Best Of South India Tour

Duration

20 Nights 21 Days

Destinations

Chennai - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Kochi

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Day 1: Chennai (Madras)

Welcome India, You will be received by Premium India Tour representative at international airport and assisted to your hotel. In the Hotel you will have a brief description of your tour and the representative will hand over your documents regarding the tour, Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2: Chennai & around

Morning sightseeing tour. Chennai, the capital city, popularly regarded as the 'Gateway to the South' represents a culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India. The places of interest are Kalakshetra, a school of art and music that encourages exponents of Bharatnatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing; Fort St. George built in 1653 during British reign in India, - now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India with its premises; Sri Parthasarathy Temple built by Pallavas in the 8th century AD; Kapaliswara Temple, Mylapore also an eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; San Thomas Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica; and Theosophical Society - the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science.
Later in the day visit Kanchipuram, one of sacred cities in India plus also the seaside town of Mahabalipuram, famous for its shore temple. The city is also famous for hand-woven silk. In Mahabalipuram, the huge rock-cut sculptures and mandapams (pillared pavilions) date from the 5th to 8th centuries. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 3: Chennai - Pondicherry

After Breakfast at hotel drive to Pondicherry. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Pondicherry Pondicherry - Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sights are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual enviorment. Arrive Tanjore and on arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight Stay.

Day 4: Pondicherry - Tanjore

Morning drive to Tanjore visiting en-route temple or Lord Natraja at Chidambram. On arrival, check-in at the hotel Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tanjore. Tanjore - The home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional handcrafts, Tanjore (Thanjavur) is famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple. The temple constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architect's marvel. The Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library are also well known places of interest. Rest of the time at Leisure, Overnight at Hotel.

Day 5: Tanjore - Trichy

Drive to Trichy and on arrival, visit Srirangam. 5 kms from Trichy, located in an island is Srirangam. Surrounded by the Kaveri water is a 600 acre island town enclosed within the seven walls on the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami temple. There are no less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. The 72 m high 13 tiered gopuram dominates the landscape for miles around. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, Trichy's most famed land mark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world aprox.3,800 million years. The attraction is not for fort itself but the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where are the inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century BC Overnight at Hotel.

Days 6 & 7: Trichy – Madurai

Breakfast at Hotel, Later drive to Madurai. On arrival Check in your hotel and later enjoy city sightseeing tour. Madurai, known as Athens of the East, it is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vigai. The city believed to be more than 2500 years old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locs when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai where the people wake up at the chant of hymns is proud of magnificent 'The Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple. Of its 12 gopurams, four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. The 48.8 m high southern gopuram is the most spectacular and have over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. .

Day 8:Madurai - Periyar

Morning drive to Periyar, south India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary. Spread over an area of 777 sq km, this sanctuary has about 35 tigers and leopards. However, sighting a tiger in Periyar is a fortune for one out of thousand. The park encompasses a 26 sq km artificial lake and is the home of sambars, wild boars, elephants and antelopes which can be occasionally seen on the banks of the river during a boat cruise. Periyar, otherwise, blessed by Nature has enormous tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations and is lush green. Afternoon boat cruise on Lake Periyar to view wildlife. Overnight at hotel.

Days 09: Periyar

There is plenty to do in and around Periyar. Perhaps enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants or visit the nearby tea estates and spice plantation. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10 & 11: Periyar - Kumarakom

Drive to Kumarakom, perched sleepily amongst a tangle of lush tropical waterways known as the Keralan backwaters, Kumarakom is technically an island on Lake Vembanad. An ideal place to relax and be at one with natural surroundings and Embark on deluxe Houseboat for backwater cruise.Embark Kerala Houseboat "Kettuvalam" at Kumarakom. Head towards Munnattumugham village; through interior backwaters. Continue to Champakulam, earlier named as Kalloorkad, the ancient trade centre of backwaters. Visit famous St, Marys Forance Church that is believed as blessed by Str. Francis in 42 AD. The murla paintings by vegetable oil are an exciting panoramic vision. Visit the famous Champakulam snake boat construction yard. Overnight on board House boat.

Day 12 : Alleppey - Kochi

Disembarking at Allapuzha, enjoy a short drive to Kochi (Cochin). Check in your hotel and later enjoy sightseeing tour of Kochi. Cochin, Kerala's commercial centre, it has a fine natural harbour. Cochin(Kochi) gateway for Kerala is famous for Mattanchery Palace, St. Francis Church, Wellington Island, Bolghatty Island, Chinese Fishing nets and Jewish Synagogue. Cruising on the backwaters provides glimpses of the rural life, fine view of the harbour and three islands. Rest of the time at leisure, Overnight at Hotel.

Day 13 : Kochi

Morning at Leisure, Breakfast at Hotel. Later enjoy walking tour of Fort Cochin. With the afternoon at leisure, perhaps watch famous Keralan dancers perform. Arrive early so you don’t miss the artists applying their awesome make-up. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14: Kochi

Breakfast at Hotel. In time transfer to Airport for your flight back to home.