THE ESSENCE OF SOUTH INDIA

Chennai
Arrival in the morning at Chennai’s airport, meeting outside the terminal with one of our operators and transfer to the hotel to rest. In the late morning, visit of the city. The Kapaleeshwarar temple, dating from the 7th century, is a sanctuary, located in the Mylapore area; it is dedicated to Shiva, with the name of Arulmigu Kapaleeshwarar. It is in the Dravidian style, with the Gopura (ornamental tower) overlooking the street where the temple stands. In Mylapore there is also a Roman Catholic church, the Basilica of St. Thomas, built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers on the site of the tomb of the apostle of Jesus. (Only for groups, in the afternoon there will be the possibility to discover a local NGO that cares for children in slum areas and their communities, primarily by providing good education and vocational training). Overnight in Chennai. (B)

Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Thiruvannamalai
After breakfast, transfer to Thiruvannamalai. On the way, visit to Dakshina Chitra, an NGO that works to keep the arts, crafts and traditional architecture of South India alive. Two-hour guided tour of the city’s hystorical buildings, exploring every corner. Possibility of having a direct experience of art or crafts. Afterwards, transfer to Mahabalipuram. Also called Mamallapuram, the town dates back to the 7th-9th century, during the reign of the Pallava dynasty. The buildings, almost all carved from granite, are among the oldest examples of Dravidian architecture. Visit to the temple on the beach, the oldest structure in the area, built in the eighth century; to the Pancha Rathas (the 5 chariots), 5 monolithic pyramidal structures flanked by huge animal sculptures, including an elephant; to the Thirukadalmallai temple, dedicated to Vishnu, built by King Pallava to protect the sculptures from the ocean. In the late afternoon, transfer to Thiruvannamalai and check into the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Thiruvannamalai. (B, D)

Thiruvannamalai
After breakfast, visit to Thiruvannamalai. This is a place off the beaten track but (also for this reason) of great interest. Tiruvannamalai (literally: “the red mountain”) is one of the 5 most important sacred cities of Tamil Nadu and is consecrated to the cult of fire (an element representing Lord Shiva). It is not by chance that it rises on the slopes of the ancient Arunchala volcano. Visit to the main temple of Arunachaleshvara, which dominates the city (every December, on the night of the full moon, a suggestive Hindu festival is celebrated during which the slopes of the Arunachala volcano are illuminated with large bonfires). The most evocative view of this huge complex is by climbing towards the meditation caves of Shri Ramana Maharishi, a great teacher and saint who lived in this location until 1922. You will have the possibility of visiting the ashram, the home of the modern sage, Sri Ramana Maharshi. He lived in this place for about 28 years, from 1922 until his death in 1950. Ramana Maharishi’s Samadhi is a pilgrimage destination for believers. The ashram is located at the foot of the Arunachala hill and is surrounded by lush nature. Overnight in Thiruvannamalai. (B, D)

Thiruvannamalai – Pondycherry
After lunch, transfer to Ponndicherry. With its waterfront, wide streets, the French cultural and architectural legacy, and the popular Ashram, Puducherry (original name) is a one-of-a-kind Indian city. The previous French colony was founded in the early 18th century as a colonial enclave, and over time the French style was superimposed on the characteristic Indian style. Consequence is the cultural and architectural richness. A guided tour will show you the major tourist attractions such as the Ashram founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 and then entrusted by him to his disciple ‘The Mother’; the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Bharti and Bharthidasan memorial museum. The Pondicherry district is also the birthplace of some notable personalities such as the poet Subramanya Bharathy and the director M. Night Shyamalan. Overnight in Pondicherry. (C)

Pondicherry – Auroville – Pondicherry
Transfer early in the morning to Auroville, which shows itself as an international town where men and women of every country can live in peace and harmony, overcoming religious, political and cultural differences. Born in 1968, it is a constantly evolving project. At 8:30 at the visitors center you’ll see an explicative video and then discover the heart of the city, the gardens of Matrimandir, a wonderful modern architecture with a golden globe 30 mt high with lotus urns at the base. The tour continues with a visit of two hours about Sri Aurobindo and Yoga, and with a bicycle tour to discover Auroville.
During the tour the Auroville Charter which acts as a silent guide for the inhabitants of the town and the various projects pursued will be illustrated: architectural projects for its expansion, agricultural projects for sustenance and financial projects to experiment new solutions for the future. Overnight stay in Pondicherry (B, L).

Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Kumbakonam
After breakfast departure for Chidambaram. Visit to the temple of Chidambaram, the only temple in India dedicated to Shiva Nataraj, the dancing Shiva. Transfer to Kumbakonam, called the city-temple or the city of temples, given the high number of temples built inside and around the city. Check-in at the hotel. Later visit the Dharasuram village, located 3 km from Kumbakonam, known for the Airavateswara temple, also built under the Chola dynasty in the 12th century. The temple is dedicated to Airavata, the white elephant from Hindu mythology that carries the god Hydra. Both temples were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and are majestic examples of the dynasty’s architectural mastery.(Only for groups, in the evening performance of Bharathanatyam with traditional vegetarian dinner). Overnight in Kumbakonam. (B, D)

Kumbakonam – Tanjore – Madurai
After breakfast, transfer to Madurai. Stop along the way to visit the Brihadishvara temple in Tanjore. Also known as Thanjavur, it was a Chola city and gained importance under this dynasty between the 11th and 14th centuries. According to legend, the name derives from Tanjan, the name of an asura demon from Hindu mythology, who was killed by Vishnu and Sri Anandavalli Amman for having devastated the area, but who was allowed to name the city as a last wish before to die. The temple was built at the behest of Emperor Chola Raja Raja and shows the liveliness of Indian architecture. It is a favorite pilgrimage destination for visitors to the city. After the visit, transfer to Madurai and check in at the hotel. Guided tour of Madurai and to see the main attractions: the royal palace; the Sri Meenakshi temple, dedicated to Shiva, here called Sundareshvara, and his consort Parvati or Meenakshi, which attracts many people from different parts of India; the Alagar Koil temple, dedicated to Vishnu. Overnight in Madurai. (D)

Madurai – Periyar
Early in the morning, possibility to visit Sri Meenakshi temple. After breakfast, transfer to Periyar (approximately 5h). Check-in at the hotel in Thekkady. Visit to the Periyar Reserve which covers an area of 777km2. It is one of the 27 tiger conservation reserves in India; in 1982 its innermost area, inaccessible to tourism, was elevated to the rank of National Park. It is considered an example of the bounty of nature which, with its countless panoramic views and rich bio-diversity, offers a beautiful experience to visitors. There are eco-tourism projects run by local people, responsible for the surveillance of the most vulnerable areas of the reserve. Free time to relax, stroll and enjoy the park. Overnight in Periyar. (B, D)

Periyar – Kochi
After breakfast, possibility of trekking along natural paths that go into very different habitats. The start is about 7 o’clock and lasts about three hours, the groups can have a maximum of 5 people and will be accompained by a local guide. The routes are 4-5 kilometers long and offer the opportunity to observe birds, butterflies and wildlife and to discover the incredible natural variety of the area, passing through evergreen or deciduous forests interspersed with swampy grasslands. After lunch, transfer to Kochi (about four hours) and check-in at the hotel in the ancient quarter of Fort Kochi, a very charming place, with its european heritage and a cosmopolitan attitude. Free time to stroll through the streets of the city to discover its natural harbor and historical sites. Overnight stay in Kochi (B).

Fort Kochi
After breakfast, guided tour of an half day in the city to discover the Jewish town, the synagogue, the spice market, the Mattancherry Palace, also noted as Dutch Palace, the St.Francis Church, the most ancient European church of India, the Cheena Vala, typical Chinese fishing nets (the only place outside of China where they are used). Return at the hotel. Free time for the rest of the day. In the evening, dancing exhibitions in a local theatre. You will have the opportunity to see traditional art forms such as Kathakali, a form of the eater-dance with very elaborate costumes and movements. Overnight stay in Fort Kochi (B).

Fort Kochi – Kumarakom – Kochi
Early in the morning transfer to Kumarakom (1 hour) for a day cruise in Kerala’s most beautiful Backwaters. Another major tourist attraction is the bird reserve which spans more than 14 acres. Agriculture, fishing and tourism are the major economic activities of the city, declared in 2005 Special Tourism Zone by the government of Kerala. Participation at the conscious tourism initiative called the ‘Village life experience’, which consists of a half-day package that allows you to live the experience of life in an authentic village.
It is a way to include in the itinerary a tourist service linked to local communities, according to the principles of conscious tourism. After lunch, return in Kochi. Free time and the possibility to undergo ayurvedic treatments. Overnight stay in Kochi (B,L).

Transfer to Kochi’s airport and departure with international flight.