Southern Journeys

Morning after breakfast visit of Mahabalipuram. Situated on rocky outcrop amidst the beach and a lagoon, it is famous for its scenic location and the series of majestic Pancha Rathas. The splendor of the place is majorly contributed by the huge casuarinas trees, the silver sandy seaside and the traditional handicrafts. Visitors get surprised and intoxicated with the sumptuousness. Evening walk around the promenade beach. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast travel to Pondicherry, the town is adorned with natural beauties of the Deccan Plateau; on the red soil the dense green trees create marvellous scenery, with trees majority of cashews, palm and neem. This city was ruled by French for about 281 years before independence, and a profound influence of Southern France is still very prominent. The medieval town of the French province, Pondicherry has managed to preserve its French aura, from its delectable restaurants offering French cuisine to streets bearing French names. The grand boulevards make Pondicherry a richly cosmopolitan city. The numerous palm-fringed beaches, splendid backwaters, fabulous tiny fishing villages and hamlets make it a beautiful town. The day is free to take stroll in the street of this beautiful town. Stay overnight at hotel in Pondicherry. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast excursion to visit the world city of Auroville & it's famous Matri Mandir. Auroville, 'the City of Dawn', is a place that anyone with idealistic leanings will love: an international community dedicated to peace, sustainability and 'divine consciousness', where people from across the globe, ignoring creed, colour and nationality, work together to build a universal, cash-free, nonreligious township. Matri Mandir "Temple of the Mother" in Sanskrit, this is the geographical and spiritual heart of Auroville. The outside is plated with gold, while the inside houses a space bathed in warm colored light, with white marble and geometric patterns. Following the paths in this space, you're led into the inner chamber, a stark white cylindrical hall centered around a gigantic crystal sphere. Later after visit return back to Pondicherry. Afternoon visit of Shri Aurobindo Ashram was founded by great Indian philosopher Shri Aurbindo Ghosh. It also houses a library, study room and sales emporium, Botanical Garden, French town Also known as The French Riviera of the East, it mirrors the French influence through its architecture as the city's plan was based on the French grid pattern. Some of the streets still retain their French names. Stay Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast travel to Tanjore. En-route visit to famous Natraja temple in Chidambaram is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram. The temple complex spread over 50 acres in the heart of the city. It is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place. After visit continue to Tanjore. On arrival check-in at hotel. Visit the Airavateshwara Temple and Tanjore Royal Palace. The palace near the temple is a vast building of masonry built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and partly by the Marathas. Two of the Palace towers, the armoury and observation towers, are visible from all parts of the city. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast visit Brihadeeswara Temple or the Big Temple of God, built by the great Chola King Raja Raja (985 -1012) is an example of the magnificent achievements of the Cholas in the field of temple architecture. The tower over the inner sanctum sanctorum rises perpendicularly to a height of 15mts from a square of 28.8 mts and then tapers to make a total height of 64.8mts. An 81.3 tone monolithic stone slab adorned with winged niches on four sides caps the tower. Later after visit travel to Madurai. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning visit flower market, later after breakfast at hotel visit Meenakshi Temple (The Meenakshi Amman temple) is the city's most important landmark. It is one of the five Sabhas [divine dance stages]. Apart from the face of Pilgrim and Education center, Madurai is a modern Commercial and industrial city. It is also famous for its trade mark Chungudi cotton sarees, color dyeing, motifs, Handicrafts, Brassware. Wooden Toys of Madurai is the favorite of the Young and Old as well. Visit the Gandhi Memorial museum & Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. It was built by King Thirumalai Nayakar and it is 1 ½ km from the temple. This Palace is a classic fusion of Dravidian and Islamic architecture. Stucco work on the domes and arches are very attractive. It faced huge damages during the days of its existence. Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, had partially restored the palace in 1866-72. After independence, Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal was declared as a national monument and is now under the protection of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. Evening enjoy walking tour of old Madurai. Stay overnight at hotel in Madurai. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast travel to Periyar. Periyar with its cool chimes and agreeable greenery has a wide zone for travellers to chill out. This pride destination in southern India is boosted with serene surroundings and startling sights and the reason to visit Periyar are for its wildlife scene. Periyar National Park is set high in the mountains and sprawls over the Western Ghats. This National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and here, you can feel the presence of serenity and excitement amidst the wilderness. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning enjoys the shared boat ride at Periyar lake, clubbed inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Two-hour boating trips at the artificial lake formed near the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary. One can see herds of elephants grazing near the edges of the shoreline. Deer, sambar, gaur and wild boars can be seen flocking around the place at regular intervals. A majority of the wildlife activity in the area can be viewed during the summer months of March and April. Darters, egrets and kingfishers can be seen flocking around the withered trees that rise out of the lake. After visit return back to hotel for breakfast. Later in the afternoon enjoy the Spice Plantation Tour. The winding pathways among the plantations, the thing that strikes you first is the lingering aroma in the air. The scent may be of cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon or cardamom and sometimes a fragrance that combines the scents of two or more spices. The geographical and climatic peculiarities of Kumily such as the cool climate and its elevation from the sea level make it ideal for spice cultivation. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast travel to travel to Alleppey or Alappuzha, is often referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers, and rightly so. It is the hub of Kerala's backwaters, home to a vast network of waterways and more than a thousand houseboats. On arrival board your houseboat to explore the backwaters of Kerala. Kerala Houseboat Cruising along the backwaters of Kerala is an unforgettable experience. If you have not experienced it, here is a golden opportunity to do it at a fraction of its original cost. You could get in any House Boat of your liking, saunter down the cool placid waters of our world-famous backwaters, have a merry time and get back home either the same day or after spending a night as well out floating around. Overnight stay on Houseboat.

Morning after breakfast de-board from houseboat and travel to Marari. Marari originates from 'Mararikulum', a local fishing village on the Arabian Sea coast. Marari Beach is a perfect location to enjoy the sandy beaches & sun. This beach in Kerala is eternal with coconut palm trees and golden sands. Rest of the day at your leisure. Stay overnight at hotel in Marari. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast day at your leisure. Stay overnight at hotel in Marari.

Morning after breakfast, Departure transfer to Cochin airport to board fight for Home & taking back memories back Home.