Temple, Backwater & Palaces of South India

• Arrive at Chennai Airport; meet and assist for hotel transfer (hotel check-in 12pm).
• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Fort St. George and St. Mary’s Church, built by British East India Company in 1640 AD.
• Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a 16th-century Shiva temple rebuilt by Vijayanagar kings.
• Visit Vadapalani Murugan Temple, a major Hindu pilgrimage site.
• Visit Government Museum, showcasing artworks including Raja Ravi Varma paintings.
• Visit Dakshinachitra Museum, a living-history museum of South Indian culture.
• Visit Santhome Cathedral, built by the Portuguese during 14th-15th centuries.
• See Prakasam Salai and its cluster of old shrines and churches.
• Drive past Marina Beach, India’s longest urban beach.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram, city of a thousand temples.
• Visit Kailasanathar Temple, an 8th-century Shiva temple with intricate carvings.
• Visit Ekambareswarar Temple, housing a 2500-year-old sacred mango tree.
• Visit Varadharaja Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Visit Vaikundhaperumal Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple.
• Arrive Mahabalipuram; check in at hotel.
• Visit Five Rathas, excellent examples of Dravidian monolithic rock-cut architecture.
• Visit Krishna's Butterball, a giant granite boulder balanced on a slope.
• Explore 7th-century Cave Temples, carved in Mamalla style.
• Visit Shore Temple, a seafront granite structure built in 7th century.
• Visit Arjuna’s Penance, one of the world’s largest rock relief carvings.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Pondicherry; check in at hotel.
• Visit Auroville, a utopian community founded in 1968, with its Matrimandir meditation center.
• Visit Pondicherry Museum, housing bronze sculptures and colonial artifacts.
• Walk through French Quarters with colonial villas, consulates, churches & schools.
• Stroll through charming streets of Tamil and French settlements.
• Relax at Pondicherry Beach in the evening.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Thanjavur with en-route visits.
• Visit Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, dedicated to Shiva’s cosmic dance.
• Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, a Great Living Chola Temple built in 11th century.
• Visit Darasuram Airavatesvara Temple, known for exquisite stone carvings and chariot-shaped mandapa.
• Arrive Thanjavur; check in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Brihadeshwara Temple, UNESCO site and Chola masterpiece with 216 ft tower.
• Visit Vijayanagar Fort, built by Nayaks and Marathas in 1550 AD.
• Visit Thanjavur Art Gallery, showcasing ancient sculptures & bronzes.
• Visit Saraswathi Mahal Library, with over 30,000 palm-leaf manuscripts.
• Drive to Trichy; check in at hotel.
• Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world.
• Visit Rock Fort Temple, perched on 3.8 billion-year-old rock hill.
• Visit Jambukeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva with unique water shrine.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Madurai; check in at hotel.
• Visit Meenakshi Temple, a vast temple complex with over 33 million sculptures.
• Visit Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, an architectural blend of Dravidian and Rajput styles.
• Visit Alagar Koil, a hilltop Vishnu temple.
• Visit Tiruparankundram & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temples.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Thekkady via Ramakkalmedu, known for strong winds and scenic viewpoints.
• Visit Kuravan & Kurathi Statues, tallest twin statues in Kerala.
• Visit Frog Rock and Turtle Rock.
• Arrive Thekkady; check in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary by boat safari, home to elephants, tigers & exotic birds.
• Visit a Spice Plantation to learn about Kerala’s famous spices.
• Return to hotel for leisure time.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Alleppey; board houseboat for overnight backwater cruise.
• Sail through palm-fringed canals, paddy fields, and fishing villages.
• Pass farming lands below sea level, a unique Kerala feature.
• Enjoy sunset views from the houseboat deck.
• Houseboat stay includes lunch, dinner & overnight.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Cochin; check in at hotel.
• Visit Fort Cochin with its colonial architecture and Chinese fishing nets.
• Visit St. Francis Church, burial place of Vasco da Gama.
• Visit Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace).
• Attend Kathakali Dance Performance, Kerala’s classical art form.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Ooty, the "Queen of Hill Stations" at 7216 ft elevation.
• Check in at hotel; relax and explore the serene environment.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Ooty Botanical Gardens, featuring 1,000+ species of flora.
• Ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO World Heritage), scenic train to Coonoor.
• Drive to Mysore; check in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Excursion to Chennakesava Temple at Somnathpur, built in 1258 CE.
• Visit Mysore Palace, a grand Indo-Saracenic royal residence.
• Visit Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill.
• Visit Nandi Bull Statue, one of India’s largest monolithic statues.
• Visit St. Philomena’s Church, a fine neo-Gothic structure.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Bangalore; check in at hotel.
• Visit Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, with rare tropical plants and glass house.
• Visit Cubbon Park, the city’s green lung space.
• Visit Bangalore Fort and Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace.
• Visit Bangalore Palace, inspired by Tudor and Scottish Gothic styles.
• Visit Bull Temple, home to a huge monolithic Nandi statue.
• Visit ISKCON Temple, a modern temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.
• Drive past Vidhana Soudha and other government buildings.
• Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Transfer to airport as per your flight schedule.