Description

South India lies in the peninsular Deccan Plateau and is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south and the Bay of Bengal in the east. South India is a peninsula in the shape of a vast inverted triangle. You will visit Chennai the only city in South Asia and India to figure in the “52 places to go around the world” by The New York Times. Here you will visit Marina & Golden Beach (a very beautiful beach in India). Also tour St. Thomas Church, Fort St. George, Fort Museum, Birla Planetarium, Light House, Vivekananda House, Shiva Temple & Kapileswar Temple. Then you will be off to Kanchipuram to explore the Kanchipuram Temples, Ekambaswara, Kailashnatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy. Kanchipuram is also famous for its beautiful Silk Fabric. Free to explore the beaches. Mahabalipuram is the sight for several antique sculptural marvels cut out of rocks more than 1200 years ago. In Pondicherry you will tour the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Ganesh Temple (Manakula Vinayagar Temple), Vedapureeswarar Temple, Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Navagraha Temple, French Colonies & Churches. In Chidambaram explore the Natraj Temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. Drive on to Kumbeswar Temple. If time permits, visit the Brass factory in Kumbakonam. In Thanjavur explore the city of Cholas for great temple architecture while you visit Brihadeswara Shiva Temple & the Nandi Temple, carved out of a single rock. Next move on to Madurai and visit the Meenakshi Temple with a Temple complex, Gandhi Museum, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Azhagar Kovil, Thiruparankundram Lord Subramanya Temple & Koodal Temple. Visit the famous night shopping market. Then proceed to Rameswaram and visit Ramanathaswami Temple, Ram Setu, Dhanushkodi & Agni Theertham Temple. Kanya Kumari lies at the southernmost tip of mainland India. Here you will visit Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari Temple, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, and ferry across to the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial and watch the amazing sunset. In the morning enjoy the sun rise during your breakfast. Later leave for Trivandrum Airport to board you international flight home.

Tour Highlights

•  Boat ride Kanya Kumari
•  White water beaches and Coconut Water
•    Climb a coconut tree/or watch a climber
•    The lungi defined
•    Learn to tie a sari
•    Ayurvedic and holistic massage OPTIONAL
•    Yoga/Meditation Lesson
•    Cooking class (time permitting)
•    Interactive Games- Every Night
•    Find out why the local people call Kerala Gods Own Country.
•    And more surprises await time permitting

• Itinerary
• Date & Prices
• Inclusions
• Exclusions
• Reviews

Day1

Cochin

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Enjoy a special Welcome Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel D

Day2

Chennai

Morning after a buffet breakfast, visit Marina & Golden Beach (a very beautiful beach in India). Also tour St. Thomas Church, Fort St. George, Fort Museum, Birla Planetarium, Light House, Vivekananda House, Shiva Temple – Kapileswar Temple & others. Chennai is the gateway to South India, established in 1639 by the East India Company. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day3

Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram

After buffet breakfast proceed to Kanchipuram (70 kms) – explore the Kanchipuram Temples. This city is the ancient capital of the Pallavas with 1000 Temples and 124 shrines. The first Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailashnatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of importance. Kanchipuram is also famous for its Silk Fabric. Arrive Mahabalipuram and check in to your Hotel. Evening free to explore the Beaches. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day4

Mahabalipura-Pondicherry

Morning after breakfast in the Hotel, visit Mahabalipuram the Pallavas Panch Rath & the Arjun Shilanyas Temple. This ancient Pallava Port, built in the 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes – of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others – are truly poems in stone. The only Shore Temple which remains here is the spectacular two – spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Later proceed to Pondicherry (70 kms). Arrive & check in to the Hotel. Evening free to explore the beaches. Overnight at Hotel.

Day5

Pondicherri

After buffet breakfast in the Hotel, tour the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Ganesh Temple (Manakula Vinayagar Temple), Vedapureeswarar Temple, Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Navagraha Temple, French Colonies & Churches. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day6

Pondicherry-Chidamram-Kumbakonam-Thanjavur

Morning after breakfast proceed to Chidambaram (70 kms). Arrive & find explore at the centre of the town the large Natraj Temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva as the divine dancer or Natraj, the foremost of all dancers. This complex, spread out over 40 acres is dedicated to the God who is usually represented by the phallic symbol, houses other Temples, a tank, and the ‘thousand pillared hall. Non-Hindus are allowed into the complex but not into the Gold plated sanctum sanctorum that houses the idol. Move on to Kumbeswar Temple located on the Tanjore main Road Kumbakonam (75 kms). Aathi (Origin) Kumbeswara Swamy is the main deity of the Temple Aathi Kumbeswarar. The Kumbeswarar is in Shiva Linga form which is a formless form. The conical shaped Linga is of very special significance. If time permits, we will also visit the Brass factory in Kumbakonam. Then drive to Thanjavur (45 kms), arrive & check in. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day7

Thanjavur-Trichyr

After breakfast, explore the city of Cholas – Thanjavur, for great Temple Architecture. Visit Brihadeswara Shiva Temple & the Nandi Temple, carved out of a single stone. This city is famous for old Temples & known as the Rice bowl of Tamilnadu. Move on to Trichy (60 kms), arrive & check in to the Hotel. Explore the city & visit: the largest Temple of Lord Vishnu situated in Srirangam on a 600 acres Island, Rock fort Temple, Sri Ranganathaswami Temple in Srirangam, Jambukeswarar Temple & St. Josephs Church. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day8

Trichi-Madurai

Buffet breakfast in the Hotel and then proceed to Rameswaram (170 kms). Arrive & check in to the Hotel. Visit Ramanathaswami Temple, Ram Setu, Dhanushkodi & Agni Theertham Temple. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day9

Madurai -Rameshwaram

Overnight at the Hotel. BAfter breakfast, your day is free until you depart for the Delhi Airport (265 kms) to board your Flight home. Enjoy your farewell lunch.

Day10

Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari

Day11

Kanyakumari-Trivandrum

Day12

Tiruvadrum