Southern Splendour

Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destination : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuiram - Mahabalipuram - Chidambaram - Thanjavur - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Allepy - Cochin

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Assistance upon arrival at airport followed by transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 02 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram
Driving Time :- 01 HR. Distance :- 50 KMS.
Morning tour briefing during breakfast followed by half-day sight seeing in Chennai. The history of Chennai began 25 years before the British reached Bombay and 50 years before they arrived in Calcutta. During the city tour one visits the lovely 16th century church of Our Lady of Expectations, the Kapaleeswarar Temple, the government museum which houses a vast collection of the best south Indian bronzes as well as archaeological remains from excavations at the amravati Buddhist stupa; the national museum and the fort St. George. Inside the fort you can stroll through the pages of history. Lord Clive house is still there, and lord Wellesley who later became the duke of Wellington also lived here. Inside the fort also visit the oldest Anglican Church in India, St. Mary's church constructed in 1680. Afternoon drive to Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival check into hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. O/n hotel.

Day 03 : Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuiram - Mahabalipuram
Driving Time :- 45 MINUTE. Distance :- 26 KMS
After breakfast full day excursion to Kanchipuram which is famous for its good quality silk and silken saris that it produces. This is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Its temples are spectacular and the gopums can be seen from miles away. Return to Mahabalipuram in the afternoon. Mahabalipuram. The second capital and seas port of the pallava kings of mahabalipuram, the first Tamil dynasty of any real consequences to emerge after the fall of the Gupta Empire. It is famous for its shore temples and rock carvings most of which were built and carved between 630 ad and 728 ad. Visit the rock sculptures, the shore temples and the bas-relief called the penance of Arjuna. O/n hotel

Day 04 : Mahabalipuram - Chidambaram - Thanjavur
Driving Time :-06 HRS. Distance :- APPRX. 250 KMS
After breakfast commence drive to Chidambaram known for its Natraj temple. The Nataraja is dedicated to Shiva in various aspects. The temple is made up of 04 halls. The nritta sabha, the hall of dances, the deva sabha, the hall of festivals, the kanaka sabha, and the raja sabha. The raja sabha is by far the most spectacular with 1000 pillars and here the pandyas celebrated their victory. Also worth visiting is the Shiva - sakthi music and dance school. Continue to drive to Thanjavur. Upon arrival check into hotel. Afternoon at leisure or for individual activities. O/n hotel.

Day 05 : Thanjavur - Trichy
Driving Time :- 01 AND ½ HRS. Distance :- 60 KMS
After breakfast one can visit the famous brahadeeshwarar temple. As you near the inner shrine of the temple, you will encounter India's second largest statue of nandi, the mount of lord Shiva. Also visit the saraswati mahal library, the Schwartz church built in 1779, and the Shiva ganja tank, known for its sweet water. Later drive to Trichy. Trichy has always been a seat of power in South India and it bears the scars of wars fought to control it. Afternoon City tours visiting the famous rock fort rising 300 feet over the city. A staircase with 434 steps out into the rock leads up to the summit and a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka. Below the fort, a must is a walk through China bazaar, the big bazaar and down the narrow side streets. O/n at hotel.

Day 06 : Trichy - Madurai
Driving Time :- 03 HRS. Distance :- APPRX. 150 KMS
After breakfast drive to Madurai. It is one of South India's oldest cities and has been a center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Madurai is an ancient city and Tamil and Greek documents record its existence from 04th century BC Upon arrival at Madurai, check into hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for individual activities. O/n hotel.

Day 07 : Madurai
Madurai is a large city famous for the meenakshi temple. The whole city is laid out in the shape of a lotus flower with the temple in the center. The high point is the hall of a thousand pillars, which was built around 1560.00. The Temple complex occupies an area of six hectares. It has some 12 towers from 45 m to 50 Metrecs. Afternoon is spent in the market place. Other places of interest are The Tirumalai Nayak Palace, The Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank ant the temple Art Museum. Half-day city tour in the afternoon. Overnight hotel.

Day 08 : Madurai - Periyar
Driving Time :- 03 HRS. Distance :- APPRX. 130 KMS
After breakfast commence drive to Periyar. Periyar really is a reservoir behind a dam on Lake Periyar, which has a hydroelectric powerhouse. The area around the reservoir is a game reserve, where one could probably see elephants and deer. Afternoon Boat ride on the Lake. Hopefully one might be able to spot Wild life. Rest of the day at leisure or for individual activities. O/n hotel.

Day 09 : Periyar - Kumarakom
Distance :- 200 KMS. Driving Time :- 05 HRS.
After breakfast drive to Kumarakoram. The voyage takes you to the rich green, sleepy little village Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake. This village provides boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. On arrival check into hotel and Rest of the day leisure. O/n hotel.

Day 10 : Kumarakom - Allepy - Cochin
After breakfast drive to Allepey. From here a backwater cruise will take you towards Cochin. On the way, watch the belles picking mussels, while their men folk collect sand from the bottom of the canal, traditional fish farms and famed Chinese fishing nets. Watch the village folk make the golden fiber called coir from coconut husk and transform it into various coir products. Rustling coconut groves abound. So stop over to drink calm fresh coconut water and watch the toddy-tapper tap at work Watch birds like kingfishers, crow pheasants, cormorants, drongoos, wood pecker, Bee-eater, kites etc Parrot green paddy fields sway like a chorus.

Arrive in Cochin in the afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight hotel.

Day 11 : Cochin
Cochin is truly a museum city and they are found in the most abundant quantities at fort Cochin. Fort Cochin is believed to be the oldest European settlement in India. Vasco da Gama first arrived in Cochin in 1502. He returned again in1524 as the Portuguese viceroy of the Indies. He died here and was buried in St. Francis church, the first European church in India. You can still visit his gravestone. Full day is spent visiting the various museums and Palaces in abundance in Cochin. Also visit the Dutch palace built by the Portuguese in the middle of the sixteenth century. Afternoon at leisure. Evening in time transfer to a local Theatre to see the Kathakali dance performance. O/n at hotel.

Day 12 : Cochin
The day is at leisure In time transfer to the airport for onwards flight to Europe.