The best of South India

Chennai- Mahabalipuram
Early morning arrival in Chennai (Madras) airport. Transfer to Mahabalipuram in the hotel for some rest. full day for the discovery Mahabalipuram. Mamallapuram dates back to the Tamil Pallava dynasty in the 7th-9th century. The structures here, mostly carved straight out of granite, are among the oldest existing examples of Dravidian (South Indian) architecture.
visit of sea Shore temple, the oldest structure in the area, build c. 700 AD, five rathas, literally chariots, dating from the 7th century are sculptures complemented by some enormous stone animals, including a large elephant, and Thirukadalmallai temple, the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram. (B)

Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
Departure to Pondicherry. With its seafront promenade, wide boul¬evards, enduring pockets of French culture and architecture, and a popular ashram, Puducherry, the original name of the city, is unlike anywhere else in South India. Remains of French connection make this place distinct from other places in India. The former French colony was settled in the early 18th century as a colonial enclave and it retains a mildly Gallic air superimposed on a typical Indian background. Pondicherry is enriched with its architectural marvel and cultural wealth. Today a guided tour will allow you to discover the main tourist attractions. You will visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother spent their time for the upliftment of society, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Bharti and Bharthidasan Memorial museum. In its credit it has the birth-place of Subramanya Bharathy, the great Tamil poet and also the birth place of world famous film director M. Night Shyamalan. Later you will have free time to explore the city, beaches and promenade. You might walk along the seashore, which is always clean, charming and amazing with its beauty.
Overnight in Pondicherry. (B)

Pondicherry- Auroville- Pondicherry
Early morning transfer to Auroville. Auroville is conceived as a ‘Universal Town’. This is a place where people of different nationalities, beliefs and culture live in together. This amazing city of community living was started in 1968 by the Mother, renowned disciple of Shri Aurobindo, and now the development is going on. During the day you will have an introduction to life in Auroville, exploring a variety of sites and the soul of Auroville – Matrimandir. At 8,30 introduction to Auroville at visitor center, watching an explanatory video, visit the gardens of Matri Mandir, a modern architectural marvel, with a globe as high as 30 meters and have lotus-shaped foundation urn. Then the programme includes a 2-hour morning session on Shree Aurobindo and integral Yoga and a cycling tour to different Auroville locations. During the tour we will talk about The Auroville Charter and Dream, living in a community, architecture and city planning, forestation and farming, experiments on financial models and any other Auroville.
Overnight in Pondicherry. (B/L)

Pondicherry– Chidambaram- Kumbakonam
Departure to Chidambaram. Here we will visit an interesting development project of a local NGO called EKTA. The NGO promotes campaigns to end violence against women, facilitates networks for experiential sharing and collective action. It advocates and lobbies for gender sensitive policy changes to further the interest of women and address gender based violence in particular. In particular you will visit the Nambikkai Centre, which host 30 girls, providing them with maximum opportunity to explore their creative skills in different disciplines, sports, dance, music, etc. This Centre also acts as a drop-in centre for women and children in need. Lunch will be prepared by women of a local village. After lunch visit of Pichavaram mangroves forest, which is spread across of around 2800 acres on the back water with a group of small islands. On a traditional boat you will paddle across the narrow mangrove bushes where the motor boat cannot reach. Since Mangrove trees are dense and found in water bodies there are many birds found in this place, both native and migratory birds are commonly seen. Late afternoon you will visit Chidambaram temple for the aarti puja. After transfer to Kumbakonam, fa-mously called the ‘temple town’ or ‘The City of Temples’ given the number of temples that have been built in and around the town. Check in the hotel.
Overnight in Kumbakonam. (B/L)

Kumbakonam
After breakfast visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. The Temple is an outstanding monument of the Chola period. The name literally means ‘The town of the Cholas who defeated the Gangas’. Gangaikondacholisvaram temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and a living sample of the Great Living Chola Temples. After visit and Dharasuram village. The village, located 3 km from Kumbakonam, is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century A and is an exquisite symbol of the supremacy of Chola architectural style D. The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument. Airavat is the holy White Elephant and the temple is dedicated to the Lord of Airavat. On the way Evening performance of Bharathanatyam with traditional vegetarian dinner.
Overnight in Kumbakonam. (B/D)

Kumbakonam – Thanjavur- Madurai
Early morning departure to Madurai. On the way visit to Brihadishvara Temple in Thanjavur. Thanjavur, otherwise known as Tanjore, is a city of Chola rulers and it gained popularity during the Chola period between 11th and 14th centuries. According to a local legend, Thanjavur derives its name from Tanjan, an asura ruler, who was killed by Lord Vishnu and Sri Anandavalli Amman for devastating the neighbourhood and was granted his last request that the city be named after him. The Great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola built this famous Brahadeshwara temple or the Big Temple. This temple showcases the Indian architectural brilliance and is a favourite pilgrimage spot for many visitors visiting Tanjore. After lunch transfer to Madurai. Afternoon visit and sightseeing Madurai: Sri Meenakshi Temple. Palace, Alagar Koil. Madurai is a temple town of India which attracts people from several different part of the country for religious purposes. The enormous temple complex is dedicated to Shiva, known here as Sundareshvara and his consort Parvati or Meenakshi.
Overnight in Madurai. (B)

Madurai -Periyar
If you wish you can have an early morning visit to Meenakshi temple. After breakfast transfer to Periyar- (5hrs drive). Arrive and proceed to Hotel in Thekkady. Periyar Tiger Reserve, sprawled over an area of 777 Sq.km, is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India and it is considered an example of nature’s bounty, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing veritable visitor satisfaction. People oriented and park centred community based ecotourism is the hallmark of Periyar Tiger Reserve. These programmes are conducted by local people responsible for the surveillance of the vulnerable parts of the reserve. Spend some time to relax and walk around.
Overnight in Peryar. (B)

Periyar-Cochin
After breakfast go for nature walk (max 5 person in a group). Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes, generally 4 to 5 km. in length. This is an interpretive programme offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. The programme starts at 7.00 am and lasts for about 3 hours. A maximum of 5 persons can go for trekking at a time along each nature trail, accompanied by a trained tribal guide. The Nature walk is the right programme to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers. After lunch transfer to Kochi (approx. 4 hrs drive). Arrive in Kochi and check into Hotel in Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is a jewel in the crown of Kerala with its European heritage and true cosmopolitan temperament. A leisurely walk through its streets is one of the best ways to discover all that the city has to offer – its natural harbour and historical sites. Free for walks around…
Overnight in Kochi. (B)

Fort Cochin
Morning: Join our guide for a half day guided tour of Fort Kochi exploring the Jew town, Synagogue, Spice Markets, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Chinese Fishing nets. Return to the hotel by afternoon. Rest of the time free for shopping, cycling or just pure history walks (Jewish Synagogue is closed on Fridays and Saturdays; Dutch Palace is closed on Fridays). In the evening attend a cultural art performance at the theatre of Greenix village. The Village, Kerala’s only cultural art village is a pioneer establishment in the promotion of art & culture since 2006. The village covers an area of 45,000 sq. ft. and is dedicated to present various facets of Kerala’s rich culture. The evening cultural programme (starts at 5 pm and ends at 7,30 pm.) comprises of 7 different art forms: traditional Welcome dance of Kerala, Mohiniyattom, the classical dance of Kerala, Bharathanatayam, the south Indian classical dance; Martial arts of Kerala, Kalaripayattu; Demo as well as the episode of Kathakali; Theyyam, a temple ritual; final programme with a fusion of all the dance forms.
Overnight in Kochi. (B)

Fort Cochin-Kumarakom-Cochin
Early morning transfer to Kumarakom (1hr drive) for a daily cruise in backwaters. Kumarakom is about 10kms from Kottayam and it is one of most beautiful backwater stretches of Kerala. Besides the tourism activities in the backwaters, the Kumarakom bird sanctuary which extends over 14 acres is a major tourist attraction. Agriculture, fishing and tourism are the major economic activities of Kumarakom. Hence, it is declared as a Special Tourism Zone by Government of Kerala in 2005. Today you will experience a daily responsible tourism initiative, called “Village life experience”. It is a half-day tour package, to give you an authentic experience of village life. This is a good example of an itinerary linking the community-based tourism products and services, as envisaged by the Responsible Tourism programme (Government of Kerala). View the village life while on boat cruise. After lunch return to Kochi. Rest time or possibility of Ayurvedic treatment. Return to Kochi for an evening walk.
Overnight in Kochi. (B/L)

Here you can choose to break the journey and take your international flight from Kochi airport or continue the itinerary.

Cochin – Trissur – Cheruthuruthy
In the morning enjoy shopping in Cochin or go for an ayurvedic massage (during the Trissur Pooram soon after breakfast transfer to Thrissur). Along the way stop at the city of Thrissur. The name of Thrissur derives from “Tiru-shiva-perur” or from the city with the name of Shiva. With its rich history and cultural heritage, Thrissur is called the cultural capital of Kerala. Visiting the outside of the Temple of Vadakkumnatha (inside the non-Hindus cannot enter), elevated on a spur of rock, the temple is a sacred place for Hindus, famous for its wall decorations and ancient paintings, which ends the ceremonial procession of elephants. All the events of the Pooram are held around the temple, a sort of pilgrimage that is an explosion of colors, lights and sounds. Later the tour will continue to Cheruthuruthy and you will check in at an Ayurvedic resort on the river. The Nila River, or Bharathappuzha in the Malayalam language, is the second longest in Kerala. The culture and life of southern Kerala owe much to the Nila, in fact the name was extended throughout the surrounding area. Possibility to do an Ayurvedic massage.
Overnight at hotel in Cheruturuthy. (B, D)

Cheruturuthy
After breakfast, you will continue your journey with Kerala Kalamandalam, a particular university where the ancient arts of Kerala are studied, to spend a morning with professors and students (the institute is closed on weekends and holidays, such as Christmas or summer, in this case the program of the day is organized differently). In the afternoon, meeting with the interpreter to visit the village and observe the textile artisans who use the hand loom and the potters that shape the clay, with the possibility of creating some small objects and take it with them as a souvenir; here are some of the few metal-working families in the region. You will observe the complex scientific process that gives life to the metal alloy and the artistic techniques that then transform it into traditional tea pots or locks. In the evening, you’ll spend time in the company of popular artists who will show you the traditional heritage of the Nila. The initiative began in collaboration with the Vayali Folklore Group of Arangottukkra, which takes care of keeping the folklore of Kerala alive and supports the artists of the region.
Overnight in Cheruturuthy. (B, L, D)

Cheruturuthy – Wayanad
After breakfast transfer by road to Wayanad. Proceed to Tharikapetta village in Wayanad. Wayanad is considered a green paradise, nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history, culture and nature. Check in a family guest house and get to know the family who will host you. After a lunch prepared in your host family you will visit bamboo village of Tharikapetta, a responsible tourism initiative. You will have the chance to interact with local farmers and visit Uravu, a local NGO which produce bamboo handicrafts. The visit also includes interaction with the promoters, visit to the bamboo nursery and plant a bamboo sapling as part of a Traveller’s Forest initiative. You can visit the Bamboo workshop, interact with the artisans and designers and see how they create marvels out of different varieties of bamboo grown locally.
Overnight in Wayanad. (B,L,D)

Wayanad
Early morning enjoy a small trek to Manikunnu Hill for the morning view! Walk the spice and vegetable gardens- a guided tour. “Meet our elders”: experience their ways of sustainable living, we take you to where our modernity began. A special lunch is organized for the guests with only products made of bamboo, from bamboo rice, to bamboo shoots to pickles. Unique experience. After lunch walk in the nearby villages and visit edakkal caves and some small Jain temples. In the evening you will participate to a cultural exchange programme with villagers (home stay providers and other will sing songs and al, guests can also sing their songs etc.)
Overnight in Wayanad. (B,L,D)

Wayanad-Calicut
Transfer to Calicut airport (approx. 2,5 hrs drive). Fly to your international destination.