South India Explorer Package

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival Chennai- Kancheepuram- Mahabalipuram

  Arrive into Chennai and drive first to visit the Kancheepuram temples (closed between 12-4 pm noon). Proceed to Mahabalipuram via the Tiger Cave. This is a coastal village of 5 Kilometers north of mahabalipuram .This is a magnificent mandapa which contains a shrine dedicated to goddess Durga which has big beautiful figures in front. The depiction here is of the battle of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura.Proceed to either GRT Grand Days or Chariot for lunch and sightseeing of Arjuna Penance, Butter Ball, Ganesha Ratha, Seashore Temple, Five Rathas. Overnite Mahabalipuram.
• Day 2 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

  Leave for Pondicherry and checkin to hotel- 2- 2 and half hours drive. Pondicherry is a beautiful beachside town reminscent of the French and Porguese influences. Day at leisure and enjoy a heritage walk in the evening or visit the bayside and overnite Pondicherry.
• Day 3 : Pondicherry/ Auroville

  After breakfast proceed to Auroville. Auroville is a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. UNESCO re-endorsed Auroville four times more in the course of the last 40 years. In the middle of the town is the Matrimandir, which has been acclaimed as "an outstanding and original architectural achievement" It was conceived by Alfassa as "a symbol of the Divine`s answer to man`s inspiration for perfection".Evening enjoy a heritage walk to explore the Tamil and French influences in this area. Overnite Pondicherry.
• Day 4 : Pondicherry- Chidambaram-Kumbakonam-Tanjore

  After breakfast drive to Chidambaram(65kms/1.5hrs) also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. After lunch at local restaurant, drive to Thanjavur (104kms/03hrs)Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts later continue on via the Unesco World Heritage temples at Gangaikondacholapuram.Checkin at hotel and over night stay at Tanjore Hotel.
• Day 5 : Tanjore- Chettinad

  After an early breakfast visit the Brihandeshwara Temple , one of the most spectacular sights in Tamil Nadu and then Reach Visalam by 1630 hours, checkin to the hotel at Karaikudi. Chettinad is something of a world apart and a truly unique destination. The merchants and traders (the Chettiars) who hailed from this region amassed significant fortunes throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries from their roles as bankers and business go-betweens for many of the empires from both East and West which traded in south India during that time. Many of them poured their fortunes into building remarkable homes- some over 40000sq ft and with dozens of rooms and many courtyards. You’ll be able to tour Chettinad Palace, the biggest of them all, and to stay in another,beautifully restored mansion The Visalam overnight. Chettinad is also famous for its unique cuisine which known for complex flavours and innovative use of ingredients.
• Day 6 : Chettinad

  After the breakfast visit Chettiar Palace, Athangudi, village manufacturing exclusive colourful tile designs. The tiles are not ceramic. Cement, baby jelly and sand along with synthetic oxides make up for the composition of the tile. They are cast from the locally available clay that is first burnt and then glazed. Return to hotel and rest. In the evening a cycling tour of Karaikudi visiting Ramu Chettiars House, shopping and visit saree weaving centre. Dinner at Visalam and overnite

  • Themes Cycling
• Day 7 : Chettinad- Madurai

  Start for Madurai by 0800 hours. reach Madurai by 1030 hours and visit Madurai Meenakshi Temple. Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of Sundareswarar or Beautiful Lord) and his consort, Goddess Parvati (in the form of Meenakshi). The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The closing ceremony is worth waiting for. Overnite Madurai

  • Hotspots Meenakshi Temple
• Day 8 : Madurai - Thekkady

  Today drive to Thekkady on the western ghats famous for the Periyar Reserve Forest. Reach Resort and relax and evening enjoy the boat ride at the Periyar Forest and return to hotel and evening at leisure . For the more adventurous you can choose to do some jungle activities or night watch & overnite Thekkady
• Day 9 : Thekkady- Munnar

  After breakfast leave for Munnar. breakfast leave for Munnar (140 Kms / 04 Hrs)- Kerala`s prettiest hill resort located in the Kannan Devan Hills.Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was the summer resort of the British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make Munnar a popular hill station. On arrival at Munnar check into your hotel. Evening at leisure and overnite Munnar.

  • Themes Hill Stations & Valleys
• Day 10 : Munnar

  After breakfast, sightseeing of Munnar: Mattupetty Dam/Kundala dam for boating, Eco point and you can also visit Rajamalai sanctuary the abode of the Nilgiri Tahr. Later visit a tea plantation to see the process of making the brew that cheers ! Evening at leisure. Overnight at Munnar.
• Day 11 : Munnar- Alleppey

  After breakfast, Checkout from the hotel and proceed to Alleppey the backwater region of Kerala, also known as the “Venice of the East”. It is famous for its backwaters, boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir products. Check into your Houseboat traditionally known as the kettuvalam and cruise through the Narrow Canal amidst the Paddy Fields, lagoons coir villages in Alleppey. Overnight stay at the houseboat
• Day 12 : Alleppey- Cochin Departure

  Today you drive to Cochin. Visit the old quaint part of Fort Kochi, visit Mattanchery, The Dutch Palace, The Jewish synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, walk through the India street with its array of shops with antiques, fabrics & jewelers. Lunch and you are driven to the airport for your return flight.

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• Shop No 5, Nirmal Building, D J Road, Station Road, Near Mc Donald's Restaurant, Vile Parle West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• 08069247162 (Ext : 011)
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