South India Heritage Tour

Day 1: Chennai
On arrival in Chennai you willl be met by our representative and will transfer you to hotel. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 2: Chennai - Mahabalipuram (60 kms/1.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take on a city tour including Fort St George, St Mary's Church and St Thomas Cathedral. Afternoon we take you to Dakshinachitra Cultural Village. In the evening drive to Mahabalipuram for an overnight stay.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
AM 0900Hrs after breakfast we take you for a sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram.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). In the afternoon drive down to Pondicherry. Overnight stay at Kailash Beach Resort, which is a heritage property.

Day 4: Pondicherry
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take for a full day city tour covering the French quarter of Pondicherry including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram; 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 Amanda. Overnight at Kailash Beach Resort.

Day 5: Pondicherry - Darasuram (72kms/1 hr)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from hotel after breakfast. Drive down to Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram and see the impressive chola style 10th Century Temples, the Mahammam Tank and the Airavateswara temple. Overnight at Swamimalai Heritage Resort.

Day 6: Swamimalai
AM 0900 Hrs full day at Swamimalai where you can experience the traditional crafts such as bronze statue making and pottery. In the evening watch a Cultural Programme. Overnight at Swamimalai.

Day 7: Tanjore - Karaikudi (90 kms/1.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after breakfast and drive down to Tanjore (148 kms/2 hrs). On arrival visit the Pullamangai Temple, Tanjore Temple and Museum. Later drive down to Karaikudi home to old merchants houses build in traditional style and the beautiful Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwara temple. Overnight at Heritage House.

Day 8: Karaikudi - Dindugal (137 kms/3 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out From the hotel after breakfast and drive 3 hrs to Dindugal and check in to Cardamom House, a quiet traditional home situated on the banks of the Kamaraj Lake at the foot of the Western Ghats.The villages closely offer ample opportunity to see the daily of Tamil people. Overnight at Cardamom House.

Day 9: Dindugal - Madurai (143 kms/3.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Madurai and check in to Taj Garden Retreat. In the afternoon visit the Madurai Meenakshi temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, the Mari Amman Tepakkulam Tank, Gandhi museum and the Temple art museum. Overnight at Taj.

Day 10: Madurai - Kovalam (254 kms/5.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Kovalam en route visiting Padmanabhapuram Teak Palace, The Napier Museum and Kuthiramalika Museum. Overnight at Chowra Beach near Kovalam at Travancore Heritage.

Day 11: Kovalam
AM 0900 hrs after breakfast we take you a full day leisure at the Beach. Overnight stay at Travancore Heritage.

Day 12: Kovalam - Kumarakom (190 kms/4.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from Hotel and we drive down to Kumarakom (190 Kms / 4.5 Hrs). On arrival at Kumarakom visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and later check in at hotel in, Evening go for Sunset cruise (optional) or enjoy the beauty of backwater by just relaxing near Vembanadu Lake.

Day 13: Houseboat
Morning at leisure at resort, 1230 hrs check in at houseboat. 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. You will see the traditional life style of keralites-fishing, temples, tending crops, beautiful coconut plantations and the traditional kerala houses. Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and Overnight stay on House Boat.

Day 14: Houseboat - Cochin (95 kms/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we transfer you to Alleppey by motorboat and then drive to Cochin. In the afternoon go sightseeing of Fort Cochin, The Dutch Palace (Mattancherry), Jewish Synagogue, Jews Street, St.Francis church, Chinese fishing net & the indo-Portughese Museum. In the evening watch Kathakali Dance Performance. Overnight at Heritage Fort - Heritage Property.

Day 15: Departure
AM: At leisure, later we will pick up from Hotel and transfer you to Cochin- airport / Railway station. End of Tour / services.

Happy Tour Ending.