Best of South India with Kovalam

Day 01  Arrive Chennai by flight

On arrival at Chennai airport after clearing immigration formalities, you will meet our representative in arrival hall holding paging of your name. He will further assist you to your vehicle and then hotel check-in formalities. (Standard check-in time is 1200 hours).

Chennai capital of Tamil Nadu, earlier also known as Madras. The city is very well keeping South India artistic, culinary and religious tradition. It has Asia’s second longest urban beach “Marina”. Being the metro modern city, it still has its old charm with simple people, old temples, churches, museum and monuments.

Later in the afternoon visit Kapeeleshvar Temple, Fort St. George and Government Museum.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02- Chennai – Kanchipuram- Mahabalipuram (approx. 55 Kms/ 1 ½ hrs )

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram enroute visit Kanchipuram. It has the monuments and temples

dating back to 6^th to 8^th century built by Pallava dynasty. It is also famous for its silk sarees. Also visit Kanchipuram saree handloom.

Later continue drive to Mahabalipuram. It was the major seaport in the ancient Pallava ruling period. It is UNESCO world heritage site having beautiful carved temples, Five Rath, shore temple and Krishna butterball.

On arrival check in at hotel. Evening will be at leisure to relax.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03- Mahabalipuram

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing visiting Five Rath, shore temple and Krishna butterball.

Rest of the day will be free to relax or to pursue independent activities.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04- Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (approx. 110 Kms/ 3 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Pondicherry. The city was under French rule till 1954 and has great influence of them. Still people speak French here and English with French accent. You can observe the influence

If you take a walk to French colony their building and café still has the same France architecture traces.

The city world famous Aurbindo Ashram, Auroville.

On arrival check in at hotel. Later proceed for city sightseeing visiting Aurbindo Ashram, Auroville. Evening will be at leisure.

Overnight stay at hotel

Day 05  Pondichery – Thanjavur (approx. 110 Kms/ 3 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Thanjavur en-route visit Chidambaram.

Chidambaram: The temple is dedicated Lord Shiva master of dance (Natraj). It is a great example of Dravidan architecture.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram: Ariyalur is best known for the Gangaikondacholisvarar temple in Gangaikondacholapuram, the biggest temple constructed during the reign of Rajendra–I in Ariyalur region. Following the conquest of the Gangetic plains in A.D. 1023 Rajendra–I built a great city called Gangaikondacholapauram and a Siva temple Gangaikondacholisvarar and a lake Chola Gangam in commemoration of his victory. The place, the temple and the lake (Chola Gangam) are the living embodiments of the heroism of the Tamils who unfurled the Chola‘s Tiger flag on the banks of the River Ganges. He also shifted his capital from Thanjavur to this newly built town. From his period to the end of the Chola family rule in A.D.1279 this city was the capital for the Chola Empire for a period of 256 years. The gigantic stone temple which he built in this place is rich repository of beautiful sculptures of middle Chola period.

Continue drive to Darasuram. On arrival visit Airavatesvara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Airavata was Lord Inder’s elephant, it has four tusks and seven trunks.

Continue drive to Thanjavur, on arrival check in at hotel. Thanjavur was once the capital of great Chola empire. Today Thanjavur is modern, hectic and crowded town of India. The city is also famous for world

Famous Brihdehwara temple.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06- Thanjavur

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast proceed for half day city sightseeing visiting Brihdishwara temple dedicated Lord Shiva and Saraswati Mahal Temple, one of the oldest library in Asia which display a rare collection of Palm Leaf manuscripts.

Afternoon excursion to Trichurappali, on arrival visit Rock Fort Temple. It is a historic Fort & temple build on ancient rock.

Evening drive back to Thanjavur for overnight stay

Overnight stay at hotel

Day 07- Thanjavur – Chettinad (approx. 98Kms/1.5 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Chettinad. On arrival check in at hotel.

The Chettinad region is well known for its 19th-century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are embellished with marble and teak. Construction materials, decorative items, and furnishings were mostly imported from East Asian countries and Europe. The marble was brought from Italy, chandeliers and teak from Burma, crockery from Indonesia, crystals from Europe and wall-to-wall mirrors from Belgium. These mansions belongs to Chettiar the trader’s community.

The place is also famous for Aathangudi handmade tiles.

Athangudi tiles, named after the place of the manufacture in Chettinad, come in a myriad of colours and patterns, and are made by a unique process using local soil and glass plates. These tiles are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Chettiar community, who effectively adapted many influences to their own brand of local craftsmanship. The designs and colours used in Athangudi tiles are still those of a bygone era. However, of late, new designs and patterns are being incorporated.

The Athangudi tiles are hand-made. However, with a short shelf life and relatively slow manufacturing process, these tiles are not much in demand. The situation has led to the decline in the market.

After lunch proceed for an orientation tour of this beautiful small town.

Chettinad is also famous for its delicious and spicy food, guests can enjoy authentic Chettinad cuisine here.

Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 08- Chettinad– Madurai (approx. 95 Kms/ 2  hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Madurai It is one of the oldest city of Tamilnadu known for Meenakshi AmmanTemple ranked one of the greatest temple of India in terms of amazing architecture beauty.

On arrival check in at hotel.   Later visit Thirumalainayak Palace: The Palace built in 1636 built by King Thirumalai Naik. It is bland of Italic and Dravidian art.

Evening visit Meenakshi Amman temple and be the witness of temple procession.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09- Madurai – Munnar (approx.  170 Kms/ 5.5 hours)

Early morning walking tour of Madurai local market.

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Munnar. Munnar is carpeted in emerald green plantations set an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki District.

On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10- Munnar

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast visit Ervakulam National Park. It was declared as National Park in 1978. The Park has a rolling hill plateau with a rolling with a base elevation of 2000 mt. Three major types of plant communities are found in the Park – grasslands, shrublands and forests. The Park has various population of endangered

Nilgiri Tahr including other little known fauna Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel etc.

Afternoon visit tea plantation and Tea factory (closed on Monday). Munnar is perhaps the choicest of places to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s high ranges.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11- Munnar– Thekkady (approx.  110 Kms/ 03 hours)

Post breakfast drive to Thekkady. It is located at an altitude of 700 m above sea level. Thekkady holds the nature’s beauty, wildlife Sanctuary, and famous spice plantation. The place has great opportunity

For mountain walk and trekking.

On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon enjoy boat ride at Lake Periyar.

Evening will be at leisure to relax.

Overnight stay at hotel

Day 12- Thekkady – Cochin (approx.. 170 Kms/ 4.5 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Cochin. This magnificent Malabar coastal city has been attracting towards its shores many traders, explorers and travelers for over 600 years. The Old Fort Cochin area quench the thirst the travelers who has historical interest with its famous Portuguese settlement Mattenchery Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace, Old colonial roads with tree line avenues. Huge Chinese fishing nets and St. Francis Church are another attraction. Here one can experience the stay of some of the best Ayurveda Resorts, Traditional Kathkali Dance and Traditional Martial art Kalarpayattu.

On arrival check in at hotel Rest for some time.

Evening enjoy Kathakali dance (Classical form of dance drama) describing Indian ancient Hindu mythological stories. They present the story through beautiful dance wearing beautiful traditional outfits. It shows rich tradition and culture of India.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 13- Cochin- Alleppey (approx.. 65 Kms/ 02 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Old Fort Cochin covering Dutch Palace, Jew Street, Jewish Synagogue, Santa Cruz Bascilica, St. Francis Church and Chinese Fishing Nets.

Later drive to Alleppey. It is also known as Venice of East. It is home of vast waterways network. On arrival in Alleppey embark the houseboat, locally called Kettuvalam. Kettuvalam is traditional houseboat with knot, during assemble work of this traditional houseboat not a single nail is used, only coir ropes tied in knot to hold the whole structure.

On arrival at Alleppey Jetty embark the houseboat. The cruise will take you through small water canals and while cruising you can see small villages and witness village people and their daily routine.

Dinner & overnight onboard.

Day 14- Alleppey – Kovalam (approx.. 180 Kms/ 4 hours)

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast drive to Kovalam. Kovalam: is located approx. 16 Kms/ ½ an hour drive from Trivandrum. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, Ayurveda resorts, lighthouse and surrounded small fisherman villages.

On arrival check in at hotel. Evening will be at leisure to relax.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 15- Kovalam

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast excursion to Kanyakumari enroute visit Padamnabhpuram Palace and Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Padamnabhpuram Palace: It is most top most attraction of Kanyakumari and actually a teakwood Palace. The beauty of this Palace is unparalleled with its stunning interiors, elaborately carved columns and Belgian mirrors. It leaves the unforgettable experience in visitor’s heart and mind,

Vivekanand Rock Memorial, it is the famous place where India’s most loved Saint Swami Vivekananad attained the enlightment. Evening enjoy the beautiful sunset view of Kanyakumari.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 16- Kovalam-Trivandrum airport (16 Kms/ ½ hour)

             Depart Trivandrum by international flight

Breakfast at hotel.

Post breakfast you will be transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination.

We strongly recommend having travel insurance before leaving for the holiday