Southern Explorer & Bollywood

On arrival at the airport, meet your tour manager who will assist you to
transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay in Chennai.

After a brief introduction to the city by our tour manager we visit the Museum
and Art Gallery and Marina beach, one of the longest beaches in the world. In the afternoon travel to Mahabalipuram
and stay two nights.

(B, D)

Today we enjoy an excursion to Kanchipuram, the flourishing capital city of the 2nd century Cholas Dynasty, now known as City of a Thousand Temples and one of the seven most sacred cities of the Hindu faith. Visit intricately stone carved 8th century Shore Temples constructed in Dravidian style and now a World UNESCO site. Later visit a silk weavers village, settled around 400 years ago with an enviable reputation, who still use the highest quality silk and pure gold thread.

Today we will journey to Pondicherry and explore this well planned city and note the French legacy of beautiful promenades and architecturally imposing buildings left behind before independence. 

Stay overnight in the hotel.

(B, D)

This morning we enjoy city sightseeing and visit Rai Nivas and Sri Aurobindo Ashram and explore the medieval town of the French province, which has managed to preserve its French aura. Later travel to Thanjavur and stay two nights at the hotel.

(B, D)

After breakfast we enjoy the sightseeing the city known as the Granary of South India, lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and crisscrossed by a lengthy network of irrigation canals. The city rose to glory during the later Chola Reign between 11th and 14th centuries and became the centre of learning and culture. It is also known for its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and South Indian Musical Instruments. Evening free to explore the local bazaar.

(B, D)

Today we travel to Chettinad, en-route stopping at Trichy. Visit Srirangam
Temple located at River Kaveri and most famed 83 meter high rock on
flat land, said to be 3800 million years old. In the evening you are free to explore the local bazaar and witness 18th century wooden carved houses. Later in the evening, we enjoy Chettinad cuisine.
Spices are so important to the cuisine – marathi mokku (dried flower pods) anasipoo (star anise), tamarind and saunf (fennel seed) are amongst the favourites used.

(B, D)

After breakfast we start our city sightseeing tour by visiting heritage
mansions built more than 100 years ago and famous for their architecture, chandeliers and wooden craftsmanship.
Continue with a visit to the Museum and famous temple before travelling
to Madurai, the centre of Tamil heritage and culture. Stay overnight in hotel.

(B, D)

This morning we start our sightseeing tour of the city, once the capital of the Pandyan King in 550 AD. Visit the magnificent Meenakshi Temple to experience stunning architecture such as the sculpted pillars that tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Later travel to Thekkady, famous for its wildlife sanctuary and enjoy a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper and coffee. Stay two nights at Thekkady.

(B, D)

Wake up early this morning to enjoy a boat ride in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary to spot various wild animals, birds and reptiles. Later visit a spice plantation.
In the evening attend a local cooking class to learn to cook Kerala dishes, one of the most intriguing cuisines of the world. The class will be held in a traditional home set on the grounds of a working bioorganic spice garden.

(B, D)

Today we travel to Kumarakom and embark on our houseboat. Enjoy
cruising through palm-fringed narrow canals winding through the vast
expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along the sides of the canals providing panoramic sights never to be forgotten. All meals and overnight on board.

(B, L, D)

This morning we disembark our houseboat after breakfast and travel
to Cochin. In the afternoon visit the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace and St Francis church, the oldest church built in 1503AD by the Portuguese. In the evening explore the local bazaar of
Fort Cochin and finish the day with a Kathakali cultural show in the theatre. Stay overnight at the hotel.

(B, D)

After breakfast transfer to the airport to board a flight to Mumbai to enjoy the glamour of Bollywood cinema and shopping malls full of designer labels and explore the local bazaar. Stay two nights in Mumbai.

(B, D)

Today we enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Mumbai, visiting the Prince of Wales Museum, Gateway of India and Dhobi Ghat. The remainder of the day is free to relax or go shopping.

(B, D)

After a leisurely breakfast, the tour finishes with a transfer to the airport.

(B)

B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner