Classical Tour of South India – Experience South India

Arrival in Chennai. You will be met & assisted by our TIME representative at the Airport, who will escort you till check in at the Hotel. The vibrant history of the city of Chennai which was previously named as Madras, traces back to 368 years and Chennai was originally a tiny fishing village. The region surrounding Chennai has served as a significant administrative, military, and economic centre dating back to the 1st century. It has been ruled by renowned South Indian kingdoms like the Pallava, the Chola, the Pandya, and Vijaynagar empires. Overnight in Chennai.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing of Chennai. The important landmarks of the city driving along the famous Marina beach, an elegant promenade & proceed to the old Indian section of Mylapore. Also visit Basilica of San Thome Cathedral which is situated at the southern end of Marina, an elegant promenade & proceed to the old Indian section of Mylapore, visit Basilica of San Thome Cathedral which is situated at the southern end of Marina derives its name from St Thomas & visit the Bronze Gallery at the Government Museum & National Art Gallery. Overnight in Chennai.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing of Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram piece de resistance is Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganga, the world’s largest bas-relief, 764 ft. by 288 ft. (27m by 9m). It is a beautiful composition of hundreds of celestial beings, human and animals all hurrying to a natural rock cleft that divides the giant stone. The best known landmark of Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple, which has stood by the sea for 12 centuries. Its twin spires are pure poetry in granite. The other wonders of Mahabalipuram are the mandapams, each a cave scooped from a hillside of solid rock and ornamented with pillars, sculptured with panels and with rathams (monolithic rock-cut shrines) that have inspired generations of South Indian temple-builders. The five rathas, named after the Pandavas brothers, the heroes of the Mahabharata, and their wife Druapadi, are part of an amphitheater of art. Each temple though incomplete, remains a gem. Also in this area are a magnificent elephant and an exquisite Nandi, the sacred bull. Later in the afternoon proceed for the excursion to Kanchipuram. The Golden City of Kanchipuram has about 125 shrines, all of them centuries old, dating back to the early Cholas of 200 B.C. It was successively capital of the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Rayas of Vijayanagara. The height of Kanchi’s glory was when it was capital of the far-flung empire of the Pallavas from the 6th to the 8th centuries when Mahabalipuram and Mylapore were its great ports. All that is left are its magnificent temples. Kanchipuram‘s other claim to fame is its silk, renowned for more than four centuries. A unique system of weavers makes and sells Kanchi saris which are the richest saris in India and certainly the most sought after. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Pondicherry. Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of trade and war. There is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with Rues and Boulevards lined with Mediterranean style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian. French is still understood, and the whole city makes for rather pleasant mix of East and West. It is also known as The French Riviera of the East (La Côte d'Azur de l'Est). Pondicherry is very much a city with a dual personality: crossing from East to West of the central canal reveals two cities with very different characters. Later proceed for the city tour of Pondicherry. Sri Aurobindo Ashram: This place was founded by Sri Aurobindo, who in the early ages was a revolutionist and then turned poet. His was jointly helped by The Mother, who was a Paris born painter. The Ashram is a centre for the practice of integral yoga, meditation, and of inner development. Auroville: Auroville was inaugurated on 28th Feb. 1968 with representation from 124 countries. Auroville was envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony. It is an attempt to realize a new society as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Nearly people from 35 countries are living here to realize on human unity and transformation of consciousness. Auroville welcomes people from all parts of the world to live together and explore cultural, educational, scientific, spiritual, and other pursuits in accordance with the Auroville Charter. Auroville information centre and Marti Mandir [Meditation hall with world’s biggest man- made crystal ball are the places open to most of the visitors. It offers less to see and lots to experience. Rest of the day free to explore & visit local market of the beautiful city of Pondicherry Overnight in Pondicherry.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Tanjore. On arrival checkin to the hotel. Later proceed for the sightseeing of Tanjore. Tanjore is famous for the Brihadeeswara Temple has gopurams over 90 ft. (27 m) high and is exquisitely sculpted. They lead to a vast courtyard in which the main temple stands guarded by two sentries carved out of single stones. Facing the sanctum is a nandi (bull) Shiva’s favorite vehicle. The corridors around the sanctum have many sculptures as well as Chola frescoes which were recently discovered. The Palace and the remains of the fort that surround it can still be seen. Members of the former royal family of Thanjavur still occupy some apartments in the inner recesses but the Palace is now mainly used as a art gallery. Overnight in Tanjore.

Morning after breakfast, Excursion to Trichy. Trichy is a historical town and was for a period the capital of the Chola rulers. Visit the Rock Fort, 300 ft. (90 m) high, which dominates the landscape. A fine view of the city can be had from the fort. Visit the Island of Srirangam across the River Kaveri - 3 miles (5 km.) away. The temple here is practically a town in itself with several residential streets within its 1 sq. mile together with a number of shopping streets. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in Tanjore.

Morning after breakfast drive to Madurai. On arrival checkin to the hotel Known as the city of festivals, Madurai is the most ancient home of culture and the first Tamil Academy was founded here by scholars and pious kings. The town has developed encircling the famous Meenakshi Temple built in the Dravidian style - one for Shiva and the other for his spouse Meenakshi. It is believed that if you place a literary work in the tank of this temple, it will sink if it is worthless and float, if worthy. The temple has beautiful sculptures of Shiva. The court of a thousand pillars built in 1560 AD also has lovely sculptures. From any side inside the hall, the visitor can get a kaleidoscopic view. Outside the temple, are the Musical Pillars which produce different swaras or notes when tapped. To the east, is the Vasanth Mandapam with life-size statues of nayakas of Madurai. Overnight in Madurai.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing of Madurai The `Temple City’ was the capital of the Pandya kingdom but it was during the reign of the Nayaks (10th to the 18th century) that the magnificent Meenakshi Temple. Visit the Palace of Tirumala Nayak, the most famous king of the Nayak dynasty. It has a great audience hall, a three-sided pavilion and a courtyard & Alagar. Evening witness Aarti Ceremony at temple. Overnight in Madurai.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Periyar (Thekkady). On arrival checkin to the hotel. Thekkady is enchanting as the road winds through tranquill countryside, rich plantations & thick jungles. The sanctuary, 60 km from Idukki, 190 km from Cochin and 114 km away from Kottayam is open throughout the year, but the best season for a visit is from September to March. The sanctuary is centered around the large (24 sq km) artificial lake formed by a dam across the Periyar river. It is one of the famous holiday destinations in India. Overnight in Periyar.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing of Periyar. Morning Boat ride on the lake Periyar to view wild life and water birds. Herds of elephants and bison come to the lake. Spotted deer and sambhar are also found here. Later visit the spice plantation in Periyar Visit the spice plantation in Thekkady is one of the major spice plantations in Kerala. The spice plantations in Kerala are captivating farms to wander in, since different spices are cultivated in different sections of each plantation. Overnight in Periyar.

Morning after an early breakfast, drive to Kumarakom. On arrival Checkin to the hotel. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and are a fascinate the visitors Balance day for leisure. Overnight in Kumarakom

Morning after breakfast, drive to Cochin. On arrival Checkin to the hotel. Cochin, originally built by the Portuguese, has a natural harbour with lagoons, canals and fishing hamlets. One of the three biggest ports on the West Coast, it is also an industrially developed area. The coir industry is of special importance. There is golf and swimming for the sporty tourist. An excursion by boat through the backwaters is enchanting. Later proceed for the sightseeing of Cochin. Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, open from 1000 Hrs to 1500 Hrs (Closed on Fridays & Public Holidays) was built by the Portuguese in the year 1555 & renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In the ancient rooms are 17th century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayana. Visit a Jewish Synagogue, open from 1000 Hrs to 1200 Hrs & 1500 Hrs to 1700 Hrs (Closed on all Saturdays & Jewish Holidays) in Jew Town & Fort Cochin Area. Visit St. Francis Church, open from 0900 Hrs to 1300 Hrs & 1430 Hrs to 1730 Hrs (Closed for visitors on Sundays from 0800 Hrs to 1100 Hrs), is the oldest European Church in India. See the Chinese Fishing Nets, along the tip of Fort Cochin unique to this part of Kerala & living symbols of a centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast. Later in the Evening witness Kathkali Dance Show. Overnight in Cochin.

In time transfer to the international Airport, to connect flight to onward destination.