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Discover South India   Discover South India Duration : 15 nights / 16 days Route : Chennai » Mahabalipuram » Pondicherry » Thanjavur » Madurai » Kanyakumari » Kovalam » Alleppey » Kumarakom » Periyar Tiger Reserve » Munnar » Cochin   Route Info Detailed Itinerary Services Help Tips   Day 01: Chennai Day 02: Mahabalipuram (enroute visit Kanchipuram) Day 03: Mahabalipuram Day 04: Pondicherry Day 05: Thanjavur Day 06: Madurai (enroute visit Trichy) Day 07: Madurai Day 08: Kanyakumari Day 09: Kovalam (Trivandrum visit) Day 10: Kovalam Day 11: Alleppey Day 12: Kumarakom (Luxury Houseboat stay) Day 13: Thekkedy (Periyar Tiger Reserve) Day 14: Munnar Day 15: Cochin Day 16: Departure         Chennai Day 1 Chennai formerly known as Madras is the capital city of Tamil Nadu state and is the fourth largest metro city in India. The city grew up around the English settlement of Fort Saint George and gradually absorbed the surrounding towns and villages. However, despite the strong British influence, Chennai has retained its traditional Tamil Hindu culture and effectively blended it with the foreign influence. The city is widely spread in about 180 Sq. Kms. It is a major trade center, being well linked by road, rail and air to important cities besides being a sea port. Compared to the other major metros of India, it is far less congested and polluted. Activities Visit Gudiyam Caves, Elliot's Beach, Fort St. George and St. Mary's Church, Kapaleswar Temple, Marina Beach, San Thomas Cathedral, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Valluvar Kottam, Covelong Beach and Anna Zoological Park. Kanchipuram Day 2 Kanchipuram is one of India's holiest sites, also known as the city of thousand temples. The sacred seat of the Shankaracharya, Kanchipuram is situated about 70 Kms from Chennai, on the Northern East coast of Tamilnadu. Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is a municipality and headquarters to Kancheepuram district. In ancient times it was called Kachi and Kachiampathi. Activities Visit City of Thousand Temples, Temples of Kanchipuram, Ekambaranathar Temple, Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Varadaraja Temple and see local market & culture. Mahabalipuram Day 2-3 Mahabalipuram that was formerly known as Mamallapuram is one of the most frequented tourism destinations in Tamilnadu, a province in India. The place is just 55 Kilometers off Chennai, the capital city of Tamilnadu and forms a major excursion destination around it. In fact, Mahabalipuram along with Chennai and Kanchipuram forms the famous 'Golden Tourism Triangle' ashore Coromandel Coast. Activities Mahabalipuram is a blessed combination of history, good beaches and hassle-free tourism. Pondicherry Day 4 Situated on the Coromandel coast, about 160 kms south of Chennai, lies the Union Territory of Pondicherry. The French ruled this territory for 300 years, and today, it stands as a living monument of the French culture in India. It is bound on the east by the Bay of Bengal and on the other three sides by the South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu. About 150 kilometres south of Pondicherry, on the east coast, lies Karaikal, while Mahe is situated on the Malabar coast. Activities Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Place du Panthéon / Aayi mandapam and Bharti park, The Pondicherry Botanical Garden, 15 Temples out of which Mankula Vinayaka, Sri Vedapuriswar, and Kamatchiamman are the most famous, Pondicherry Beaches, Heritage Walk around Pondicherry, Pondicherry Churches like The Sacred-Heart Church, The Immaculate Conception Cathedral & Our Lady of Angels Church, Auroville, The Pondicherry Museum and above all enjoy Pondicherry shopping. Thanjavur Day 5 Thanjavur was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings whose origins, like those of the Pallavas, Pandyas and Cheras with whom they shared the tips of the Indian Peninsula, go back to the beginning of the Christian era. Power struggles between these groups were a constant feature of their early history, with one or other gaining the ascendancy at various times. Activities Visit Thanjai Periya Koil, Thanjavur Palace, Saraswathi Mahal Library and Art Gallery. Buying world famous Thanjavur / Tanjore Paintings are good options for souvenir. Tiruchirapalli Day 6 Tiruchirappalli now called Trichy is situated on the banks of the Cauvery river. Trichy, the fourth largest city in the state was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. Tiruchirappalli is known for its Rock Fort and its temple at a height of over 83 metres. Other renowned temples are, the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam), Siva temple at Tiruvanaikkaval and the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple. Activities Visit Rock Fort, Government Museum, Kudumiyanmalai and Tiruvanaikkaval Or Jambukeswarar Temple. Madurai Day 6-7 Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today. Activities Visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum, Thirupparamkundram and Azhagar Kovil. Kanyakumari Day 8 There are no words that can completely describe the beauty of Kanyakumari and it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations of south India. Located in the southernmost point of the Indian mainland, it is a magnificent place of natural beauty where you can see the deep blue waters of the ocean meeting the horizon. This southernmost town of Tamil Nadu is an important attraction for the tourists. Before you set out on a tour, you should have enough information about Kanyakumari that would help you explore the town conveniently. Activities Visit Kumari Amman Temple, Temple Of Goddess Bhagavathi, Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Mandapam and Alvar Tirunagari. Kovalam Day 9-10 Thirty years ago, Kovalam was a picture perfect tropical beach; a traditional fishing village providing fresh fish, fruits and toddy (coconut beer). Today this tiny beach is the focus of a multi-million dollar business, drawing thousands of tourists for a week dose of ozone, UV and a refreshing Indian Experience. Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. Over the past three decades, the place has been well developed, and now figures prominently on the world tourism map. Activities Visit beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing, Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising. And also visit Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres. Alleppey Day 11 Washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, Alleppey, the Venice of the East welcomes you to the backwaters of kerala. The Palm fringed canals and shores bustling with glimpses from the day to day life in the country side, the mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides and its long sandy beach has blessed Alappuzha, the water locked district, to become one of the best Backwater tourism destinations in God's Own Country. Activities Spend time at Backwater Cruise, enjoy Boat Races (August-September), visit Kuttanad Region, Mullakkal Rajeswari Temple, Ambalapuzha Temple, Arthunkal Church, Champakulam Church, Chavara Bhavan and Mararikulam. Kumarakom Day 12 Kumarakom, a cozy little island just 16 kilometer west of Kottayam in India’s favorite destination – Kerala, is renowned the world over for its exotic migratory birds, self sustaining eco-system and hospital on arrival check into the hotel after taking brief leisure visit Kumarakom bird sanctuary at evening see the breathtaking view of lake during the sunset leaves a spellbound. Activities Visit Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the 'Karimeen' (Pearl Spotted Fish), the 'Chemeen' (Prawns) and the 'Konju' (Tiger Prawns) and Kumarakom bird sanctuary. Periyar Tiger Reserve Day 13 One of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in India, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve was established in the verdant stretches of Kerala in 1895 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The Periyar Widlife Sanctuary covers an area of 777 sq km, out of which 360 sq km is under thick and dense evergreen forests. Surrounded by the dense forests, it is quite popular for the Periyar Lake. Activities Enjoy morning and evening jeep safaris into the jungle. Munnar Day 14 Munnar is nestled in the undulating mountain ranges of the southern Western Ghats and is unrivalled among the tourist destinations of Kerala. Its inescapable natural beauty lures scores of tourists each and every year from not only India but also from abroad. The major highlights of Munnar are its remarkable ambiance, lush green tea gardens, mesmerizing lakes, dense forests and a cool salubrious climate. Munnar is located at the confluence of three mountain streams, Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Once, Munnar was the summer resort of the British government in South India. Activities Visit Pothamedu, Devikulam, Mattupetty, Attukal, Nyayamakad and Eravikulam National Park. Cochin Day 15-16 Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, served by an international airport, fine communication facilities, excellent accommodation, modern amenities and a lot of attractive tourist places gives a breathtaking experience for its visitors and settlers. The district took its form on 1st April 1958, by carving out the areas of erstwhile Travancore, Kochi & Malabar kingdoms. The word Ernakulam was derived from a Tamil word 'Erayanarkulam' which means Lord Shiva's abode. Activities Visit Santa Cruz Basalica, St Francis Church, Dutch Cemetry, Princess Street, Waterfront, Mattanchery Palace, Indira Gandhi Boat Race (Conducted in August-September during Onam), Bolgatty Island, Willingdon Island, Kumbalangi, The Bishop’s House, Cochin Carnival (in the last 10 days of the year), St George’s Forane Church at Edapally, Kerala History Museum at Edapally, St Thomas Mount, Malayattoor (10 kms) and Hill Palace at Thripunithura (12 km). Transfer to Airport according to your departure schedule on day 16. TOUR PRICE INCLUDES WITH FOLLOWING SERVICES:- This package tour is personalized & individual and can be started at any time of the year. This tour is based on private departures, where you are benefit from having a private executive car and freedom to stop en-route for breaks or for photographic opportunities. Air-conditioned car with driver, all inclusive. Fuel for car, Insurance, Road and State taxes, Toll taxes, Parking fees and all transport related expense including Driver's food and lodging. Driver with excellent skills and record, a good knowledge of the area you are visiting and sufficient English to communicate with you. The car will be with you from your arrival to departure with as many stops to sightseeing as you want enroute. Double bed room with breakfast and all taxes included. Accommodation in Double Rooms on twin sharing basis. Transfers and land transportation according to proposed itinerary. Meeting and assistance on arrival/departure at airports, hotels by our company representative. All meals (breakfast, lunch dinner) during your stay at houseboat. Complementary tea/coffee with cookies during your houseboat tour. Live Kathakali dance performance at Thekkady. A typical Kerala Ayurvedic massage for rejuvenation therapy. Live performance of Kalaripayattu martial art from ancient time at Thekkady. Excursion to a spice garden with naturalist/guide to explain about all the spices.   FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICES:- Tips, laundry, telephone bills, portage and Beverages. Meals unless specified. Entrances to Monuments and other specified destination. Movie / video camera fee at monuments. Domestic or International airfare unless specified. Medical or baggage insurance. Airport Departure taxes, Visa Charges. Tips and gratuities. Any other service that has not been specified Your game safaris in the National Parks unless specified above. SPECIAL NOTE FOR YOUR HELP AND INFORMATION:- Accommodation in Double Rooms on twin sharing basis. Hotels, train & flight reservations are subject to availability. Fares / rates are subject to change. Euro, British Ponds and Dollars easily exchangeable in India. Any other service that has not been specified and you want to add, please let us know. If any above hotel is sold-out then other similar level hotel is guaranteed. During travel if you want to change any hotel, you have to inform us 7 days prior. We are not responsible for any political demonstration, Natural calamity, Traffic jams etc. We are not responsible for any flight or train cancellation or no show at the last moment. In such situation the compensation and dealings will be between you and the concerning company, we are not obliged to play role as mediator.