Beach, Backwaters and Temple Tour of South India (Pondicherry Tanjore Madurai with Kerala)

Duration- 11 Nights / 12 Days

Places-Delhi-Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Pondichery-Thanjavur-Madurai-Thekkady-Kumarakom-Alleppey-Kovalam-Cochin-Delhi

Mode of Transportation- Private vehicle with experienced English-speaking chauffer

Meals- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Tour Manager- Available at your service right from your arrival till departure

Tour Guide- Local tour guide will be made available at all the locations

Inclusions- All-inclusive except expense of personal nature like laundry, entry fee of camera etcetera

Hotel Category- Category of your choice. We recommend palatial / boutique properties wherever Available

Day 1– Arrival Delhi

A very warm welcome to India’s capital city!!! Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your English- speaking tour manager and chauffer. Tour manager will help you with hotel check in and discuss the tour details. Depending upon your flight timings local excursions can be planned for the day.

Today’s Excursion- It can be discussed and planned as per your arrival in Delhi

Night Stay- Delhi

Day 2– Delhi

Post relaxing breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a full day city tour. We will cover / pass through all the below listed places of importance. You have option to add / omit places.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Qutub Minar- Built in 1193, it is the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The compound also has an iron pillar famous for the rust- resistant composition and is an excellent specimen of ancient metallurgy

• • Humayun Tomb- The tomb of Humayun construction was completed in 1572. The building was the first to use its unique combination of red sandstone and white marble. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• • Agrasen Ki Baoli- Agrasen Ki Baoli is a 60-meter long and 15-meter-wide historical stepwell built in 14th century.

• • Jama Masjid- It was built between 1650 and 1656.At the time of its construction, it was the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent. The mosque predominantly uses red sandstone & Black marble. The courtyard can accommodate 25,000 worshippers.

• • Red Fort- The Red Fort historically served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. Its design is credited to architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who also constructed the Taj Mahal.  it was completed in 1648. The World Heritage Convention characterises the Red Fort as representing “The Zenith of Mughal Creativity”

• • Raj Ghat- It is a black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s Cremation. It is on the west bank of the Yamuna River

• • Rickshaw Ride- The Old Delhi Rickshaw Tour is special as it is royal and regal. Hop on board our cushy rickshaws and explore the Mughal-built Walled City in a comfortable, eco- friendly and adventurous way. This tour is a mix of Old Delhi Heritage and culture. Immerse yourself in this enigmatic experience and have the best of this Old City.

• • Drive through / Photo stop- President house / Parliament house / India Gate

Night Stay- Delhi

Day 3– Delhi to Chennai (Flight / 2.30 hours)

After early breakfast at hotel, we will proceed for airport to board flight for Chennai, Upon arrival at Chennai check in and freshen up before embarking on local tour.

Chennai- Chennai is among the most-visited Indian cities by foreigners. It was ranked the 43rd most-visited city in the world in 2015 and 36th in 2019. Chennai was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) list for its rich musical tradition. The British garrison established the Madras city and port, and built Fort St. George—the first British fortress in India.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Fort St. George- Founded in 1639, it was the first British fortress in India. The fort currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and other official buildings. Fort houses St. Mary’s Church and Fort Museum. St. Mary's Church is the oldest Anglican church in India. It was built between 1678 and 1680.

• • Marina Beach- Marina Beach is a natural urban beach along the Bay of Bengal. The beach runs a distance of 3.7 miles making it the second longest urban beach in the world.

Night stay- Chennai

Day 4– Chennai to Mahabalipuram (50 miles / 3 hours)

Post early breakfast we will drive to Ancient city of Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram. Upon arrival check in and relax a bit prior venturing out for local tour.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Kanchipuram- Place is known for its temple architectures, 1000-pillared halls, huge temple towers and silk dress. Since ancient times most of the city's workforce is involved in the weaving industry

• • Mahabalipuram- It is a port town best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th- and 8th-century Group of Monuments. Historically it was one of two major port cities. Along with economic prosperity, it became the site of a group of royal monuments, many carved out of the living rock. The contemporary town plan was established by the British Raj in 1827. The site has 40 ancient monuments including one of the largest open air rock relief in the world.

Night stay- Mahabalipuram

Day 5– Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry (60 miles / 2 hours)

After relaxing breakfast at hotel we will embark on our journey to coastal city of Pondicherry. On arrival check into the hotel relax for a while before stepping out for local tour.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Pondicherry- City gained its significance as "The French Riviera of the East" after the advent of French colonialisation in India. The colonial period began with the Portuguese, the first Europeans to conduct trade in textiles, in 1521, and subsequently, the Dutch in the 17th century.The prospering trade of Puducherry attracted the French, and the predominant feature of the town was laid by the French pioneer Francois Martin in the form of a French settlement, in 1674. Later In 1693, Puducherry was captured by the Dutch

• • Shri Aurobindo Ashram is spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science

• • Church of Our Lady of the Angels (Notre Dame des Anges)- Built in 1855, this is the Greek Roman architectural style

Night stay- Pondicherry

Day 6– Pondicherry to Tanjore (120 miles / 4 hour)

Post breakfast at hotel we will proceed for Tanjore enroute we will cover Chidambram, Darasuram & Kumbakonam.

Tanjore- Tanjore is an important center of art, and architecture. The city has numerous historical and architecturally beautiful Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments.The foremost among these is the  Brihadeeswara Temple . Tanjore is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. 

Today’s Excursion-

• • Chidambram-The town is in between two rivers in a 40 acres temple-complex, it has oldest and magnificent temples in compound.

• • Darasuram- It is a small town known for a Temple built in the 12th Century. This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The vimana is 85 feet high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings.

• • Kumbakonam- Kumbakonam is flooded with temples of large size. There are as many as sixty temples, in and around Kumbakonam within 40-km of radius.

Night stay- Tanjore

Day 7– Tanjore to Trichy (45 miles/2 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast at hotel we will proceed for local site seeing tour of Tanjore and later onward journey to Trichy.

Trichy- City’s recorded history begins in the 3rd century BC. Trichy is internationally known for a brand of cheroot known as the Trichinopoly cigar, which was exported in large quantities to the United Kingdom during the 19th century. The most prominent historical monuments in Tiruchirappalli include the  Ranganathaswamy temple is the largest functioning temple in the world, and the  Jambukeswarar temple , which is also the largest temple for the Hindu God Shiva in the world. 

Today’s Excursion-

• • Tanjore Palace- This historical Palace has huge halls, spacious corridors, observatory and arsenal towers. The museum inside palace exhibits fascinating royal memorabilia. The art gallery has impressive collection of artifacts of 8 th & 9 th Century

• • Brihadeeswara Temple- This beautiful masterpiece is capped by monolithic cupola made of single granite block weighing 80 tonnes which was taken to the top with the help of 3.5 miles long ramp same technique was used in Pyramids in Egypt.

Night stay- Trichy

Day 8- Trichy to Madurai (90 miles / 3 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast at hotel we will proceed for a local tour of Trichy followed by our next leg of journey to Madurai.

Madurai- Madurai is popularly known as the city that never sleeps, on account of the active night life. It is the cultural capital of South India. The city has a number of historical monuments, with the Meenakshi Temple and the  Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal  being the most prominent.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Rockfort- Rockfort is a historic fortification and temple complex built on an ancient rock. It is located on the banks of river Kaveri. It is constructed on an 83 metres high rock.

• • Srirangam Temple- The Srirangam temple is the largest temple compound in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world. The temple site is on a large island bounded by the Kaveri and Kollidam River

Night stay- Madurai

Day 9– Madurai to Thekkady (90 miles / 4 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast at hotel we will do a local tour of Madurai before proceeding for Thekkady.

Thekkady is a small town near the  Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary . Thekkady is considered a heaven for  natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, nutmace, ginger, and clove.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Meenakshi Temple- The temple complex is the center of the old city of Madurai. It consists of monuments inside a number of concentric enclosures, each layer fortified with high masonry walls. The outer walls have four towering gateways, allowing devotees and pilgrims to enter the complex from all four directions. The temple complex is spread over about 14 acres 

• • Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal- Built in 1636,   Thirumalai Nayak  intended the palace to be one of the grandest in South India. The Interior of the palace surpasses many of its Indian contemporaries in scale. The interior is richly decorated whilst the exterior is treated in a more austere style.

• • Cultural show- In the evening enjoy martial arts and Kathalkali performances

Night stay- Thekkady

Day 10- Thekkady to Kumarakom (100 miles / 4 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast at hotel we will proceed for next destination Kumarakom after spending half day exploring Periyar.

Kumarakom is popularly known as the ‘Venice of East’ is a popular destination famous for its backwater tourism. This exotic backwater village consists of a cluster of island villages in and around the Vembanad Lake. 

Today’s Excursion-

• • Periyar wildlife Sanctuary- It is the only wildlife sanctuary in India that offers the unique opportunity of viewing wild life in their natural habitat at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deer and bison that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed by trekking, boating or jeep safari. 

• • Elephant Junction- Enjoy Elephant ride and sight of bathing Elephant

• • Bamboo Rafting for adventurers- By rafting you will get a panoramic view of forest-clad hills. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.

• • Boat Ride– Enjoy sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake

Night stay- Kumarakom

Day 11– Kumarakom to Alleppey (2 miles / 30 minutes)

Post relaxing breakfast at hotel proceed to board your houseboat.

Houseboat- A house boat is about 100 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The  materials that go into the making are local and ecofriendly; bamboo poles, coconut fibre, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. These houseboats are fully furnished single room, double room and triple rooms.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Houseboat Tour- You will be on houseboat for next 22-24hours. Cruise through the backwater, discover the swaying beauty of the narrow canals, verdant paddy fields, coconut lagoons and coir villages; overnight stay will be in the houseboat.

Night stay- Houseboat

Day 12– Alleppey to Cochin (40 miles / 2 hours) Cochin to Delhi (Flight / 3.30 hours)

Post breakfast on the boat house you will disembark and proceed for Cochin airport to board flight to Delhi.

Night stay- Delhi (depending upon your onward journey)

Note: This is just a time bound sample itinerary indicative of how and what all could be explored. We can customise the tour as per your requirements. Set your expectations and we will offer memorable experience. Please reach out to us for personalised holiday experience.

All Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation for 11 Nights / 12 Days

All mode of domestic transportation

Jungle safari / elephant ride

Houseboat

All the entry tickets

English speaking tour guide at all the locations

International flight

Travel insurance

Any service / activity not mentioned in Itinerary

Expense of personal nature like laundry, entry tickets for camera etcetera

Optional tours / activities

Water sports activities

Ayurvedic massage / Spa