South India Tour (Tamil Nadu + Kerla Tour)

Arrival at Chennai - On Arrival at Chennai Airport by international flight, assistance will be provided to receive the guests and to transport to the Hotel for comfortable Overnight stay in Chennai.

Breakfast at hotel. Full day sightseeing of Chennai - Culture at the gate way of South. So tour begins with the visit to its cultural centre Kalakshetra. Next to follow are historical monuments. Visit to Fort St. George built in 1653, which now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu, will give you an opportunity to explore the Indo-British architecture. Places next to visit are St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India and Shri Parthasarathy Temple built by Pallavas in the 8th century AD. Other places to visit include Kapaliswara Temple, Mylapore( eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva). Evening back to hotel. Overnight Chennai Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram, you reach one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus. This is Kanchi, a city of thousand temples. Kanchi (now called Kanchipuram) famous for its temples, the city is also known for its silk weavers who settled here four centuries back to make Kanchipuram a famous Indian city for production and trading of silk fabric. Then you proceed to Mahablipuram, 70 kms from Kanchipuram, (Mahabalipuram) is located to explore the relics of the ancient-most port of and ruins of city besides the monumental remains of ancient Pallavas dynastic rulers. Overnight Mahabalipuram Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Pondicherry, once a French Colony, affords you an opportunity to get transported to a different socio-cultural milieu since most of the Indian territory remained under British empire. You can readily mark the French influence on the life style and the monumental structures in Pondicherry. Pondicherry's main places to visit are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Aurobindo Ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo, a famous spiritual master of India and other sightseeing places etc. Overnight Pondicherry Hotel.

Morning drive to Tanjore via sightseeing of Chidambram. Tanjore is a city of art and music. It is also a city of craftsmen engaged in producing traditional musical instruments and handicrafts. Tanjore (Thanjavur) is known for its famous Brahadeeswarar Temple. The temple was got constructed by the Chola King Raja Rajan a millennium back. Other attractions of Tanjore are Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library. Overnight Tanjore Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Trichey, on arrival check-in at hotel. Later visit – Sri Ranganathanswamy Temple + Rock Fort + St. John’s Church + St. Joseph’s Church + Kallani Dam + Vekkaliamman Temple + Viramaali Morgan Temple + Gunnaseelam Vishnu Temple & Museum. Overnight Trichey Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast proceed to Madurai and check in at hotel. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. Later check in hotel after lunch proceed for a half day city tour visiting - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum. Overnight Madurai Hotel.

After morning breakfast proceeds to Rameswaram- the most sacred temple town of India is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is said to have visited before going into battle of Lanka. Legend has it that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam for worship when he set foot after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return when the auspicious hour was approaching, hence they made a sand Lingam so that worship could be performed in time, which is where the present day Ramanatha Swamy Temple stands close to sea on the eastern side of the island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is also well known for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars lining them. Overnight Rameshwaram Hotel.

After breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari – is the land’s end of India where the water of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim centre of India, it is famous for the Amman Temples – a symbol of unity and sanctity – dedicated to the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. To its South – East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of India. Kanyakumari is also famous for its beautiful sunset and sunrise views. Overnight Kanyakumari Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Check-out and drive to Kovalam Beach. On arrival check-in at Resort and relax. Free at leisure. Overnight Kovalam Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, transfer to Kovalam sightseeing of Padhamanabha Swamy temple, Museum, Horse Palace, Art Gallery. Kovalam considered as the Paradise of the South. It consists of three adjacent crescent beaches and also picture perfect tropical beaches. Rest of the day at leisure on the beach Overnight Kovalam Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast at hotel drive to Alleppey to check into houseboat (180Kms-5 hrs drive) and overnight at houseboat.(Houseboat will move from 1200hrs noon to 1700 Hrs evening and morning 0600 Hrs to 0900 Hrs. and morning). Dinner & Overnight stay at Deluxe House boat.

Activities : House Boat

After breakfast drive to Kumarakom, the lush green vegetation and the climate attract a number of tourists to this place. On arrival at Kumarakom visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and later check in at hotel in, Evening go for Sunset cruise (optional) or enjoy the beauty of backwater with lovely views all around by just relaxing near Vembanadu Lake and Overnight Kumarakom Hotel.

Activities : House Boat

After breakfast and move to Thekkady. Check into Hotel at Thekkady. After refreshing go for a spice plantation Tour to see crops of cardamom cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estate (Optional) & later for boating in the Periyar lake- its centre piece of Periyar Wildlife sanctuary also Periyar Tiger reserve, man made lake of the height of 2000 ft, enjoying view the wildlife at the Periyar tiger reserve (Optional). Overnight Thekkady Hotel.

Activities : House Boat

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Munnar. Check-in at Resort and relax. Overnight Munnar Hotel.

Activities : House Boat

After breakfast we take you for a full day sightseeing trip of Munnar – covering some of the major sightseeing - Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai, Eravikulam Wildlife sanctuary home of Nilgiry Thar (very rare mountain goat), considering the ecological faunal, floral, geo- morphological and zoological significant & Tea Plantation & Tea Plantation. Overnight Munnar Hotel.

Activities : House Boat

After breakfast drive to Cochin en-route sightseeing of beautiful streams small waterfalls, Rubber, Pepper cardamom and Tea plantations and thick forests. check in to Hotel. Evening Enjoy Kathakali Dance Show at Kathkali Cultural Centre in Cochin (5-6 pm.). Overnight Cochin Hotel.

Activities : House Boat

Breakfast at hotel. Morning half day sightseeing of Cochin and visit places like - famous Dutch Palace - with its wonderful mural painting the entire story of the Ramayana in its walls, Jewish Synagogue, Jews Street, St.Francis church, Chinese fishing net - are huge cantilevered fishing net & the indo-Portuguese Museum. Evening in time departure transfer to Airport to catch Flight for onwards destination.
Services Terminate with sweet memories of the tour.

Activities : House Boat