COCHIN - KUMARAKOM- PERIYAR- MADURAI- TIRUCHIRAPALLI - THANJAVUR- CHIDAMBARAM - PONDICHERRY- MAMALLAPURAM - KANCHIPURAM - CHENNAI- MUMBAI

"Answer the call of the bells and travels to South India. A peninsula surrounded by three oceans, it is a region of great natural beauty. There exist in this terrain a great number of temples and temple cities, overwhelming in their detail of sculpture and grandeur of scale. Many of them as much a part of everyday life today as they were centuries ago"

DAY 01 COCHIN - KUMARAKOM …..by surface
Arrive Cochin. Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin, a port city with a rich past and bustling present. The Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans came here to trade and their influence on Kochi and its people is still evident. Kochi is an attractive city and the serene back-waters, golden sunsets, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms, picturesque Islands-Vypeen, willingdon, Ramanthuruth, Vallarpadam and Bolghatty - all contribute to its beautiful cityscape. The interesting Jewish Synagogue - the oldest in India, the Mattancherry Palace of the former maharajas, also known as the Dutch palace, old British churches, the Bolghatty Palace, are all worth seeing and make a visit to Kochi a unique experience. Later transfer to Kumarakom, and check-in at the hotel, evening free for leisure, overnight stay.

DAY 02 KUMARAKOM - PERIYAR …..by surface
Morning transfer to Periyar (140 km / 3 hrs), best known for its wild life, is a must-see for all visitors to Kerala. The Periyar Lake lies at the heart of the sanctuary which is a veritable paradise for all wildlife lovers. Where else can one view the animals in their natural surroundings while cruising on the lake, or better still come within a few feet of a herd of wild elephants and still be at
ease! The majestic gaur, deer, wild boar and the distinctive Nilgiri langur are often spotted along the lake as also water birds. On arrival check-in at the hotel and afternoon wildlife viewing from a boat in the Periyar lake, overnight stay.

DAY 03 PERIYAR - MADURAI …..by surface
After breakfast proceed for Madurai (160 km / 5 hrs), the ancient capital of Pandyan kings, is a sacred place. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai. Today, in the heart of the town stands the overwhelming Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also visit Tirumalai Nayak Temple, visit Vandiyur Mariamman Tank, this is a huge temple tank measuring

304.8m on each side, with a mandapam at its centre. Madurai is also a business centre famed for its traditional handicrafts in brass and bronze. Overnight stay.

DAY 04 MADURAI - TIRUCHIRAPALLI …..by surface
After breakfast proceed by surface to Tiruchirapalli (128 km / 3 hrs), city dominated by the Rock Fort, perched on a massive rock that soars 83 meters upwards from the surrounding plains. On arrival check-in at the hotel, afternoon sightseeing tour of Tiruchirapalli, visiting Rock Fort Temple and Srirangam, a picturesque island between the Cauvery river and its tributary Kollidam, north of Tiruchirapalli. Sri Ranganathaswamy temple here is one of the largest Vaishnavite temple in south India built around the 13th and 14th centuries. With its 21 magnificent towers and stone pillars covered with a profusion of carvings, temple surrounded by seven walls within which the town itself is located. Overnight stay.

DAY 05 TIRUCHIRAPALLI - THANJAVUR …..by surface
Morning proceed for Thanjavur by surface (54 kms / 2 hrs), on arrival check-in at the hotel, later sightseeing tour of Thanjavur. Visit Brihadeeswara or the Big Temple of God, built by the great Chola King Raja Raja (985 - 1012 AD), there are excellent sculptural representations of the various forms of Shiva and other associated gods and goddesses.

Also visit The Palace near the temple is a vast building of masonary built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and partly by the Marathas. Overnight stay.

DAY 06 THANJAVUR - CHIDAMBARAM - PONDICHERRY …..by surface
After early breakfast proceed for Pondicherry, (210 km / 7 hrs), en-route visiting Chidambaram, also called as Thillai, which has the famous Natraja Temple with the roof of the sanctum-sanctorum covered golden plates, is located at the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatyam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer.

Arrive Pondicherry and check in at the hotel. Evening visit Aurobindo Ashram, the city of dawn, this ashram promotes Aurobindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. Overnight stay.

DAY 07 PONDICHERRY - MAMALLAPURAM …..by surface
Morning at leisure, later transfer to Mamallapuram (74 km / 2 hrs), on arrival check in at the hotel, afternoon sightseeing tour of Mamallapuram, an ancient 7th century centre for Pallava culture and arts, a beach resort, and cultural front. Visit The Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples. Also visit The Five Rathas, there are five monolithic temples, each created in a different style, they are also known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas - and four out of five rathas are supposed to have been carved out of single rock. Arjuna's Penance, this is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27m x 9m. This huge whale-backed rock contain figures of gods, demigods, men beasts, birds and almost all of the entire creation. Overnight stay.

DAY 08 MAMALLAPURAM - KANCHIPURAM - CHENNAI …..by surface
Morning proceed by surface to Kanchipuram (74 km / 2 hrs), known as one of India's seven sacred cities. It has been a centre of Tamil learning and culture and religious background for centuries. Kanchi is also a well known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of unique architecture beauty, Also visit Vardaraja Temple a massive and impressive edifice.

Other important temples are The Kamakshi Amman Temple, the presiding deity Lord Vishnu is depicted in sitting, standing and reclining positions.Continue your journey to Chennai (72 km / 2 hrs), on arrival check-in at the hotel, overnight stay.

DAY 09 CHENNAI - MUMBAI - FLIGHT BACK HOME …..by surface/ flight
Morning sightseeing tour of Chennai, captures the cultural kaleidoscope of South India with its ancient traditions, festivals, fine crafts, classical music and dance. Having begun as a British settlement 350 years ago, The Kapaleeswarar temple, the Parthsarthy Temple is another masterpiece, built originally by the Pallavas in the 8th century. The Fort St. George built in 1640 AD, the first bastion of British power in India and St. Thomas Mount where the Apostle St. Thomas was martyred in 72 AD, are other fascinating facets of the city's heritage.

Late afternoon transfer to Chennai airport to catch flight for Mumbai or Delhi

Assistance on arrival at Mumbai/Delhi and transfer to International airport for flight back home.

END OF TOUR
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