Highlights of South India

Our representative will pick you up at Chennai Airport and transfer you to the well-selected hotel in Chennai. The rest of the day is free for you to recover from any jet lag or enjoy a Chennai tour on your own.

► Afternoon Suggestion
Once you are in a strange city, the best way to get familiar around is to stroll around the mall or shopping street. We would like to suggest you two places to go:
1. Express Avenue Mall at Club House Rd, Express Estate. You can enjoy exquisite food and shop here.
2. T Nagar, Ranganathan Street. There are shops and roadside stalls, mainly selling Saris and jewelry. People can buy a variety of clothes, accessories, gold, daily necessities and other stuffs. It is crowded sometimes and please be careful with your bags.

Is It Safe to Travel in South India
Traveling throughout India is safe, and South India is superior to North India in all aspects, including people's education level, income, environment, etc... But many people have had safety concerns before travel, this is understandable because there were news reports of sexual harassment and rape cases in India, which is just a small microcosm of the entire society. In fact, India is safe destination, especially with accompany of our guides and drivers.

Accommodation: Accord Metropolitan, Chennai

After breakfast, we will start at Santhome Church, which was first built in the 16th century by Portuguese as a mausoleum dedicated to Saint Thomas. Then we will head to the colorful Kapaleeshwarar Temple, which was built in the 7th century in Dravidian architectural style.

Finishing the visit, the holiday packages from Chennai will lead you to Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) by a private transfer taking about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, check in the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, we will first drive to Kanchipuram. Upon arrival, visit Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy, the biggest and most beautiful temple in Kanchipuram. We will then visit the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 8th Century. There are a lot of magnificent bas-reliefs in Kanchipuram, including the largest one in the world, Arjuna's Penance, which is our next stop. At last, we will visit the Five Rathas to see the evolution of Dravidian style architecture. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the town at your own pace. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram

After breakfast the driver will transfer you to Pondicherry (Puducherry) and help you check into your hotel there. In the afternoon, we'll begin at the French Quarter, where you will have an unforgettable experience by seeing different styles of buildings and customs in the meantime. After this, we will set off to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community built by the father of Internal Yoga - Sri Aurobindo and the Mother - Mirra Alfassa. Then we will go to the Lord Ganesha Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a popular pilgrimage temple dedicated to god Ganesa.

Pondicherry - The Last Utopia in the World
Sri Aurobindo, the father of Internal Yoga and his soul mate Mirra Alfassa planned to establish a place without borders, regardless of gender, social position, class, or faith, where everyone could enjoy love, happiness and spiritual satisfaction. All these good wishes led to the birth of Village Auroville, people now call it Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

It should be the only remaining and longest existing global village and utopia in the world today. It has been 52 years since 1968, and people from 45 countries and regions live here, their diverse cultural background is integrated by a common spiritual pursuit. Some of them used to be urban planners, paper mill owners, fashion designers, teachers, forest rangers, yoga teachers, architects, and farmers. It is said that they can do any job that they are willing to do and are capable of. 70% of the income belongs to the village, and 30% is used to pay wages and recycle. Follow our guide to learn more about people’s life style.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Accord, Pondicherry

In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to the next stop - Tanjore, where is full of historical relics from the Chola Dynasty. After check in the hotel, we will start with Brihadeeswara Shiva Temple, which houses the largest stone carving of Shiva Linga. Then we will head to Tanjore Maratha Palace, once dwelled by Bhonsle family, the rulers of the city for nearly 200 years. There you can view the Saraswati Mahal Library and the Raja Raja Chola art gallery with murals and sculptures. After visits, the rest of the day is free for your own exploration. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sangam, Tanjore

This morning, the driver will transfer you from Tanjore to Madurai. En route, stop in Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) for sightseeing. There, we will first go to Srirangam and visit Sri Ranganathaswami temple, a Dravidian-style temple complex dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the largest temple complexes in India. Next we will visit Lord Robert Clive's house and the Danish Church. Then we will venture into Rock Fort built on a large rock. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the city there and visit two temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva respectively.

Upon arrival in Madurai, check in at your hotel. After settling in, you can make your own arrangements in the rest of the day.

The Most Colorful Temple in India
About two kilometers away from Sri Ranganathaswami temple, lies the Sri Jambukeshwara Temple, it is another ashram of Shiva built in the 17th century. It may be the most colorful temple in the world, with all carvings painted in color. The tourists and non-Hindus are not allowed to go inside, but it is still interesting to see the colorful exterior. And the architectural style of the temple here has spread to various parts of the world with the migration of Tamils, especially the Indian Ocean coast in East Africa, Singapore, and the Indian communities in Malaysia. BBC once issued a program called Mystreies of Asia - The Lost Temples in India, which told people about the history of these temples, their historical value and charm. If you are interested, you may ask the driver to have a stop here.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Fortune Pandiyan, Madurai

Today, your trip will start with the Meenakshi Temple with a trapezoidal design and numerous colorful statues. After that, we will go sightseeing at the Islamic-style Tirumala Nayak Palace, where you can see delicate murals and carvings from the 17th century. Afterward we will move to the Alagar Hills and Gandhi Museum. In the afternoon you will be free to explore Madurai on your own.

A Goddess with Fish Liked Eyes - Meenakshi
Meenakshi Amman Temple was built in the 7th century in Madurai and has a history of over a thousand years. It was founded in the 7th century AD and is the most representative Indian temple. In the 14th century, the temple was destroyed by the Islamic rulers and then was rebuilt in the 16th century.

According to legend, Meenakshi was originally princess. Due to her devout heart towards the god Shiva, she later fell in love with Shiva and married him, becoming a goddess worshipped by the local people. In Tamil word, Meenakshi means Fished Eyes, which describes the most beautiful eyes in the Tamil poetic tradition. Meenakshi is regarded by Shiva followers as the reincarnation of the Snow Mountain Goddess Parvati. Due to the fact that fish do not have eyelids, people believe that goddesses Meenakshi with fish liked eyes will never close her eyes to protect her followers, and Hindus worship the Meenakshi Temple as sacred as bathing in the Ganges.

► Tips:
1. People are not allowed to bring anything except mobile phones, wallets, and water. The temple provides free storage services.
2. Non Hindus are not allowed to enter the core area.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Fortune Pandiyan, Madurai

After breakfast, we will set out for Periyar, famous for the reserve of elephants and tigers. After settling down in your hotel upon arrival, spend some time strolling in a spice plantation to learn about local spices.

In the afternoon, have a boat trip without guide on Periyar Lake to view the tranquil natural scenes. You could see various animals such as boars, and deer, the green forests and a variety of orchids. In the evening you will have an opportunity to watch Kalaripayattu at additional cost, which a 3000-year-old martial art performance. 

Something about Periyar National Park
Periyar National Park is located in the jungle at the center of the Western Ghats, and is a paradise for observing Asian elephants, monkeys, and birds. 75% of the area here is covered by evergreen tropical rainforest. Here, people can see tropical trees up to 40 to 50 meters high, as well as over 2000 flowering plants and 170 ferns, of which more than 350 are medicinal. Periyar is home to 62 species of mammals, up to 53 species of tigers and 900 to 1000 Indian elephants are living here, In addition, visitors can also watch Indian bison, water deer, rat deer, mongooses, leopards, foxes, and rare Thar sheep on the boat trip. In 1895, the Mullaperiyar Dam was built on the lake to ensure sufficient water for wildlife throughout the year. If lucky, People can see groups of elephants, water deer, Indian bison, and wild boars drinking water by the lake.

With the guidance, traverse the lush swamps of grass, observe birds and flowers along the way, and experience the beauty of nature. We hope you will enjoy this excursion.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Elephant Court, Periyar

Early morning after breakfast, we will set off for Alleppey. Alleppey is a city crisscrossed with canals and waterways and hence won the nickname 'Venice of the East'. Upon arrival, the driver will help you board a houseboat to cruise on Kerala's backwaters to view the rural landscape. 

Friendly Tips:
1. As the houseboats stop sailing at about 17:00 - 18:00 and be moored on the dock the whole night when fishermen fish by fishing nets, we suggest you start the houseboat trip between 12:00 - 13:00. The sailing period is about 4 - 6 hours. 
2. Nehru Trophy Boat Race holding on the Punnamada Lake is on the second Saturday of each August. 

Why Alleppey Is Called Indian Venice?
Allepeey, also called Alappuzha, is a port city bordered to the east by Vembanad Lake and to the west by the Arabian Sea. And during monsoon climate, the seawater in the Arabian Sea crosses the coastline and flows into the Vembanad Lake. After the seawater recedes, many lagoons are formed between the river and sea, connecting the inland and the Arabian Sea. That's the reason why Allepeey processes the unique water system and ecosystem, and it is also the origin of the name of backwater.

The total length of backwater in Kerala exceeds 1500 kilometers, forming a unique water transportation network. Locals vividly call the water ways the highways on the water. Water transportation is more convenient and faster than land transportation. Therefore, Allepeey is known as the Indian Venice. The best way to appreciate the backwater is to spend an overnight at a houseboat, which is what we have arranged. Wishing you a wonderful night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruises: Lakes & Lagoon, Alleppey (Houseboat)

Today we will leave for the last stop - Kochi with lots of old European-style houses. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel at first.

After a short break, we will continue to visit Jew Town. You will see different architectural styles along the alleys like Dutch, Portuguese, and Chinese. Then we will go to Mattancherry Palace, a Portuguese palace keeping lots of ancient furniture and murals. After, we will pay a visit to St Francis Church, the earliest European church in India. The next stop will be the Jewish Synagogue, the oldest synagogue among Commonwealth countries that is still in use. After that, the guide will lead you to the harbor and view the Chinese fishing nets introduced to Kochi by a Chinese navigator named Zheng He in the 15th century. This afternoon is left for your own plan. You can choose to watch Kathakali, Kerala's signature performance holding more than 400 years' history. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Blu, Kochi

Departure Notes: You tour comes to an end today, our driver will transfer you to airport for your homeward flight. But do you still being immersed with the stunning scenery? Kochi has very convenient transportation, with Sri Lanka flying one hour to the east and Maldives flying less than two hours to the west. If you have plan to visit these two places, or prefer to extend your stay in India to Goa, Mumbai or the capital Delhi, we will be happy to arrange the flight tickets and tours for you.

Meals: Breakfast