Today to start with your Splendours of Southern India- Tamilnadu and Puducherry with Kerala Highlights Tour India , you will be met from your flight to Chennai International Airport by Summit Safari’s representative and driver, and we will transfer you to hotel at Mamallapuram also known as Mahabalipuram (50 kms from airport approximately 1 hrs).

The small town of Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock cut temples which attracts thousands of connoisseurs of art from all over the world is one of the 16 world heritage sights been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the famous Shore temple.

Though ravaged by sea, wind and time these sculptural treasures speak volumes about magnificent heritage of ancient Dravidian art and temple architecture, built around 580 to 668 AD.

Rest of the day is free at leisure to relax after the flight. Overnight stay at Mamallapuram for 2 nights.

Please Note: Chennai formerly known as Madras is an international airport in Tamilnadu state, in south part of India, and have flights from/ to U.K, Dubai (Middle East Asia) / Singapore (South East Asia). If you are coming from U.K / Europe or from Australia you can get your direct or connecting flights from these places to Chennai. We would like to discuss these things with you at the time of your booking of the holidays with us.

Today morning after breakfast, we will take you for a guided sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram and will visit the UNESCO heritage site of the monolith rock cut temples also known as Five Rathas or Chariots, Krishna Mandapam, Arjuna Penance, Krishna’s butter ball and Tiger’s cave. It is a open air museum.

The five Rathas were all carved out of a single piece of granite. The monuments are mostly rock-cut and monolithic. All of these built largely between the 6th to 9th centuries.

Later walk to the famous Shore temple—the only surviving out of the seven such shore temples, in India. If interested we will visit the Tamilnadu handicraft emporium in the same shore temple complex. Return back to hotel and second night in the same hotel in Mahabalipuram/ Mamallapuram.

Today morning after breakfast around 09:00 AM, we will drive you to Puducherry also know as Pondicherry or Pondy. It is also known as “The French Riviera of the East”. Although the French influence is gradually fading, and is limited to one part in the town near the sea, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents.

On the way to Pondicherry we will visit Auroville (15 kms before Pondicherry). Auroville was designed by the French architect Roger Anger. Auroville is meant to be 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 realize human unity. Here we will visit Matrimandir from outside and you can have lunch in a local restaurant over here. Later proceed to Pondicherry where on arrival check into the luxury hotel. Evening free to relax by the pool side or have a walk around the beach.

Overnight in Puducherry for 2 nights.

Today after breakfast around 09:30 A.M we will take you for the sightseeing tour of Puducherry/Pondicherry. The main sights are the handmade paper factory, the Sacred Heart Basilica and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, including a walk through the heritage part of Pondicherry.

The Aurobindo ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 15 km from Pondicherry. Later on after lunch in a local restaurant return back to hotel and evening free to relax your own. Second night in the same hotel in Pondicherry.

Today After breakfast around 09:00 AM, we will drive you to Tanjore (Thanjavur). Enroute south of Pondicherry we drive you to visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple ( 100 kms/ 3 hrs), where we will visit this ancient temple.

Later we continue to Tanjore via Kumbakonam and Dharasuram. We’ll stop with a local family in Dharasuram where at their home they are engaged in Kartika silk weaving like Sarees, scarfs etc. They will show the process of silk dyeing and weaving it further as a Sarees or a scarf. If interested, you can buy the silk fabric from the local people here in their houses where it is weaved. We will also visit the famous temple at Dharasuram.

Later on drive to Tanjore (71 kms/ 2.30 hrs) and check in at your hotel. Evening visit the local brass metal handicrafts crafts men where you see how pieces of Brass are melted and given shape of different handicrafts including the idols, lamps etc. Even you can visit to some Tanjore handicraft and panting shops.

Thanjavur is also the home of the Tanjore painting using gold leaf paper, a painting style unique to the region. The town is an important agricultural center located at the heart of the region, known as the “Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu”. Overnight stay for 1 night in Tanjore.

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and take a guided tour to the Big Temple of Tanjore. It is an important center of South Indian art and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments are located in and around Thanjavur (Tanjore). The foremost among the Great Living Chola temples, the Brihadeeswara Temple also known as the Big temple, is located in the center of the town.

The big temple (Brihadeeswara Temple) Built in the 11th century AD by the Medieval Chola king, Raja Chola I, the temple complex houses a granite shrine dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is surrounded by fortifications. The walls of the sanctum are covered with wall paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods.

The temple was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Later on if interested we can visit the Saraswathi Mahal art gallery and Library, established around 1700 AD and located in the premises of the Nayak’s palace, contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper.

Later in the afternoon continue drive to Kanadukathan a small heritage village (93 kms/ 2 hrs ) the home to Chettiars a merchant community from Chettinadu. On the way you might meet people selling the fresh cashew nuts.

We will reach Kanadukathan by afternoon and we will stay here in a heritage hotel property known as Chettinadu Mansion. Late afternoon we will take you for the sightseeing tour of Kanadukathan village in a bullock cart and we will visit some heritage mansions like VVR House (by special arrangements), Chettinadu palace, village temples, and local market to view some of the famous architecture of the building.

Chettinadu is very famous for its cuisine and especially for Chicken Chettinad, enjoy the traditional meal during dinner. Today you’ll get a insight to the day to day village life in India.

By evening return back to the heritage hotel Chettinadu Mansion at Kanadukathan for 1 night.

Please Note: Most of the heritage mansions are empty and no merchants families live in the village as most of them shifted to the different parts of India and the World. Some of the heritage mansions have beautiful furniture, Burmese teak, Belgium glasses and chandlers. Houses are open to visit and there are care takers families who are taking care of these heritage mansions. They charge entrance free to visit the house from inside and do except some tips - 100 rupees per person, from the visitors.

After breakfast around 08:00 AM, we will drive to Madurai, on arrival in Madurai we will visit the flower market of Madurai, and Ghandi Museum. From the Ghandi museum we will start our bicycle rickshaw ride (2 hrs) in Madurai city which covers the interesting places like the bamboo market, local vegetable and banana market, local streets with people making metal pot making, viewing the local women working with the spinning wheel etc. Later on check at your hotel by afternoon 2:00 PM. Have rest and in the evening around 5:00 PM we will drive you to visit the famous Meenakshi temple at Madurai. It is dedicated to Goddess Parbati who is known as” Meenakshi” and her consort, Shiva, named here as “Sundareswarar”. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The “Aayiram Kaal Mandapam” or Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985 (instead of 1000) carved pillars. The hall was built in 1569 and it is a structure where the engineering skill and artistic vision are blended. There is a Temple Art Museum in the hall where icons, photographs, drawings, and other exhibits of the 1200 years old history of the temple is displayed. Later on return back to hotel by 07:00 PM.

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and before driving you to Thekkady we will take you on a guided tour in Madurai and we’ll visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Meenakshi temple at Madurai.

The famous Meenakshi Amma temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati who is known as” Meenakshi” and her consort, Shiva, named here as “Sundareswarar”. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985( instead of 1000) carved pillars. The hall was built in 1569 and it is a structure where the engineering skill and artistic vision are blended. There is a Temple Art Museum in the hall where icons, photographs, drawings, and other exhibits of the 1200 years old history of the temple is displayed.

Later by afternoon continue your drive to Thekkady (165/ 4 hrs), where on arrival check into the hotel. Thekkady is famous for Periyar Wildlife and Tiger reserve. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 777 sq. km. including 360 sq. km of dense evergreen forest tract, is one of the most fascinating wildlife reserves in Kerala. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, the sanctuary is noted for its geomorphology, abundance of wildlife and abounding scenic beauty.

Later in the evening we’ll take you to enjoy the tribal dance show, organized and done by the ethnic tribal group of the area. Overnight stay at Thekkady for 2 nights.

Today early morning we will take you for a boat trip on the Periyar Lake inside the Periyar wildlife sanctuary. This early morning boat trip offers us a chance to see the wildlife including, elephants, wild bores, Sambhar Deer, Bision, etc including various kinds of birds. Return back to the hotel after breakfast in the afternoon we will take you further to Elephant camp where you can see the elephants and even can help with the washing / feeding of the elephants.

We will also take a guided tour of spice plantations to see some of the famous spices of India. You can enjoy lunch in the local restaurant in Thekkady. Return back to the hotel and have time to rest and relax yourself.

In the evening walk around the local market and from 06:00 P.M to 7:00 P.M we will take you to witness the Kalaripayattu (shortened as Kalari) is an Indian martial art and fighting system that originated in Kerala. Kalaripayattu – the oldest existing martial art form dates back to at least the 6th century BCE. More than 2000 years ago the Buddhist monk Bodhi dharma took this knowledge from India to China. Second night in the same hotel in Thekkady.

Other optional activities: For the day can includes Jungle walk, nature walk, easy walking (2 hrs) through the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and all area organized by the Forest department of Kerala with proper forest guides, and these activity depends on the availability of the tickets, as tickets are available directly at the forest office counters and needs to be booked in advance- at an Extra Cost.

Today after breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Kumarkom (121 kms/ 4 hrs). Enroute we stop at Kanam for lunch at Serenity, a private rubber estate. The cuisine of the Serenity kitchen is based on fresh local products. Later after lunch and visit the rubber plantations continue to Kumarkom where you will stay in a Luxury resort on the edges of Vembanad Lake.

On arrival at Kumarkom check in to the hotel for 1 night and rest of the time is free at Leisure.

Please Note: Today you can choose to stay at Marari beach near Alleppey for 1 night.

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and take a short drive to Alleppey (33 kms/ 1 hrs) from where we will board the house boat around 12:00 P.M, to experience the beautiful back waters of Kerala.

The house boat will take you on the back water canals of Vembanad Lake. Here most of the land and paddy fields are below the sea level. Alleppey, known as the ‘Venice of the East’, is a district of immense natural beauty, with a vast network of lakes, lagoons, canals and freshwater rivers crisscrossing its terrain. Today, this backwater destination is famous for its boat races, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Enjoy a full day cruise along the scenic backwaters of Vembanad Lake.

The boat travels slowly on the backwater canals, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of paddy fields, coconut trees, palm trees, local villages, and local people busy with their daily work routine.

You will also have 40 minutes of a canoe trip through the small water canals where the big houseboat is unable to take you. The boat halts on the water in the evening (around 05:30P.M till 08:00 A.M in the next morning) and you can enjoy the beautiful sunset from the house boat.

All meals will be served on the house boat and overnight in house boat. You will spend entire day on the house boat experiencing the life of the local people and enjoying the nature. Overnight in house boat on Kerala backwaters for 1 night.

Meals Plan-: Breakfast + traditional Lunch + Dinner, with evening tea and snacks. (Mostly local veg meals).

Today after breakfast around 10:00 AM we will be dropped at the jetty where our driver will meet us and will drive to Cochin also known as Fort Kochi (60 kms/ 2 hrs). Enroute we will visit a coconut coir making and jute product making factory.

On arrival at Cochin we will visit the Folklore Museum –the biggest private museum that has various antiques that showcase the history, tradition and cultural differences in different parts of the country, especially south India. There are costumes of dance forms like Mohiniattam and Theyyam. Antique collections, including the oldest Bible, old writings instruments, antique chairs etc.

Later check in to the hotel in Cochin and have time to rest. In the evening 05:00 P.M we will take you to visit the famous traditional Kathakali dance show - a classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's present day state of Kerala and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming. Later on return back to your hotel in Cochin for 2 nights.

Today morning after breakfast we will drive you to visit the famous heritage sites of Fort Cochin with a local guide. Having been under the control of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, The Fort Cochin has a rich and varied history.

You will Explore the heritage part by foot and visit the Vasco the Gama square, the Chinese fishing nets, the church of St Francis originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance where once the Vasco Da Gama was buried. Later we will drive you to visit the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, which features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas ( Kings) of Kochi. It was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja (King) of Kochi.

We will also visit the Jewish Synagogue- or the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. It was built in 1568 by Cochin Jewish community. The synagogue is located in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area. Later on return back to the hotel and have some time to rest.

Later on return back to your hotel and rest of the time is free to relax. Second night in the same hotel in Cochin.

Today morning after breakfast, check out from the hotel, as per your flight schedule we drive and transfer you to Cochin airport (43 kms/ 1.30 hrs), from where you will board your flight back to home.

Please Note: Cochin international airport is in Kerala state, in south part of India, and have flights to/ from U.K, Dubai (Middle East Asia) / Singapore (South East Asia).

End Of The tour and the services....!

This is the tour itinerary for the Splendours of Southern India- Tamilnadu and Puducherry with Kerala Highlights Tour India, which we run regularly. It can be altered & customised as we like to discuss plans with clients and can make suggestions about special places to visit depending on our clients’ interests, and available time. You can get an idea of your holidays from the mentioned tour. The itinerary is planned in such a way that while travelling you get a good time to experience India and see the real life of Indian people from much closer.

Whether you choose to be on a privately guided tour to India or set off on a more independent trip, with local guides available wherever required, you can travel reassured, knowing our vast experience and provide you with around-the-clock support to smooth out anything unexpected. The safety and well-being of our guests is paramount.