Arrive in Chennai. Upon arrival, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.

During your stay, you will explore the highlights of Mumbai – Fort St. George, Victory War Memorial, Senate House, Madras Museum, Presidency College and The Madras Lighthouse.

Afterwards, you will take a tuk-tuk ride to Mylapore, which is one of the most ancient parts of the city. You will also take a heritage walk through the area, including the four narrow Mada streets that circle the 16^th-century Kapaleeswarar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Note: Non-Hindus and foreigners are prohibited from entering the main sanctum of the temple.



If you like, you can also visit a local’s house for a presentation on “Nataraja”. The Nataraja is a depiction of the Hindu God, Shiva.

Meals: B

You will drive to Pondicherry (approximately 3.5 hours, excluding stops). En route, you will stop at Dakshina Chitra, which showcases the culture of the four southern India states and visit a group of sanctuaries carved out of living rock at Mamallapuram. This open-air museum of Tamil art (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the work of students who were under the patronage of the Pallava rulers.

During your stay in the charming seaside town, you will explore Pondicherry's wonderful French Quarter. You will also visit the Notre Dame churchwhich boasts a history harking back to 1686.

You will also make your way through the bustling Grand Bazaar, for a glimpse into the daily life in the Tamil Quarter and visit Aurobindo Ashram, the spiritual center of the town which was founded by Sri Aurobindo Ghose (a great seer, poet and prophet of the 20^th century).

Meals: B

You will drive to Thanjavur (approximately 4.5 hours, excluding stops). En-route, you will visit the famous temple sites of Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram.

The following day in Thanjavur, you will visit the Brihadisvara Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will also visit Thanjavur Royal Palace and Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library. If time permits, you will also visit the Tanjore Painting School.

You may like to visit a Veena (musical instrument) maker’s workshop. Named after the Goddess of wisdom, Saraswati, Veena is a stringed instrument for Hindustani classical music.

Meals: B

You will drive to Karaikudi (approximately 2 hours, excluding stops).

On the way, you will stop at an Ayyanar temple which is a mix of craft, myths, rituals and have local deities which are considered to be village guardians.

During your stay, you will explore Karaikudi village, known for its fabulous mansions, temples and craftsmanship and the tile making factory at Athangudi. You may also like to participate in a cooking demonstration followed by a traditional Chettinad lunch.

Meals: B

You will drive to Madurai (approximately 2 hours, excluding stops).

During your stay, you will visit the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace, built in 1636 AD by the erstwhile king of Madurai. You will then visit the nearby bazaar where, each street is dedicated to one particular item – stationery, flowers and fruits, vessels, items used in worship etc. You may also like to visit the flower market in the outskirts of the city. At the market, you will see a variety of flowers, each with their own purpose – worship, weddings or personal adornment.

This will be followed by a visit to the Meenakshi temple, dedicated to Parvati (also known as Meenakshi) and her consort, Shiva.

You will also witness the “Feeding of the Gods” ritual, a unique tradition of preparing food to offer the deities at a local temple.

Meals: B

You will drive to Thekkady, bordering the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve (approximately 4.5 hours, excluding stops).

In the afternoon, you will take a walking tour of a spice plantation. You will also witness a performance of Kalaripayattu, the famous martial art form of Kerala, Kalaripayattu

The next morning, you will take a trek through the rainforest accompanied by a naturalist who will introduce you to the flora and the fauna of the forest.

Meals: B

You will drive to Kumarakom (approximately 3 hours, excluding stops).

During your stay, you will take a motorboat ride to visit a local farm and spend time with the hosts.

Today, you will drive to Alappuzha boat jetty (approximately 1.5 hours, excluding stops). Here, you will board a private houseboat and journey along Kerala's famed backwaters.

Meals: B,L,D

You will drive to Kochi (approximately 2 hours, excluding stops).

Here, you will explore the various religious and cultural influences that shaped Kochi - visit the Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St Francis’ Church and Santa Cruz Cathedral. You will also attend a private Kathakali dance performance at a local theatre.

Today, you will drive to Kochi’s International Airport in time to check-in for your homeward flight (details to be advised).

Meals: B