Southern Heritage Tour

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Chennai

Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel. Later, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Chennai. Places of interest include the Government Museum, Fort St. George, St. Thomas Cathedral, Kapaleeswarar Temple, and Marina Beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Chennai / Kanchipuram / Mahabalipuram (Distance: 50 Kms)

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram.

Kanchipuram, known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, is one of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for its magnificent temples, many of which are remarkably well preserved, as well as its exquisite handwoven silk sarees. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India and is uniquely associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, and Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built during the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era, when silk was considered royal attire, Kanchipuram is renowned for its beautifully crafted silk sarees featuring intricate patterns. Visit the homes of local weavers and witness the fascinating process of transforming silk threads into elegant sarees.

Mahabalipuram is a charming seaside town famous for its unique 7th-century Shore Temple, beautiful beach, and some of the finest rock-cut temples in the world. Situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was an important seaport as early as the 1st century AD and later became a major center for temple architecture.

Visit the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas (Pancha Rathas), and the magnificent monolithic monuments and animal sculptures carved from solid rock, representing some of the earliest examples of Dravidian architecture. These remarkable structures were built during the reign of Narasimhavarman I (AD 630–668). Conclude the day with photography of the stunning Shore Temple at sunset. Overnight stay in Covelong.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (Distance: 162 Kms)

After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry. Until the 1950s, Pondicherry was a distant outpost of the French colonial empire. Its French influence makes it distinctly different from the rest of Tamil Nadu, giving visitors the feeling of stepping into another country. The coastal town is divided into two parts: the elegant French Quarter, with its colonial houses, restaurants, and administrative buildings, and the traditional Indian quarter located west of the canal.

Visit the Botanical Garden, Église du Sacré-Cœur de Jésus, and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later, visit Auroville, also known as the City of Dawn. Designed by the French architect Roger Anger, Auroville is an internationally acclaimed township dedicated to human unity, innovative education, and sustainable living. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

Day 04: Pondicherry – Tanjore (Distance: 177 Kms)

After breakfast, drive to Tanjore. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tanjore, the capital of the Chola Empire from the 10th to the 14th centuries. Visit the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple, built by Raja Raja Chola I, who ruled from AD 985 to 1014. The temple is renowned for its towering vimana, which rises over 62 meters (200 feet), topped by a single granite block weighing approximately 80 tons. Overnight stay in Tanjore.

Day 05: Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai (Distance: 190 Kms)

After breakfast, drive to Madurai, en route visiting Trichy.

Your sightseeing tour of Trichy includes the famous Rock Fort Temple, which rises abruptly to a height of 273 feet. A steep staircase carved into the rock leads to the summit. At the first level are the remains of a grand hall damaged during battles in 1772. Further up is the Mathrubhuteshwarar Shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. At the top stands the Uchhi Pillayar Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city.

Continue to Madurai and transfer to the hotel. Later, visit the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple by cycle rickshaw. At 9:00 PM, witness the unique nightly ceremony during which the bronze idol of Lord Shiva is ceremonially carried to the chamber of Goddess Parvati, accompanied by devotional music and prayers. Overnight stay in Madurai.

Day 06: Madurai

In the morning, visit the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India, measuring approximately 850 feet in length and 790 feet in width. Built primarily during the 17th century, the complex consists of twin shrines dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. Often described as a city within a city, the temple complex includes bustling markets that remain active throughout the day.

The highlight of the temple is the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, built during the 16th century, which is considered a masterpiece of both architecture and engineering.

Also visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, a remarkable example of Nayak architecture that beautifully blends Hindu and Saracenic styles. Its enormous roofed arcade is supported by massive 48-foot-high stone pillars. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Madurai.

Day 07: Madurai – Periyar (Distance: 177 Kms)

After breakfast, drive to Periyar. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Later, enjoy sightseeing in Periyar. Spread across 777 square kilometers in the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, Thekkady is home to one of India's largest wildlife reserves. Rich in exotic flora and diverse wildlife, it offers a perfect retreat amidst scenic hills and forests. Overnight stay in Periyar.

Day 08: Periyar – Kumarakom (Distance: 150 Kms)

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake within the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Periyar Lake is an artificial reservoir formed by a dam across the Periyar River and serves as the heart of the sanctuary. Wild elephants, sambar deer, wild boar, and occasionally tigers can often be seen along the shores.

Return to the hotel for breakfast. Thereafter, drive through the winding Western Ghats lined with lush tea plantations. En route, visit the tea estates before continuing to Kumarakom, a beautiful backwater village situated on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, famous for its winding waterways and traditional cottages. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.

Day 09: Kumarakom – Cochin (Distance: 70 Kms)

Morning at leisure. Later, take a speedboat to Alleppey and disembark at Puthenangady Jetty. Upon arrival, proceed to Cochin.

Popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is the oldest European settlement in India. Blessed with picturesque backwaters and rich colonial heritage, the city has attracted Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders for centuries, creating a unique blend of cultures and architectural styles.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cochin.

Day 10: Cochin Departure

In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cochin, also known as Kochi, the palm-fringed commercial capital of Kerala. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Bolgatty Palace, and the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets.

In the evening, witness a traditional Kathakali dance performance along with a makeup demonstration. Kathakali is one of India's oldest classical dance forms, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. It features more than 100 expressive hand gestures, known as mudras, portraying deities, demons, heroes, heroines, and kings based on stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

After the sightseeing tour, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport to board your onward flight.