Coromandel Coast, Exotic Flora and Fauna, lush vegetation, the delicate scent of spices and the sound of temple bells all characterize the South of India. This magical journey reveals all of these.  Starting from the Chennai, home to some of the country’s oldest British Monuments to the Coromandel Coast of Mahabalipuram. On the way you can explore French colony of Pondichery  and also India’s most famous temples in Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Trichy & Madurai. From here you travel towards Kodaikanal for an Unforgettable Trek in the Western Ghats to the tea-growing region of Munnar gives us a true sense of the sheer natural beauty of this magical country. Further journey through Cardamom hills, and have time to explore the most picturesque sanctuaries in the world – Periyar National Park. We also cruise along the beautiful Keralan backwaters and to the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’ to visit the old trade routes which is later complemented by a mesmerizing traditional Kathakali dance performance. Lateron we explore the tropical dense forest Parambikulam by soft treks.Touch and try the warmth of Nilgiri Hills by an enchanting walk through beautiful valleys and then on to Mysore, a city of Palaces is also famous for its silks. We conclude our journey by visiting Coorg – one of the major coffee cultivating area & Garden City –Bangalore

 

Tour Duration: 11 nights/12 days
Places Covered: Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalip[uram, Thiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Madurai, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Cochin

 

Day 01:  Chennai  to  Mahabalipuram (Enroute Kanchipuram)-
Arrive Chennai met and assist at the airport and drive to Mahabalipuram via Kancheepuram. Visit Kanchipuram: the city of thousands temples and one of the seven most sacred pilgrim centers for the Hindus and it is the ancient capital of the Pallavas kingdom. Visit Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy temple. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.

Proceed to Mahabalipuram - The ancient 7th century port famous for its magnificent rock temples & carvings. Check into the hotel. The rest of the day enjoy in the beautiful beach.
exquisite rock cut temples are some of the finest in India and have been declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the afternoon we go for sightseeing to the enormous 29 metre Arjuna’s rock, and also visit the temples. O/n Hotel.

Day 02:  Mahabalipuram - Thiruvannamalai (195 kms)
Morning free to relax. Afternoon drive to Thiruvannamalai (about 195kms/04hrs), enroute visit Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary which is 60kms from Mahabalipuram.  The marshy site, part of which remains submerged in the rainy season, attracts numerous water fowl and provides their main nesting site. It has a small lake and a grove of Kadappamaram (Barringtonia acutangula) trees. Visitors (estimated at 30000 at the beginning of the breeding season) and residents included crested cormorants, night herons, grey pelicans, sand pipers, grey wagtails, open-billed stroks, white ibis, egrets, little grebe and purple moorhens.  After visiting the sanctuary, proceed to Thiruvannamalai. Check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.

Day 03:  Thiruvannamalai
Morning after breakfast visit this small town situated at the foot of the rocky Arunachal Hills and locally considered the home of Shiva and his consort Parvati. Visit one of the largest temple in South India – Arunachala Temple (16 & 17th Centuries) was built mainly under the patronage of the Vijayanagar Kings ; its massive gopurams, the tallest of which is 66 m high, dominate the centre of the town. Afternoon drive to Gingee (about 35kms/01hr) to visit the 15th century Vijayanagar Fort.  It is well off the beaten track, very peaceful and in beautiful surroundings. Back to Thiruvannamalai. O/n Hotel

Day 04: Thiruvannamalai  -  Thanjavur (240 kms)

 
After an early breakfast we drive to Thanjavur  (optional visit) enroute visit Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.  This temple is dedicated to  the dancing Lord Shiva, a favourite diety of the Chola Kings. Proceed to Thanjavur, check into the hotel. Evening visit Thanjavur still remained as the heartland of glorious Chola Culture. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 05: Thanjavur
Morning after breakfast visit Brihadeeshwara Temple built in the early Dravidian Style.  Also visit the Palace, Art Gallery and Saraswathy Mahal Library. This vast structure of Masonry was built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and partly by the Marathas. The Art Gallery contains granite and bronze statues from the 9 & 12th centuries and the Saraswathy Mahal library contains 30000 volumes in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and some European languages  on a variety of subjects such as Science, Medicine, Engineering, Astronomy, Painting and Dancing. The volumes are mostly of palm-leaves and paper manuscripts. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 06: Thanjavur-  Madurai (175 kms)
Morning after breakfast drive to Madurai via Trichy. Visit Srirangam, a picturesque island ringed by the river Cauvery, and also a fascinating temple town. The superb temple complex is probably the largest in India. Proceed to Madurai, check into the hotel. Afternoon visit this Tamil Nadu’s ancient city, situated on the Vaigai river. Visit the famous Shree Meenakshi Temple, designed in 1506 by Viswanatha Nayak and substantially built during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak. Its immerse gopurams are crowded with stucco figures of gods and goddesses and mythical animals and beings painted in vivid colors. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 07: Madurai - Kodaikanal (110 kms)
Drive to Kodaikanal which takes around 05.00hrs in the early morning set among the gently sloping Palani Hills. We arrive Kodaikanal forest check post located at a distance of 12 km from Kodaikanal. From here we start our 35 km trek to Munnar which has beautiful  views. We walk from forest check post and have our lunch at Berijam Lake and overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Kodaikanal  -  Munnar
The forest looks gorgeous all over the place. Morning after breakfast we continue our walk to Top Station (Kerala) in six hours. Upon arrival at Top Station, we drive to Munnar and check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.  Overnight at Hotel.

Day 09:  Munnar- Thekkady (110 kms)
Morning after breakfast drive to Thekkady, the journey takes you through the cardamom hills. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. The day visit to park safari by boat cruise on lake Periyar. Also one can go for night safari on prior information. Rest of the day scroll around  spice market of Kumily. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10:  Thekkady – Alleppey (155 kms)
Early morning drive towards Alleppey. The road winds you through the plantations of cardamom, coffee, tea, pepper and  tranquil countryside on Western Ghats. Board an houseboat that each comprise two twin rooms, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. Spice Coast Cruises is a journey down Kerala’s enchanting backwaters on a houseboat. We cruise for about 3hrs through the backwaters and coconut groves, and then moor up for the night of Vembanadu lake. Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 11:  Alleppey  -  Cochin (60 kms)
Morning after breakfast disembark from the houseboat, drive to Cochin 02hrs. Check into the hotel. Afternoon free to visit the Mattancherry Palace – also called the Dutch Palace, The Clock Tower, The Synagogue built in the 18th century and the St.Francis Church, and then the Chinese Fishing Nets which adorn the north shore. Evening we make a short drive to watch the dance-drama of Kerala – The Kathakali in a  local theatre. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12:  Cochin (Dep)
After breakfast free time for shopping or for personal activities. On time you will be transferred to international airport for flight back to home.