South India Itinerary

After the breakfast – visit to ‘Dhkshinchitra’ – The Housing / Culture & Tradition of the southern states of India – Kerala / Tamilnadu / Karnataka /  and Andra Pradhesh . This would give you an idea about the traditional Houses of various states and its culture and tradition. After the visits proceed for an excursion to Kancheepuram and Visit to the Silk Saree Weaving Centre and followed by the visit to the famous Kancheepuram Temples .  Back in Mahabalipuram to visit Shore Temple by the sun set to take some good pictures of the Temple .

Overnight : Taj FISHERMEN’s COVE / RADISSON BLUE TEMPLE BAY – Mahabalipuram

After the Breakfast – drive to Pondicherry (100 Kms). On route visit to the Auroville – the concept is a global Universal village where people of different countries / cast or creed / politics  live together in peace and harmony. Our group can visit the main office – where they have a presentation of the concept and you get an idea about how the village works. This here include the Exhibition Centre / Visitors Centre and followed by visit to the ‘Matrimandir’ –  This place is basically for meditation & Silence and Not a Place for Tourists and hence entry inside is restricted only to people who wish to do the meditation and requires special passes issued against individual prior applications. Normally tourists could see the ‘Matrimandir’ from outside.

Overnight : PALAISE DE MAHE   

After the breakfast, proceed to the French Colony and explore by foot / Visit to the special Flower Market .  Evening walk on the Beach & back to the Hotel by foot.

Overnight : PALAISE DE MAHE   

After an early Breakfast – Drive to Tanjore (200 Kms )  on route  to have Lunch at  ‘Mantra’  –  After the Lunch proceed to Tajnore – on route drive pass the Kumbakonam Temples. ON arrival in Tajore – Check into your Hotel. Later in the afternoon Visit to the Tanjore  Brahadeshwara Temple – Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple built by Raja Raja in 1010 is the crowning Flory of Chola temple architecture.  Constructed from a single piece of granite weighing an estimated 80 tones, the dome was hauled into place along a 4 km earthwork ramp in a manner similar to that used for the Egyptian pyramids.  This is the only temple whose shadow of the pillars and the ‘Gopuram’ does not fall on the ground . It remains India’s largest temple and is one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Option to visit the Palace located near the Temple, with huge corridors and spacious halls, the art gallery, housing granite and bronze statues of the Chola period.

Overnight : CGH MANTRA  / SVATMA , Tanjore

After the breakfast – drive to Chettinad (2.5 Hrs) the Land of Chettiars, a prosperous banking community whose inhabitants ventured overseas to South and South East Asia in the 19th and 20th Centuries and amassed great fortunes.  Chettinad is rich in cultural heritage, art, architecture, and is well-known for its houses—embellished with marble and Burma teak, wide courtyards, spacious rooms—and for its 18th century mansions. Local legend has it that their walls used to be polished with a paste made out of egg-whites to give a smooth texture. Afternoon sightseeing of Chettinadu.

Overnight : VISHALAM

After the breakfast – drive to Madurai – 02 Hrs on route visit the Flower Market. Check in at your HOTEL Heritage. Later in the evening proceed for a Night Ceremony at the Temple. visit of Madurai which includes – The Palace and followed by Cycle Rickshaw Tour through the narrow Streets , Banana Markets to reach Meenakshi Temple – Famed for it’s many carved and painted halls, this magnificent temple to the goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva has the tallest ‘Gopuram’ (Temple Gateway) in the world. It also houses the Temple Art Museum and a 1,000 pillared Grand Hall. Elaborately decorated elephants roam its corridors, and all manner of goods—from jewelry to posters to spice—is traded in its bazaar.

Overnight : GATEWAY by TAJ   / HERITAGE MADURAI  

After the breakfast – continue exploring Madurai and later drive Periyar and climb into the lush hills of the Western Ghats, India’s premier spice-growing region, and reach the market town of Thekkady, gateway to beautiful Periyar National Park. The little town of Thekkady has a cool mountain climate and attractive forest backdrop. Evening witness the grand Martial Art form of Kerala – ‘Kaaripayattu’ . On arrival check into your Hotel.

Overnight : SPICE VILLAGE

After the breakfast proceed to Munnar on route guided tour through the Spice Plantations to see varieties of spices growing in that area, like the Black Pepper, Cloves, Cardamom, Vanilla, Ginger, Coffee, Tea etc . Continue driving to MUNNAR – A Hill Station full of Cardamom / Tea Plantations and Coffee Plantations/ Beautiful Rolling Hills. This is one of the best Hill stations in the Country. We have a very nice Resort overlooking the valley. Check into the resort on arrival. Later in the afternoon proceed for a walk to the Dolmen Hills for the sun set.

Overnight  : SPICE TREE

After breakfast, full day exploration of Munnar. In 1877, the Royal Family of Anchanad sold to J.D. Munro (a British officer) a tract of land in the Kannan Devan hills. The tract was completely underdeveloped, largely unexplored and covered with thick forests. J.D. Munro formed the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society and members of the society developed their own estates in various parts of the High Range. The first cultivation was undertaken in 1877. The pioneers tried many crops (such as coffee, cinchona, sisal and cardamom) before discovering that tea was best suited to the area. The visits offers you a fine opportunity to  learn more about the effort and process that goes into producing some of the finest tea in the world. The visits include Sprawling Tea plantations and enchanting rolling hills, countless Cardamom Estates, Reservoirs for Hidel Projects, Tea Museum, Srushti “handicraft centre run by the physically challenged.

Overnight  : SPICE TREE

After the breakfast proceed to Cochin. On arrival check into your Hotel. Cochin is the commercial hub of Kerala and a town of great historical importance. The City also has a wonderful, natural harbor and is India’s biggest shipping port. Later proceed for a visits to Chinese Fishing Nets and followed by St. Francis Church, built originally by the Portuguese in 1510, believed to be the oldest church in India. The building was originally constructed out of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry during the 16th century. Vasco da Gama, who died in Cochin in 1524, was buried here before his remains were returned to Portugal 14 years later.

Overnight : BRUNTON BOAT YARD  /  OLD HARBOUR  /  TAJ MALABAR

Full day visit of Cochin which include St.Francis Church  / Chinese Fishing Nets / Dutch Palace / Jewish Synagogue. Evening Sun Set Cruise on the Cochin Harbour.

Overnight : BRUNTON BOAT YARD  /  OLD HARBOUR  /  TAJ MALABAR

Breakfast at the Hotel and proceed to Alleppy. By 1200 Hrs board a traditional “Kettuvallam” – House Boat for Day Cruise with Lunch on board on the Bacwaters of Alleppy. After lunch, cruising through the narrow canals of Vembanad Lake to witness the village life on the banks of the backwaters of Kerala. After the evening Tea / Coffee at 1600 Hrs you will disembark and drive to your Resort in Kumarakom. On arrival check in at the Backwater Resort.  Option for consulting Ayurveda doctors for Ayurveda Treatments & Massages on personal cost. Evening witness the common Cultural show at the Amphitheater.

Overnight :  KUMARAKOM LAKE RESORT /  COCONUT LAGOON

Breakfast at the Resort – By 11 Hrs – proceed to Philipkutty Farm for a farm visit and Lunch. The Farm is set on a beautiful small Island which practices organic method of farming. It has coconut, toddy, nutmeg, banana, cocoa, vanilla and black pepper. On arrival a warm welcome by the family members, after the welcome drink can go for a short walk through the farm and followed by Lunch. This is an excellent opportunity to spend with a family and share a Keralian way of life in a serene and peaceful surrounding, complimented with warm hospitality and home cooked food. They also have very good accommodation at the Farm House and you could stay at this Farm House as well.

Back to your Resort and rest of the day at Leisure at Kumarakom – You could consult with the Ayurvedic doctor and do Ayurveda Massage.

Overnight :  KUMARAKOM LAKE RESORT /  COCONUT LAGOON

KUMARAKOM / COCHIN AIRPORT Drop