South India Special

Arrival in Chennai airport. Meet & assist by Excel’s representative. Transfer to hotel and upon arrival check in at hotel.
Chennai - one of the four major metropolitan cities of India, is the capital of the southeastern state Tamilnadu .The Gateway to the South, Chennai the first city of Tamil Nadu is located on the coromandel coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is well known for its Cultural heritage and Temple architecture and also a hub for south Indian classical music and dance performances. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities

Morning after breakfast proceed for a orientation tour of Chennai to include visits to Art and Bronze Gallery, (Closed on Friday and public holidays). Here one also finds a few examples of the Tanjore School of painting. The Flower and Fruit market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach , Santhome Cathedral, Snake Park. etc.

After breakfast proceed to Mahabalipuram en-route visit Kanchipuram (3 Hrs /Approx 80 Kms) visit temples at Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram - is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambareswarar, Kailashnatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.

Later proceed to Mahabalipuram (26 Kms/01 Hrs). Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities.

After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing of Mamallapuram where you visit the Famous world heritage monuments of The Shore Temple, The Arjuna`s Penance, Five Rathas and many cave temples. Later visit out skits of Mamallapuram with visit to Crocodile farm (inhabits more than 2000 no’s of crocodiles) & Tiger cave (a rock cut shrine dating from 7th century). Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. Arrive in Pondicherry, the former French colony with its distinctive streets, houses and ornamental gardens as well as the Aurobindo Ashram, a center for international living.

Pondicherry - is a union territory, which lies within the state of Tamil Nadu. The inherent ambience of Pondicherry, becomes most evident in the oldest part of the town, which flanks the seashore boulevard. Rest of the day free at leisure for individual activities.

Morning proceed for half-day sightseeing tour of Pondichery, once a French colony to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry Museum, Sacred Heart Church, Bharathi and Bharathidasan Memorial Museums etc.

After breakfast drive to Tanjore, en-route visit Chidambaram and Swamimalai. (175 Kms / 04 Hrs) - The driving time does not include the stoppage a time at Chidambaram and Swamimalai. At Chidambaram visit Nataraja Temple a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the enthralling form of the Cosmic Dancer Nataraja. The peculiarity of the temple is its presiding deity - the Akasha Lingam or the ether lingam. The four tall entranceways have carvings of the famous South Indian dance, Bharatanatyam

Afternoon proceed to Tanjore, en-route visit Darasuram and Swamimalai Darasuram temple (built in memory of the White elephant – AIRAVATH from the gods family), the temple has its original name as “Airavatheshwar temple”. Visit the sculpture worship at Swamimalai to see how the craftsmen did their job through the traditional way of casting a sculpture. Later proceed to Tanjore and on arrival transfer to hotel.

After breakfast proceed for a city tour of Tanjore visiting the beautiful Chola temples of Brihadesvara, which is capped by monolithic cupola, made of granite block weighing 80 tons

Later drive to Trichy to visit the ancient temple of Lord Ganpati (Lord Ganesha), 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines lead to the temple. Also visit the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

After breakfast drive to Madurai. Arrive and check in to the hotel. Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamilnadu. Planed in the shape of a lotus, the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to consort of lord shiva. The city, the Light & Sound Panorama in Thirumala Naik Temple is splendid, Algar hills &Thirupura Rock Temple. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities.

Morning proceed for a half day s/seeing tour of Madurai. Visit the Meenakshi temple for the evening AARTI ceremony which will be one of the tour highlights

Morning after breakfast drive to Thekkady, Set in the heart of the Cardamom Hills of Kerala is Periyar National Park & Tiger Reserve, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy South India's wildlife. Upon arrival check in at hotel.

Morning Breakfast & Enjoy a boat safari on Periyar Lake. View the varied fauna of this region. Afternoon visit spice plantations.

Morning after breakfast transfer by road to Kumarakom. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life.Kumarakom is also famous for boat cruises & snake boat races.

After breakfast check out from hotel and proceed to Alleppey, "Venice of the east" is one of the most important tourist centers in the state. These large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the malabar coast. Upon arrival check in at Ac House Boat for a cruise through the enchanting backwaters enjoying the swaying coconut palms, paddy fields & the village life at close quarters.

After Breakfast drive to Cochin. Arrive & check in to the hotel. Morning Breakfast & Transfer by road to Cochin, the Queen of Arabian Sea is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

Afternoon proceed for a sightseeing of Cochin covering The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese.

Today in time transfer to airport to connect onward destination flight.