Southern Paradise
Southern Paradise : Delhi – Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Pondicherry – Trichy – Thanjavur – Madurai – Periyar – Kumarakom – Kovalam : 16 days
Day 01 Arrive Chennai
On arrival at Chennai airport you will be taken to the hotel. Chennai was the site of first colonization of the British East India Company and was founded in the year 1639. For more than 2000 year Chennai area has been popular with seafarers, spice traders and cloth merchants. Chennai has grown from the merging of a number of small villages, including its former namesake Madraspatnam. Spend rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Chennai.
Day 02 Drive Chennai – Mahabalipuram ( 55 Kms / 1.5 hours)
After breakfast half day sightseeing tour of Chennai – the fourth largest city in India, visiting the Fort St.George, St.Mary’s Church, St.Thomas Cathedral and the Fort museum – the museum has a collection of objects that come from the occupation of Chennai by the British East India Company, including letters from the famous Robert Clive.
Later drive to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) famous for its shore temple once the principal port of the Pallavas who ruled between the 06th and 09th century AD. This charming and quiet town was destroyed by the tsunami in December 2004. Showing their courage and determination, the citizens of Mahabalipuram rebuilt their home very fast. On arrival in Mahabalipuram, check into hotel. Spend rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 03 In Mahabalipuram
Morning after breakfast, half day sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram visiting Ganesh Ratha – a rock cut dravidian temples resembling a chariout, Trimurti Cave temple, just north to the Ganesh Ratha, Five Rathas – are sculptured temples in the style of Chariots. Spend rest of the day at leisure relaxing on the beaches or visiting the surroundings.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 04 Drive Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Pondicherry (160 Kms / 03 hours)
Morning after breakfast drive for Pondicherry en-route visiting Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram-the city of thousand temples, once the capital of Pallava. Kanchipuram still contains no less than 124 shrines. Mainly two rulers, Mahendray and Mamall Narashimha Parman, built the temples. Typical of their architecture is the Kailasnatha Temple dedicated to Shiva, believed to be 1200 years old. Other important ones include the 16th Century Ekambasreshwar Temple, Kamakshi Temple, and Vaikunta Perumal. Kanchipuram is also the centre for silk weaving and is famous for its saris and dress materials. Later continue your drive for Pondicherry., on arrival in Pondicherry, check into hotel
Overnight in Pondicherry.
Day 05 In Pondicherry
Pondicherry formerly a colony of France, is a fascinating synthesis of Europeanculture and India. For years, his charm attracts travelers from around the world. With its friendly atmosphere, its location on the sea, shops and restaurants and its appetites, it is an ideal place to relax. After breakfast sightseeing tour of Pondicherry visiting the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a Frenchwoman known as, The Mother. The ashram does many cultural and educational activties in Pondicherry. Later, visit the Museum of Pondicherry and Auroville, a city dedicated to human unity.
Spend rest of the day relaxing.
Overnight in Pondicherry.
Day 06 Drive Pondicherry – Trichy – Thanjavur (180 Kms / 04 hours) Enroute Trichy
Morning after breakfast drive to Thanjavur enroute visiting Trichy – the royal city of the Chola empire between 850 and 1270. Your visit here includes Rock fort Temple perched 83m high on a massive rocky outcrop, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – a superb temple dedicated to Vishnu, Sri Jambukeshwara Temple dedicated to Shiva and Parvati and other religious sites. After the visit continue your drive for Thanjavur. Thanjavur (Tanjore) was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings, controlled most of the Indian peninsula, including parts of Sri Lanka and the Srivijaya kingdom of the Malay Peninsula on the island of Sumatra. On arrival in Thanjavur, check into hotel.
Overnight in Tanjavur.
Day 07 Drive Thanjavur – Madurai (165 Kms / 03 hours)
Morning after breakfast sightseeing tour of Thanjavur visiting Brihadishwara Temple, Fort, Thanjavur Palace & Museums. After the visit continue your drive for Madurai. Over the centuries Madurai remained under the juridictions of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Muslim invaders and the Nayaks who ruled Madurai until 1781. Madurai is proud of its 2500 years of heritage. On arrival in Madurai, check into hotel. Spend rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Madurai.
Day 08 In Madurai
After breakfast start your full day sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting the Meenakashi Temple- The Sri Meenaksh Temple was designed in 1560 during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak. This is a huge complex of temples is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, with its bright colors and exquisite carved columns miles. Within the temple complex, housed is the 1000 pillard hall, is the Temple Art Museum. Later continue your city tour visiting Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Museums and Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank.
Overnight in Madurai.
Day 09 Drive Madurai – Periyar (155 Kms / 4 hours)
After breakfast drive to Periyar. Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary created by British. Located in the Idukki region, Periyar (Thekkady) is known as one of the best places to see elephants in Asia. The park is covered with forests and various habitats allow the existence of a large variety of flora and fauna. In the animal reserve, there are elephants, deer, leopards, bison, wild dogs etc. The drive to this hilltop wildlife sanctuary is one of the most beautiful ones. On arrival in Periyar, check into hotel. Spend rest of the day at leisure exploring on your own.
Overnight in Periyar.
Day 10 In Periyar
Morning after breakfast visit of spice plantation. The area is famous for coffee, tea, and the plant in Asia.
Enjoy evening boat ride on Lake Periyar. All activities of the reserve is concentrated around the lake. There are nearly 700 elephants in the region, most often around the lake.
Rest of the time walking around and enjoying the surroundings.
Overnight in Periyar.
Day 11 Drive Periyar – Kumarakom (185 Kms / 04 hours)
After breakfast start your journey for Kumarakom. The drive is a wonderful experience passing through the backwater and plantations. Seeing Kumarakom, it becomes very clear why Kerala is called the “Land of God.” This charming village is made up of several towns on Lake Vembanad, a paradise for birdwatchers. With its mangroves so beautiful, its clear waters, its emerald fields, its canals lined with coconut palms and white lilies, the village is the perfect place for a few days of vacation. You can explore the bird sanctuary, walking on the canals, or fishing. On arrival In Kumarakom, check into hotel. Spend rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight In Kumarakom
Day 12 In Kumarakom
Spend full day at leisure exploring the surroundings on your own.
Overnight In Kumarakom
Day 13 Drive Kumarakom – Kovalam ( 175 Kms / 05 hrs)
Morning after breakfast drive to Kovalam. Few years ago this place was famous among hippies but today this area is the focus of a multimillion dollar business drawing thousand of tourist. On arrival in Kovalam, check into hotel. Spend rest of the day relaxing on the beaches.
Overnight in Kovalam
Day 14 In Kovalam
Spend the day relaxing on the beaches.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 15 In Kovalam
Spend the day relaxing on the beaches.
Overnight in Kovalam
Day 16 Drive Kovalam – Trivandrum (13 Kms / 30 mins)
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum airport in time to board flight for back home.
Our Southern Paradise tour package is just a suggestion of itinerary and can be modified as per your preference and requirement. Therefore, do not hesitate to inform us and we will do the needful.