SOUTH INDIA ESCAPADE

DAY 01: CHENNAI – MAHABALIPURAM

On arrival at Chennai International Airport transfer to your hotel in Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) for 02 nights. This World Heritage group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. Relax and unwind on your first day. At night stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.

DAY 02: KANCHEEPURAM

Easily accessible from Mahabalipuram, Kancheepuram was once famous for its thousand temples. Today only about a 100 temples remain and are worth a visit. Apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Woven from pure mulberry silk, these beautiful silk products are still woven by hand..!! After lunch return back to Mahabalipuram and visit the monuments specially known for their rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries) and giant open-air-reliefs. Overnight, stay at hotel in Kancheepuram.

DAY 03: MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY

Morning, transfer to Pondicherry. Set on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, this beautiful town is a former French Colony. Impressions of the colonial rule are predominant even today and in the afternoon you will discover the French flair of the city. You will also visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and ‘Auroville’. Over night at hotel.

DAY 04: PONDICHERRY – SWAMIMALAI

Morning, drive to Swamimalai and en route visit Chidambaram, one of the holiest sites in South India as the seat of the 'celestial dancer Check into the hotel for 02 nights stay. Overnight, stay at hotel in Swamimalai.

DAY 05: SWAMIMALAI- THANJAVUR - SWAMIMALAI

Morning, after breakfast proceed for excursion trip to Thanjavur (Tanjore), known as the 'Granary of South India' and lies in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and criss-crossed by lengthy network of irrigation canals. Visit the World Heritage Temple the Brihadeeswara Temple or the Big Temple, Art gallery, Saraswathi Mahal Library and craftsman villages known for its iconography, bell metal wares, art plates and Vina workshops. Overnight, stay at hotel in Swamimalai.

DAY 06: SWAMIMALAI - CHETTINAD

After breakfast drive to Chettinad famous for its heritage and traditions. The palatial mansions with their rare architecture make Chettinad a place of rare charm and must-visit destination. On arrival, check into the mansion for stay overnight. Evening experience your culinary skills on the very popular 'Chettinad Cuisine' at the hotel.

DAY 07: CHETTINAD – MADURAI

After a leisurely breakfast, this morning you will be driven to Madurai one of India's most ancient city with a history dating back to the 6th century. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay. Evening visit the Meenakshi temple situated on the banks of river Vaigai, which has four entrances and twelve towers up to a height of 50 meters. Later evening enjoy the light & sound show of the Thirumalai Nayikkar Mahal. Over night at hotel.

DAY 08: MADURAI – DINDIGUL

In the morning we take a short drive to Dindigul, a small village town north-West of Madurai. Dindigul has a glorious past, having once been ruled by the famous Tippu Sultan, also known as the ‘Tiger of Mysore’. Check into an ecological home stay for the night. We have the afternoon free to visit a traditional village to feel the pace of the village life and the beautiful settings out there. Overnight stay at home stay in Dindigul.

DAY 09: DINDIGUL –COONOOR

Today we make our way into the Nilgiri Hills, an area favored by the British. Proceed to Coonoor. On arrival check in to your hotel for 01 night stay. Evening you are free to explore Coonoor on your own or enjoy a tea tasting trail tour.

DAY 10: COONOOR - NAGARHOLE

Morning transfer to Coonoor train station for a heritage train ride to Ooty. You will be picked up Ooty train station and then drive to Nagarhole, check into the jungle resort for two nights stay. Evening enjoy a Boat Safari on Kabini river. Overnight, stay at Jungle Resort.

DAY 11: NAGARHOLE

Early morning you will take a game drive inside the park. Explore the environs of Nagarhole and Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Overnight, stay at Jungle resort in Nagarhole.

DAY 12: NAGARHOLE – MYSORE

Morning after breakfast, drive to Mysore. On arrival check in to your hotel for two nights stay. Rest of the day you are free to relax or stroll through the city markets. Overnight, stay at hotel in Mysore.

DAY 13: MYSORE

Morning set out for sightseeing tour of Mysore. Visit the City Palace (Amba Vilas), this magnificent palace is built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets and colonnades. In Jaganmohan Palace, with paintings from the first half of the 20th century issued. After noon, visit Daria Daulat Bagh (Tipu's Summer Palace), Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Srirangapatnam and private boating at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Overnight, stay in hotel at Mysore.

DAY 14: MYSORE - TELLICHERRY

After breakfast we will leave for Tellicherry, a vibrant fishing town in the north of Calicut. It is known for being the first British settlement in Kerala and needless to say cakes and cricket were both introduced here by the British. Upon arrival, check into a small mansion overlooking Arabian Sea. Overnight, stay at Mansion in Tellicherry.

DAY 15: TELLICHERRY

You can visit the bustling fish markets of Tellicherry or visit the ancient fort built by the British today. Afternoon enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Mansion with an option to take part in a cookery demonstration by your hostess who is renowned for her Malabar Cuisine. Overnight, stay at Mansion in Tellicherry.

DAY 16: TELLICHERRY – COCHIN

Today morning transfer to Tellicherry town for your day train to Cochin. With the Indian Railway, you will enjoy the 5 hours or more train journey with locals coming in and out at different locations..! On arrival at Cochin, in the afternoon you will be met and escorted transfer to the hotel for 02 nights stay. In the evening, enjoy Kathakali, a dance-pantomime in high performance with impressive masks and costumes.

Overnight, stay at hotel in Cochin.

DAY 17: COCHIN

In this morning you can opt to go on a sightseeing exploration tour of the many fascinating highlights of Cochin which include the church of St. Francis and the Jewish quarter with a synagogue, murals at the Dutch Palace, the spice market and towards evening on the backwater you can have a sunset cruise with a view of the famous Chinese fishing nests amidst the background of the setting sun. Overnight, stay at hotel in Cochin.

DAY 18: COCHIN – ALLEPPEY

After breakfast, and a morning of visiting any sights we missed in Cochin the previous day, we take a short drive to board our houseboat. Once on the houseboat we will begin our cruise along these immense canals towards Kumarakom anchoring for the night on the way. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings, it is the life along the coast that makes this a fascinating experience..!! Overnight, stay on the houseboat with all meals.

DAY 19: ALLEPPEY - MARARI

Morning houseboat will restart its sailing through the backwaters of Lake Vembanad while you will have breakfast on board. Check out from the Houseboat transfer to Marari for a beach Stay.

DAY 20: IN MARARI

Today free at your leisure at Marari beach. Over night at Marari.

DAY 21: IN MARARI - COCHIN

Transfer to Cochin International airport to board flight for onward destination.