Classical South India

Arrive Chennai. Upon arrival you will met by our representative at airport & escorted you till check in at Hotel.

Chennai is the cultural heartland & gateway to the South India. Here on the east coast , ancient traditions of classical dance, music arts, handicrafts, literature, philosophy and religion have taken root and spread over India and to many parts of the world. In exchange, global influences flowed and were integrated. The Dravidians who have had the greatest influence on the life style of the people of Chennai were originally a Mediterranean race of same stock as the people of create, the pre Hellenic Aegean’s of Greece, and even the Paranoiac race of ancient Egypt. After they had migrated to India many millennia ago they absorbed some of the folkways and love of the earlier. Negroids and Austrics who had laid the foundation of Indian civilization, Later when Indo –Iranians, or Aryans percolated into Southern India, their social systems also had a significant and lasting impact on established customs and rituals.

Overnight at hotel

Morning after breakfast proceeds for city tour of Chennai.

Chennai is the cultural heartland & gateway to the South India. Here on the east coast, ancient traditions of classical dance, music arts, handicrafts, literature, philosophy and religion have taken root and spread over India and to many parts of the world. In exchange, global influences flowed and were integrated.

The Dravadians who have had the greatest influence on the life style of the people of Chennai were originally a Mediterranean race of same stock as the people of create, the pre Hellenic Aegeans of Greece and even the Pharaonic race of ancient Egypt. After they had migrated to India many millennia ago they absorbed some of the folkways and love of the earlier. Negroids and Austrics who had laid the foundation of Indian civilization, Later when Indo -Iranians, or Aryans percolated into Southern India, their social systems also had a significant and lasting impact on established customs and rituals.

Then when great commercial companies of the Portuguese, British, French and Dutch set up their centers in and around Chennai in the 18th century trading families from other parts of India flocked in and added to culture of this great sea port.

Overnight at Hotel

Morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry

Pondicherry was the former capital of the French territories in India. Landmarks include the Raj Nivas, the Pondicherry Museum Aurobindo Ashram, and the best known landmark of Pondicherry.

Upon arrival check in at Hotel.

Afternoon city tour of Pondicherry,

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: This place was founded by Sri Aurobindo, who in the early ages was a revolutionist and then turned poet. His was jointly helped by The Mother, who was a Paris born painter. The Ashram is a centre for the practice of integral yoga, meditation, and of inner development.

Auroville: Auroville was inaugurated on 28th Feb. 1968 with representation from 124 countries. Auroville was envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony. It is an attempt to realize a new society as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Nearly people from 35 countries are living here to realize on human unity and transformation of consciousness. Auroville welcomes people from all parts of the world to live together and explore cultural, educational, scientific, spiritual, and other pursuits in accordance with the Auroville Charter. Auroville information centre and Marti Mandir [Meditation hall with world’s biggest man- made crystal ball are the places open to most of the visitors. It offers less to see and lots to experience.

Overnight at Hotel

Drive to Tanjore. Upon arrival check in at Hotel

Thanjavur (also known as Tanjore) is the royal city of the Cholas and Nayaks.  Thanjavur derives its name from Tanjan-an asura (giant), who according to local legend devastated the neighbourhood and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Vishnu. Sri Neelamegapperumal Tanjan's last request that the city might be named after him was granted. Chola, Chera and Pandya kings were ruling Tamizhagam even before Mahabharata period. Chola kingdom was leading and patronizing literature, art, science and religion than the other two kingdoms. The capital city of Chola was always changing. Thiruvarur was the capital during Manuneethi Cholan. Uraiyur, Pazhaiyarai, Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram used to be the capitals of Chola Kingdom. It has been believed from the Epics that many Chola kings were ruling from Thanjavur even before Karikala Cholan.

Overnight at hotel

Morning after breakfast City tour of Tanjore,

Visit the famous Brihadeeswara Temple which has gopurams over 90 ft. (27 m) high and are exquisitely sculpted & the Saraswati library. Of the various rulers of Thanjavur, the Cholas seem to have left the Great temple of Sri Bragatheeswara a striking relic of their genius. The temple stands tall within the small fort, commonly called the Sivaganga Fort, ascribed to the Sevvappa Nayak and the big fort which encircles the city and the palace was built by Vijayaraghava the last. These two forts could be the renovations of the earlier chola fortifications.

Afternoon visit Trichy

Trichy is a historical town and was for a period the capital of the Chola rulers. Visit the Rock Fort, 300 ft. (90 m) high, which dominates the landscape.  A fine view of the city can be had from the fort.   Visit the island of Srirangam across the River Kaveri - 3 miles (5 km) away.  The temple here is practically a town in itself with several residential streets within its 1 sq. mile together with a number of shopping streets

Overnight at hotel

Day 06                                                 Tanjore –  Chettinad

Morning visit to the world famous Brihadeshwar Temple.The Brihadeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by King Rajaraja I in the 11th century. This architectural masterpiece has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After visit drive to Chettinad Chettinad is a wonderful small town which has the remnants of its glorious past. Chettinad is famous for its houses and buildings. A tour to Chettinad will be an extremely enriching experience for the tourist as the place is full with rich cultural heritage, exotic food and remarkable specimens of Dravidian architecture. Chettinad is well known for its mansions, temples and culinary delicacies.

Arrive Chettinad and check in to the hotel for overnight stay.

Lunch at Hotel.

Visit the famous Chettinad Palace which is one of the most glorious examples of Chettinad's widely famed palatial mansions. You might come across others hugging the palace’s walls or so it would seem. While the palace can evoke such strong feelings, it's actually people feeling the smooth-as-a-fluffy-pillow plaster of the walls for which they are widely famed. Evidently, the Chettiyars would rub eggs and lime on them to get its smooth-as-butter finish.

In the afternoon one could enjoy strolling through the local weekly markets followed by a village walk. Chettinad is village life pure. The absence of trucks, buses and heavy traffic turns this place into a slow and laid back village, where you can interact with locals, take a ride with a cycle or just simply stroll the little markets. Also visit the “Vaara Sabdhai”, the weekly market. The weekly markets are unspoiled and a great treat to

Overnight at Hotel.

Morning leave for Madurai

Madurai known as the City of Festivals, Madurai is the most ancient home of culture and the first Tamil Academy was founded here by scholars and pious kings. The town has developed encircling the famous Meenakshi Temple built in the Dravidian style - one for Shiva and the other for his spouse Meenakshi. It is believed that if you place a literary work in the tank of this temple, it will sink if it is worthless and float, if worthy. The temple has beautiful sculptures of Shiva. The court of a thousand pillars built in 1560 AD also has lovely sculptures. From any side inside the hall, the visitor can get a kaleidoscopic view. Outside the temple, are the Musical Pillars, which produce different swaras or notes when tapped, to the east, is the Vasant Mandapams with life-size statues of Nayaks of Madurai

Overnight at the Hotel

Morning after breakfast City tour of Madurai

The `Temple City’ was the capital of the Pandya kingdom but it was during the reign of the Nayaks (10th to the 18th century) that the magnificent Meenakshi Temple. Visit the Palace of Tirumala Nayak, the most famous king of the Nayak dynasty.  It has a great audience hall, a three-sided pavilion and a courtyard & Alagar.

Evening witness temple ceremony at Meenakshi temple

The Evening Aarti Ceremony at the Madurai Meenakshi Temple is a must if you wish to observe the strength of the Hindi Faith. Join the daily procession as Sundareswarar (an incarnation of Shiva) is carried and laid to rest with his consort, Meenakshi (Parvati). The priests take blessings, lighting the holy flame with the aromatic camphor to the raucous of pipe and percussion instruments as the worshipper’s gathe and protrate before thei gods. Expect your spirit to lift!

Overnight at hotel

Day 09                                                 Madurai - Periyar

Morning after breakfast drive to Periyar

Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in God’s Own Country, Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife. Though it’s a Tiger Reserve, tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in the act of ablution and playfulness by the Periyar Lake.

Periyar Park encompasses 26 sq. km. artificial Lake Take a boat ride on the lake to view wild life and water birds. Herds of elephants and bison come to the lake. Spotted deer and sambhar are also found here.

Upon arrival check in at Hotel

Afternoon boat ride on Periyar lake to view and photograph wild life

Periyar Park encompasses 26 sq. km. artificial Lake Take a boat ride on the lake to view wild life and water birds. Herds of elephants and bison come to the lake. Spotted deer and Sambar are also found here.

Overnight at Hotel

Morning after breakfast leave Kumarkom to board the traditional houseboat to go on overnight leisurely backwater cruises along lake, Cruise through backwaters towards, Boat will be anchored in the backwaters along paddy field

A House Boat is about 70 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The House Boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with Sundeck, comfortable chairs, Kitchen and toilet with A/C. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The houseboat takes you through the scenic backwaters of Kerala. The Traditional Kerala cuisine will be served on the board.

Overnight on Houseboat

Morning after breakfast disembarks from Houseboat and drive to Cochin. Upon arrival check in at Hotel

Morning drive to Alleppey to board the traditional houseboat to go on overnight leisurely backwater cruises along lake. Cruise through backwaters towards. Boat will be anchored in the backwaters along paddy field.

Evening witness the Kath kali dance at the Auditorium,

Kath kali performances, a dance-drama based on the ancient epics forming among the most colorful of the country’s stage tradition. Male actors in makeup that takes as much as two to three hours to apply cavort on the stage in a spellbinding display of morality-theatre.  The women perform the more graceful dance form, the Mohiniattam.

Overnight at Hotel,

Day 12                                                 In Cochin

Morning post breakfast city tour of Cochin,

Morning visit Mattancherry Dutch Palace - open from 10.00 to 15.00 hrs. (Closed on Fridays and public holidays), which was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663.  In the ancient rooms are 17th century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayana.  Visit a Jewish Synagogue - open 10.00 to 12.00 hrs. & 1500 hrs. To1700 hrs. (Closed on all Saturdays and Jewish holidays) in Jew Town and Fort Cochin Area - Legend dates Jewish trade with Kerala from the times of King Solomon. There are a couple of streets of picture-postcard houses out of another age, in 17th century Dutch and traditional Kerala styles. Visit St. Francis Church - open from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. And 14.30 to 17.30 hrs, (Closed for visitors on Sundays from 08.00 to 11.00 hrs), the oldest European Church in India, It has several antiquities including a wealth of records. These include a palm-leaf title deed the local Raja gave the Portuguese in 1503.  See the Chinese Fishing Nets, along the tip of Fort Cochin unique to this part of Kerala and living symbols of a centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast.

Balance day at leisure for independent activity

Overnight at Hotel

In time transfer to airport to connect flight to onward destination. 

The Land cost includes -

• 12 nights’ accommodation on Twin / Triple share at the hotels mentioned above.
• Daily breakfast at the hotel as per the program.
• Transport using an air-conditioned MEDIUM CAR (Swift desire / Toyota Ethios) for 2 paying , Toyota Innova for 3 paying as per the itinerary.
• Services of English Speaking locally appointed guide during sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Entrance fee to monuments as per programme.
• Spice plantation visit & Kaliyarpattu show in Periyar
• Tickets to witness Kathakali dance in Cochin.
• All presently applicable taxes.

The Land cost does not includes -

• Expenses of personal nature like personal gratuities, telephone charges, laundry, spa activities, drinks, etc.
• Any meals (Lunch & Dinner) not included in the program.
• Beverages during meals.
• Tipping to the guide, restaurants, driver and handyman.
• Any airfare, visa fee, airport tax and any kind of insurance.
• Any Camera / Video Fees at the monuments.