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Explore cultural, spiritual and tropical Southern India on this 16 days adventure through one of the most ancient temples which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites along with lush lands and small villages.
Beneath the green shade of a coastal paradise, you’ll meet with locals in their fishing villages and tribal homes. Join them in the bazaars, witness them on their daily lives on buses and boats or even on a pilgrimage in Madurai. From cultural and spiritual sights of Mahabalipuram, Tanjore and Trichy to French-influenced Puducherry and the vast landscape of Periyar, Southern India's spirituality, friendly people and wild animal sanctuaries make it fascinating to explore.
Search for elusive wildlife, including elephants, sloths and birds on a safari around one of the best places in India to observe nature up close – Periyar National Park.
Explore cultural, spiritual and tropical Southern India on this 16 days adventure through one of the most ancient temples which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites along with lush lands and small villages.
Beneath the green shade of a coastal paradise, you’ll meet with locals in their fishing villages and tribal homes. Join them in the bazaars, witness them on their daily lives on buses and boats or even on a pilgrimage in Madurai. From cultural and spiritual sights of Mahabalipuram, Tanjore and Trichy to French-influenced Puducherry and the vast landscape of Periyar, Southern India's spirituality, friendly people and wild animal sanctuaries make it fascinating to explore.
Search for elusive wildlife, including elephants, sloths and birds on a safari around one of the best places in India to observe nature up close – Periyar National Park.
Welcome to India with Local Adventures India! You will be received by our representative at the airport of Chennai (Madras). Take a city tour of Chennai - the capital of Tamil Nadu, known as the Gateway to the South. Fort St. George built in 1653 during British reign in India, now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; St. Marys Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India. Later visit Sri Parthasarathy Temple built by Pallavas in the 8th century AD; Kapaliswara Temple, Mylapore also an eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; San Thomas Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica, Later take a walk at second longest Asian Marina Beach. Overnight at hotel in Chennai
Departure for Pondicherry, Afternoon sightseeing tour of Pondicherry. Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sights are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual environment. Overnight at hotel in Pondicherry.
After breakfast drive to Tanjore (Thanjavur), Enroute visit Chidambaram famous for the Nataraja temple, sanctrum with golden plates, Bharatnatayam form of dance postures are depicted in sculpture. Later visit Gangai konda cholapuram which was once the capital of Chola rulers, Here visit majestic Shiva temple constructed in the year 1025 CE and has been accorded the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Later visit Viswanathar temple, Adhi Kumbeswarar temple, Sarangapani temple, Mahamaham Tank in Kumbakonam, After that visit darasuram Airavatesvara temple recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument. On arrival at Thanjavur, check-in at the hotel, overnight at hotel in Tanjore (Thanjavur).
Today visit Chettinad, gets its name from the Chettiars, a powerful and prosperous business community whose influence is clearly discernible in the region's culture, crafts and cuisine. The old wealth of the Chettiars can still be seen in the large number of elaborate 19th century mansions they built in a mix of Indian and European styles. On this day-excursion visit some of the finest Chettinad mansions. Later drive to Karaikudi, Apart from the houses, Karaikudi offers extensive antique shopping, weekly shandy [village market], a number of temples, visits to Craftsmen working with wood and metal, silversmiths and goldsmiths, attractive Textiles and most important the exciting Chettinad Cuisine. Later move to Madurai for Overnight stay at your hotel in Madurai.
Proceed to Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by. In the evening you can go for sight seeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai - a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats). Other important places are Muttupetty Dam and Indo Swiss project (you can also enjoy boating in the Lake) and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Overnight stay will be at hotel in Munnar.
After breakfast in the morning, proceed to Periyar. Later arrive to Periyar, Check in at hotel on arrival. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more. Evening go for boat cruise in the Periyar lake - Wildlife sanctuary, to watch wild animals. Overnight stay in Periyar/ Thekaddy
After breakfast, proceed to Alappuzha – most still call it Alleppey – is the hub of Kerala's backwaters, home to a vast network of waterways, with its modest grid of canals, you'd be hard-pressed to agree with the 'Venice of the East' . Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. Over 900 km of this canal water is navigable and connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. Cruise through the backwaters to Alleppy and enjoy mesmerising sunset. Overnight will be at Houseboat.
This morning, take on Kochi with a leader-led orientation walk and city tour. Visit Mattancherry and drop by the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before it was renovated and presented to the Rajas of Cochin by the Dutch. Maybe visit the Paradesi Synagogue – the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth and home to many rare antiques. Explore the Jewish Quarter. In the evening, experience a Kathakali performance – this Keralan dance is an ornately costumed display of storytelling, requiring complete control of the body. Have delicious dinner at one of our suggest authentic Kerala cuisine restaurant in Fort Kochi Area. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kochi.
Today after breakfast move towards Mahabalipuram. On the way to Mahabalipuram, visit Kanchipuram, 70 kms west of Mahabalipuram, is a city of a thousand temples. One of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus was capital of Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Later arrive to Mahabalipuram, here visit the ancient port of Pallavas. The Pallavas have created many marvelous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples. Krishna Mandapam, has a big bas relief, notable for its realistic representation. Shore Temple, one of the oldest in south India dating back to the 8th century AD is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The Five Rathas, a group of five monolithic temples, each created in different style are another attraction. Overnight at Hotel in Mahabalipuram.
Although indisputably Tamil, Pondicherry still holds onto countless traces of its Gallic past, from pastel-hued heritage hotels and churches to an abundance of croissantslinging cafes, particularly in White Town, its French Quarter. Today walk around the old quarters of Pondicherry, go gallery hopping. Overnight at hotel in Pondicherry.
Today visit Tanjore (Thanjavur) which is famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple, constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architects marvel. The Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library are also well known places of interest. Drive to Trichy and on arrival, visit Srirangam. Located on an island 5 kms from Trichy, is Srirangam. Surrounded by the Kaveri river is a 600 acre island town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami temple. There are no less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. Trichys most famed landmark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world aprox. 3,800 million years old. Later move to Chettinad, in the evening take a walk in this beautiful village. Overnight at Hotel in Chettinad
After Breakfast, Today we visit temple town of Madurai. The place is known as the cultural and ancient commercial centre in the Tamil Nadu state. Madurai has some magnificent temples including the much coveted Sree Meenakshi Temple. Madurai is also Known as Athens of the East, Madurai is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vaigai. The city is believed to be more than 2500 years old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shivas locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai where the people wake up to the chant of hymns is proud of the magnificent Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple. Of its 12 gopurams, four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Madurai.
Wake up to the bliss of Munnar. Feast on a delicious breakfast and get ready. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Today we leave to the visit of tea plantations, Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park, Devikulam, Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal etc. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Anamudi is the highest peak in South India, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. Overnight stay at hotel in Munnar.
Today start your day with a guided tour of spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market or Spice Plantation and pick up some fragrant spices. Evening free for leisure or book yourself a Ayurvedic massage at your hotel. Over night at hotel in Periyar/Thekkady.
Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travelers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese and Dutch colonial-era houses, and the crumbling remains of the colonial British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal and Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes and relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels. It's also an important centre for Keralan arts (traditional and contemporary) and a standout place to see Kathakali and kalarippayat. Once an important spice-trading centre as a major port city on Malabar Coast of India, Kochi has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule at various times throughout history. Explore Kochi today with your tour leader spending the sunset watching Chinese Fishing Nets and before that wandering around Fort Cochin / Fort Kochi area for shopping or cafe hopping. Over night stay at the hotel in Kochi / Cochin.
With no activities planned for today, you can leave the accommodation at check out or earlier as per your flight departure timings. You will be transferred to the airport today. If you’d like to extend your stay, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.