overnight stay at hotel

Drive Hassan/Mysore (150 KM/4 Hours) visiting Sraven belgoa en-route.

Sravena belgola: a centre of Digambar Jains.  Bhadra bahu, a sage who died here in the 4th century b.c. was one of the six descents of mahavira, the founder of Jain sect.  The rock is presided over by a colossal statue, 57 feet high (ad 983) of Jain saint gomateswara.  It is nude.  The face has the calm look usual in Jain & Buddhist statues. The stone looks as fresh as if newly quarried, due to its being profusely anointed at intervals of 25 years.

Continue drive to Hassan & check-in at Hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel

After Breakfast visit Belur & Helebid temples.

BELUR & HALEBID: situated on the banks of river yagachi, belur was the capital Hoysala empire 800 years ago before it was shifted to nearby helebid.  Also visit the hoyasaleswara temple at halebid, one of the finest examples of temple architecture. 

Hoyasaleswara Temple at Halebid, one of the finest examples of temple architecture. You will be struck by the close attention to detail paid by the artisans!  Experience this magnificent creation of human mind and hands.

Overnight stay at hotel

Drive Hassan/Bangalore (187 km/4 Hours). On arrival in Bangalore proceed for city tour.

Bangalore city: The capital of Karnataka State & India’s silicon valley is a former, British Garrison town with its wide avenues, classical bungalows and Gothic Churches. Visit Lalbagh Botanical Gardens: Nandi (Bull) temple was built by Kempe Gowda; Tipu's palace and fort - It provides an interesting study of the military architecture of the 18th century.Bangalore known for its Pub culture.  If you like the drinks can go for a pub-crawling.

Later you will be transfered to Bangalore airport to board flight for onward Journeys.

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In all hotels the Check-in time is 1500 Hours and Check-out is 1100 Hours at noon.