Treasures of South India

On your arrival at Delhi airport, meet our representative (preferred language speaking) and greeted with a warm welcome with garlanding. Then our representative will escort you to the pre-booked hotel. Arrive hotel & fulfil check-in formalities. Spare little time with our representative to provide brief information about the tour.

Overnight stay at hotel.

This day introduces you with the city Delhi where you can witness a unique blend of the traditional and cosmopolitan styles. Delhi is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious,

tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. In Delhi, you will discover that the city is sprinkled with dazzling gems: captivating ancient monuments, fascinating museums and art galleries, architectural wonders, a vivacious performing-arts scene, fabulous eating places and bustling markets. After breakfast gather at hotel’s lobby & proceed for guided city tour of Delhi including Jama Masjid followed by Rikshaw ride, Raj Ghat, Humayun’s Tomb – the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drive past through India Gate & Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s House), Akshardham Temple (closed on Mondays) – A Hindu temple which exemplifies traditional Hindu culture and architecture. 7000 artisans were involved in the construction of the temple aided by 3000 volunteers. At last visit Qutab Minar to experience night view (visit permitted till 9 pm). The Qutub Minar is a towering 73-meter-high tower built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1193. The tower was built to celebrate Muslim dominance in Delhi after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu ruler. This tower is the highest tower in India, complete with five storeys and projecting balconies. The first three storeys of the Qutub Minar are made of red sandstone and the last two are made of marble and sandstone. Apart from the tower, the Qutub Minar complex comprises of the Quwwat-us-Islam Mosque (the first mosque to be built in India), a 7-metre-high iron pillar, the tomb of Iltutmish, Ala’i-Darwaza and the Ala’I Minar. After sightseeing return to your hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed for Delhi airport to board flight for Chennai, located on the Coromandel Coast, is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, a State of the Indian Sub-continent. It is the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country.

On arrival at Chennai airport, meet & greet by our Representative who will assist you to direct towards your pre-booked hotel. Arrive hotel & fulfil check-in formalities. Rest of the day at leisure to indulge in your own activities. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Chennai city, visiting Egmore Museum, Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s secretariat; Santhome Cathedral was built around the 14th-15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. This afternoon visits the Kapaleeswarar Temple,

dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the oldest temples in Chennai. After sightseeing return to hotel & Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed to Kanchipuram to visit a stunning set of temples, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is also justly famous for its fine silk saris each embellished with stunning patterns. In 2005, “Kanchipuram Silk Sarees” received the Geographical Indication tag, the first product in India to carry this label.

After visiting Kanchipuram, continue your journey to Mahabalipuram (Also known as Mamallapuram). On arrival in Mahabalipuram, transfer directly to your hotel and check-in. Later, take a sightseeing tour of this World Heritage city that boasts of some of India’s most sublime rock-cut art. The seven pagoda-style Shore Temples, lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments and animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture, deserve special mention. They were constructed in a single century-long burst of creative enthusiasm.Later, drive back to hotel & Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed to visit The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world. It is spread over eight and a half acres of land and is home to over 2500 reptiles. Here you can get an opportunity to meet with distinct species of reptiles in their natural habitat. After visiting Crocodile farm, proceed to visit Pondicherry,

which was the capital of the French colonies in India since the 17th century.
Arrive Pondicherry & check-in at hotel. In evening, you can take a stroll at one of the beaches of Pondicherry & visit the local markets. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of this former French enclave which today is an interesting mix of Gallic charm and Tamil influences. Start with a visit to Aurobindo Ashram and the city of Auroville. In order to book a meditation session at Auroville, one needs to make an advance booking by visiting the centre & presence for the person is a must

(one can apply for a day prior while approaching for Pondicherry. Spend the rest of the day strolling through both the French and Tamil quarters.Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed for Thanjavur, one of the districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in South-eastern India. Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. Arrive Thanjavur & check-in at hotel.

Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Thanjavur. Major attractions include Brihadeeswarar Temple and Thanjavur Palace. The Brihadeeswarar Temple built by Raja Chola I, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This spectacular temple is over 1000 years old and is one of the largest temples in India. Using the same construction techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to construct the pyramids, this architectural masterpiece with its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. The tower of the temple is built so the shadow of the Cupola never falls on the ground. Thanjavur Palace is a fascinating and rich piece of history famous for its library and museum of artefacts. Overnight, stay at hotel. Afterwards visit Thanjai Mamani Koil near Thanjavur is a set of three Vishnu temples, together called a Divyadesam. It is among the 108 such more temple premises in India. The temple has a local origin myth that has its roots in one of the many canonical myths about Lord Vishnu. After sightseeing return to hotel & Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed for Madurai. On your way to Madurai, your stop will be at Trichy where you take a sightseeing tour of the erstwhile capital of the mighty Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive’s house is a point of attraction as is the Danish Church.

The Rock-Fort is particularly famous and the Temple on top offers stunning panoramic views. After sightseeing continue your journey to the temple city of Madurai, also an important cultural and commercial hub as far back as 550 AD. Arrive Madurai & check-in at hotel. Evening at leisure & free for your own activities. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast proceed for local sightseeing of Madurai. Madurai has been continuously inhabited since at least the 3rd century BCE and is located on the banks of the River Vaigai. On arrival, check into the hotel. Afternoon, go on a sightseeing tour of Madurai. Madurai is most famous for the Meenakshi Temple, with its towering gopurams and rare sculptures.

Some of the other major attractions in the city are the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Thirumalai Naicker Palace and the Gandhi Museum. Evening, visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple and attend the Pooja ceremony. Spend time exploring the markets surrounding the Meenakshi temple. The area is a like a huge open-air department store, each street dedicated to one particular item – stationery, flowers and fruits, vessels, items used in worship etc. There is even one lane dedicated to bananas – South India boasts over 50 varieties. Overnight in Madurai.

After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed for Munnar– a hill station located 1600 metres above sea level in Kerala, one of the Indian States. Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India, it retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations, most of which are privately owned. With its sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, picture postcard hamlets

, and undulating valleys, Munnar is an ideal holiday destination. Arrive Munnar & check-in at hotel. After relaxing for some time, proceed to relish the captivating views of the town visiting Echo Point & Metupatty Dam. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of Munnar. Visit the Eravikulam National Park at the Rajamalai to spot the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare and endangered species of mountain goat endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Follow this with a visit to the Tea Museum

, located in the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea. The Museum’s collection of memorabilia and artefacts takes you back to the 1880s, an era when the tea industry had just begun to make its presence felt in Munnar. Browse the museum for its array of curios, photographs, and machinery, each depicting important events that contributed to a flourishing tea industry. A demonstration room for tea tasting is another attraction where one would come across different varieties of tea. One can taste some of the most exotic varieties of tea available around the world here. It has steadily turned into a must-visit spot for those who wish to delve into the soul of Munnar.Return to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed towards Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary (Also known as Thekkady). Your journey takes you to the Western Ghats, a lush mountain range that rises parallel to India’s Arabian Sea coast. Arrive Thekkady & check-in at hotel.Later, visit a local spice plantation where you enjoy the sights and smells of fresh spices and learn about their cultivation process.

Later this evening, witness a famous martial art form of Kerala “Kalaripayattu” in a centre. Kalarippayattu is a Dravidian martial art from Kerala. Possibly one of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it is practiced in Kerala and contiguous parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as well as north-eastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayalee community of Malaysia. It includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.
Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and transfer by road to Kovalam. Kovalam beach is the world famous Indian tropical beach, boarded by blue waters and lush coconut gardens, is a western cultural dot on a traditional and orthodox Kerala physique. Blue water and favorable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming.

Sea, here, is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. The warm and clean atmosphere by the coconut trees and the white sand bed are perfect for relaxing holidays, as the sea breeze gently plays with the waves.En-route visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple & Napier’s Museum at Trivandrum. Arrive Kovalam by evening and check-in at hotel.Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast proceed for excursion trip to Poovar Beach, located 12 km from Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram, here one gets to see a slice of life in a coastal village. It offers one a wonderful view of the formation of the backwaters. The golden sands are home to some of the best picnic spots in the area. This area is located at the juncture of the Neyyar River joining with the Arabian Sea.

The serene beauty of the place can be explored through a boat ride providing you an opportunity to see the mangrove forest, Golden sand beach, floating cottages, elephant rock and many more.Afternoon return to Kovalam and have a relaxing time while strolling at the beach, as Kovalam has three incredible beaches. The lighthouse beach, Hawah beach and Samudra beach. The three beaches together form the famous crescent beach with a coastline length of 17km. The iconic Lighthouse Beach is the kind of beach with a lighthouse, straight out of a picture book. With its red and white painted tower structure standing tall above a hillock at a height of 118 feet. The beach is loved for its soft expanse of sand and calm waters. Ideal to idle away. Hawah Beach with its rocky cape is preferred for swimming and sun bath. You can also spot fishermen in action on their catamarans. Samudra Beach is a calm and secluded beach which is less visited by tourists. This beach is mostly preferred by honeymooners for its privacy.Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out from hotel and proceed for Kumarakom. During your road journey to Kumarakom, take a stop at Jatayu Earth Centre. Situated in Chadayamangalam, this rocky hilltop is unique with its amalgamation of artistic brilliance, mythological history, innovative technology, culture, adventure and leisure.

The park located near the town of Chadayamangalam (Jatayumangalam), which was named for Jatayu. Jatayu was a demi-god in Ramayana (a Hindu epic) who had the form of a vulture. According to the Ramayana epic, Ravana abducted Sita to Lanka. Jatayu had tried to rescue Sita from Ravana while Ravana was on his way to Lanka. Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravana, but as Jatayu was very old, Ravana soon defeated him. Rama and Lakshmana while on the search for Sita, chanced upon the stricken and dying Jatayu, who informed them of the battle with Ravana and told them that Ravana had headed South. Legend says that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam, after his wings were clipped by Ravana. This is where you get to see the world’s largest bird sculpture. To quench the curiosity of the visitors, a virtual reality museum and a theatre is also set up here that showcases the story of the mythical bird Jatayu and its era.After finishing this phase of sightseeing proceed towards Kumarakom.The enchanting backwater destination of Kumarakom is a small village that is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Kumarakom strengthens Kerala’s reputation for being God’s own country with its unbelievably beautiful mangrove forests, coconut groves and emerald green paddy fields interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lilies. It is a breath-taking bout to experience a solitary and calm glide through this network of waterways. Arrive Kumarakom & check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

After an early breakfast, proceed to visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Thereafter, you will board a local houseboat right from boat jetty and sail through mysterious canals and dancing waves of Kerala backwaters. Experiencing this unique travel on an exclusive wooden houseboat or Kettuvallam, you will cherish a delicious lunch time in the backdrop of hills and paddy fields.

With winds accompanying you on this ride, you will revive your very self with the nature’s healing bliss. It would be a great experience to observe the peace and love nature has bestowed upon this small place on earth. Explore myriad shades of life while sailing through the backwaters lying between Periyar to Kumarakom. Disembark houseboat in evening & Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed towards Kochi, the capital city of Kerala. It often referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea and is a cluster of islands narrow peninsulas built off the mainland. After a brief period of rest, proceed for city tour of Kochi visiting The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry (closed on Fridays) is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic Ramayana.

The Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays) is at the heart of what is locally called Jew Town. The St Francis Church is the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica was originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have been introduced to Kochi by the Chinese trade. In evening come to a local theatre to cherish a dance performance of Kathakali. Dancers with painted faces and equally vocal gestures would portray nice and inspiring art form of Kerala that happens to be one amongst the national dance forms of our nation.Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed for Kochi airport to board flight for Delhi & then take the connecting international flight for your resident country.