Arrive Chennai. On arrival, you will be greeted and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

(Rooms will be available from 1400 hrs)

CHENNAI - Formerly called Madras, it is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This metropolis is often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. Spread over 200 square kilometers with the Bay of Bengal on the east, the city is the gateway to the rest of South India.

On arrival in Chennai, transfer to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast enjoy a short orientation tour of Chennai

Fish Market - Early in the morning, enjoy walk through the Fish Market located on the famous Marina Beach. During the walk, you can see the boats parked casually along the coast, the fish sellers mostly women seated along the edge of the road. If you are lucky, you can not only see the first catch of the sea but can also get a chance to interact with local fishermen.

Kapaleeswara Temple

Kapaleeswarar, an ancient Shiva temple, is the biggest temple in Chennai. A masterpiece of Dravidian style, it displays the architectural elements - gopurams, mandapams, and a tank. There are some fragmentary inscriptions dating back to 1250 AD, though the architecture and structure of this temple are more related to the culture that prevailed in the 16th century when Vijay Nagar kings refurbished it. As per the tradition, Goddess Karpagambal is offered a garland made of gold coins named kaasu maala on the ritual of Friday worship.

Later drive to Pondicherry enroute visiting Mahabalipuram.

MAHABALIPURAM - Also known as Mamallapuram, it is a 7th century coastal town located about 60 km from Chennai.  Mahabalipuram’s name originated from Mamallapuram, where ‘mamall’ means excellent wrestler and was a name offered to King Narasimha Varman I. Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO world heritage site, which has various historical monuments dating back to period between 7th to 9th centuries.  It is home to various rocks cut monuments that stand as an example of the Dravidian architecture. Mahabalipuram is a perfect treat for tourists with its long stretches of sea coast and some of the amazing carved granite structures with Dravidian architecture.

Five Rathas - The Five Rathas, also known as Panch Rathas, is a set of rock temples. They are excellent examples of the evolution of Dravidian style architecture. These temples are built in the same shape as pagodas, and greatly resemble Buddhist shrines and monasteries. The rathas are associated with the great epic Mahabharata. These are the architectural prototypes demonstrate the imposing gopurams and Vimanas; multi pillared halls and sculptured walls, which dominate the landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Arjuna's Penance - The Arjuna's penance is one of the most famous stone carvings at Mahabalipuram. It is an enormous relief made on two massive boulders. One of the biggest open-air rock canvases in the world, the Arjuna's penance is 31m long and 9m high. There are many schools of thoughts over the theme of Arjuna's penance.

Mandapams - In Mahabalipuram, there are eight mandapams (shallow, rock-cut halls) scattered over the main hill, two of which have been left unfinished. They are mainly of interest for their internal figure sculptures. One of the earliest rock-cut temples is the Krishna Mandapam.

Shore Temple - This beautiful and romantic temple, ravaged by wind and sea, represents the final phase of Pallavas art and it was built in the late 7th century during the reign of Rajasimha. It is believed that at one point in time there were seven such temples, six of them were victims to the natural elements of erosion. This temple has three shrines; one dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the other two to Lord Shiva.

Later drive to Pondicherry. Pondicherry has been derived from the Tamil word Puducheri signifying 'the new settlement'. Located perfectly on the Coromandel shoreline, Union Territory of Pondicherry was ruled by the French for more than 3 centuries and today it symbolizes a living monument of the French culture in India.  There is a strong influence of French culture on Pondicherry town, especially on its architecture; Pondicherry is enriched with its architectural marvel and cultural wealth. The main tourist draw in Pondicherry is Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother spent their time for the upliftment of society.

On arrival in Pondicherry, transfer to hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast enjoy sightseeing of Pondicherry which includes following:

Auroville

Located about 10 kms north of Pondicherry, Auroville is described as "the City of Tomorrow". Auroville was envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs could live in peace and harmony in Auroville attractions. Auroville Region is an ideal township devoted to an experiment in human unity. The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity in diversity. It is recognized as the first endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness in Auroville attractions. (It remains closed from 1230 hrs till 1400 hrs).

Later enjoy a nice walk in French quarters of Pondicherry - Once the largest French colony in India, Pondicherry has a long and interesting history of trade and war, the Town is divided by a canal into French Town and Tamil Town. 

We will explore the either side of the Canal- French Town. Here, the French legacy of Pondicherry is still preserved in its French Quarters, with tree-lined streets, Blue-enameled signposts bearing French names, colonial villas and heritage buildings that have been artfully converted into boutique hotels. A seaside promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4m-high Gandhi Memorial.

We will walk around the town passing by colonial buildings having a lush green gardens and nice outlining of Bougainvillea flowers which adds to the beauty of Streets. Pass by some of the important buildings like Our Lady of Angels Church which is the fourth oldest Church, Mayor House, French War Memorial, Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Aayi Mandapam built by Napoleon III, Legislative Building, Raj Nivas; the current residence for City's Governor, Puducherry Museum from outside and will end our walk with the visit to Aurobindo Ashram.

Also visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Founded by Sri Aurobindo way back in November 1926. Initially the Ashram comprised of only 24 disciples. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry has come a long way from its initial days of inception. It now features among the major places of tourist interest in Pondicherry. Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry today is a large institution that has its extensions in almost all the major cities all over the world. It offers many charitable benefits to the area, including free medical amenities and a publishing house.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Kumbakonam. 

On the way, enjoy visit of Nataraj Temple

The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is an excellent example of a unique amalgamation of a number of architectural styles. The innermost sanctum inside the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple has idols of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. The Chitsabha inside the temple is an interesting piece of architecture. The other fascinating and important shrine located inside the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is the Govindaraja Perumaal. There are five halls in the temples including Nritha Sabha, Hall of Immortal Dance. Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga Tank and the thousand pillar hall are also important features of the temple. (It remains closed from 1200 hrs till 1600 hrs).

Continue drive to Kumbakonam and visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram (From outside)

Gangaikonda Cholapuram was famed as the capital of the Cholas during 11th century. It was during the reign of Rajendra Chola I; Gangaikonda Cholapuram reached the pinnacle of its fame. The name Gangaikonda Cholapuram means the city of the Chola King who captured the Ganges. The prime attraction at this place is the great temple of Lord Shiva. This temple is similar to the great temple Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur. This temple is just behind the Thanjavur temple in its monumental nature and designs. There is a structure of a Vimana which holds the visitor's sight. It resembles the pyramidal tower in Thanjavur temple. (It remains closed from 1200 hrs till 1600 hrs).

Continue drive to Kumbakonam.

KUMBAKONAM – The name "Kumbakonam", roughly translated in English as the "POT"s angle", is believed to be an allusion to the mythical pot, the  Sanskrit kumbha of the Hindu god Brahma, which according to Hindu legend, contained the seed of all living beings on earth. The kumbha is believed to have been displaced by a deluge and ultimately came to rest at the spot where the town of Kumbakonam now stands. It is one of the oldest towns in Tamilnadu and is famous for its Mahamaham festival celebrated once in 12 years in the Mahamaham tank.  It is called the 'Temple Town' of South India and is picturesquely located amidst the two rivers, Cauvery & Arasalar. The temples are massive depicting the architectural beauty of the ancient Indian structures.

On arrival in Kumbakonam, transfer to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Visit of Mr. Ramamohan’s house in Kumbakonam. There, he is keeping the ancient art form of Kalamkari alive and thriving.  He will talk with the group on this art.  A heritage passed on from generation to generation in his family, he is now carrying the art form into its new age. Kalamkari originated during the Marathas’ rule over Thanjavur and was frequently commissioned by the royal family.

Also visit the Dharasuram Airavateshwara Temple - The town of Darasuram is located near Kumbakonam. A 'Sculptor's dream in stone', musical pillars, mandapam in the shape of a chariot, a wealth of sculpture and painting are synonymous with Airavateshvara Temple in Darasuram. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a well-preserved example of 12^th century Chola architecture. Darasuram is an ancient town and is also boasts a silk weaving centre. (It remains closed from 1200 hrs till 1600 hrs).

In the evening enjoy a Ride on the bullock cart, piercing through the little village, and one could see both sides of lush and green paddy fields, and the ancient historic two temples in between (Chathurkala Bhairavar & Karkadeshwar-) which are several centuries beyond one’s imagination.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Chettinad. En route enjoy visit of Thanjavur

Brihadeswa Temple & Fort

Built by great Chola king in the 10th century it is an outstanding example of Chola architecture and is listed in world heritage. On the top of the apex of 63 metres high, a dome is said to be constructed from a single piece of granite, weighing an estimated 81 tones. The dome was hauled into place along a 6 km earthwork ramp in a manner similar to the one used by the Egyptian Pyramids. The temple has been the sense of continuous worship for over thousand years. Only Hindus are allowed inside. (It remains closed from 1200 to 1600 hrs).

After the visit continue drive to Chettinad

Chettinad is a region which includes Karaikudi and 74 other villages in Sivaganga district of southern Tamil Nadu state. Karaikudi is known as the capital of Chettinadu. Chettinadu is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to South and Southeast Asia in the 19th centuary. Chettinadu is famous for culinary delicacies, Chettinadu mansions which are rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture, antique shopping and also famous for temples originally built by early Tamil dynasties like the Cholas. Sightseeing include visit to Chettinadu palace, Tirumayam fort, Chettinadu Museum, visit to near by temples like Kunakudi, Nemam, and Pillayarpetti, visit to the weekly Chettinadu Shandy, the local market and Shopping trip to Karaikudi where Antiques, Chettinadu Sarees and silver wear.

On arrival in Chettinad, transfer to hotel.

Evening, enjoy visit of the Chettinad region to see the Chettinad Mansions and the local houses and the colorful surroundings – ancient Chettiar house was representative of the power and social standing of the merchant. As a result the house was influenced by luxurious products and design concepts from the multitude of western and Asian cultures that the Chettiars were exposed to during their travels. The most iconic feature of Chettinad homes is the sheer scale of luxury and the mix of such a wide variety of aesthetic influences which come together to form one amalgamous and unique form of architecture. There are plenty of important temples as well in the town.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Madurai.

MADURAI – Legend says that once Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of King Kulasekhara Pandya. The King was amazed to see drops of nectar or madhu falling down on the Earth from Lord Shiva's matted hair. The "madhu" was so sweet that the place where it fell came to be known as Madhurapuri, which in course of time became "Madurai." Madurai is also called the Athens of the East. It is a place of great historical and cultural importance. It is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and lies on the banks of the River Vaigai.  Madurai is famous for its temples, monuments and ancient cultural wonders. The city is widely known as the Temple City, and is often also referred to as The City of Four Junctions (Koodal Maanagar), The Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu (Kalaachaara Thalainagar), The City of Jasmine (Malligai Maanagar), The City That Never Sleeps (Thoonga Nagaram), and The City of Festivals.

On arrival in Madurai, transfer to hotel.

Enjoy visit of Madurai including following:

Meenakshi Temple

This temple is nearly 2000 years old placed in the heart of the old town-a splendid example of Dravidian architecture. The present temple was designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayak and subsequently built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak. There are four entrances to the temple with an area of six hectares. Each of its 12 towers has the height of 45 to 50 meters. The Potrama Raikulam or the Golden Lotus Tank is the place where the Tamil literacy society, called Sangam used to meet to decide the merits of the work presented to them. The temple museum has 985 richly carved pillars and each one surpasses the other in beauty.  (It remains closed from 1200 hrs till 1530 hrs).

Tirumalai Nayak Mahal

The palace (or Mahal) was built by Thirumalai Naicker, the greatest of Nayakkar kings of Madurai.  The Nayaks ruled Madurai from 1545 till 1740, after the Pandya kings. The palace is the place where Thirumalai Naicker lived and held his court. The palace complex area was originally four times bigger than it is now, consisting of two portions – Swarga vilasa and Ranga vilasa. There were also other portions like the palace shrine, harem, theater, royal band stand, armory and other structures which were used to accommodate palanquins, royal chariots, relatives, servants, guests and other regal paraphernalia.

In the late Evening enjoy the ceremony 'Bedtime of the God' at Meenakshi Temple - Evening visit the Meenakshi Temple to attend the evening ceremony known as 'Bedtime of the God'. A colourful procession, in which the image of Shiva is carried & accompanied by musicians, temple singers and priests from his shrine, Enroute Shiva visits the other deities before entering Parvati's (Meenakshi) temple to sleep with her for the night. This ceremony is worth witnessing.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Munnar by Surface.

MUNNAR - the queen of hill stations is located at the confluence of three mountain streams namely, Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,450 meters (4,760 ft) to 2,695 meters (8,842 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi - which towers 2695 meters above sea level. In the year 1790, the Duke of Wellington became the first European to visit these hills. Later in 1870, the Poonjar Chief leased out 588 sq. kms. to J D Munro, a Scottish tea planter. Munnarbecame the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days, Today's Munnar has unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air. Munnar has all these and more. ...

On arrival in Munnar, transfer to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel

After early breakfast, enjoy a nice walking tour through the tea plantation in Munnar - Drive for some time to the starting point of the walk - Munnar a hill station of South India is famous for Tea Plantations. We will walk through some of the lush green plantations to experience the beauty of this place. Through the plantation, we will climb up to the hill to grasslands passing by the rocky surfaces to capture some of the breath taking views in our camera from different points. As we reach the top, we will find the clouds very close to us and the scenery around us will leave us spellbound. This 02 ½ -03 hours hiking will offer us varied experiences.

Visit the Srishti welfare centre (Visit is possible between 0900 – 1430 Hrs and on Sundays it remains closed) - This initiative of Tata Global Beverages runs welfare programs that include education and rehabilitation of differently abled children of the estate staff. They welcome visitors into their space to foster dialogue. You can pick up products made from handmade paper and natural dye fabric from the centre’s store.

Later visit a Tea Factory - There are several tea factories in Munnar and vicinity that can be explored. Visit a tea factory. See how tea is prepared in the factory and know about the complexities of tea processing. You will surely love the taste of Munnar tea. It's an aromatic experience.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Kumarakom on the way enjoy lunch in Mundackal home stay later enjoy Farm visit and spice Plantation / Rubber plantation walk

KUMARAKOM - This tiny village loaded with infinite natural pulchritude derives its name from two words ‘Kumaran’ and ‘Akam’. Kumaran is the name of the deity worshipped here since ages and Akam means the domicile. Thus, Kumarakom is the resident of the Lord Kumaran. Kumarakom is established on the manmade land that was reclaimed from the cosmic Vembanad Lake. This exotic backwater hamlet endowed with thick lush greenery, verdant and spanking fresh shrubs and bushes, paddy fields, coconut groves and mangrove forests overwhelmingly covering every vacant inch of land and water lilies and algae embroidering the fringes offer a flabbergasting treat to the thirsty eyes. The morning dew and smoky mist that wraps the surface with ethereal veil adds more than a glint to the milieu.

On arrival in Kumarakom, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast day is free at leisure at the resort.

Enjoy day cruising at backwaters along with the traditional lunch at House boat.

Backwaters Various, lagoons, and waterways surround Kumarakom's small cluster of islands. These numerous water ways make up what is known as the Backwaters. Numerous types of flora and fauna can be seen against the mirror like lagoons as you sail across the picture perfect backwaters on a Houseboat. The houseboats are well equipped with all of the modern amenities with living rooms, bathrooms, and an equipped kitchenette

Enjoy cooking demonstration at the hotel. Later enjoy Sundowners activity at Coconut Lagoon which includes one bottle of beer / 01 glass of wine

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast we will take you for a walk of Allapuzha (Alleppey) Town.

Alleppey is the must visit destination in the itinerary of Kerala. Its Backwaters are world famous and attracts lots of tourists but very few know the architectural marvels this town possesses. Today, we will take you on a short tour in the interiors of Alleppey town with the female volunteers who are as enthusiastic as us to value and preserve our heritages. This exploration trip of less than 02 hours will start with a small slide show on Alleppey to give you an idea of What Alleppey was and how it changed with the passage of time. The tour which is a mix of driving and walking will take us on streets with abandoned Gujarati (One of the businessmen communities of India) buildings. These volunteers are not professional guides, so the expertise of guides should not be expected. They are local and know the place like the back of their hand and it's the passion about their heritage which is propelling them to conduct such tours and thereby creating the awareness about the place to preserve it. We will also pass by some churches, Temples and a mosque and will finally end the walk with a nice Lunch one of the Volunteer's home.

After breakfast drive to Cochin

COCHIN - Cochin has long been eulogized in tourist literature as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. Its location between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, its rich medley of Indian and foreign architecture, it’s truly unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets and its quaint quiet localities like the Jewish Quarters demand the attention of all who travel to Kerala. Set on a cluster of islands and a peninsula, Cochin (now, Kochi) is a blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village. Cochin remained incomplete in terms of success till the arrival of the Portuguese. It is believed that the Cochin district came into existence in the year 1102 AD after the breakup of the Khulasekhara Empire.

In the evening enjoy a Kathakali Dance drama / Dance Performance - A special treat awaits us this evening as we proceed to witness the strength and vigor of Kathakali dance drama, as it enacts episodes from great Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry.

Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast, enjoy the walk around Fort Cochin area - This walking tour gives you a glimpse into Cochin’s rich history and heritage, showcasing the mixed Dutch, Portuguese, and British and Jewish influences that make the city unique. During the tour, we will visit the old quarter of Fort Kochi, exploring the quaint streets of this city on foot. We will also visit Fort Kochi’s seaside promenade, and get a glimpse of daily life in Kochi. The duration of the walk will be around 02 Hours.

You will visit the St. Francis Church: It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3^rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out. Spend around 30 Minutes here. After a short walk reach at Santa Cruz Basilica – This is Roman Catholic Church with beautiful paintings on the ceiling, continue the walk and visit Dutch Cemetery close to St Francis Church. Continue your walk after 10 minutes walk reach at Chinese Fishing nets (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Oddly, these nets are found only in Kochi, outside China! Many fishermen earn their livelihood by fishing using these massive nets. A whole stretch of the coast along Fort Kochi and Vypeen are dotted with these nets.

Enjoy a cruise in the waters around Cochin Harbor and watch the sunset over the city known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. The 1.5-hour motorboat cruise passes by some of the islands around Kochi, glides through the main harbor, and finishes at the Chinese fishing nets. You have the chance to admire the sunset from the boat at the mouth of the backwaters where the Kochi Lagoon opens out into the Arabian Sea. The Chinese fishing nets stand out in a pink haze against the backdrop of the sunset, creating a truly memorable sight. Cochin in the south Indian state of Kerala is an idyllic retreat on the Arabian Sea. Serene Backwaters, lagoons with feathery coconut palms, and picturesque islands make it an attractive tourist destination. Quaint cantilever Chinese fishing nets, the beautiful Malabar Coast, and the setting sun make a perfect background for a cruise in the sea.

Enjoy a nice farewell dinner with 01 glass of wine / 01 bottle of beer at Brunton Boatyard.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Cochin airport to board flight for onward journey / back home.

(Rooms will be available till 12:00 hrs)

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