Southern Heritage Tour

Day 01: Arrival in Chennai

Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Later, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai. Places of interest include the Government Museum, Fort St. George, St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, and Marina Beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (Distance: 120 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 cities in India. It is famous for its magnificent temples, many of which are remarkably well preserved, and for 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 Ekambareswarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, and Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, all built during the 7th and 8th centuries. You will also visit local weavers' homes to witness the traditional art of silk weaving that dates back to the Pallava period.

Mahabalipuram is a peaceful seaside town renowned for its UNESCO-listed Shore Temple, beautiful beach, and some of the world's finest rock-cut monuments. Situated along the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was an important seaport as early as the 1st century AD and later became a thriving centre of temple architecture. Visit the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, and the magnificent monolithic rock sculptures and animal carvings, considered among the earliest examples of Dravidian architecture. Conclude the day by photographing the spectacular Shore Temple at sunset. Overnight at Covelong.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram - Puducherry (Distance: 100 kms)

After breakfast, drive to Puducherry, which remained a French colony until the 1950s. The city offers a unique blend of French colonial heritage and Indian culture. Explore the charming French Quarter, elegant colonial buildings, and lively streets. Visit the Botanical Garden, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later, visit Auroville, also known as the City of Dawn, an international township designed by French architect Roger Anger as a unique experiment in human unity and sustainable living. Overnight at Puducherry.

Day 04: Puducherry - Thanjavur (Distance: 177 kms)

After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Thanjavur, the capital of the Chola Empire from the 10th to the 14th centuries. Visit the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple, built by Emperor Raja Raja Chola I between 985 and 1010 AD. Its towering vimana rises over 62 metres and is crowned by a single granite block weighing approximately 80 tons. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Thanjavur - Tiruchirappalli - Madurai (Distance: 190 kms)

After breakfast, drive to Madurai via Tiruchirappalli. Visit the famous Rock Fort Temple, which rises about 273 feet above the city. Climb the steep stone steps to explore the ancient fort, the Thayumanaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Ucchi Pillayar Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, offering panoramic views of the city.

Continue to Madurai and check in to your hotel. In the evening, travel to Meenakshi Amman Temple by cycle rickshaw to witness the famous nightly procession, during which the idol of Lord Shiva is ceremonially carried to the chamber of Goddess Meenakshi, accompanied by devotional music and prayers. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Madurai

This morning, visit the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of India's largest temple complexes, originally expanded during the 17th century. Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwarar (Shiva), the temple is famous for its towering gopurams, colourful sculptures, bustling bazaars, and the remarkable Hall of a Thousand Pillars, an architectural masterpiece built during the 16th century.

Later, visit the Tirumalai Nayakkar Palace, an outstanding example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, featuring massive stone pillars and grand courtyards. The evening is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07: Madurai - Periyar (Distance: 140 kms)

After breakfast, drive to Periyar. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Later, explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady. Spread across approximately 777 square kilometres in the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, this famous reserve is home to elephants, bison, deer, birds, and many other wildlife species amidst lush forests and spice plantations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08: Periyar - Kumarakom (Distance: 150 kms)

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The artificial lake, created by a dam across the Periyar River, attracts elephants, sambar deer, wild boar, and numerous bird species along its shores.

Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, drive through the scenic Western Ghats, passing tea plantations and spice estates, before arriving at Kumarakom, a beautiful backwater village on the shores of Vembanad Lake, famous for its winding canals, coconut groves, and traditional villages. Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom.

Day 09: Kumarakom - Cochin (Distance: 70 kms)

The morning is at leisure. Later, take a speedboat to Alleppey and disembark at Puthanangadi Jetty before continuing by road to Cochin.

Known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is the oldest European settlement in India. Enriched by centuries of trade with Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British merchants, the city reflects a remarkable blend of cultures. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Cochin Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cochin (Kochi), the commercial capital of Kerala. Visit Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), the Paradesi Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Bolgatty Palace, and the famous Chinese Fishing Nets.

In the evening, witness a traditional Kathakali dance performance along with a fascinating makeup demonstration. Kathakali is one of India's oldest classical dance forms, renowned for its elaborate costumes, expressive facial makeup, and symbolic hand gestures known as mudras, depicting stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Later, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport to board your onward flight.