South Indian Odyssey Tour

This morning from where we will drive south, along the shores of the Indian Ocean to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram.

Activities : Heritage

After breakfast we drive out to the city of Kanchipuram, on the banks of the Vegavathy River. An ancient centre of learning and a city of great importance historically to the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.

Activities : Heritage

Departing Mahabalipuram our journey takes us onto the pilgrimage city of Kumbakonam next, a city that can date its origins back to the Sangam period of the 3rd century BC.

Activities : Heritage

Today we drive to the heritage town of Karaikudi, famous for its palatial limestone houses and its distinctive cuisine. The journey takes us via the superbly ornate Bridhadeswara Temple in Thanjavur, one of India’s most prized architectural sites.

Activities : Heritage

We pay a visit to some of the 18th century palaces today; sumptuous creations in Italian marble and Burmese teak that were inspired by the grand houses of Europe. We also take time to explore a little of the traditional industry of the area.

Activities : Heritage

Today we head into the cultural heartlands of the Tamil and Dravidian cultures. Our destination is the temple city of Madurai, a place that can trace its history back some 2,500 years.

Activities : Heritage

We will have more time this morning to explore a little more of this most captivating of cities. The city is home to the Gandhi Memorial Museum and a number of Hindu, Vishnu and Muslim temples and mosques.

Activities : Heritage

After a full day to enjoy the delights of Kadambavanam and perhaps have some downtime we’ll then drive for about an hour to Dindigul Railway Station to take the evening overnight train all the way to Mysore in Karnataka.

Activities : Heritage

We will explore the stunning cultural capital of the Karnataka region, located at the base of the Chamundi Hills.

Activities : Heritage

We will explore the stunning cultural capital of the Karnataka region, located at the base of the Chamundi Hills.

Activities : Heritage

Set amongst some of the most pristine natural beauty that Kerala has to offer, Wayanad is steeped in traditions that can trace their origins back several millennia.These remote hills are home to some of the oldest indigenous tribes in India.

Activities : Heritage

Lying amongst the remote landscapes of the Western Ghats, beside an ancient trading route that once connected Mysore with the ports of the Malabar Coast, the Edakkal Caves can date their pictorial writings back to at least 5,000 years.

Activities : Heritage

We drive west today across the Western Ghats towards the Arabian Sea where we then transfer to a day train bound for the engaging city of Kochi (Cochin).

Activities : Heritage

A walking tour of the city this morning takes in the historic old streets around Fort Cochin and the red-tiled riverfront of Mattancherry, once the old capital’s main market area and the centre of the Malabar spice trade.

Activities : Heritage

From Alleppey, we take to the waters of this most beautiful and unique andscape.Boarding a traditional houseboat we will spend the next two days cruising the waterways and channels that honeycomb the coastal plains

Activities : Heritage

Departing our houseboat this morning we transfer the short distance to the idyllic setting of Marari Beach. Located close to a small, sleepy fishing village, the beach offers the perfect unspoiled conclusion to our comprehensive journey.

Activities : Heritage

Morning drive to Kochi Airport – Onwards Journey

Activities : Heritage