Day01- Arrival at Chennai
Arrival at Chennai follows transfer to hotel and spending rest of the
day at leisure.
Day 02- Chennai/ Trichy
In the morning you are taken for a brief orientation drive through
Chennai. After a quick tour of Chennai city, set out for Tiruchirapalli
by train. Tiruchirapalli is also known as Trichy. Arrival follows
transfer to hotel.
Day 03- Trichy
Set out on a full day excursion tour to Tanjore. Tanjore is an old
temple city with great Hindu sculpture and temples, belonging mainly to
the Chola period. It is 58 Km from Trichy. In the main shrine of the
Shiva temple, you will find a large Shiva Lingam, the fertility symbol
of Shiva. You will also visit the Chola Dam and Pundi Roman Catholic
Church en-route. Return back to Trichy and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 04- Trichy/ Madurai
A half day tour to the famous rock fort complex is organized. This
complex looms about 300' over the banks of the Cauvery River. A Ganesh
temple stands here, and you can have superb views from the top of the
fort, looking down on the river island of Srirangam and the temple of
Ranganatha Swami. After exploring Trichy, you will be driven to Madurai,
late in the afternoon. Upon arrival at Madurai, check in at the hotel.
Day 05- Madurai
For centuries, Madurai has been a center of Dravidian culture and a
Tamil heartland. You will find the old town of Madurai very interesting.
It adheres round 9 tall Gopurams of the Meenakshi temple. At Madurai you
have a lot to explore, like the Hall of 1000 Pillars, the Palace of King
Tiramalai (a blend of Hindu and Saracenic architectural styles), the
Great Tank and the Gandhi Museum and much more.
Day 06- Madurai/ Quilon (Kollam) (305 Km 6 Hrs)
The sixth day of the tour begins with journey to Quilon, from Madurai.
You will be driven through the splendid Cardamom hills and cross into
Kerala state, one of the most beautiful states of India, with a cultural
heritage going back to thousands of years. This area is quite prosperous
with crops like tea and rubber; timber is also an important industry.
Upon arrival at Quilon, check in at the hotel.
Day 07- Quilon/ Alleppey/ Cochin
At Quilon, get ready for an experience of life time! Quilon is the
starting point of the inland waterways in Kerala. You will love cruising
along the inland waterways. The Malabar backwaters, under the lush green
leaves of coconut palms, give a heavenly pleasure.
The boat journey from Quilon to Alleppey is a real adventure. Set out
for Alleppey on the local riverboat - cum - ferry. It is an exotic
journey and takes some 8 hours. On reaching Alleppey, you are driven to
Cochin, where you check in at the hotel.
Day 08- Cochin
Cochin is called "the Venice of the East'. Cochin has been an
important trade center for centuries. So, get ready to explore history
and natural beauty together. Take the river craft tour to Fort Cochin,
the oldest European settlement in India. You will find the land a
mixture of English, Dutch and Portuguese influence. You can also see the
Chinese fishing nets, while passing through the Bolgatty Island and
explore the St. Francis church and the Jewish Synagogue. Return back to
the hotel and spend the night there.
Day 09- Cochin - Coimbatore (183 Km 4 Hrs)
On day ninth of the tour, you will be driven to Coimbatore at the foot
of Nilgiri Hills. Upon arrival at Coimbatore, check in at hotel. You can
either explore the place on your own or relax as the day is free. Spend
the night at the hotel.
Day 10- Coimbatore / Ooty (98 Km 2 Hrs)
You will be driven to Metupalayam railway station, early in the morning
to board the Nilgiri Express (train journey availability, subject to
local conditions). Journey through the beautiful and scenic Nilgiri and
reach Ootacamund or Ooty, as it is known. By afternoon you reach Ooty by
afternoon and transfer to hotel. You have afternoon at leisure and can
explore the botanical garden, horse-racing, and shopping on Charring
Cross, the center of the town. There is an artificial lake at Ooty,
which enhances Ooty's natural beauty.
Day 11 Ooty/ Mysore (159 Km 2 ½ Hrs)
After a brief leisure in the morning, you will leave for a short drive
through Madumalai National Park (home to a variety of wildlife) to
Mysore, "city of fragrance". Upon arrival, check in at the
hotel. Remaining day is at leisure.
Day 12- Mysore
After breakfast you will be taken to explore the Maharaja's Palace (It
is a treat to watch at night as it dazzles in lights) and the Chamundi
Hills (at the top of Chamundi Hill stands an enormous monolithic
sculpture of the sacred bull Nandi). You are at leisure in the afternoon
and can explore sandalwood arts and crafts of Mysore. Spend the night at
hotel.
Day 13- Mysore- Chennai (Shatabdi Exp), Chennai- Mahabalipuram (58
Km 1 ½ Hrs)
Enjoy your breakfast in the morning and relax! In the afternoon board
the Chennai bound train and reach Mahabalipuram by late evening and
drive to Mahabalipuram. Check in at the hotel and spend the night. This
small place offers ideal opportunity to relax after the journey.
Mahabalipuram is well known for its beautiful temples and miles of
beaches, perfect for an evening stroll.
Day 14- Mahabalipuram
After your breakfast, you will be taken for an excursion tour of
Mahabalipuram town. The main attractions of Mahabalipuram are the cave
temples, monolithic temples, the five rathas and the shore temples. Cave
Temples were excavated by scooping out the scarp of the hill. The
Monolithic Temples are locally known as Rathas. They were executed by
chiseling out the exterior face of the boulder.
There a total number of 8 monolithic temples in Mamallapuram or
Mahabalipuram. Five rathas are at one place- the Ganesh Ratha,
Valayankuttai Ratha & Pidari Rathas. The Shore temple is a temple
complex consisting of two Shiva temples and a carving of Anantasayana
Vishnu. After exploring the magnificent architecture of the town, return
back to hotel.
Day 15 Mahabalipuram - Chennai (58 Km 1 ½ Hrs)
In the morning you will be driven back to Chennai to catch the flight
for your onward journey.



