Temples and Backwater Tour of South India (15 Days)

Temples and Backwater Tour of South India (15 Days)

Visit the two state of India. Tamil Nadu famous for its exquisite temples of which some are UNESCO World Heritage sites. See the largest & oldest active temples of Hindus in Thanjore, Trichy & Madurai. Rejuvenate yourself in French Colonial town Pondicherry by practicing Yoga in Auroville Ashram. Old monuments, exotic flora and fauna, lush vegetation, the delicate scent of spices and temples bells all characterize Kerala. Western Ghats in the tea-growing region of Munnar gives you a true sense of the sheer natural beauty. Explore the picturesque Periyar National Park & learn about spice plantation. Cruise along the beautiful Keralan backwaters & watch mesmerizing traditional Kathakali dance. At the end of tour relax on world famous Kovalam beach.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Chennai

Pass By: Chennai District, Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Arrival Chennai airport assistance and transfer to hotel.

Stop At: Marina Beach Road, Chennai (Madras) 600005 India
Later sightseeing of colonial Chennai which includes Churches, Fort, Museum and government buildings. Also visit Marina beach.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (120kms/ 3hrs approx)

Stop At: Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel drive to Mahabalipuram via visiting Kanchipuram Temples. Arrive Mahabalipuram check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (100kms/ 2hrs approx)

Stop At: Mahabalipuram, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel visit temple and monuments at Mahabalipuram. Afternoon drive to Pondicherry check in at hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Pondicherry - Darasuram - Chidambaram - Thanjore (185kms/ 4hrs approx)

Stop At: Darasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Breakfast at hotel sightseeing of French colony, churches, Temple and Aurobindo Ashram.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Chidambaram, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu
Drive to Thanjore via visiting Darasuram & Chidambaram Temple. On arrival check in & overnight at hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Thanjore - Trichy (60kms/ 1.5hrs approx)

Stop At: Brihadeshwara Temple Bus Stop, Membalam Rd, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613007, India
Breakfast at hotel visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Thanjore Fort.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Srirangam, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu
Drive to Trichy check in at hotel. Later visit Rock Fort Temple & Srirangam Temple.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Trichy - Madurai (140kms/ 3hrs approx)

Pass By: Madurai, Madurai, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel drive to Madurai heck in at hotel.

Stop At: Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Venmani Rd, Sellur, Madurai 625002 India
Later sightseeing of Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal & Vaniyur Mariamman Teppakulam Temple.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Madurai - Munnar (160kms/ 3hrs approx)

Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel drive to Munnar which offer colorful landscape, breathtaking sights and mesmerizing view. The journey to Munnar is beautiful as the road stretches along the waterfalls. Arrive Munnar check in at hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Munnar

Stop At: Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park, Munnar India
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Eravikulam National Park, a famous habitat of the rare mountain goats Nilgiri Tahr. Visit Tea Estate and delight in the sweet aroma of different types of tea grown here. Also visit Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point from where you can see the lustrous green carpet of the tea garden.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Munnar - Periyar (Thekkady) (110kms/ 2hrs approx.)

Stop At: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki and Pathanamthitta Districts, Thekkady 685536 India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar check in at hotel.Late afternoon spice plantation tour and village visit.


Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Periyar (Thekkady)

Stop At: Periyar National Park, Banks Of Artificial Periyar Lake, Thekkady India
Breakfast at hotel explore the park by boat. The special animals in this region include wild elephants, nilgiri langur monkeys, sambar deer, wild bison, and colorful birds.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Thekaddy – Alleppey (135kms/ 3hrs approx)

Stop At: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Alleppey. Board a houseboat from here and glide over the enchanting backwaters of Kerala. Houseboat stay includes lunch & dinner on board.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Houseboat stay.

Day 12: Alleppey – Cochin (60kms/ 1.5hrs approx)

Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
After breakfast disembark houseboat and drive to Cochin check in at hotel.

Stop At: Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala, India
Later sightseeing tour of Cochin - one of few places in India that has managed to preserve the remnants of its colonial past with utmost care. Visit The Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Jewish Synagogue and the Mattancherry Palace.


Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Cochin - Kovalam (beach) (200kms/ 4hrs approx)

Stop At: Kovalam, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel drive to Kovalam check in at hotel. Rest day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Kovalam

Stop At: Kovalam, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach. (Transport not included this day)
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 15: Kovalam - Departure

Pass By: Kovalam, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
End of our services.



Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.