Backwaters of Kerala & Tamilnandu - 12 days

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai

Arrive Chennai by flight. You will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred  to Hotel.

After some rest, proceed for Chennai sightseeing. Chennai, India’s fourth largest city is also called the Gateway to the South. From a tiny hamlet in 1639, it grew around the Fort St. George built by the British. A lush green city famed for its temples, silk, music and dance, Chennai gives a sense of serenity and spaciousness. Visit Fort St George and Fort Museum. Over night at Chennai

Day 02 : Chennai/Kancheepuram/Mahabalipuram (135 km)

After breakfast drive to Kancheepuram (80 km, 01 hr 45 mts) Kancheepuram The City of Thousand Temples is one of the seven sacred cities and considered as the second holiest place in India. The great Buddhist Vhikku Bodhidharma lived and worked here. Kancheepuram is also famous for its hand-wooven silk fabrics.

Later drive to Mahabalipuram (55 km, 01 hr 15 mts) Mahabalipuram An erstwhile port of the Pallava dynasty, its stone carvings, caves and rock cut temples also attract tourists. A crocodile farm, a snake venom extracting centre, schools of art and sculpture and many resorts draw holiday seekers all around the year, especially during the dance festival held in January. Overnight at Mahabalipuram

Day 03 : Mahabalipuram/Pondicherry (110 km)

Morning free on the beach. Later drive to Pondicherry (02 hrs 30 mts). Pondicherry, a former French colony, presents an unusual combination of European culture and Indian traditions. Its history can be traced back to Agastya, the revered sage of the south who built his hermitage here in 1500 BC. It became a part of India in 1954, but traces of its history as a French colony still remain in its churches, cuisine, grid-pattern streets and some colonial buildings. Walk though the white city Overnight at Poncicherry.

Day 04 : Pondicherry/Chidambaram/Tanjore (180 km)

After early breakfast drive to Chidambaram (80 kms, 02 hrs) CHIDAMBARAM: Between two rivers in a 40-acre temple-complex, lay the temples of Chidambaram, one of the oldest, most venerated and magnificent temples of South India. Shiva Nataraja or the Dancing Shiva stands in his cosmic dance pose in the golden rooted sanctum sanctorum. Fanking the temple are 108 sculptured illustrations of Bharat Natya Shastra. In Akash Lingam hidden by a veil, lies the real secret of Chidambaram.

Later drive to Tanjore. (100 km, 02 hrs 30 mts) TANJORE The city was once the great capital of the Chola Empire. Visit the most spectacular of Tanjore temples, the Brihadishwara capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite rock weighing 80 tons. The temple itself is decorated with carved panels depicting mythological events. An immense Nandi 6 mts long carved out of a single piece of granite stands in front of the shrine. Also visit Saraswati Mahal Library and Art Gallery with a large collection of Chola bronzes- a unique example of Hindu architecture. Over night at Tanjore.

Day 05 : Tanjore/Madurai (160 km)

After breakfast proceed to Madurai (160 km, 03 hr 30 mts) Madurai Over 2500 years old, Madurai is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. It is an important cultural and commercial centre. It was once the seat of Tamil learning and still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus. Modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial centre, even though the vast stretches of paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars make it seems like an overgrown village. Modernity has reached the city of Madurai, but not at the cost of its rich tradition and culture.

Visit Maduari and Sree Meenakshi Temple. At 2100 hrs witness the temple ceremony at sree meenakshi temple. Overnight at Madurai

Day 06 : Madurai/Periyar (140 km, 04 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to Periyar Thekkady Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake; it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants. In the evening enjoy a boat ride at Lake Periyar, and see the wildlife around the lake as you cruise along its banks. Apart from elephants, bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, otter and flying squirrel are common. There are also 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterfly. Overnight at Periyar.

Day 07: Periyar/Cochin (190 km)

After breakfast drive to Cochin (05 hrs, 30 mts) Cochin (Kochi) is spread across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the Backwaters. The city was founded in 1341 when a flood created a natural safe port, which became the principal harbour for Malabar Coast’s spice trade. Cochin was on the main trade route between Europe and China. The rulers invited people of various religions to settle here, attracting the Jews and the Christians who built places of worship and their own communities. Over night at Cochin

Day 08 : Cochin/Kumarakom (75km)

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Cochin including the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry (Friday closed) is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue (Saturday closed) at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets believed to be brought to Kochi by the Chinese Traders.

Later drive to Kumarakom. Kumarakom An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you\'ll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. The resorts offers comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options (on payment basis) like a boating, fishing, angling and swimming. Overnight at Kumarakom.

Day 09 : Kumarakom / Alleppey (by Houseboat)

Morning at leisure. By 1230 hrs board a house boat to view the village life around the backwaters of Kerala. Lunch at Houseboat. HOUSEBOATS, popularly known as “Kettuvalam” is converted from a traditional rice barge. While cruising to Alleppey you will see the glimpses of village life of the people living around the backwater area. You may watch palm-lined bank and narrow stips of land that separate the waterways and the constant quiet traffic of valam (small boats) are typical.

Dinner and overnight houseboat.

Day 10 : Alleppey/Kovalam (170 km)

After breakfast disembark the Houseboat at Alleppey and proceed to Kovalam. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, 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 programs, Catamaran cruising etc.

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. Check in at the beach resort in Kovalam. Overnight at Kovalam.

Day 11 : Kovalam

At leisure to relax & enjoy the beach and facilities at the resort Overnight at Kovalam.

Day 12 : Trivandrum / Departure

On time transfer to Trivandrum Airport (16 km, 35 mts) to connect your onward flight.

***END OF TOUR***