Day 01 Chennai

On arrival you will be met by our representative who will accompany you to the hotel and will assist you in check-in formalities.

Day 02 Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (170 Kms / 3 Hrs 30)

This morning you will explore Chennai where you will visit St George Fort which is the first British fort in India built in 1639. It now houses a museum with artifacts from India’s colonial period. You will then head to Mahabalipuram and on your way  you will visit Kanchipuram which is known for being the city of a 1000 temples. It is also the home of the widely acclaimed Kanchipuram hand woven silk sarees. Here you will visit the Ekambareshwara Temple; this is one of the most important temples in the region and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will also get to visit Kailasanath Temple, one of the oldest in the area and replete with exquisite sculptures. On arrival in Mahabalipuram, you will have free time to unwind yourself at the beaches of Mahabalipuram.

Day 03 Mahabalipuram

Today, proceed on a half-day tour of Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast, and was a well-established seaport between the 7th and 10th centuries. Visit the Panch Rathas or Five Ratha temples…. of the nine monolithic rock-cut temples found in Mahabalipuram, the most important are these, dedicated to the five Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata. The Dharmaraja Ratha is named after the eldest Pandava, and is the largest one in the line up. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visit Arjuna’s Penance, the massive rock cut bas relief sculpture. It measures 27 meters in length and 9 meters in height, and depicts the story of Arjuna. Later, visit the Shore Temple … a five-storied structure made out of finely cut granite, and one of the earliest and most important structural temples. UNESCO has listed it among the world heritage sites. You will have evening free to unwind yourself at the beaches of Mahabalipuram.

Day 04 Mahabalipuram – Tiruvannamalai ( 160 Kms / 3 Hrs 30 )

Today you will proceed to the temple town of Tiruvannamalai; this is an important pilgrimage town for followers of Lord Shiva.  You will visit the Shiva Temple of Arunachaleshwar, which is a magnificent temple attracts thousands of visitors and the atmosphere is almost indescribable.

Day 05 Tiruvannamalai – Pondicherry (140 Kms / 3 Hrs)

This morning you will  proceed on a half-day tour of Pondicherry. The city is referred to by names such as 'India's Little France' and 'The French Riviera of the East'. This territory was under French rule for around 280 years. It still retains its French flavor, seen in the colonial mansions, beautiful boulevards, promenades, and street names on signboards. Visit the Shri Aurobindo Ashram. This world-renowned ashram was founded in the year 1926, by Shri Aurobindo, a revolutionary turned Yogi from Bengal along with The Mother (Mira Alfassa), a French painter and sculptor. The ashram attracts people from all over the world. Later, visit the Government Museum… this multipurpose museum houses sculptures from Pallava, Chola and Vijaynagara temples. The terracotta figures, amphorae, burial urns, glass beads have been excavated from the surrounding historic environment. Thereafter, drive past the beach promenade.

Day 06 Pondicherry – Kumbakonam (140 Kms / 3 Hrs 30)

This morning you will leave for Kumbakonam where two rivers bind this beautiful temple city.

En route you will visit the temples of Darasuram that date back to the second half of the 12th century followed with the visit of Gangakonda Cholapuram temple. This structure is an architectural marvel with many spectacular scultptures. On arrival in Kumbakonam you will visit the Sarangapani temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.  You will visit the Kumbeshwara Temple. Legend has it that the temple was created on a lingam that was fashioned by Lord Shiva himself. On arrival in Kumbakonam you will visit the Sarangapani temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, followed with the visit of Kumbeshwara Temple. Legend has it that the temple was created on a lingam that was fashioned by Lord Shiva himself. Next you will visit the Nageshwara temple, perhaps one of the oldest temples in the region. You will return to your hotel to spend the night.

Day 07 Kumbakonam – Thanjavur (37Kms/1Hrs) & Thanjavur – Chettinad (102Kms/ 2Hrs. 30 )

Today you will head to Chettinad; the region of Chettinad is well known for its cultural heritage and its culinary delicacies.

En route, you will visit Thanjavur, where you will see the Brihadisvara Temple. This temple is a testament to the major architectural achievements of the Chola dynasty in the 11th century AD. The temple is the first one to be built completely in granite. You will visit the Bronze museum in Tanjore, a collection of bronze artifacts of rare artistic quality.

Day 08 Chettinad

Today you will explore the Chettinad village; here you will experience the culture and traditions of the region first hand. You can also visit the famous Athangudi tiles factory and see how these famous handmade terracotta tiles are patterned and sun-dried. 

Day 09 Chettinad – Madurai ( 115 Kms / 2 Hrs 30 )

Today, enjoy a half-day tour of Madurai. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai was the capital of the Pandya kings, and an important cultural and commercial centre as early as 550 AD. Visit the Meenakshi Temple- the heart and lifeline of the 2500-year-old city of Madurai. The complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers, including two golden Gopurams for the main deities. Next, visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum at the Tamukkam Palace. The museum houses the history and relics of the freedom movement. Continue to the Koodal Azhagar Temple, one of the 108 temples dedicated to
Lord Vishnu. Three separate altars feature three figures of Vishnu, in standing, sitting and reclining postures.

Day 10 Madurai – Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari 250 Kms / 5 Hrs)

This morning you will head to Cape Comorin, the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula. where you will visit Kumari Amman Temple. Located close to the shore, this temple is dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya Kumari. You will visit the Gandhi memorial. Built in the style of an Orissan temple, this monument allows people to pay homage to Gandhi, the ambassador of peace.

Day 11 Cape comorin – Kovalam (65 Kms / 1 Hrs 30)

This morning, you will have breakfast and head to the stunning beaches of Kovalam. The name Kovalam means ‘grove of coconut trees’ and the name does not disappoint. The beaches of Kovalam with their endless expanse of coconut groves are truly idyllic.

On arrival you will have free time to unwind yourself at the beaches of Kovalam.

Day 12 Kovalam – Trivandrum – Kovalam

Today, enjoy a half-day sightseeing trip of Trivandrum. Visit the Napier Museum, built in the 19th century. This Indo - Saracenic structure boasts of a "natural" air-conditioning system, and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts… bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Located near the Museum, the Shree Chitra Kala Art Gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich, and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art. Visit the Kuthiramalika Palace, built by the King of Travancore. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family. Continue your tour with a visit to the Padmanabha Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha the serpent. Proceed to the Kowdiar Palace … the home of the late Maharaja Sree Chitra Thirunal Balarama Varma and his family. End your tour with the Veli Tourist Village… a beautiful picnic spot where the Veli Lake merges with the Arabian Sea.

Day 13 Kovalam – Trivandrum ( 16 Kms / 30 Mins )

Today you will head to Trivandrum airport to board your flight home.

TOUR CONCLUDES

HOTELS ENVISAGED OR SIMILAR

VALIDITY : 01^st April – 30^th September 2011 

COST PER PERSON IN US$                                                               

VALIDITY : 01^st October 2011 – 31^st March 2012 

COST PER PERSON IN US$                                               

*** RATES ARE NOT VALID FROM FROM 20 DEC/10 JAN’12

IMPORTANT NOTES: