Itinerary

Day 01

Arrive Chennai

Welcome to India! Upon your arrival at Chennai Airport, our local representative will receive you at the arrival hall and escort you to your Hotel in an air-conditioned Car.  Our representative will help you with check-in process, brief you about your tour program and handover your entire tour related documents.

Chennai – this capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu was created 350 years ago by the British- East India Company .Besides being Britain’s first bastion from which flourished an empire, Chennai formerly known as Madras retains a harmonious blend of the old and the New. Elaborate Pujas – prayers are part of every home. Women still wear Jasmine flowers in their hair and young girls practice the age old Bharatnatyam Dance form every day. In this charming city modernisation has not dampened the rich heritage handed down from generations.

Overnight: Chennai
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 02

Chennai – Mahabalipuram

Morning sightseeing tour of Madras to see some of the highlights of India's fourth largest city. Visit the National Art Gallery and Museum, which house some beautiful temple friezes and South Indian bronzes; the Cathedral of San Thome; the Mylapore Temple, and St Mary’s Church.  (Museums are closed on Fridays and National Holidays).
Continue drive for Mahabalipuram, upon arrival check in to Hotel
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 03

Mahabalipuram

Morning sightseeing of Mahabalipuram  - an ancient coastal port, south of Madras.  Here you will see many  sculptures   and  temples  of  typical   South   Indian  architectural  design;  the Five Rathas -  a  group  of  monolithic  monuments and animal figures carved out  of  solid  rock; the Shore Temple, lashed by the  waves  of  the  sea;  and  the  huge  frescoe,  "The  Penance   of  Bhagirath".
Afternoon Excursion to Kanchipuram
Kancheepuram, known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples.  This is one of India’s sacred cities.  Many early styles of temple architecture may be seen here. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple, the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries.   Kancheepuram has also long been famous for  its silk weaving.
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 04

Mahabalipuram – Chennai – Madurai by flight

Morning drive to Chennai to connect flight for Madurai. Upon arrival at Madurai, Transfer to Hotel, rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Madurai
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 05

Madurai

Morning, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Madurai. The primary interest is the Meenakshi   Temple, where Dravidian temple architecture may be considered to be at its best. Its  Hall  of  a Thousand Pillars is  fabulous  and  is filled  with worshippers at all hours of the day. Also visit the Tirumal Nayak's Palace, which is a highly decorative monument.

Witness the evening ceremony of the Meenakshi Temple.
Overnight: Madurai
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 06

Madurai – Periyar/Thekkady (137 kms/4 hours)

Morning drive to Thekkady (Periyar)

Periyar, is one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Even a casual visitor to this place will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern of Thekkady.  
 
Afternoon boat cruise on the Periyar Lake, in  the  cool surroundings. The panorama spreads into  tropical jungles, wild Elephants, Indian Gaur, Monkeys,  spotted Deer,  Barking  Deer,  Wild Boar and  birds  of  myriad varieties.   Encompassing an area of 777 sq  kms, the  wildlife  sanctuary  lies at an elevation of between 914 meters and 1828 meters above sea level on the Periyar Lake in the hills of Western Ghats.
Overnight: Thekkady
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 07

Periyar/Thekkady – Kumarakom approx 139kms/4Hrs

Morning you will have a Spice Plantation tour. Periyar of Thekkedy district is full of variety of spices like Clove, cardamom, different types of peppers etc.
Later drive to Kumarakm, en route visit the Rubber plantations.
Upon arrival check in to hotel.
Overnight: Kumarakom
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 08

Kumarakom

Day at leisure.

Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.
Overnight: Kumarakom
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 09

Kumarakom – Allepey

Morning embark Houseboat.

BACKWATER CRUISE
The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala, the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 kms, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Alleppey which forms the main part of this  network has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride.

A glide in a "Kettuvallam" (Houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppey is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either sides of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this unique land.

The sparkling water and the caressing cool wind is a temptation too strong to resist. Country boats of various types crisscross the path with passengers from all walks of Kerala's rural life ranging from milkman and newspaper boy to local politicians, priests and wedding parties. It is a unique experience as this is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the countryside of god's own country.

On arrival embark the House Boat and proceed on the backwaters of Kerala.
Overnight stay on Houseboat
Lunch and dinner on board house boat.

Day 10

Houseboat – Kovalam

Breakfast onboard houseboat.
Disembark and drive for Kovalam 159Kms/4Hrs. Upon arrival check in to Hotel.
Overnight: Kovalam
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 11

Kovalam

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centers.

Day at leisure
Overnight: Kovalam
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 12

Kovalam

Day at leisure
Overnight: Kovalam
Meals:       Breakfast

Day 13

Depart from Trivandrum

In time transfer to Trivandrum International Airport which is approx 13 kms away from Kovalam.

Connect flight for onward destination.