12-Day Historical and Idyllic South India Tour

You will meet your guide in the arrivals hall of the airport. He/she will assist you and escort you to your hotel.

Visit Fort St. George. Founded in 1644, Fort St. George was the first English fortress in India. It includes the famous St. Mary's Church, the Fort Museum, and Wellesley House. Afterward, visit San Thome Church. It is one of only three known churches in the world to be built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus.

The beautiful San Thome Basilica

In the afternoon, you will visit Kanchipuram, one of the most important spiritual centers of Hinduism. It has several architecturally brilliant medieval temples. You will be impressed by Kailasanathar Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afterward, visit Ekambareswarar Temple. This Shiva temple complex covers an area of 25 acres and is one of the largest in the country.

The colorful Kailasanathar Temple

You will be driven from Chennai to Pondicherry. Stop at Mahabalipuram on the way to see the spectacular rock sculptures and monuments, which have been collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most prominent structures are the Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots), Mahabalipuram Lighthouse, and Arjuna's Penance/Descent of the Ganges.

The rock sculptures at Mahabalipuram

After arriving in Pondicherry, you will visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is like a sanctuary of holiness and peace. You will have a glimpse of the life and times of Sri Aurobindo (a famous social reformer) through the various exhibitions.

After breakfast, You will visit Auroville or the City of Dawn. Designed by a French architect, this city looks like a utopia for people of different races, languages, and cultural backgrounds. It is the first and may be the only attempt at global human unity. Then you will be driven from Pondicherry to Thanjavur. Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram on the way to see Brihadisvara Temple. The temple there has been described as 'next only to Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur in its monumental nature and it surpasses it in sculptural quality'.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

In the morning, go on an excursion to the 'Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu', Thanjavur. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are located there. Visit Saraswathi Mahal Library, which is one of the oldest libraries in Asia. Later, visit Brihadisvara Temple. It's one of the most remarkable pieces of architecture in the country. You will be impressed by one of the world's highest temple towers.

Go to Trichy and visit the Tiruchirappalli Rock Fort in the afternoon. Climb up the fort for a panoramic view of the surroundings.

The magnificent Brihadishvara Temple

After breakfast, you will be driven to Madurai. On arrival, check in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace, which was designed in an Indo-Saracenic style and built in 1636. Its a wonderful blend of Dravidian and Rajput architectural styles. It is one of the most spectacular monuments in South India. Later, visit Meenakshi Temple. Built in the 14th century, it has four impressive towers called gopurams. More than 33,000 sculptures adorn the temple and the roof is covered with intricate motifs. In the late evening, you will witness the pooja (prayer) ceremony at Meenakshi Temple.

Enjoy the colorful sculptures of the Meenakshi Temple

After breakfast, you will be driven to Periyar National Park.

Enjoy a boat safari in the afternoon through the jungles. While the tigers may choose to remain elusive, you are likely to spot elephants, bison, and deer. You can see wild animals on the banks taking their baths or drinking.

the birds in Periyar National Park

After breakfast, you will leave for Kumarakom.

Selected by National Geographic as one of the destinations in the world that must be visited in one's lifetime, Kumarakom is the perfect place to experience Keralas legendary houseboat cruises. Enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Vembanad Lake. The palm-fringed shores, lush mangrove forests, and emerald paddy fields will make you feel very relaxed.

Enjoy a boat cruise on Vembanad Lake

After breakfast, you will be driven to Kottayam through cardamom plantations. Then, you will go on a 3-hour boat ride through the backwaters to Alleppey. Have an idyllic experience as you discover the local peoples daily lives. You might see coir-making, toddy tapping, fishing, and rice growing along the palm-lined banks and narrow strips of land.

After the cruise, you will be driven to Mararikulam where you will check in to Marari Beach Resort.

Experience Keralas houseboat cruises

Enjoy a free day at the less touristy Marari Beach.

Enjoy a private beach

After breakfast, you will leave Mararikulam and go on a sightseeing tour of Cochin. You will visit St. Francis Church. Vasco da Gama was buried there for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or 'Dutch Palace'. It is one of the finest examples of Kerala architecture with colonial influences.

During this tour, you will also see the Chinese fishing nets. These nets symbolize the friendship between old Chinese and Cochin kings. Besides China, it's said that these nets are only found in Cochin.

Chinese fishing nets

Enjoy an evening show of Kathakali dance, which is the traditional dance of Kerala. It will depict epic Indian stories. You will be impressed by the colorful makeup, the elaborate costumes, and the hand gestures, which are quite typical in this classical Indian dance.

An actor of the Kathakali dance

After having breakfast, your guide will escort you from your hotel to the airport to catch your flight.