Arrive in Chennai, meet & greet services at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Capital of the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is one of the four major metropolitan cities in India. The city also has its share of forts and palaces reminding the tourists the glory of bygone eras. Chennai was developed as a British trading post, and as such, most of its attractions have a distinct colonial influence. After a leisurely breakfast proceed for a tour of Chennai city. Then drive to KANCHIPURAM, the fabled city of a thousand temples. There is solemn grandeur, a grandiosity of vision and ornamental excess in the temples here. Continue to Mahabalipuram for overnight at your beach resort.
Mahabalipuram with its picturesque location on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon is a happy combination of history, good beaches, hassle-free tourism and fabulous fish and lobster. It is renowned for its series of charming RATHAS and the spectacular carved relief depicting ARJUNA’S PENANCE. After breakfast drive to Pondicherry meaning ’the new settlement’. A unique thing about Pondicherry is that it spreads into several states. PONDICHERRY MUSEUM is home to some of the most exquisite collections on architecture and sculpture. Pondicherry also has a pleasant beach alongside promenade and historical monuments. We drive to Tanjore. En-route visit CHIDAMBARAM, famous for its NATARAJA TEMPLE. Arrive Tanjore in the afternoon to check in at your hotel. It is primarily a place for the art lovers, especially for those who love temple architecture and wonder about kings who erected these magnificent monuments. The BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE, the wonderful PALACE, ART GALLERY and the SARASWATI MAHAL LIBRARY are some of the other things to see in Tanjore. This morning you will drive to the city of Trichy .In Trichy visit ROCK FORT, from where the view is spectacular. The VINAYAKA TEMPLE at the top is reached by climbing a tunnel in rock. After breakfast continue your drive to Madurai. Enroute visiting Chettinadu, Chettinadu or the land of Nattukottai Chettiars, is famous for its fortress like homes and temples that are architectural marvels. Try out the local Chettinad cuisine for lunch. Later proceed to Madurai 90 km known. On arrival, check into the hotel for 01 night stay. Madurai is famous for the Meenakshi Temple, with its towering gopurams and rare sculptures. You can also participate in the many festivals and regale in the rich tradition of the locals. After breakfast, proceed for a city tour of Madurai. Some of the major attractions in the city are the MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, TIRUMALAI NAYAK MAHAL, GANDHI MUSEUM, KOODAL AZHAGAR TMEPLE, VANDIYUR MARIAMMAN TEPPAKULAM etc. Other important attractions include Thirumalai Naicker Palace, Koodal Azhagar Temple and the Gandhi Museum. Later drive to Periyar the land of unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. It houses the famous wildlife sanctuary in South India and has also been declared as a Tiger Reserve. On arrival, check into the hotel for 01 night stay. Later visit the spice plantations with a naturalist. Periyar is famous for the wide variety of spices ranging from pepper, cardamom, nutmeg etc. Overnight at Periyar. Proceed for a boatride to Lake Periyar in the early morning for viewing the wild life. Return to hotel for breakfast. Check out and drive to Kumarakom, the land of lakes and lagoons. Check in to the lake side resort at kumarakom and relax. Optional – ayurveda massage / sunset cruise / bird sanctuary visit. Overnight stay at the resort in kumarakom. After a leisurely breakfast, check out from hotel half day cruise to Alleppey with lunch on a traditional houseboat or Kettuvallum and drive to Cochin, the financial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Check in to your hotel at Cochin. Later proceeds for a sightseeing tour of Cochin covering - The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese trade. By evening witness the world famous Kathakali dance at a local theatre, a traditional art form of kerala and one among the national dances of India. Overnight at hotel in Cochin. In time departure transfer to the Cochin Airport (1 hour drive) assisted by our representative.