Splendid South of India Tour Package

Chennai-Mamallapuram (2 nights)

International arrival at Chennai

Drive from Chennai to Mamallapuram (58km, 1hrs)

Mamallapuram:

A magical dominion of historical beauty worthy Mamallapuram's claim to fame lies, in the exquisite Pallava architecture seen in its temples, caves, rathas and monuments along with unspoiled sunny beaches, casuarina trees and handmade crafts. The famous Dance Festival is conducted every January and February.

Activities:

Tour the stunning Shore temples dedicated to Lord Shiva; the temple of Anantasayana or ‘reclining Vishnu’; Arjuna's Penance, Pancha Pandava Rathas, the Varaha Cave, Krishna's Butterball; relax by the beach.

Pondicherry (1 nights)

Drive from Mamallapuram to Pondicherry (130km, 2.5hrs)

Pondicherry:

A piece of France Joseph Dupleix who built Pondicherry, created 2 different cities – the Indian side; busy, bustling and different; the European side; quaint, quieter and beautiful. French is spoken on the streets and the policemen wear kepis in the style of M'sieu De Gaulle - remnants of that colonial memory.

Activities:

Explore this quaint French town, its colonial buildings and its most popular edifice - the Aurobindo Ashram; visit the famous temples of Vedapureswarar, Varadaraja Perumal and Manakula Vinayakar.

Tranquebar (1 nights)

Drive from Pondicherry to Tranquebar (120km, 2.5hrs)

Tranquebar:

Tranquebar is small enough for you to easily be able to walk around. Tranquebar…the exotic name is an apt driveway to what lies beyond the baroque Town Gate. Placed as a dreamy patch at the confluence of a distributary of the river Cauvery and the Bay of Bengal, since the 1600s, this small town has been the drawing board of numerous trysts that have lent Tranquebar a steep culture and heritage. An exquisite playpen of Danish aspirations in India, Tranquebar, in its modest alleyways that throw their bosom open to the sea, preserves a rustic mood splashed against a captivating backdrop. Crisp mornings…the ever tranquilizing sea…perceptions related to the British rule, the Danish settlement, and the German cultural link and nearby former French colonies of Karaikal and Pondicherry, greet you in this heritage space which in its heyday could have easily passed off as a fragment on the European coast.

Activities:

The Town Gate, King's Street, Fort Dansborg, The Zion Church, The New Jerusalem Church, The Old Danish Cemetry, Kavalamettu Street. The Masilamani Nathar Temple, the Ziegenbalg Museum Complex.

Thanjavur (2 nights)

Drive from Tranquebar to Thanjavur (104km, 2hrs)

Thanjavur:

The 'rice bowl' of India Thanjavur was once the cultural capital of the country. The cultural, architectural and scholarly pursuits of rulers like the Cholas, Nayaks and Maratha, who cradled art and culture, are reflected in the great monuments like the Grand Anaicut, the Big Temple and Serfoji Mahal Library.

Activities:

Visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of the Brihadeshvara Temple or Bull Temple – home to India’s largest lingam; enjoy the natural splendor that surrounds the Panchanatheesvarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Madurai (2 nights)

Drive from Thanjavur to Madurai (182km, 4.5hrs)

Madurai:

Of incense sticks and chiming cymbals! Known to be the epicenter of cultural activity, it has a history that is both dynamic and sometimes inconceivable. This city is one of the major districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, surrounded by magnificent mountains and famous for the jasmine flowers that are transported all over India.

Activities:

Visit the thousand pillared Madurai Meenakshi Temple; the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple; Koodal Alagar Temple; Thirumalai Nayak Mahal; Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex; Gandhi Museum.

Munnar (1 nights)

Drive from Madurai to Munnar (176km, 4.5hrs)

Munnar:

A haven of peace and harmony! This picturesque scope of the supercilious Western Ghats first came into prominence as a favorite summer resort of the British government. The town of stands at the confluence of three mountain streams. Enjoy trekking, boating, riding, angling or just laze about and fill your soul with peace.

Activities:

Enjoy nature walk through the tea, coffee and cardamom estates in Pothamedu; go on long mountain walks or even trekking in the glorious natural expanse of the hills and mountains here.

Cochin (2 nights)

Drive from Munnar to Cochin (160km, 4.5hrs)

Cochin:

Queen of the Arabian Sea Cochin (Kochi) is a commercial town comprising mainland Ernakulam, Willingdon Island, Mattancherry, Fort Cochin, Vypeen and Bolghatty Island. Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish Synagogue, a Dutch Palace, Portuguese architecture and Bolghatty Palace enrich Kerala's heritage.

Activities:

Enjoy murals and antiquities at the Dutch Palace & Cemetery; appreciate the stunning views of the harbour at Fort Kochi; explore Matancherry, the Pardesi Synagogue, Jewish town, St. Francis Church with the grave of Vasco da Gama; stroll through the spice and antique markets and see the Chinese fishing nets. Enjoy a sunset cruise; visit the Hill Palace and Tripunithura ; enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance or a kaleidoscope of martial arts and traditional dance forms.

Alleppey / Kumarakom (1 nights)

Drive from Cochin to Alleppey / Kumarakom (65km, 1.5hrs)

Alleppey / Kumarakom:

Emerald backwater bliss Here you have the unique opportunity to view typical Kerala lifestyle. Alleppey, rightfully stakes claim to its nickname 'Venice of the East', with its network of inland canals and houseboat cruises along the tranquil backwaters. Kumarakom enchants with viewing Kerala at work and at play.

Trivandrum (3 nights)

Drive from Alleppey / Kumarakom to Trivandrum (159km, 4.5hrs)

Trivandrum:

Abode of the Gods! The city derives its name from the deity at the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple, believed to be several thousand years old and from the words Thiru-Anantha-Puram, meaning the town of Anantha. Traders as far back as 190 AD have traded here for spices, sandalwood, and ivory.

Activities:

Relax by the beach; explore your immediate surroundings by visiting the many quaint and small temples that dot the coast line enjoy the markets that are abuzz with activity and observe the quaint fishing hamlets around.

Note:

Flight back home from Trivandrum