Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destination Covered : Chennai - Kochi - Kumarakom - Periyar - Puducherry/Pondicherry - Madurai - Mahabalipuram - Trichy - Kanchipuram
Day 1 : Arrival at Cochin
Your Glipmses of South India tour begins when you arrival takes place at the Cochin airport and you are greeted by our representative who will ensure that you get settled in your hotel comfortably.In the meantime, he hands over travel documents and briefs you about the tour.
Your afternoon is at leisure and you can make a visit to the local market on your own or with your driver.
You spend the night at the Hotel Cochin Palace to relax and be ready for the exciting sightseeing tour next morning..
Day 2 : Sightseeing in Cochin
After breakfast, your Tour Guide will meet you in the lobby and and take you for a full day city tour of Kochi and places includes to visit are Fort Kochi,St.Francis' Church,The Dutch Cemetery, Santa Cruz Basilica,Mattancherry Palace.Later you can buy spices to bring memories from this ancient spice trade city.
In the evening, if you wish, then your driver can take you out to enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance program.
You spend the night at the Hotel Cochin Palace to relax and be ready for the journey to Kumarakom next day.
Day 3 : Journey from Cochin to Kumarakom(60 Kms/1.5 Hour)
After leisure breakfast, you drive to Kumarakom and once you reach here, the rest of the day is at leisure.The life of Kumarakom lies at the backwaters of Vembanad Lake.
So enjoylush paddy fields and spice trails on your own and visit Bird Sanctuary which is close to Vembanad lake.
Overnight at the Cocobay Resort .
Day 4 : Journey from Kumarakom to Thekkady (125 Kms/3 Hours)
After leisurely breakfast, you are headed towards Thekkady and our representative will be there to assist you to do checkin formalities once you reach your hotel.
Today we have not scheduled any program but you can enjoy having a boat ride on Periyar Lake and watch the animals bathing or playing at the edge of the water.
You spend the night at the Hotel Thekkady Woods to relax and be ready for the exciting Game Safari next day.
Day 5 : Periyar National Park Safari
After breakfast, Your Tour Guide will take you to Periyar National Park to enjoy the scenic beauty of South India’s exotic wildlife.The park is home to rare varieties of deer, elephants, bison, sambars and many more animals.The most exciting one is to spot Tigers which are plenty .Later, if time permits, then you can explore the spice plantations of Periyar. Famous for its huge spice fields, the city is one of the biggest producers of pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger.
You spend the night at the Hotel Thekkady Woods to relax and be ready for the journey to Madurai next day.
Day 6 : Journey from Periyar to Madurai(170 Kms/3 Hours)
After breakfast, you begin your journey to reach to Madurai.
Rest of the day is at leisure and you can plan it the way you want. The free time can also be utilized to taste South Indian cuisine and buy Colourful Saris.
Overnight at the Hotel Park Plaza .
Day 7 : Journey from Madurai to Trichy( 135 Kms/2 Hours)
After leisure breakfast, Visit Meenakshi Temple which is the heart of this ancient and historic city. The rest of the time you can spend while exploring Tirumalai Nayak(just 1.5 Km from the Meenakshi temple), The Gandhi Museum, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam which is an artificial reservoir and just 5 Kms away and Koodalazhagar Temple.
Later in the day, You are headed towards Trichy.
Overnight at the SRM Hotel .
Day 8 : Trichy to Pondicherry(205 Kms/4 Hours)
After breakfast, Visit Rock Fort Temple which is considered to be one of the oldest rocks. Later Srirangam Island also known as the Temple Town. It is believed to be the India's largest temple and a bridge connects to its complex.You can also visit St. Lourdes Church, Thiruvanaikkaval Temple.
Later proceed to Pondicherry.
Overnight at the Hotel Anandha Inn.
Day 9 : Pondicherry to Mahaballipuram(100 Kms/1.5 Hour)
After breakfast, Explore the Beach Road which holds exciting memories of the french impressions like Ashram Press, the Town Hall, The Warm Memorial. You can also stretch your leg at Rue Dumas, the oldest street in the city and ends at Rue du Bazar St Laurent. Later visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram which holds an excellent atmoshpere and attracts automatically for meditation seekers.Rest of the time, you continue your walk at looking Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Bharathi Park(French financial and administrative buildings), Gandhi Statue and Botanical Garden.
Later in the day, You continue your drive to the city of Mahaballipuram.
Overnight at the Esthell - The Village Resort .
Day 10 : Sightseeing in Mahaballipuram and Kanchipuram
After an early breakfast, We have scheduled a full day tour of Mahaballipuram and Kanchipuram with your Tour Guide.
Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock-cut and monolithic monuments that represent the early stages of Dravidian architecture. They constitute cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples. Here you will see the Shore Temple which is the trademark of this ancient city, Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest bas-relief panel, Family of Monkeys, Krishna's Butterball, Mahishasuramardini Cave.
Later, Take a tour of Kanchipuram, another city famous for its Dravidian architecture and picturesque temples like the Kamakshi temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashanathar Temple,Kanchi Kudil(Museum) and Kamakoti Mutt.
Overnight at the Hotel Esthell - The Village Resort .
Day 11 : Mahaballipuram to Chennai(55 Kms)
After breakfast, you drive to Chennai so that you can have a sightseeing tour in the afternoon.Once you comfortably settled at your hotel, be ready for an exciting city tour with your Tour Guide.
Later, after you have freshened up, begin your guided tour of the city covering places like the Fort of St. George, Fort Museum, St.Mary Church, Madras High Court, Egmore which is the Government Museum Complex and holds important symbols of Chennai, the majestic Basilica of Santhome and Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world.
Overnight at the Hotel Dior Eleganze..
Day 12 - Departure from Chennai
After leisurely breakfast, the rest of the time is spent at leisure or enjoy facilities at the hotel. our representative will assist you with the checkout formalities and then drive you to the Chennai airport in time for your flight back home.
