South India with Kerala Tour

Today, start sightseeing tour of Chennai, which includes a visit to Fort St. George, completed in 1653 and today filled with reminders of the past, including St. Mary’s, the first church consecrated on Indian soil. You will stop at the National Museum of human history, culture (closed on Fridays) and stroll along Marina Beach, an elegant promenade and Chennai University, one of the three oldest universities in India, with its beautiful Senate House and the Nawab Palace. Then proceed to the old Indian section of Myla pore, where you will visit San Thome Basilica-the culmination of the enduring legend of Thomas Didymus, the apostle who doubted and who is believed to have lived and preached on Myla pore’s shores. The tour will be ending with the visit the Temple of Kapaleeshwarar, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, who stands out for its thousands of colorful figures.
Overnight in hotel

After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram, with a stop en-route in the ‘Golden City’ of Kanchipuram. It contains about 125 shrines dating back to the early Cholas of 200 BC. It was successively the capital of the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar, and a testimony to this are its magnificent temples. Kanchipuram’s other claim to fame is its silk, renowned for more than four centuries. A unique system of weavers makes and sells Kanchi saris, the most sought-after saris in India (Kanchipuram temples are open until 12pm).

After visit continue your drive to Mahabalipuram, and upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram, located on a stunning rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon, a dream world of awesome Tamil art, an open-air museum of sculpture in living rock. Later visit the famous seashore rock-cut and monolithic temples. A World Heritage site. Also visit the 7th century Shore temple which is surrounded by lush gardens. Later visit the 7th century Five Rathi’s and Arjuna Penance these temples are considered as the very first example of the Hindu temple architecture.
Afternoon: Relax on beach
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry and upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Afternoon: Proceed for sightseeing tour of Pondicherry visiting the ancient French colony of Pondicherry with the visit of Ashram of Sri Aurobindo, the great philosopher. Built by a disciple of Aurobindo in his memory, one of the most evocative active ashrams in India. Then take a walking tour in old city followed with the visit of ancient Portuguese and French churches.
Overnight at hotel

After an early breakfast, drive to Tanjore and upon arrival check-in at hotel, En-route visit
the temples of Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram and the village of silk weavers. The town of Darasuram is famous for the Airavateswara temple built by Rajaraja Chola II in the twelfth century. The temple is UNESCO world heritage site and is a treasure trove of art and architecture. Arrival in Tanjore. Once the ancient capital of Cholas. Tanjore dates back its history to the time of



emperors Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, protectors of the arts and brave conquerors, who ruled over the city in the 11th century. Visit the temple of Brihadeshwara, the symbol of the city of Tanjore and a world heritage temple complex, is surrounded by long walls, a cloister with columns and niches, and boasts two gopurams at the east entrance. It preserves the classical architecture of the Dravidian temples with a mandapa and a large room that leads to the central sanctorum, made from a single piece of granite weighing 80 tons. After visiting the temple, continue with a stop at "The Raja Museum and Art Gallery" to admire an interesting collection of artefacts and sculptures in bronze and granite in the Chola style. The Saraswati Mahal library contains over 40 thousand rare books and inscriptions on palm leaves in Indian and European languages.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, drive to Chettinad, en-route stop at Srirangam to visit the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, considered as the most important of the 108 temples dedicated to the deity. Its foundation dates to the fourteenth century: the complex consists of seven concentric walls, called prakara. with entrances to the four cardinal points, surmounted by high gopurams, for a total of twenty-one towers. At the center of the island the sancta Santorum with the main image of Vishnu Ranganatha. Crossing the Indian countryside rich in banana plantations, sugar cane and paddy fields.
After visit continue your drive, the zone called Chettinad from the name of the ancient rich merchants who lived there.
Evening: Enjoy cooking demonstration followed by DINNER
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, proceed for a walk in the village to admire the ancient buildings, visit a cotton weaving center and a factory for the manual manufacturing of the tiles.
Afternoon: Drive to Madurai and upon arrival check-in at hotel
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, proceed to visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Dedicated to Meenakshi [Goddess Parvati] and Sundareshwar [Lord Shiva]. The main attraction of temple are its colourful towers. Later proceed to take a Rickshaw Ride in the old city. This rickshaw ride is a different experience everyone should take. This longest rickshaw ride in Asia will take you in a journey of old time.
Evening: Another visit to the Meenakshi Temple to participate in the evening Aarti ceremony.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, drive to Periyar [Also known as Thekkady] and upon arrival check-in at hotel. Periyar is located in a splendid scenery of tea and spice plantations. The Periyar National Park is one of the most important and ancient projects to protect the Indian tiger.
Afternoon: Spice plantations tour and driving through the gardens of Tea, Coffee and Cocoa,
Later experience the Elephant Safari

After breakfast, Take a cruise on the picturesque Periyar Lake at the heart of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, as the coolness comes in the evening many wildlife drink at the water edge. This night you can choose to take an optional martial art performance, the ancient Kalaripayattu that is said to be 3000 years old.
Afternoon: Enjoy Guided Jungle Nature walk
Proceed for Arrival and hotel accommodation in the area of Thekkady. In the afternoon take a Jeep Safari in Mountains. Along the way, a brief tour of spice plantation and driving through the gardens of Tea, Coffee and Cocoa.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast get ready for your next destination, “Venice of East” – Alleppey and upon the arrival, you will be embarking on the traditional houseboat. Get a new perspective from this boat trip among Kerala´s backwaters, lagoon, and canals. In the middle of the waterways, there are many hidden islands, towns, and cities and you will have a chance to get an insight into the profound lifestyle of the people living deep inside of these scenic surroundings. Enjoy your lunch on the board and get yourself allure in this calmness beautiful atmosphere. In the evening enjoy your dinner on the board.
Overnight at Houseboat

Morning, enjoy your breakfast on the houseboat, after which you disembark from houseboat.
Pick up and directly drive to Cochin and upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Evening: Enjoy Kathakali Dance performance
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting the Matta cherry Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In these ancient rooms are 17th-century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayana. If possible, visit from the outside a Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town and Fort Cochin Area – legend dates Jewish trade with Kerala as far back as the times of King Solomon. Later, marvel at St. Francis Church, the oldest European Catholic Church in India, which was built in the early 16th century and is a place of the final rest of the explorer Vasco da Gama. Admiring the local anglers ‘usage of the typical Chinese Fishing Nets which are unique to this part of Kerala and represent a living symbol of the centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast.
Overnight at hotel

After an early breakfast, same day excursion to Thrissur [80kms - One way] India’s first mosque, The Cheramaan Perumal Juma Mosque is a mosque in Methala, Kodungallur, Thrissur in the Indian state of Kerala. A legend claims that it was built in 629 CE, which makes it the oldest convert mosque in the Indian subcontinent which is still in use. It was built on the orders of the successor of Cheraman Perumal, the Chera King of modern-day Kerala. The mosque was constructed in Kerala style with hanging lamps, making the historicity of its date claims more convincing. Built during Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime, this landmark building is among the most important of India’s historic, architecturally stunning mosque. Malik Bin Dinar, one of the first Arab propagators of Islam to have come to the Indian subcontinent, built the Cheraman Juma Masjid in 629 CE. Among the many stories in circulation about the mosque’s origins, the most popular recounts how Cheraman Perumal, the region’s king, gave up his throne to embrace Islam and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. After years spent in Mecca, the king decided to return home but fell ill and died on the way. However, Malik Bin Dinar and his companions completed the king’s journey on his behalf. They carried with them a series of letters written by Cheraman Perumal asking local rulers of Kerala for their permission to build the area’s first mosques.
Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi, assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure.
Overnight at hotel

After leisurely breakfast, this morning, your private driver picks you up at your hotel lobby and start your private tour of the capital today. Explore Old and New Delhi
Old Delhi and visit the Jama Masjid [ Mosque] and then a unique glance at local life by an exploration to the bustling local bazaar of Chandni Chowk on cycle rickshaw. Later drive pass The Red Fort [Closed on Monday] and also pay a visit to Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. It is a black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation.
In the afternoon explore New Delhi and visit the Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the world made up of bricks. Later continue to Humayun Tomb, which is of cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Later drive along the city landmark of India Gate, President's House, Parliament House, and Government Secretariat Buildings and stop for photo opportunity there.
Finish today with an insight into the local religion at a colorful Hindu Temple - Laxmi Narayan Temple. After the tour, your private driver will escort you to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel

Free till departure and later transfer to airport to board flight for onward journey.



Tour End