Discover South Indias - Heritage, Temples, Backwaters, Beaches

Daywise Tour Plan

• day1
  Arrival at Chennai

  Our representative will receive you on arrival at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.

  The city of Chennai, formerly Madras and originally Madraspatnam, has its roots in a warehouse built by the British on the beachfront in 1639. In 1654, the Fort St. George was established and eventually, village after neighbouring village was added to the territory to form the modern city we know today. In the days of the British Raj, Madras served as the capital of all of South India.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day2
  Chennai Sightseeing

  Proceed for city tour of Chennai in the morning after breakfast.

  The Neo-Gothic San Thome Basilica is one of the only three basilicas in the world said to contain the relics of an apostle of Christ and is an important Christian pilgrimage. Built over the tomb of St. Thomas, the original building was said to have been established by the apostle himself.

  Founded in 1644 by the British East India Company, Fort St George was the engine of trade and commerce that transformed a beachfront hamlet into a modern city. Fittingly, it is now the seat of the legislative assembly of the state of Tamil Nadu. The Fort Museum located in the oldest surviving building of the fortress is of particular interest to tourists and has an impressive collection of exhibits spread over ten galleries.

  Rippon Building: Another pride of Chennai city, this 100 year old building was named after Governor Lord Rippon, the father of self-government in India. The Chennai Corporation and its council are functioning in this building.

  The buzzing Kapaleeswarar Temple with its proud 120 feet tall exquisitely engraved Gopuram is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. Inscriptions from the 13th century and highly ornate stucco work adorn its walls. It’s also the site for the spectacular annual Arupathimoovar festival, during which a gigantic wooden chariot carrying the main deity is pulled along the roads by hundreds and thousands of frenzied devotees, followed by a procession of gods involving sixty three idols on palanquins. Students of cinema may recall this festival from French master Louis Malle’s Cinema Verite´ venture, Phantom India.

  Central Railway Station: A red, massive British structure is another landmark of this metro, has been the gateway connecting the state with the rest of the nation. This Railway station forms part of the city’s treasure of heritage buildings, worth a visit. Visitors must take platform tickets.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day3
  Chennai - Madurai (By Train)
  

  Drive to the railway station after a leisurely breakfast and board the train to Madurai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

  The ancient temple town of Madurai boasts a history dating back to the 3rd century BC and is mentioned in the writings of Greek explorer Megasthenes.

  Dominating the Madurai skyline is the breathtaking Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple. A prime example of Dravidian art and architecture, its towering gopurams are adorned with multicolored carvings of gods, goddesses, and mythical beasts. This temple is a highlight of South India’s cultural heritage.

  In the evening, visit the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva, and witness the evening Aarati ceremony.

  Overnight stay in Madurai.

• day4
  Madurai Sightseeing
  

  Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

  Proceed for a sightseeing tour of the temple town.

  Thousand Pillar Museum: Located inside the temple, this museum features a variety of collections.

  Gandhi Memorial Museum: This spacious museum chronicles the history of India’s independence movement in detail. It regularly hosts seminars on Gandhi and his principles of non-violence (ahimsa).

  Vishnu Temple: Located a few minutes from Madurai, this temple is one of South India’s most important. It is unique for its layout of three altars, each depicting Lord Vishnu in a different posture. The middle altar, KoodalAlagar, houses the main deity of the temple. The temple’s exterior, adorned with beautiful carvings of celestial beings, is also worth exploring.

  Thirumalai Nayak Palace: Built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, the palace fell into ruin after the king’s death and was only partially restored by the British. Nevertheless, the structure provides a glimpse into its former grandeur. Notable features include intricate stucco work on arches and pillars, and the remarkable Sorgavilasam or Celestial Pavilion, a 1300-square-meter free-standing structure without support.

  Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam: This giant reservoir, fed by the Vaigai River through an underground maze, is famous for the Teppam (Float Festival). During this festival, hundreds of boats carrying devotees crowd the reservoir, racing to reach the temple at its center.

  Thirupparankundram: Located 11 km south of Madurai, this celebrated cave temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanian (Lord Shiva’s son). It is believed that Lord Subramanian married Devayana, daughter of Indra, at this location and performed several miracles. The 8th-century Pandyas rock-cut cave can also be visited here.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day5
  Madurai - Thekkady (By Surface)
  

  Proceed to Thekkady after breakfast. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.

  Enjoy the scenic beauty, including marvelous waterfalls, high mountains, and low-flying clouds passing by. Visit tea plantations and observe the tea processing.

  Explore the Periyar National Park, one of India’s major wildlife reserves. Look out for Asian elephants, antelopes, Indian bison, the elusive Bengal tiger, the dhole (wild dog), and the extremely rare and endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a species of ibex native to the region.

  Birdwatchers might be rewarded with sightings of greater hornbills, darters, herons, egrets, owls, and brightly colored kingfishers.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day6
  Thekkady Sightseeing
  

  Breakfast will be served at the resort.

  Don’t miss the bamboo rafting excursion down the river. The raft offers a great opportunity to observe animals, particularly elephants, as they come to the waters to cool off during the day. You may also spot sambars, barking deer, mouse deer, wild pigs, porcupines, lion-tailed macaques, Malabar squirrels, and sloth bears. Tigers and leopards are usually harder to spot on the banks during the day.

  Alternatively, you could try a jungle walk with a highly experienced guide. This unique program allows tourists to explore the forest in the least obtrusive way—on foot—maximizing the chances of wildlife sightings. The walks can be customized based on how long the guest wishes to spend in the park.

  A visit to the local spice market, reputed to be the largest in Asia, is also worth considering. Spices make for unique and imaginative gifts for friends and family back home.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day7

  Thekkady - Munnar (By Surface)
  
  Drive to Munnar after breakfast.

  Check in to the hotel and relax.

  At 1,600 meters above sea level and located at the confluence of three mountain rivers, Munnar is blessed with stunning panoramic views and a temperate climate that made it a popular summer destination with British settlers during the Raj. Munnar’s soil and climate are ideal for tea cultivation, and the nearby slopes are dotted with plantations. Munnar also serves as a trailhead for trekkers hiking to Anamudi Peak (2,695 meters), the highest point in South India. Munnar is at its stunning best when its hillsides burst into vibrant blue with the blooming of the rare, fragile Blue Kurinji flowers every twelve years.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day8
  Munnar Sightseeing
  

  Proceed for the sightseeing tour after breakfast.

  Built by the British in 1910, Christ Church is known for its beautiful stained glass windows. On the church grounds, plaques erected in memory of British tea planters tell their own poignant story.

  The tiny hill station of Devikulam, only seven kilometers from Munnar, is a delight for birders, anglers, and nature lovers. Its rolling green slopes, panoramic views, and the crystal-clear waters of Sita Devi Lake make it one of the most picturesque highlights of your exotic holiday in South India.

  The Kundale Tea Plantation offers an in-depth insight into tea production, from picking the leaves to brewing the tea. Sundays are an excellent time to visit, as local planters gather for their weekly get-together and share plantation tales. The plantation’s lake is also an idyllic picnic spot.

  Neelakurunji flowers: There is no special tour required to see this Munnar attraction. However, if you plan a trip specifically to view the spectacular blue blooms that cover the entire mountainside, you'll need to wait until 2018, as the neelakurunji blooms only every 12 years.

  Pothamedu offers a high vantage point with panoramic views of the surrounding plantations and is a popular hiking destination in the vicinity.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day9
  Munnar - Athirapilly - Cochin (By Surface)
  

  Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

  Proceed to Cochin, visiting Athirapilly en route.

  Athirapilly is the site of Kerala's largest waterfall, cascading down from a height of 80 meters (not 1000 meters) above sea level. Surrounded by lush green forests and intersected by river systems, Athirapilly is a significant hotspot for elephant and bird conservation.

  Continue the drive to Cochin. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.

  The ancient port city of Cochin (or Kochi) comprises a cluster of islands and peninsulas in a serene saltwater lagoon. Ferries connect the islands to Ernakulam town on the mainland. Dotted with lakes and gently swaying palm groves, Kochi’s otherworldly beauty, coupled with its rich history of spices and seafood, draws numerous travelers each year to this natural harbor.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day10
  Cochin Sightseeing
  

  Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

  Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin.

  Kochi’s famed Chinese fishing nets are one of the most iconic and oft-photographed sights of the city. Mounted on teak and bamboo poles and supported by large stone counterweights, they hang gracefully all along the Fort Kochi seafront. Their origins are obscure, with some claiming they were imported by the Portuguese from Macau, while others credit Chinese traders from the court of Kublai Khan.

  The Old Cochin area is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. The Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568, is a must-see treasure of this eclectic corner of South India. Known for its distinctive tiled roof and bell towers, the synagogue’s interiors feature intricately hand-painted blue and white Chinese willow tiles, each unique. Elegant Belgian chandeliers adorn the central area. An exquisite oriental rug and gold crowns received as gifts from visitors are also on display.

  Also of interest is the intriguing International Pepper Exchange, which deals in the global trade of black pepper. Nearby attractions include Vasco Da Gama Square, the Santa Cruz Basilica (one of India’s oldest churches), St. Francis Church (where Vasco Da Gama was originally interred), VOC Gate, and Bastion Bungalow—all of which date back to between the mid-fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries.

  In the evening, proceed to a Kathakali dance performance.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day11
  Cochin - Kumarakom - Alleppey (Embark Houseboat)
  

  After a leisurely breakfast, proceed to Kumarakom.

  Check into a traditional houseboat and embark on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake to Alleppey.

  Barely 16 km from the city of Kottayam, Kumarakom is located by the Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest freshwater lake, and is one of the key venues for Kerala’s famous boat races. During the festival of Onam, hundreds of traditional boats, some seating as many as fifty highly vocal rowers, race down the lake amidst much fanfare, competing for the top spot.

  Lunch will be served on the boat, freshly prepared by the crew.

  In the evening, the boat will anchor by lush paddy fields, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility of the water and the surrounding scenery.

  Dinner will be laid out on the boat.
  Spend the night on the houseboat.

• day12
  Alleppey - Kovalam (By Surface)
  

  Breakfast will be served on board.

  Cruise through the backwaters, observing children going to school and village markets opening. Disembark the boat at the finishing point, where your driver will be waiting to take you to Kovalam.

  A tranquil bay with three stunning crescent-shaped beaches of white sand, Kovalam is a beach lover’s paradise and an idyllic traditional fishing village rolled into one. Despite gaining popularity as a tourist spot, the life of the fishing communities nearby continues to follow centuries-old traditions, largely untouched by the modern world. A highly recommended activity is the short walk up to the quaint lighthouse atop a hill for panoramic views.

  A day’s excursion from Kovalam will take you to Kanyakumari, the mystical and breathtakingly beautiful southern extremity of India.

  Reach Kovalam and check into the resort. The rest of the day will be free to explore and relax at the beach.

  Overnight stay at Kovalam.

• day13
  Kovalam (Leisure Day)
  

  Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

  Spend the day at leisure, enjoying the beach and exploring Kovalam at your own pace.

  Overnight stay in Kovalam.

• day14
  Kovalam (Leisure Day)
  

  Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

  Spend the day at leisure, enjoying the beach and exploring Kovalam at your own pace.

  Overnight stay in Kovalam.

• day15
  Kovalam (Leisure Day)
  

  Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

  Spend the day at leisure, enjoying the beach and exploring Kovalam at your own pace.

  Overnight stay in Kovalam.

• day16

  Kovalam - Trivandrum Airport Departure
  Transfer to Trivandrum Airport and board your flight back to your home country.
  

  
  'TOUR ENDS WITH MEMORIES'