Day 1: Arrive Chennai, India
Arrive in Chennai, set on the Bay of Bengal on India’s southeast coast, where you’ll meet your tour representative and privately transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Explore Chennai
After a relaxing morning at leisure, have breakfast to set out with your private guide on a city tour of Chennai, beginning at Fort St. George. Next visit the oldest British buildings in India, St. Mary's Church. Next, explore the National Art Gallery after lunch and continue to Kapaleeswara, an ancient Shiva Temple in Chennai. Afterward, stop at the peaceful Portuguese-built Santhome Cathedral. At last, return back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, visit Kanchipuram- one of Hinduism’s seven most sacred cities and home to over 100 temples. Enjoy a lunch of southern Indian delicacies before proceeding to the coastal town of Mahabalipuram to see its Group of Monuments, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See Bhagiratha’s Penance, portraying stories of Indian mythology. Finally, stop at the Shore Temple before leaving for Chennai hotel for dinner & overnight stay.
Day 4: Trichy - Haven of Temples
After early breakfast, fly from Chennai to Trichy to visit the heaven of the temple. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to a local restaurant for lunch. Join your private guide for a tour of this thriving riverfront city in the heart of Tamil Nadu. Visit Srirangam, famous for its massive Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple followed by an optional visit to the Rock Fort Temple. Later return back for dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Thanjavur
Today, you’ll visit the famous Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. After breakfast, complete checkout formalities to leave for Thanjavur- the Dynastic Capital. Here, you’ll witness the pious charm of Brihadeeswarar Temple which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, stop at the art gallery to view its extraordinary collection of antique bronze statues. Meanwhile, stop sometime for lunch and continue to return back to the hotel. This evening is at leisure. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Chettinad & Madurai
After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Chettinad- ancestral homeland of the Chettiars. It is a community of traders based around Karaikkudi. This place is famous for being the home to mansions, temples, and culinary delicacies. See these extraordinary homes with their teak pillars and marble detailing. After lunch, continue to Madurai, where you check in to your hotel. This evening, visit Meenakshi Temple to witness a Pooja ceremony. Return back for dinner & overnight stay.
Day 7: Madurai- City of Temples
Join your private guide for an early morning walking tour of Madurai. Discover equal parts legend and history as you wander through this ancient Tamil capital. Return to your hotel for breakfast before exploring Madurai’s great 17th-century Meenakshi Amman Temple. After witnessing alluring charm of Meenakshi temple, stop for some time to have lunch on your own. At last, return back for dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Periyar – Checkout the Incredible Wildlife
After breakfast, cover 140 km on-road journey to travel overland into the state of Kerala to Periyar. Your journey takes you into the Western Ghats, a lush mountain range that raises parallel to India’s Arabian Sea coast where you’ll stop en-route to have lunch on your own. On arrival, check-in to your hotel and rest for some time. Later, in the afternoon visit to Periyar National Park where you will get an excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Later, return back for dinner & overnight stay.
Day 9: Arrive Kumarakom
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, descend a dramatic escarpment as you journey overland to the village of Kumarakom. Stop en-route for lunch at a local restaurant in Kanjirappally, considered the entrance to Kerala’s hill country. Upon arrival, check in to your beautiful lakefront hotel. This evening is at leisure. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: Kumarakom- Kerala Spice Adventure
This morning, travel by boat to a spice plantation after having your breakfast at the hotel. It is the region known for producing Indian spices, including cardamom and pepper, a tour of a spice plantation is an incredible sensory experience. Explore the plantation’s aromatic pathways before sitting down to a delicious lunch, joined by the family who owns the plantation. After exploring the site, return back to your hotel for dinner & overnight stay.
Day 11: Explore Kerala- God’s Own Country
After a morning at leisure, enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Board a traditional houseboat for a day cruise on the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. Glide through canals and lagoons shaded by coconut palms and pass sleepy rural villages. You are treated to a lunch of local specialties as you cruise. Disembark this evening and journey overland to Kochi, where you check in at your hotel for dinner & overnight stay.
Day 12: Kochi – Explore the Ancient Harbor City
After breakfast, meet your guide to visit one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in India followed by a visit to the charming Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace). After this visit, stop for some time to have lunch, and then continue to explore the tropical coastal city of Kochi. Visit St. Francis Church followed by Kochi harbor to see cantilevered fishing nets brought from southern China. Later, visit Greenix Theater for a performance by the extravagantly costumed Kathakali dancers. Return back for dinner & overnight stay.
Day 13: Arrive Mumbai
After breakfast at your leisure, you will be transferred to the Kochi Airport to board your flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the hotel. This entire day is at leisure. So, relax and enjoy delicious dinner served at the hotel before going to bed.
Day 14: Depart Mumbai
This morning, you’ll be transferred to the Mumbai Airport to catch your next flight for onward journey. Hope this 14-day journey will let you bring classic memories of God’s Own Country- Kerala with you to cherish for years. Come back soon…. Namaste!
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