Day 01: Arrival Chennai
On your early morning arrival at International airport, transfer to your 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.

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.

Day 02: In Chennai
Full day enjoy excursion to Mahabalipuram & 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 visit the rock-hewn Temples

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.
Later proceed for half day visit to 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 return to Chennai for overnight stay.

Day 03: Chennai - Pondicherry (170 Kms / 04 Hrs)
Morning proceed for Pondicherry and on arrival check –in into the hotel.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of 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 environment.

Arrive Tanjore and on arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight.

Day 04: Pondicherry-Tanjore (175 Kms /04 Hrs)
Morning you will drive to Tanjore visiting en-route temple or Lord Natraja at Chidambram.
On arrival, check-in into the hotel

Afternoon you will take sightseeing tour of Tanjore.

Tanjore - The home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional hadicrafts, 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.
 Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Tanjore - Madurai (201 Kms /04 Hrs)
Morning you will drive to Madurai and on arrival check-in into the 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.

Later proceed for 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.

In the evening visit the Meenakshi Temple to attend the "Aarti" ceremony.
Later drive to Madurai and on arrival, check-in into the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 06: In Madurai
Morning sightseeing tour of Madurai

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.
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Madurai-KanyaKumari - Kovalam (352 Kms/07 Hrs)
Morning you will drive to Kovalam visiting en-route visit to Kanya Kumari

Visit the Kumariamman temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanyakumari (Parvati) who stands guard over the country. The temple is built at the spot where the goddess is believed to have waited for her consort Lord Siva. Gandhi Memorial, constructed at the spot where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were kept for public view in an urn before a portion was immersed into the three seas. Vivekanand Memorial built on the Vivekananda Rock where the great Philosopher guide Swami Vivekananda went into meditation that transformed him into one of the most charismatic spiritual leader of this

Visiting enroute Padmanabhapuram, The capital of Travancore until 1333, Padmanabhapuram is known for its fort which encloses, among other buildings, a palace and a temple. The palace has some important art relics while the Ramaswamy temple has exquisitely carved panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana.

Continue drive to Kovalam and on arrival, check-in into the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 08: In Kovalam
Full day you are free for independent activities.

Beach in the morning and have hedonism of the sun, sand and sea. Later you can rejuvenate Ayurvedic therapies at the Ayurvedic Treatment Center in Kovalam (on direct payment Basis).

Stay overnight in Kovalam.

Spend the day at leisure enjoying the beauty of the picturesque beach town Kovalam. You can also avail traditional Ayurvedic massage packages to help soothe your spirits. (on direct payment Basis).
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Kovalam-Periyar (250 Kms / 05 Hrs)
Morning drive to Periyar and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Periyar, 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.
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Periyar-Kumarakom (136 Kms /04 Hrs)
Drive to Kumarakom and embark on deluxe Houseboat for backwater cruise.

Embark Kerala Houseboat "Kettuvalam" at Kumarakom. Head towards Munnattumugham village, thru 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 is an exciting panoramic vision. Visit the famous Champakulam snake boat construction yard.
Stay overnight at cruise.

Day 11: Arrive Alleppey – Cochin
In the morning cruise will reach at finishing point jetty, Disembark at 0930 hours and drive to Cochin and on arrival check-in into the hotel.

One of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi, earlier known as Cochin, has been a port of all for foreign traders from early times. The city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala’s commercial hub .Chinese Fishing Nets at the entrance of Cochin harbor are a fascinating sight.  Bolgatty Island houses Bolgatty Island built by the Dutch in 1774, which is former residence of the British Resident of Kochi. The Portuguese led by Vasco Da Gama arrived in 1502 and later the Dutch and the British.  And descendants of the Jews who arrived in ancient days still live here.

 Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 12: In Cochin
Morning take Half day tour Cochin.

Visiting Fort Cochin, proceed on a sight seeing tour to attractions such as the Dutch Palace, Chinese Fishing Nets named after the country of their origin. Jewish Synagogue,  in Mattancherry was built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1664 with Chinese willow-patterned tiles and gold crowns and has ancient scrolls,  Mattancherry Palace,  See St. Francis Church, the first European Church in India, where Vasco Da Gama was buried until his remains were taken back to Portugal, and Fort Cochin. Visit the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1510 and later taken over by the Dutch.
A boat cruise in the backwaters takes you in the midst of a lush green setting of shady lagoons, wooded islands and canals.

Relax in the afternoon and spend time at leisure.

Evening enjoy the witness Kathakali Dance Show in an auditorium.
Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 13: Cochin - Ooty (280 Kms / 05 Hrs)
Morning you will drive to Ooty and on arrival check-in into the hotel.

Rest of the day you will be free for independent activities.

Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 14: In Ooty
Sightseeing tour of Ooty and Conoor.

Ooty, an integral part of the great plateau occupying the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats. Located at 2240m above sea level, Ooty is the headquarters of the Nilgris district. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like confiers, eucalyptus, pine and the wattle dot the hillside in Ooty and its environ. The places of interest in Ooty include Botanical Gardens where "summer Festival" is held each during the month of May: the artificial lake and Dodabetta Peak which is the highest point in the district at a height of 2623m.

17 km from Ooty is the first of these hills stations. Coonoor is a small town with an equable climate that has made it popular as hill resort. Tea and Tourism Festival is held here during Dec-Jan. the main attraction is the Sim's Park, a small well maintained botanical garden that has several varieties of plants not to be found in other hill stations.
Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 15: Ooty-Mysore (155 Kms /03 Hrs)
Morning you will drive to Mysore and on arrival check-in into the hotel.

Later proceed for sight seeing tour of Mysore.
Visiting Mysore Palace-the Capital of the warrior-kings Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, Mysore Palace, Nandi Bull St Philomena's Church etc; Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace, which has a collection of exquisite paintings. In the evening visit the Chamundi hill temple and Bull temple. 

Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 16: Mysore-Hassan
Morning you will drive to Hassan and on arrival check-in into the hotel.

Afternoon you will be on excursion to Belur and Halebid.
Belur temple took over 103 years to build and is a classic example of the Hoysala style of architecture. It rises like a wedding cake in stone, from a star shaped plinth, one of the hallmarks of Hoysala building design. From the base upwards, there is an extraordinary wealth of decorative detail; every available inch is crammed with intricate carvings. In one frieze, 650 elephants jostle one another in a continuous line. Many of the figures of full blossomed women depicted at Belur are believed to be portraits of King Vishnuvardhana's queen.

Halebid - 16 km east of Belur and 27 km from Hassan, the Hoysaleswara Temple dating back to 12th century, is astounding for its wealth of sculptural detail. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. The magnificent temple -dedicated to Lord Shiva guarded by a Nandi Bull was never completed despite 86 years of labour. In the inner sanctum, the star black lingam, the symbol of Shiva, is still worshipped. The carving at the door is ornate with small details.

Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 17: Hassan - Bangalore
Morning proceed for Bangalore visiting enroute Shravanabelagola.

Bangalore is a cosmopolitan and modern city, one of the fastest growing in India, attracting industry and commerce.  The city founded by  a Hola  King in sixteenth century and later become the fortress tower of the Tipu Sulatan and finally a British cantonment.  Over the past decades Banglore has become the India’s fastest growing city and the hub for national IT industry. This is the charm of Banglore  along with its pleasant temperate climate , beautiful gardens that are a legacy of the Raj and friendly people.

Arrive Bangalore, city sightseeing tour
Visiting the Cubbon Park spread over 100 acres, and having a variety of flora.  During the drive you will view the Maharaja’s Palace, the Indian Institute of Science, the Public Library, the State Government Museum, and Vidhana Soudha, an imposing structure in granite built in the Dravidian style.  See the Bull Temple and visit the Mysore Arts and Craft Center.

Day 18: Bangalore – Mumbai
Morning as per scheduled time you will be transferred to airport to board on flight for Mumbai and on arrival transfer to hotel. 

Late Afternoon we take a half-day excursion to the Elephanta Caves.

Elephanta is a 3 kms long elongated island, consisting of two hills separated by a valley.  See Shiva in his three-headed aspect: as Creator (facing right), Protector (the crowned face at the center), and Destroyer (facing left, with serpents for hair). Also visit to Shiva bringing the Ganges River down to Earth.

Later return to hotel for overnight stay.

Mumbai is an industrial metropolis as well as the textile and film capital of the country. It was once a cluster of 7 islands. Bombay was ceded to the Portugese by the local ruler in the 16th Century.  Later, it was acquired by the English when it was given as a dowry to King Charles II when he married a Portuguese princess.  Today cosmopolitan Bombay is a commercial nerve centre apart from being one of India’s busiest ports.

Day 19: Mumbai Depart
Morning take the Half day tour Mumbai.

Visit the Juhu Beach, Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wales Museum, Drive past the “Towers of Silence”, Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens situated on the slope of Malabar Hill offering a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach. Drive through local animated Crawford market.

Late evening as per your scheduled time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.