Day 01: Arrive Chennai
On arrival, meeting and assistance transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
Tradition and Historic temples town Chennai is endowed with the second longest beach in the world-the Marina Beach. The fourth largest city in the country, Chennai is a mix historic monuments and new high-rise buildings. A lush, green city famed for its temples and silk, music and dance, Chennai gives a sense of serenity and spaciousness, enhanced by one of the world’s largest and most beautiful beaches. Chennai also offers rejuvenating South India Ayurveda Tour- a perfect tour to relax and rejuvenate your senses.
Day 02: Chennai – Mahabalipuram
Morning we take half day city tour of Chennai.
Proceed to Fort St. George containing the oldest Anglican Church in India, St. Mary’s Church, one of its benefactors being Elihu Yale, the English merchant after whom the University in Boston is named. The Fort Museum contains a fine collection of relics of that era. Drive along the Marina Beach past the Madras University, the Senate House and the Palace of the Nawabs of the Carnatic, to the San Thome Cathedral where the apostle is buried. Visit the ancients Kapaleeshwar Temple dedicated to Shiva, having a beautifully sculptured “Gopuram” (temple-tower) typical of South Indian temple architecture.
Later proceed to Mamallapuram, en-route visit to Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. Ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in the 7th & 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanath, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its Silks.
Visiting sculptural marvels, in this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone.
Continue drive to Mamallapuram and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
Mahabalipuram - The little seaside town 7th century town is famous for its rock-hewn temples, sculptures and the world’s largest stone bas-relief. Mamallapuram is a sculptors’ delight and among the noteworthy sites in the vicinity of the town are Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Nahishasurmardhini Caves, Five Rathas and Shore Temples.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (165 Kms /4 Hrs)
Morning proceed for half day visit Shore Temple.
The only shore temple that remains here is the spectacular two-spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in its sanctum sanctorum. Also visit the Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam.
Later continue drive for Pondicherry, and on arrival check in hotel for overnight stay.
Union territory Pondicherry reveals that a Roman settlement existed here, 2000 years ago. The French ruled this territory for 300 years, and today, it stands as a living monument of the French culture in India. Sri Aurobindo Ashram is the spiritual tenets of which combine yoga and modern science is quite popular within India and abroad.
Day 04: In Pondicherry
Morning proceed to Aurobindo Ashram by surface, it is 10 Kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurobindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter.
Later visiting Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Pondicherry – Chidambaram - Thanjavur (235 Kms /06 Hrs)
Drive to Thanjavur, enroute visit Chidambaram.
Chidambaram, also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple. The roof of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the center of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Nataraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer
Later continue drive for Tanjavur, on arrival check-in into hotel.
Modern Thanjavur is a fertile plain, which is referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Tamil Nadu. it has the distinction of having been the capital of the Cholas – one of the greatest dynasties of the South. The Cholas were great temple builders and Thanjavur bears witness to this, being dotted with no fewer than 74 temples – the most famous of which is the Brahadeewarar Temple built by the great Chola king, Raja Raja in the 10th century A.D. is an outstanding example of Chola architecture.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Thanjavur - Trichy (55 Kms / 01 Hr )
Morning proceed for the half day visit to Brihadeshwara fort & Temple, Thanjavur Palace & Museum.
Later drive for Trichy, and on arrival check-in into the hotel.
Trichy situated on the banks of the Kaveri River. It is a blend of history and tradition as well as a pilgrim center, Another ancient city with a history streching from the days of the Chola dynasty. Looking high over the city is the Rock Fort. 434 steps cut into the rock side and inter-spread with shrines lead up to the top. At the first level are the remnants of a huge hall. The next level has the hall of one hundred pillars. Yet another flight leads to the Temple of Lord Shiva.
Later half day sightseeing of Rockfort Temple, Srirangam Temple & Jambukeshwara Temple.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Trichy - Madurai (130 Kms / 03 Hrs)
Leave for Madurai by road, and on arrival check-in into your hotel.
The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. Madurai, once the seat of Tamil learning and still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form, is planned in the shape of a lotus. Modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial center, even though the vast stretches of lush paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars make it seems almost like an overgrown village. Neon signs above shops selling designer wears with international labels light up the spires of the nearby century-old temples.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 08: In Madurai
Full day temple visit to Madurai
Visiting famous Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the Consort of Lord Shiva, with its ten towering gopurams (temple towers) rising above the surroundings courtyards and the countryside of lush green fields of rice and coconut palms. See the “Hall of a Thousand Pillars”, built in 1560, a great work of structural engineering and art, with each pillar a picture book in stone depicting the whole range of human expression. Later visit the Tirumalai Nayak Palace --- a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style famous for the stuccowork on its domes and arches, also visit to King Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Madurai - Periyar (134 Kms / 3 Hrs)
Depart for Periyar by surface en-route enjoy boat cruise on Lake Periyar to view wildlife Sanctuary.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the south. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here.
During your boat cruise, you will also be able to have a good look at many wild animals lazing on the banks of Lake Periyar.
Evening visit the Kumily spice village and retire to the forest lodge for overnight stay.
Day 10: Periyar - Kollam (198 Kms /4 Hrs)
In the morning drive to Kollam and arrival check-in into your hotel for overnight stay.
Rest of the day you are free for independent activities.
You can also avail traditional Ayurvedic massage packages to help soothe your spirits. (on direct payment Basis).
Day 11: Kollam - Varkala
In the morning drive to Varkala and arrival check-in into your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 12: Varkala - Kovalam
Drive to Kovalam and rest Of the Day you will be free.
Stay overnight at resort.
Day 13: In Kovalam
Full day you will be free to explore the Kovalam beaches on your own.
You can enjoy the Walk the sands of the beach and admire the greenery around. There are numerous restaurants on the beaches that are fairly good place to enjoy typical Kerala sea food.
Optional: water sports at Kovalam beach is ideal for swimming, kayaking, surfing and skiing. Or you can explore the handicraft, jewellery and cloth shops that line up along the beach and pick up the ones you like. Alternatively, a brilliant Kathakali performance, the classical dance drama of Kerala, will surely raise your spirits.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Kovalam – Trivandrum - Departure
Drive to International airport at Trivandrum for flight to onward destination. |
