Sunny South India Tour
This tour offers a mix of the cultural, religious, and the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It starts at Chennai, moving into Kanchipuram - famous for its textiles, and Mahabalipuram - temples Tanjore and Madurai, world renowned destinations exhibiting the cultural and religious ethos of the country. We ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Chennai, India; Cochin, India; Kerala, India; Madurai, India; Pondicherry, India; Thanjavur, India; Trivandrum, India
- Trip Length:
- 15 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Any time.
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Children (2 - 5)
Children (6 - 8)
Children (9 - 11)
Children (12 - 14)
Children (15 - 17)
Adults (18 - 20)
Adults (25 - 29)
Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
This tour offers a mix of the cultural, religious, and the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It starts at Chennai, moving into Kanchipuram - famous for its textiles, and Mahabalipuram - temples Tanjore and Madurai, world renowned destinations exhibiting the cultural and religious ethos of the country. We will proceed to God’s own country, Kerala, which is abundant in natural resources. We will visit Thekkady, serene backwaters in Alleppey, Kumarakom and Kottayam, and fascinating beaches in Kollam and Kovalam.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Chennai
Arrive Chennai.
Traditional welcome on arrival at the international airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 - Chennai
Sightseeing
Relaxed breakfast at hotel, followed by a full day guided visit to Fort St. George, War memorial, St. Mary's Church, and the Basilica of Saint Thomas, believed to have been built by the apostle St. Thomas.
Beach
You will visit the snake Park and then end the day on Marina Beach.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Chennai
Chennai - Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (175 kms).
Sightseeing
After breakfast, we will drive to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile capital of the Pallavas and Cholas and you will also visit the temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses.
Shopping
You may also visit the shopping area, as it is the home of weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks, as well.
Food and Dining
Lunch at Kanchipuram.
Hotel
In the evening, we will drive to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a world heritage site and check-in to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4 - Pondicherry
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (134 kms / 3.5 hrs).
Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel. Guided sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram, which, too was part of the Pallavas dynasty and exhibits some of the most outstanding examples of the Dravidian style of art and architecture. Experience the Arjuna’s Penance, the rock cut caves, the Krishna Mandapam, the famous rathas and the Shore Temple.
Hotel
Afternoon drive to Pondicherry and enjoy this quaint French town. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 - Pondicherry
Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour visiting Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 - Thanjavur
Pondicherry - Tanjore (196 kms / 5 hrs).
Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Tanjore (Thanjavur): the former city of Danish settlement from 1624 to 1825, which is commonly known amongst the Danish as "Tranquebar." The town of Tanjore is surrounded by lush green rice fields and winding rivers with coconut and banana orchards.
Sightseeing
In the afternoon, there is a guided visit to the Brahadeeswarar temple, an architectural marvel, built by King Raja Cholan between 985 and 1014 A.D.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 - Madurai
Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai (198 kms / 5 hrs).
Sightseeing
After breakfast, you will visit the palace, which also houses an art gallery, a library, a hall of music, and the Schwartz Church. By noon, we shall drive to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli).
Food and Dining
Lunch in a restaurant.
Historical and Educational Tours
Guided visit to the Rockfort and Srirangam Temple.
Hotel
Proceed for Madurai and on arrival check-in hotel.
Performing Arts
Enjoy the sound and light show at Tirumalai Nayak Palace.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 - Madurai
Madurai - Thekkady (140 kms / 3.5 hrs)
Sightseeing
After breakfast, there will be a guided city tour visiting the Meenakshi temple built in the Dravidian style and we shall visiti the Teppa Kulu, a tank with an island temple.
Private Car Service
In the evening, we will drive to Thekkady and check-in to the resort.
Hotel
Overnight at resort.
Day 9 - Kerala
Safari
Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy game viewing on boat safari on Periyar lake.
Sightseeing
Evening at leisure to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 - Cochin
Thekkady- Cochin (190 kms / 4 hrs).
Sightseeing
After breakfast, we will drive to Cochin (Kochi). On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel, followed by a city tour and boating in the backwaters of Cochin. Cochin means "port" and so it has been since history began, trading spices, silks, ivory, and sandalwood. It is now the spice capital of India.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 - Cochin
Cochin - Alleppey – Kumarakom (64 kms / 2 hrs).
Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Alleppey (Alappuzha) and transfer to jetty point to embark on the 'Kettuvalloms' - a traditional rice boat of Kerala, which gives a romantic way to explore the unique web of lagoons, lakes, canals & rivers.
River or Barge Cruise
Lazy cruising towards Kumarakom.
Food and Dining
Lunch and dinner on board. Overnight on houseboat.
Day 12 - Kerala
Kumarakom - Quilon (110 kms / 3 hrs).
Sightseeing
After breakfast, drop off at the jetty point to drive to Quilon (Kollam). This is the most picturesque backwater town, with the Ashtamudi Lake at one end. Quilon is an old port town on the Arabian coast and is one of Kerala's most historic ports, since it was used as a stopover for Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. On arrival, you will check-in to the resort.
Historical and Educational Tours
In the afternoon, we will visit the Ramesharwara Temple.
Sightseeing
Evening free to explore the city.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 - Kerala
Kollam- Kovalam (90 kms / 2 hrs).
Beach
After breakfast, we will drive to the renowned beach resort, which has been a favorite of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular.
Sunbathing
Kovalam is much sought after for sunbathing, watersports, shopping, catamaran cruising, yoga, meditation and rejuvenating ayurvedic massages.
Hotel
Check in hotel and day for leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 - Kerala
Beach
After breakfast, you have the full day to relax on the beach, sunbathe, and indulge in water sports.
Hotel
Overnight in resort.
Day 15 - Trivandrum
Kovalam – Trivandrum (20 kms / .5 hrs).
After breakfast, drive to Trivandrum (International) airport to catch flight to connecting destination.
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