Classic Tour of South India
12 days and 11 nights
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Tanjore - Dharasuram - Madhurai - Periyar - Kottayam - Kumarakom - Cochin
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Arrive in Chennai and transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast at your hotel and visit Chennai. The largest city in Southern India, Chennai is the capital and commercial center of the state of Tamil Nadu with its port and also the largest film production center. We visit the Government Museum and its extensive collection of bronzes, the district of Mylapore and the famous Kapaleshwara temple dedicated to Shiva. Later, drive to Mahabalipuram and check into your hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Kanchipuram.
One of the seven holy cities of Hinduism, the capital of the Pallava dynasty for several centuries, Kanchipuram is known for its magnificent temple of the seventh century, the Kailashnath,is a masterpiece of Dravidian sculpture.
Back to Mahabalipuram and visit of Mahabalipuram: Bustling port in the seventh century under the Pallava dynasty, this village is famous for its monolithic temples, and Rathas (chariots), carved caves with great frescos in bas-relief style depicting the "Descent of the Ganges" and the very famous shore temple built on the beach that defies the waves of the ocean for twelve centuries. Afternoon free at leisure on the beach.
Overnight at the hotel.
One of the seven holy cities of Hinduism, the capital of the Pallava dynasty for several centuries, Kanchipuram is known for its magnificent temple of the seventh century, the Kailashnath,is a masterpiece of Dravidian sculpture.
Back to Mahabalipuram and visit of Mahabalipuram: Bustling port in the seventh century under the Pallava dynasty, this village is famous for its monolithic temples, and Rathas (chariots), carved caves with great frescos in bas-relief style depicting the "Descent of the Ganges" and the very famous shore temple built on the beach that defies the waves of the ocean for twelve centuries. Afternoon free at leisure on the beach.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Pondicherry. Check-in at the hotel.
Pondicherry: While taking a stroll on a stroll through this former French colony, we can visit the museum which houses some furniture and objects from the colonial era, the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, the war memorial, the monument dedicated to Gandhi, along the sea, and also the statue of Dupleix. But Pondicherry is best known for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, located in the city. Dinner at a French restaurant in town.
Overnight at hotel.
Pondicherry: While taking a stroll on a stroll through this former French colony, we can visit the museum which houses some furniture and objects from the colonial era, the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, the war memorial, the monument dedicated to Gandhi, along the sea, and also the statue of Dupleix. But Pondicherry is best known for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, located in the city. Dinner at a French restaurant in town.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Tanjore via Chidambaram. Visit the temple of Shiva Nataraja.
Capital of Chola dynasty of the tenth to twelfth century, Chidambaram is still the citadel of Saivism and we visit this vast religious city where the great temple of Shiva Nataraja is situated . Continue to Thanjavur or Tanjore.
Stop in Gangaikondacholapuram (weather permitting) for a short visit of the is beautiful temple built by Emperor Rajendra between XI to the XII century Gangaikondacholapuram is a home to beautiful statues richly ornate and 55 meter high. At the entrance of the temple stands a giant nandi or a bull facing the tower. Arrive in Thanjavur and check into your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Capital of Chola dynasty of the tenth to twelfth century, Chidambaram is still the citadel of Saivism and we visit this vast religious city where the great temple of Shiva Nataraja is situated . Continue to Thanjavur or Tanjore.
Stop in Gangaikondacholapuram (weather permitting) for a short visit of the is beautiful temple built by Emperor Rajendra between XI to the XII century Gangaikondacholapuram is a home to beautiful statues richly ornate and 55 meter high. At the entrance of the temple stands a giant nandi or a bull facing the tower. Arrive in Thanjavur and check into your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Tanjore: A centre of Dravidian culture and music, Thanjavur is known for its museum and gallery with bronze sculpture and its magnificent temple Brihadishvara, the finest example of Chola architecture, remarkable for the quality of its ornamentation.
Excursion to Dharasuram.
Overnight at the hotel.
Visit Tanjore: A centre of Dravidian culture and music, Thanjavur is known for its museum and gallery with bronze sculpture and its magnificent temple Brihadishvara, the finest example of Chola architecture, remarkable for the quality of its ornamentation.
Excursion to Dharasuram.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Madurai. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.
Visit the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is the oldest city of Tamil Nadu, known for its Meenakshi temple. This masterpiece of Vijayanagar architecture of the seventeenth century, dedicated to Shiva and his consort Meenakshi, is one of the most lively and fascinating of India, a labyrinth of courts and halls, a veritable city in the holy city. In the evening, we can participate in the evening ceremony, the ceremony of taking Parvati to the temple of Shiva.
Overnight at the hotel.
Visit the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is the oldest city of Tamil Nadu, known for its Meenakshi temple. This masterpiece of Vijayanagar architecture of the seventeenth century, dedicated to Shiva and his consort Meenakshi, is one of the most lively and fascinating of India, a labyrinth of courts and halls, a veritable city in the holy city. In the evening, we can participate in the evening ceremony, the ceremony of taking Parvati to the temple of Shiva.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Road to Periyar. Check-in at the hotel.
Nice stop on the road from Madurai to Cochin, Periyar National Park is a reserve spread over of 777km2 created around a lake. One can take a boat ride and can see many birds and wild elephants. You can also visit the spice plantations.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Nice stop on the road from Madurai to Cochin, Periyar National Park is a reserve spread over of 777km2 created around a lake. One can take a boat ride and can see many birds and wild elephants. You can also visit the spice plantations.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Kottayam through the Cardamom Mountains with many plantations of tea, coffee and spices. Arrive at Kottayam, and departure for the excursion on the Backwaters.
The excursion on the "backwaters" is a fascinating trip on the lagoons and canals that wind through this region pre-sea Kerala where nature is lush and generous. The natural network of waterways that crisscross the "ketuvallams" traditional boats with roofs mat connects Kottayam to Alleppy. Arrive at the Kumarakom hotel by boat.
Check-in at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
The excursion on the "backwaters" is a fascinating trip on the lagoons and canals that wind through this region pre-sea Kerala where nature is lush and generous. The natural network of waterways that crisscross the "ketuvallams" traditional boats with roofs mat connects Kottayam to Alleppy. Arrive at the Kumarakom hotel by boat.
Check-in at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free at leisure. Drive to Cochin. Check-in at your hotel. Visit Cochin. You can see a Kathakali dance performance in the evening in town.
Overnight at your hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Cochin.
The history of Cochin is marked by its ancient trading ties with Portugal and Holland. The example of the Dutch presence is the beautiful Dutch Palace or Matancherry palace and its frescoes, the synagogue of the XVI century with its chandeliers and blue tiles from China, Church of St Francis, the oldest in the country and port with its large fishing nets made by the Chinese.
Overnight at the hotel.
The history of Cochin is marked by its ancient trading ties with Portugal and Holland. The example of the Dutch presence is the beautiful Dutch Palace or Matancherry palace and its frescoes, the synagogue of the XVI century with its chandeliers and blue tiles from China, Church of St Francis, the oldest in the country and port with its large fishing nets made by the Chinese.
Overnight at the hotel.
Transfer to the international airport.
