South India Cultural Tour

Itinerary Details...

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai. On arrival meeting and assistance followed by transfer to hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02 : Chennai
After breakfast depart for city tour visiting St. George fort, Sri Parasarthy temple, Marina beach etc. Afternoon free for independent activities. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram. Overnight stay at hotel. Mahabalipuram : Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, was the chief seaport of the Pallavas who ruled over much of South India from as early as the first century B.C to the eighth century A.D., and it is now recognized as the site of some of the greatest architectural and sculptural achievements in India.

Day 04 : Mahabalipuram
Breakfast at hotel. Full-day sightseeing, visiting Shore Temple,Arjuna`s Penance,Trimurti Cave Temple and Mandpams. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 : Mahabalipuram - Chidambaram
Drive to Chidambaram.On arrival in Chidambaram check in at hotel.Overnight at hotel. CHIDAMBARAM greets us with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja- God Siva in the form of a Cosmic Dancer. This is one of the few temples where Siva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. The Tamil Nadu between Vada Venkatam (North Thirupati) and Ten-Kumari is the holiest spot on earth. A Paradise on Earth and to merit this eulogy a divine fragrance permeates the Tamil land. Tamil itself is Sivam and it will be quite in order, to say that the Tamil land is a huge Siva shrine

Day 06 : Chidambaram - Tanjore
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for half-day city tour visiting Natraj Temple followed by drive to Tanjore. Thanjavur was the royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas. Thanjavur was at height of its glory during Rajaraja Cholan. The Big Temple and the other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. Thanjavur was the cultural capital of the country in 1790. Thanjavur gained prominence during the period of Chola Kings, who made it as their capital. It is known as the Granary of the South India lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and criss-crossed by lengthy network of irrigation canals

Day 07 : Tanjore - Trichy
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for half-day city tour visiting Brihdeshwar Temple & fort and Tanjavur palace & Museum. Followed by drive to Trichy. Trichy, is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. Situated on the banks of the river Kaveri, it has popular educational institutions built in the second half of 18th century by the Christian Missionaries, apart from the Rock with its historicity of spiritual significance. Being located in the heart of the state, Trichy is a blend of tradition and modernity, and has developed in various assets as to blossom as a dynamic city.

Day 08 : Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast at hotel. Depart for half day city tour, visiting Sri Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Meenakshi temple, the centre piece of this city, where thousands of priests and worshippers gather daily. Followed by drive to Madurai. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at hotel. Madurai on the banks of the River Vaigai is believed to be one of the most ancient towns of India, with a history dating back to the 6th century BC. The famous Meenakshi temple and the old city are on the southern bank while modern Madurai with its textile mills, engineering industries and large university sprawls around the river.

Day 09 : Madurai - Periyar
Morning visit The Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, a magnificently carved temple is the main attraction of Madurai and the holiest place of worship in South India, drawing thousands of devotees everyday. Another place of interest is the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, a graceful palace built in Indo-Saracenic style. Followed by drive to Periyar.Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 : Periyar - Kottayam - Alleppey (by backwaters)
After breakfast depart for Periyar wildlife sanctuary followed by drive to Kottayam for a boat ride to Alleppey. Overnight stay at hotel. Alleppy or Allapuzha - One of the best-known ports along the Malabar coast, was a famous trade centre of ancient times. Also referred to as the 'Venice of the East' since it has been built on the banks of a network of canals, it is a small town which makes it possible for the tourist to vicariously participate in rural activities like toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, coir-making, prawn farming, and observe scores of other sights by means of a boat trip in a country craft up and down the narrow canals in the coastal region.

Day 11 : Alleppey - Kovalam
Kovalam - an internationally renowned beach resort and has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches of which the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Kovalam is much sought after for sunbathing, water sports, shopping, catamaran cruising, yoga, meditation and rejuvenate Ayruvedic body toning massages.

Day 12 : Kovalam
Breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day free for independent activities.O/night Hotel.

Day 13 : Kovalam - Trivandrum
Breakfast at hotel. Afternoon depart for Trivandrum. On arrival transfer to hotel. The city gets its name from the word, Thiruvananthapuram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines. Trivandrum, the capital of the state of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The famous Sri. Padmanabha Swami Temple is dicated to Vishnu and is a landmark in the city

Day 14 : Trivandrum - Chennai
After breakfast depart for full-day city tour visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple , Zoological park Napier Museum , Science & Technology Museum . Late transfer to airport to connect flight for Chennai. On arrival connect return flight.

Day 15 : Chennai
Chennai Depart