This formidable Trip to South India journey takes you through the vast Dravidian India to explore its illustrious past and its present full of colors, history, and contrasts. Discover the bygone eras of this enchanting area and travel back in time to see some of Southeast Asia’s most cherished religious, historical and cultural monuments, apart from its large, urban cities such as Chennai and Puducherry. This trip will fill your senses and will not leave you indifferent.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Chennai: The capital of Tamil Nadu is considered the most important cultural and economic center of southern India.
- Mahabalipuram: The sand-coloured temples of this area are on the UNESCO World Heritage list and represent a glorious past of the Pallava dynasty.
- Thanjavur: Visit the best example of Chola architecture in Tamil Nadu with the Brihadeshwara temple on the outskirts of Thanjavur.
- Madurai: You will be impressed by the great Hindu temple of Meenakshi and its more than 30,000 figures
- Periyar: It is home to one of the most famous nature reserves in the country where, with a little luck, you will see elephants, a wide variety of birds and even wild tigers
- Alleppey: Located in the state of Kerala, it is famous for its backwaters. Coastal lakes where nature and everyday life are intertwined. Touring them slowly aboard a typical “houseboat” is quite an experience.
- Kochi: This coastal town boasts a lot of history and European influence that can be seen throughout the city.
ARRIVAL IN CHENNAI
Arrival at the Chennai International Airport, where a representative awaits you to begin the transfer to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day free.
Overnight in a hotel in Chennai on a lodging basis.
CHENNAI
After breakfast at the hotel, in the morning you will enjoy discovering the city on a tour, stopping at the National Museum of Human History and Culture (closed on Fridays) and the Fort of Saint George, an authentic example of colonial architecture. You will also walk along the Marina Beach and the photo stop of Chennai University, one of the three oldest universities in India, with its beautiful Senate House. Afterwards you will visit the Basilica of Santo Tomé, built by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century. Finally, visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, which stands out for its thousands of colorful figures.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in a hotel in Chennai on a bed and breakfast basis.
CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALIPURAM (125KM – 4.5 HRS)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before leaving for a full day visit to the Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram temples. Kanchipuram, popularly known as the ‘city of gold’, was the capital of the Hindu dynasty and is considered one of the seven sacred cities of the country. Mahabalipuram is a coastal town with beautiful beaches stretching for miles, it was formerly the main port of the Pallava kingdom. The most important monument is the Penance of Arjuna, which stands out for its beautiful carvings of Hindu myth. You will then go to the hotel to check-in.
Overnight at a hotel in Mahabalipuram on a bed and breakfast basis.
MAHABALIPURAM – DARASURAM – THANJAVUR (270 KM – 6 HRS)
After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur after having breakfast at the hotel. On the route you will visit Darasuram, where we will see the Airavetesvara Temple, whose complex was built by Chola Raja II and has an image of Shiva carved in stone in the heart of the main enclosure. You will continue towards Thanjavur, whose region is referred to as the rice basin of Tamil Nadu and check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at a hotel in Thanjavur on a bed and breakfast basis.
THANJAVUR – TRICHY – THANJAVUR (60 KMS/ 2 HRS PER WAY)
Breakfast at the hotel followed by an excursion to Trichy (Tiruchirapali). This city has a history dominated by the Chola dynasty, it is famous for its rock fortress of 434 steps, the sculpture of the rock that leads to the top of the fortress. On the first floor there is a large hall, on the second level there is a hall of 100 columns, and the next level is the temple of the god Shiva and the upper level is dedicated to Ganesha. From the top, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the holy Kaveri River.
Also visit Srirangam is located less than 5km from Trichy and is a walled city with a huge temple of the god Vishnu, named Sri Ranganathaswamy. Then return to the hotel.
Overnight at a hotel in Thanjavur on a bed and breakfast basis.
THANJAVUR – MADURAI (200KM – 5.5 HRS)
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a drive to Madurai. Arrival in Madurai and check in at the hotel.
Next you will visit the Meenakshi Temple, detailed with a multitude of vivid colors. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with its 10 gopurams (towers) and more than 30,000 statues, then you will also visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a 17th century Indo-Saracenic style building.
In the afternoon, you will attend a Hindu puja, a ritual where people give offerings to the deities.
Overnight at a hotel in Madurai on a bed and breakfast basis.
MADURAI – PERIYAR (145KM – 4 HRS)
Have breakfast at the hotel before road transfer to Periyar Nature Sanctuary and Thekkady Nature Park. The park is located on a protected area land of more than 750 km2. Among nature, you could spot wild animals such as deer, flying squirrels, mongooses, mink and a wide variety of birds. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a boat ride on Periyar Lake.
Afterwards we will visit spice plantation to have an experience and information about spices. Return to the hotel
Overnight at a hotel in Periyar on a bed and breakfast basis.
PERIYAR – ALLEPPEY (150KM – 5 HRS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to Alleppey. At 1:00 p.m. boarding on the traditional “Houseboat” (houseboat). Lunch on board. Cruise along the canals observing the villages and palm trees on the banks. Accommodation.
Overnight in a houseboat in Alleppey on a full board basis.
ALLEPPEY – KOCHI (60KM – 1 ½ HRS)
After breakfast in the houseboat, we depart by road towards Kochi. We arrive at the hotel and check-in. In the afternoon, you will take a tour of the city, which includes the Jewish quarter, a religion that arrived in Kochi in the 6th century BC. and we see the synagogue and palace of Mattancherry. Then we move to the dock area with its Chinese fishing nets. We continue through the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1510. We also see the church of San Francisco, the first Catholic church in India, built at the beginning of the 16th century and the final resting place of the explorer Vasco da Gama. At the end you will return to the hotel.
Overnight in a hotel in Kochi on a bed and breakfast basis.
KOCHI
You will have breakfast at the hotel before enjoying a day at leisure. Optionally, you can witness traditional and expressive Kathakali dances, or delight in a beneficial Ayurvedic massage.
Overnight in a hotel in Kochi on a bed and breakfast basis.
DEPARTURE FROM KOCHI
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to take your return flight. Night on board.
Breakfast included.
Trip to South India by Delighted Journey