Classical South India – Tamilnadu And Kerala Tour Package (8 Nights / 9 Days)

Drive to Pondicherry. Along the way, stop at Mahabalipuram to visit the famous seashore rock-cut and monolithic temples. A World Heritage site. Visit the 7th-century Shore Temple which is surrounded by lush gardens. Later visit the 7th-century five Rathas and Arjuna Penance these temples are considered as the very first example of the hindu temple architecture. Continue to Pondicherry. Arrival at Pondicherry in the afternoon, visit the ancient french colony of Pondicherry with the visit of Ashram of Sri Aurobindo, the great philosopher. Built by a disciple of Aurobindo in his memory, one of the most evocative active ashrams in India. Then take a walking tour in old city followed with the visit of ancient Portuguese and French churches.

Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees

Highlights : Shore Temples of Mammalapuram, Aurobindo Ashram

Start Early at 0730. As there are 3 stops to cover.

Transfer to Tanjore with a stop to visit the temples of Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram and the village of silk weavers. The town of Darasuram is famous for the Airavateswara temple built by Rajaraja Chola II in the twelfth century. The temple is Unesco world heritage site and is a treasure trove of art and architecture.

These above mentioned Sights closes at 12 PM so please manage your day well.

Arrival in Tanjore. Once the ancient capital of Cholas. Tanjore dates back its history to the time of emperors Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, protectors of the arts and brave conquerors, who ruled over the city in the 11th century. Visit the temple of Brihadeshwara, the symbol of the city of Tanjore and a world heritage temple complex, is surrounded by long walls, a cloister with columns and niches, and boasts two gopurams at the east entrance. It preserves the classical architecture of the Dravidian temples with a mandapa and a large room that leads to the central sanctorum, made from a single piece of granite weighing 80 tons. After visiting the temple, continue with a stop at "The Raja Museum and Art Gallery" to admire an interesting collection of artefacts and sculptures in bronze and granite in the Chola style. The Saraswati Mahal library contains over 40 thousand rare books and inscriptions on palm leaves in Indian and European languages.

Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees

Highlights : Darasuram Temple, Brihadeshwara Temple at Tanjore

Transfer to Chettinad, enroute stop at Srirangam to visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, considered as the most important of the 108 temples dedicated to the deity. Its foundation dates back to the fourteenth century: the complex consists of seven concentric walls, called prakara. with entrances to the four cardinal points, surmounted by high gopurams, for a total of twenty-one towers. At the center of the island the sancta santorum with the main image of Vishnu Ranganatha. Crossing the Indian countryside rich in banana plantations, sugar cane and paddy fields. Continue to the zone called Chettinad from the name of the ancient rich merchants who lived there. In the afternoon, walk in the village to admire the ancient buildings, visit a cotton weaving center and a factory for the manual manufacturing of the tiles.

Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees

Highlights : Sri Ranganathswamy Temple at Trichy, Chettinad Village

Drive to Madurai. Arrive at Madurai and visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Dedicated to Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati) and Sundareshwar (Lord Shiva). The main attraction of temple are its colourful towers. Later proceed to take a Rickshaw Ride in the old city. This rickshaw ride is a different experience everyone should take. This longest Rickshaw Ride in Asia will take you in a journey of old time. Visit the Spice Market, Banana Market, Onion Market, Textile Market, Residential areas and local small scale factories. Evening pay an another visit to the Meenakshi Temple to participate in the evening ceremony.

Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees

Highlights : Meenakshi Temple, Rickshaw Ride, Evening Ceremony

Continue in the direction of Periyar, located at 900 meters on the Western Ghats, in a splendid scenery of tea and spice plantations. The Periyar National Park is one of the most important and ancient projects to protect the Indian tiger. Arrival and hotel accommodation in the area of Thekkady. In the afternoon take a Jeep Safari in Mountains. Along the way, a brief tour of spice plantation and driving through the gardens of Tea, Coffee and cocoal.

Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees

Highlights : Jeep Ride, Spice Plantations

Drive to Kumarakom. Arrive and checkin to the hotel. Afternoon free for leisure, relax, Ayurvedic treatments and to admire the nature of Kerala.

Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport

Highlights : Backwaters of Kerala and Life in Kumarakom

Morning free for leisure, Ayurvedic Treatments or relax. Later, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Cochin. Enroute excursion with the Houseboat in the backwaters, the series of canals, rivers and natural lakes that cross the region of Kerala like a spider web. Lunch in Houseboat. Disembark from Houseboat and proceed to Cochin.

Please Note : Houseboat Excursion will not be provided if a single person is traveling.

Inclusions : Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport

Highlights : Houseboat Excursion followed by Lunch & Backwaters of Kerala

Visit the most cosmopolitan city in South India: the Chinese nets, the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, the church of San Francesco which houses the tombstone of Vasco de Gama, the synagogue in the Jewish area. Afternoon enjoy the dance show of Kathakali. Transfer to the airport for international departure. No accomodation.

Inclusions : Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees

Highlights : Chinese Fishing Net, Fort Cochin.

Please Note : Please note that you will be dropped at the airport or any other location of your choice. Please plan accordingly your onward journey.