Day 01 – Chennai
On arrival at Chennai with an early morning flight, you will be taken to a city Hotel for check in.Have a relaxed breakfast.Afternoon, a story teller guided panoramic tour of Chennai-Ancient Mylapore Cultural Trail. You will visit Kapaleeshwar Temple, Flower market, Santhome Cathedral etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 – Chennai-Kanchipuram-(1.5 Hours) Mahabalipuram (2 Hours)
After breakfast, by 8.30 AM, drive to Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples. Half day guided tour of Kanchipuram. Afternoon, drive to Mahabalipuram . Overnight stay at the Hotel
Kanchipuram – Kanchipuram, an ancient city known as “the city of thousand temples”, is one of the seven most sacred pilgrim centres for the Hindus. There now remain about 126 temples and a few more in its outskirts. Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Ekambaranath Temple, also known as Ekambareswarar Temple – The eleven-storey structure which is adorned with beautiful Stucco Figures is one of the tall temple towers in South India. The ancient mango tree in the courtyard inside the temple is revered by childless couples. They faithfully tie small cradles to the branches of the tree and leave with the hope that their desire for an offspring will be fulfilled. Also visit Kailasanatha Temple and Varadaja Temple.

Mahabalipuram has a significant role in the history and architecture of India which gives a major role for the archaeological enthusiasts. This is the only place in India where we have Cave Architecture, Monolythic Architecture and Structural Architecture still existing simultaneously. Also the long stretch of clean beach will give one a peaceful relaxation in Mahabalipuram.

Day 03 – Mahabalipuram
After a relaxing breakfast, guided sightseeing of Mahabalipuram to explore the heritage of Mahabalipuram temples, built in 7th & 8th century AD which are today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. Afternoon free for exploring the beach or the township. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Mahabalipuram – It is among the most outstanding examples of Pallava art and architecture. The monuments are floodlit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty even after sunset. Arjuna’s Penance – This skillfully carved rock is the largest bas relief in the world. There are nine rock cut cave temples. The Mahishasuramardhini cave, contrasting the goddess fighting a demon on one side, and Lord Vishnu’s cosmic sleep on the other, is a particularly remarkable one. Five Rathas -These rock-cut temples are rated as excellent example of Pallava art. Shaped in different styles, the rathas are supposed to have been scooped out of a single rock formation. Also visit Shore Temple.

Day 04 – Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry (2 Hour)
After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry. On arrival, check into your hotel. Afternoon , go for a guided walking tour of the French Corner . Evening free to walk along the promenade. Overnight at the Hotel.

The old town of Pondicherry has a unique charm and the French Quarter is unique in its cleanliness, architecture, discipline etc. To experience the spirit of Pondicherry, its essential to walk through the old town and closely observe the nature of its architectural traditions. Its interesting to note that if someone wants an old building to be restored in Pondicherry, the local authorities ask for the approval of INTACH on priority. This is interesting and we could see how naturally those old buildings were restored in French style. One will walk through Town Hall (Mairie/Hotel de Ville), Notre Dame des Anges Church, Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient, Cluny Emboidery centre, Alliance Francaise, INTACH Heritage Centre for Exhibitions, Lycees Francaise and lot more.
The beach close to the French quarter is landscaped with wide stone paved pathways and the vehicular traffic is banned from 6 PM till 7.30 AM. its strictly maintained and the pedestrians enjoy their walk in the evening.Many of the old heritage buildings are now getting converted to hotels and guest houses. All kinds of restaurants with international cuisines are seen everywhere. A walk through the market place on M G Road is also amazing.

Day 05 – The Auroville Experience
Full day story telling experience tour on Auroville, the central attraction of Pondichery, for its unique living culture of universality. The tour is conducted by our story telling partner in Tamilnadu with an authentic story teller who will take you through the life & spirit of Auroville. Your lunch is included in the tour which you will have from Auroville. Overnight at your hotel.

Auroville is an experiment in progress. It wants to be a universal town where women and men of all countries are able to live in peace and harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. Currently, people from more than 50 different nationalities live and work in Auroville. On this tour we learn what makes Auroville special.

The tour, led by an Aurovilian, starts with an introduction to the philosophy behind Auroville, and the influence of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. We then learn about the day to day functioning of Auroville though which it puts its philosophy to work. It includes visits to a textile design studio, musical design and treatment centre, bamboo research institute and a women’s cooperative. Guests are encouraged to interact with the hosts/artisans. Lunch at one of the in-house organic restaurants/cafes is part of the experience. The tour ends at the visitor center where one can shop for Auroville products, they make for some very good souvenirs.

Day 06 – Pondicherry-Tanjore (4 Hours)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Tanjore. On arrival, check into your hotel. Afternoon, guided sightseeing of Tanjore with Brihadeeswara Temple, Art Gallery, Saraswathy Mahal Library etc. Overight at your hotel

Thanjavur rose to the glory during the later Chola reign between the 10th and 14th Centuries and became a centre of learning and culture. Thanjavur is still the centre of all the classical arts and music. The Big Temple and the other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. It is the headquarters of Thanjavur district, the ‘Rice Bowl’ of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is also famous for its distinctive art style, which is usually a combination of raised and painted surfaces. Tanjore paintings are deeply rooted in tradition and still innovative within limits. This art is sacred and dedicated.

Day 07 – Tanjore- Srirangam – Madurai (5.5 Hours Drive)
After an early breakfast, drive to visit Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Later continue drive to Madurai. On arrival, check into your hotel. At 5.30 PM, you will be picked up for a food tour of Madurai and will be dropped back to hotel by 9 PM. Overnight at hotel.

“Foodies Day Out” tour offers you a perspective of MADURAI entirely through the eyes of a FOODIE, very different from that of a normal tourists view. We take you to spots that you cannot find on the internet or guide book. We travel across the city to taste the best culinary dishes the city has to offer. We drive around in a car to eat the best signature dishes of our local eateries and also walk along the streets to indulge ourselves in uninhibited eating spree. This tour offers exquisite vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. It can be customized to suit your food preferences.

Day 08 – Madurai
Full day guided tour of Madurai covering Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Flower market, Tailor street etc. Evening for free. If anyone is interested to visit Meenakshi Temple for watching closing ceremony, they may do this on their own taking a tuk tuk without guide. Overnight at hotel.

Meenakshi Temple – In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the temple, the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Siva. The pillars of the Mandapam are decorated with scenes from the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction of Madurai and its huge Gopurams towers over the city. Meenakshi temple has a thousand pillared ‘Mandapam’. Precisely there are 985 pillars and each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved. Among these are the musical pillars, which produce music when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are carved out of a single granite rock. The temple has been a hub of Tamil culture and has been sponsoring literature, art, music, and dance in the region for a long time.

Day 09: Madurai – Periyar (4 Hour Drive)
After breakfast, drive to Periyar National Park. On arrival, check into your hotel. Afternoon visit to a spice farm. Evening watch a live martial arts show at a local theatre. Overnight at hotel.

Periyar – Conjures up images of elephants, chains of hill and spice scented plantations. Here, in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will see a lot of wildlife and observe the way of life of simple mountain people. Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.

Day 10 – Periyar-Guided Walking Safari in the Sanctuary
Full day trekking with a bamboo rafting in the Sanctuary. It will be a guided program by the forest Department and there are chances of closure of the Sanctuary between April & June due to the fear of wild fire /heavy rains. At 0730 AM we have to report at the bus boarding point .Once you reach the starting point, you will finish the registration formalities and collect leech socks, packed light breakfast & a proper hot lunch etc. The program has around 12 kms of soft hike and 3 kms of bamboo rafting. This will be a nice program to watch possible wildlife in the sanctuary. Only physically fit travelers can do this full activity. Children below 13 years are not allowed to do the program. Packed breakfast and lunch are a part of the package. Evening return to the base to return to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.
This is one of Kerala’s first Responsible Tourism Programs as a part of rehabilitating the tribal people who lived inside the Sanctuary and sometimes Poachers and hunters. With the help of an Eco Development Society (EDS),these people are now the guards of the forest for the best conservation and the best guides for tourists because they know the forest very well including the movement of wild animals. The revenue from these programs help the Government to give back to the Community to enable them to have decent living.

Day 11 – Periyar – Alleppey Houseboat (4.5 Hours Drive)
After an early breakfast, check out and drive to Alleppey to board your exclusive Houseboat . You will be offered freshly cooked lunch on board on check in. Enjoy the cruise through the backwaters. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 12 – Alleppey-Cochin (1.5 Hours Drive)
After breakfast on board, check out and drive to Cochin. Enroute stop at Poothotta village for a guided canoe tour followed by a traditional lunch at the island home. Afternoon, you will be brought to Fort Cochin to check into your hotel. Evening watch a live Kathakali Performance. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 – Cochin
Full day to explore Cochin. After an early breakfast, you will be brought to a fishing harbour to watch the fishermen life activities . Later you will walk through the most lively broadway market where common people come for shopping for their daily needs. Afternoon guided sightseeing of Cochin covering Chinese Fishing nets, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church and Jewish Synagogue. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 – Cochin Departure (1.5 Hour Drive)
Today, you will be transferred to Cochin Airport to connect your flight home.