14 Nights / 15 Days South India Tour
This tour starts in Chennai, visits several World Heritage temples of South India, then the Hill Stations, tea / spice gardens, and wildlife sanctuaries of the Western Ghats. It ontinues in Kerala with a cruise on the unique backwaters, a visit to the tropical beaches, and ends in historic Cochin.
Day 1 Chennai to Pondicherry: Arrive Chennai. Drive via Madras Fort George and Mamallapuram to Pondicherry (3 Hours). On Route for Chennai lies the World Heritage site of Mamallapuram, with the earliest examples of Indian Architecture.
Day 2 Pondicherry: Choice of visits to Gingee with its 3 agnificent fortresses, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is an interesting community for those seeking an alternative lifestyle, or Kanchipuram with its many temples some with 7th Century frescoes. Or just spend more time in Pondicherry with its restaurants, promenade, museums, parks and interesting French buildings and churches.
Day 3 Tanjore: Drive to Tanjore via Chidambaram with its unique temple. The Tanjore Temple is a World Heritage site, and its golden spires and statues are extremely beautiful.
Day 4- 5 Madurai: Drive to Madurai via the old town of Karaikuddi, which is full of antique shops. Today the massive temple at Madurai, the largest in Southern India with its gaily-decorated towers, is one of the greatest sights in South India.
Day 6 Madurai to Periyar: Drive across the agricultural plains of Tamil Nadu and up the steep slopes to the forests of the Western Ghats.
Day 7 Periyar: Take the early morning boat trip on the lake at Periyar, where you have the chance to see elephant, wild pig, bison, deer and otters, trek through the reserve with a guide, or shop for spices in Kumily.
Day 8 Munnar: The journey across the Western Ghats to Munnar is spectacular, with views across the forest to the distant mountains and Tamil Nadu. You will drive through spice and tea plantations, and may have the opportunity to visit one of the plantations to see how spices are grown and processed. In Munnar. Visit the Tata tea factory, the nature reserves and waterfalls of this area, or shop in the busy bazaar in Munnar Town. Munnar is an ideal centre for cycling and trekking.
Day 9 Munnar - Backwaters: Relax at your hotel in the beautiful Backwaters.
Day 10 Backwaters: Sit and watch life go by from the comfort of your lake or canal-side hotel.
Day 11 Houseboat: Cruise the lake and canals of the Backwaters where you can sit back and be looked after by your crew whilst watching the daily life of those who live and farm along the banks going about their lives as they have done for hundreds of years.
Day 12 Mararikulam: A day at your beach resort will leave you refreshed for your visit to Fort Cochin
Day 13 - 14 Cochin: The port city of Cochin affords the traveller tantalizing glimpses of its long history through the spice warehouses, the synagogue, palaces and Portuguese and Dutch churches. In the evening you could take a sunset cruise around the port or go to a traditional Kathakali performance
Day 15: Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Day 2 Pondicherry: Choice of visits to Gingee with its 3 agnificent fortresses, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is an interesting community for those seeking an alternative lifestyle, or Kanchipuram with its many temples some with 7th Century frescoes. Or just spend more time in Pondicherry with its restaurants, promenade, museums, parks and interesting French buildings and churches.
Day 3 Tanjore: Drive to Tanjore via Chidambaram with its unique temple. The Tanjore Temple is a World Heritage site, and its golden spires and statues are extremely beautiful.
Day 4- 5 Madurai: Drive to Madurai via the old town of Karaikuddi, which is full of antique shops. Today the massive temple at Madurai, the largest in Southern India with its gaily-decorated towers, is one of the greatest sights in South India.
Day 6 Madurai to Periyar: Drive across the agricultural plains of Tamil Nadu and up the steep slopes to the forests of the Western Ghats.
Day 7 Periyar: Take the early morning boat trip on the lake at Periyar, where you have the chance to see elephant, wild pig, bison, deer and otters, trek through the reserve with a guide, or shop for spices in Kumily.
Day 8 Munnar: The journey across the Western Ghats to Munnar is spectacular, with views across the forest to the distant mountains and Tamil Nadu. You will drive through spice and tea plantations, and may have the opportunity to visit one of the plantations to see how spices are grown and processed. In Munnar. Visit the Tata tea factory, the nature reserves and waterfalls of this area, or shop in the busy bazaar in Munnar Town. Munnar is an ideal centre for cycling and trekking.
Day 9 Munnar - Backwaters: Relax at your hotel in the beautiful Backwaters.
Day 10 Backwaters: Sit and watch life go by from the comfort of your lake or canal-side hotel.
Day 11 Houseboat: Cruise the lake and canals of the Backwaters where you can sit back and be looked after by your crew whilst watching the daily life of those who live and farm along the banks going about their lives as they have done for hundreds of years.
Day 12 Mararikulam: A day at your beach resort will leave you refreshed for your visit to Fort Cochin
Day 13 - 14 Cochin: The port city of Cochin affords the traveller tantalizing glimpses of its long history through the spice warehouses, the synagogue, palaces and Portuguese and Dutch churches. In the evening you could take a sunset cruise around the port or go to a traditional Kathakali performance
Day 15: Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
