Heritage Tour to South India

Day 1: Chennai - Mammallapuram
On arrival at Chennai airport/ railway station you will be met by our representative and will drive you to Mammallapuram (60kms, 1.5hr.). Check in to the hotel & Overnight stay at Mammallapuram where you'll find a kaleidoscope of history, culture, tradition, religion and piety.
Day 2: Mammallapuram
AM 0900 Hrs After breakfast we take you for a full day sightseeing in Mahabalipuram, the world heritage site which is famous for its monolith temples that are centuries old, the shore temple, Arjuna's Penance (i.e. it consists of two large boulders with a natural fissure that has a serpent god and a serpent goddess engaged in the act of worship), Krishna Mandapam (ages old temple dedicated to lord Krishna), the Five Rathas (the famous rock cut temples) and the surf lapping beach .There over hundred images of Gods, holy sages, divine and semi divine gods and numerous other images of animals of mythological importance. Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 3: Mamallapuram - Kanchipuram - Vellore - Thiruvannamalai
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you to Kanchipuram (58 kms/1.5 hr) (one of the most sacred sites famous for its temples) to visit the Kailasanath Temple (dedicated to lord Shiva), the Ekambaranatha temple, Vaikuntha Perumal temple, Varadaraja temple, the Kamakshi Amman temple and the many 'gopurams' (pyramid shaped tower gateways to the Dravidian age temples). Then we take you to Vellore (61 kms/1.5 hr) to see the forts of Tipu Sultan and the Jalakendeswara temple. Later in the day we drive you to Thiruvannamalai (76 kms/2.5 hrs) to visit the holy mountain Arunachala (important pilgrimage center of Tamil Nadu). The Karthigai Deepam festival has a big flame lit atop the Thiruvannamalai hills, which attracts a huge crowd of devotees. There are beautiful sculptures on the pillars and idol lingam. Take part in enjoying the ashram life at Ramanna Maharishi's ashram at the base of the mountain. Overnight stay in Thiruvannamalai.

Day 4: Thiruvannamalai - Gingee - Pondicherry (89 kms/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs soon after breakfast check out from the hotel & drive down to Pondicherry. On arrival check into the hotel. Later we drive you to Gingee Fort and on to Pondicherry where we take you to a sightseeing tour of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram founded by the philosopher in 1920 and later led by Mirra Alfassa his French companion; the Pondicherry museum, Promenade beach, Bharti & Bhartisadan memorial museum, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Auroville (, the city of dawn), the botanical garden, Villaiayanur temple and the Mansion of Ananda.Overnight stay in hotel. Pondicherry.

Day 5: Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Darasuram - Tanjore (175 kms/5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after breakfast and we drive to Chidambaram to see the Nataraja temple, the 9th century Shiva temple and the exquisite emerald lingam statue. In Gangaikondacholapuram visit the Gangaikondacholapuram imperial chola temple and at Darasuram you can see the Airavatesvara temple built in typical chola style in dedication of lord Shiva. On arrival in Tanjore check in at the hotel. Overnight in stay in hotel. Tanjore.

Day 6 : Tanjore-Trichy (60 kms/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you for a full day sightseeing in Tanjore where we take you to view the beautiful Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, The Palace, the Art Gallery, Saraswathi Mahal Library ,Hall of Music, Schwartz Church, Sivaganga Tank, Thirukandiyur, Thiruvaiyaru and in the evening drive to Trichy. On arrival check into the hotel. In Trichy visit the Ranganathaswamy temple (the biggest temple complex in India and has the tallest temple tower) also view the Rock fort temple overlooking the Cauvery Delta. Overnight stay inTrichy.

Day 7: Trichy-Madurai (21 kms/35 mins)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you to Madurai to see the beautiful Sri Meenakshi temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, the Mari Amman Tepakkulam Tank, Gandhi museum and the Temple art museum. Overnight stay in hotel. Madurai.

Day 8: Madurai to Periyar (85 miles/4 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs Check out from the hotel for a drive to Periyar. Go for a spice plantation Tour (Optional) & later for boating in the Periyar lake to view the wildlife at the Periyar tiger reserve (Optional). Overnight stay in Hotel, Thekkady.

Day 9: Periyar-Alleppey (175 kms/4.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you to Alleppey (175 Kms / 4.5 Hrs). On arrival board on to the houseboat from the jetty. Rest of the day at leisure on the House Boat. Sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals of Kumarakom & Alleppey. Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and Overnight stay on House Boat.

Day 10: Alleppey-Cochin (95 kms/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you for a half day sightseeing of Cochin, Visit: The Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jews Street, St.Francis church, Chinese fishing net & The indo-Portuguese Museum. Later transfer you back to Hotel. Evening we take to show Kathakali dance (ancient dance of kerala - Optional). Overnight stay in Hotel.

Day 11: Departure
AM At leisure, later we will pick up from Hotel and transfer you to / Railway station. End of Tour / services.

Happy Tour Ending.