Kerala with Tamil Nadu

DAY 01 – CHENNAI: Arrive in Chennai and check into your hotel. After that Spend your day local sightseeing in Chennai city, where you can visit the Santhome Cathedral, Birla Planetarium, Elliot Beach, Valluvar Kottam, National Art and Government Museum, Anna Zoological Park, Kalakshetra, and the Theosophical Society. Stay overnight in Chennai. One of the best places to begin your journey, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the sixth largest city in India. It’s one of the top tourist places in South India and the primary gateway for your South India trip. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is a beautiful mix of the old and the young. Witnessing many historical kingdoms, today it’s a contemporary city with all amenities. If you’ve already covered the museums and temples, you can check out Marina Beach – the world’s second-longest city beach. Chennai is one of the best South tourist places and has several museums, zoos, and monuments.

DAY 02 – MAHABALIPURAM: Day two of the South India tour starts after breakfast. Then drive to Mahabalipuram, the world heritage site famous for the monolith temples dating back centuries. Also visit Kanchipuram, the city of temples en route. Reach Mahabalipuram to have an overnight stay at Grand Bay. The first major destination in the package is Mahabalipuram, one of the best tourist destinations in South India, famous for its edifices of Dravidian art and architecture. The guided tour of the rock-cut temples built by the Kings of the Pallava Dynasty and other attractions of the region over two days will be a beautiful start to your South India trip. It’s one of the famous spots on the South India tourist map.

DAY 03 – MAHABALIPURAM: Day three of the South India holiday Package starts after breakfast. Spend the whole day on the sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram visiting the shore temple, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Five Rathas, and the beach. Stay overnight in Mahabalipuram. There are a lot of sightseeing spots in Mahabalipuram. One of the primary attractions is of course the Shore Temple, an 8th-century temple by the sea. You can also check out some other important monuments such as the Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance. A tour of the UNESCO World Heritage group of monuments is also a must. You can also relax on the beach if you want.

DAY 04 – PONDICHERRY: Day four of South India Travel starts after breakfast. Then drive to Pondicherry, which covers an area of 480 sq. km. consisting of the four coastal regions of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe. These were former French possessions situated on the eastern coast. Visit: Sree Aurobindo Ashram- The world-famous Sree Aurobindo Ashram is situated here. Raj Nivas- The official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, now known as Raj Nivas, is a true specimen of the fusion of Indian and French cultures. The main building is 200 years old. The interiors, the sitting rooms, and the enclosing galleries have wooden furnishings with a French base and Indian-style caving. Stay overnight in Pondicherry. The next leg of the tour takes guests to the beach destination Pondicherry, the erstwhile French Colony of the region, which is a confluence of rich culture and grand architecture. Pondicherry is one of the best places to see in South India and you’ll get to Savor the colonial ambiance combined with the rich Tamil culture while being engaged in Katamaran (fishing-raft) rides, fishing, swimming, and sightseeing.

DAY 05 – KUMBAKONAM: Day five of the South India tour starts after breakfast. Kumbakonam is a sacred spot known for its 4 large great temples dedicated to,
1) Sarangapani
2) Kumbeswarar
3) Brahma and
4) Nageswarar. Around Kumbakonam, there are all the Navagraha Temples (Planetary Temples). Visit temples and stay overnight at Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam, your next stop is a whirlwind collection of wonderful temples that’ll take you back to the time of the earliest dynasties of the South. It also has two World-Heritage listed temples and can be a peaceful addition to your South India Travel. You can move ahead to Tanjore, the erstwhile capital of the majestic Chola Empire. It’s a heritage city echoing the might and grandeur of Chola architectural styles and culture.

DAY 06 – KUMBAKONAM: Today Morning after breakfast visit temples. Stay overnight at Mantra Koodam. A village walks with a village temple visit and a village school visit is complimentary. A peeping into a village house seeing the hutment and trying out a Kolam in a village house by guests would be memorable experiences. A bullock cart rides around the village and a cooking demonstration on the property would also be something the guests would cherish. The next day, you can check out some of the beautiful temples of Kumbakonam such as the Kumbeswara Temple, Sarangapani Temple, Chakrapani Temple, and the Ramaswamy Temple.

DAY 07 – TANJORE: Today Morning after breakfast proceeds to Tanjore. (Tanjore was once the capital of the Cholas, a destiny of temple builders who ruled south India between the 10th and 14th centuries). On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visits Sri Brahadeeswara Temple and Art Gallery. Evening free to relax and stay overnight in Tanjore. Your next leg of the trip involves visiting another historic town – Tanjore. Also known as Thanjavur, it’s the ancient capital of the Chola kingdom. You can witness the grandeur of the Chola temple here. One of the best examples is the Brahadeeswara Temple, one of the most magnificent pieces of Chola architecture. Other things to see here are Airavatesvara Temple, Thanjavur Royal Palace, and Gangaikonda Temple.

DAY 08 – MADURAI: Drive to Madurai in Tamilnadu, one of South India’s greatest temple towns. Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era which is more than 2500 years old. In the evening, visit the Meenakshi Temple to attend the popular evening ceremony where the Hindu God Siva is taken in a palanquin. Stay overnight in Madurai. Madurai is one of the top tourist places in South India. It was home to the Pandya dynasty and now consists of several historic temples. One of the most popular temples is the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Other renowned places are Koodal Alagar Temple, Thiruparankundram, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum, etc.

DAY 09- PERIYAR: This morning you can go to see the rare species of plantations and animals. Afternoon visits spice plantations like cardamom, Pepper, Coffee, tea estate, etc… On the way back to the hotel you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Stay overnight in Periyar. In the next leg of your journey, you move from temples to wildlife. One of the best holiday destinations in South India, Periyar is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. It’s located in Thekkady and is set in the lofty Western Ghats. In the olden days, it used to be the hunting ground for Travancore kings.

DAY 10 – PERIYAR: This morning you can go to see the rare species of plantations and animals. Afternoon visits spice plantations like cardamom, Pepper, Coffee, tea estate, etc… On the way back to the hotel you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Stay overnight in Periyar. Periyar is home to some prolific species of fauna. Some of the animals you can expect to see here are the Sambar, Gaur, Barking Deer, tiger, and Nilgiris Langur. You can also witness the beautiful Periyar Lake. A safari in Pereyra’s tropical forests will surely feed your wild side.

DAY 11 – KUMARAKOM: Today morning Drive to Kumarakom and embark on your private houseboat and cruise. On arrival check into a Traditional Houseboat of Kerala Style and cruise through the backwaters is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. Stay overnight in Houseboat – Premium Idyllically located on the Vembanand backwaters, Kumarakom can be your gateway to experience the spectacular greenery of South India. You can spend some quiet, relaxed moments of repose while watching the paddy fields or the green foliage. You can also taste some of the best seafood out there.

DAY 12 – COCHIN: Today morning Drive to Cochin. Here you can see the St Francis Church, the oldest Church in India, 500-year-old Portuguese Houses, Chinese fishing nets, a 16th-century Synagogue, Jew Town, and Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese, this Palace contains some of India’s most beautiful murals. In the evening goes shopping. Stay overnight in Cochin. In the final leg of the journey, you’ll be a part of the cosmopolitan culture of Cochin and an intermingling of the ancient and the contemporary. Here you will get to experience some of the oldest colonial houses, palaces, and the famous Chinese fishing nets.

DAY 13 – COCHIN: Today you will have a day free to explore Cochin town to fully enjoy the wonders of Kochi, you must spend one more day here. Some of the best sightseeing options are the Chinese Fishing Nets, Hill Palace Museum, Santa Cruz Basilica Church, Dutch Palace, and a string of museums and galleries.

DAY 14 – DEPARTURE: Today you will have a departure transfer from the hotel to the airport for a flight to onward destinations.

Cost based on single occupancy: US$1700 For One Person
Cost based on double occupancy: US$1500 Per Person
Cost based on triple occupancy: US$1200 Per Person
Cost based on 04 to 05 persons: US$1000 Per Person
Cost based on 05 to 06 persons: US$800 Per Person

COST INCLUDES: –

• Air-conditioned private car and driver as per the itinerary.
• Airport pickup and drop off in Cochin and Chennai.
• 12 Nights of hotel accommodation.
• 01 Night in a Houseboat in Kumarakom.
• Accommodation on a twin and triple sharing basis.
• Room with breakfast.
• 3-star category hotels.
• Driver’s expenses.
• Fuel charges, parking fees, tolls, and taxes.
• Katha Kali Dance show in Cochin.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: –

• Monument entrance tickets.
• Food and drinks.
• Personal expenditures.
• Tips and porterage services.
• Guide services.
• Any other activities which are not mentioned in.

Please Note: –

• For the 1 to 3 persons a sedan car (Toyota Etios) vehicle will be provided.
• For the 3 to 6 persons an SUV (Toyota Crysta) vehicle will be provided.
• Children free up to 5 years will share the same parent’s room.
• If the child is more than 6 years of age, then the hotel will charge extra for breakfast.
• The above-said rates are not valid during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
• Hotels can be upgraded from 3-star to the 4/5-star category or luxury hotels at an additional cost.