Classic South India - From Temples to Backwaters

Day 1 - Welcome to South India! An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the pickup point at Chennai International Airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. Rest of the day is set free to relax.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - In the morning, we drive to Mahabalipuram- home to sculpted temples classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stopping along the way to see Kanchipuram, one of India's seven sacred towns known for its numerous temples and hand-woven silk saris. We go to the Kailasanathar Temple, which is known for its magnificent carvings and has 58 lesser shrines around the main shrine. The next stop on our itinerary is the Kamakshi Amman Temple, which has a statue of Kamakshi, who is said to be the Supergoddess, Parasakti, having Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati as her eyes. Upon arrival in Mahabalipuram check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - Today we take a tour of Mahabalipuram. Early morning we leave for a 1-2 hour bicycle tour of the picturesque village of Kokolanedu, situated few kms from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments of Mahabalipuram. We then proceed to the World Heritage Site and start with the impressive Shore temple, built in the 7th century with blocks of granite, overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Next we head to the world’s largest bas-relief carving - Arjuna’s Penance, which tells the story of the decent of the sacred Ganges from the heavens to the Earth. Our final stop for the day is the Pancha Rathas or the five Rathas - five monolithic temples, each created in a different exquisite style. Built in Dravidian style the temple dates back to the 8th century CE. The monuments are mostly rock-cut and monolithic representative of the early stages of Dravidian architecture with Buddhist elements clearly visible.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - We leave early morning for Pondicherry. On the way we stop at Auroville, a universal town where people of all nationalities follow the principal of harmony and peace. In 1966, UNESCO declared this project as unique in the world. After the visit we halt for lunch and drive for another 20 minutes to reach Pondicherry. Formerly the largest French colony in India and an important trading town, which retains a strong sense of the former French presence in India: grid pattern streets, distinctive police uniforms and the occasional colonial building around everywhere but the city is undoubtedly Indian. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free to enjoy the Pondicherry beach, with its golden sand and lapping waves.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - After breakfast we embark on a sightseeing tour to explore Pondicherry and its Gallic heritage. Our first stop is the Sacred Heart Church. Built in 1895, this red and white church was upgraded to Basilica in 2011. Next we walk through the Muslim neighborhood where most of the shops and the typical Indian daily market are located. You also get time to discover at the treasures of the city your own pace and visit the Goubert market with a narrow maze of lanes lined with stalls selling fabrics, fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers and meat. We then continue to another city highlight, the French Institute. Declared a “National Treasure of India” by the Government of India, it is a center for research in the field of heritage, science and environment. Our sightseeing tour ends at the ancient French colony of Pondicherry with a visit to the popular Sri Aurbindo Ashram, whose spiritual tenets combine yoga and medical science.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - In the morning we leave Pondicherry and travel to the vibrant city of Thanjavur (formally known as Tanjore). We drive through the fertile Kaveri Delta, lush with emerald paddy fields. En route we stop at several temples - Chidambaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram. We then continue to the Airavateshwar Temple, a World Heritage Site, and marvel at the stone carvings. Continuing our drive we arrive in Thanjavur, which is famous for its ancient temples, exquisite handicrafts such as Bronze work and Tanjore paintings, a painting style unique to the region. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 7 - Today we discover the ancient fortified city of Thanjavur. We visit the incredible Brihadeeswara Temple- the first all-granite temple in the world, dating back to the 10th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a brilliant example of Dravidian temple architecture. Next, we visit the Thanjavur Palace – the official Residence of Bhosle family that ruled Tanjore between 1674 and 1855. We then visit artists that make the famous Tanjore and Kalamkari paintings and discover how musical instruments such as Tanjore Veena, a four feet long beauty, and Nadhaswaram, a double reed wind instrument, are made. We also see how the Tanjore Dancing Dolls are made from paper mache, wax, and other basic materials. Later, we travel to Nachiarkoil, a mediaeval village where over 200 artisans practise the thousand-year-old technique of lamp making. In the afternoon, we drive to Trichy - a thriving commercial city of South India. On arrival, we have lunch and visit the 7th century Rockfort Temple, also known as the Ucchi Pillayar Koil. We then continue our drive to Chettinad. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Note: Temples in South India remain closed from 12 noon to 4 pm

Overnight - Hotel

Day 8 - Today we tour the Chettinadu area. After breakfast, we visit the Chettinad Museum next to the palace to see now the famous Athangudi tiles are made. In the afternoon we embark on a guided tour of Karaikudi & Kanadukathan Villages - the home to the Chettiars, a community of Tamil traders. At Kanadukathan we visit the weaving center famous for beautiful Chettinadu saris. We also stop by a local school to interact with the village school children. Following the tour we visit some palatial homes and mansions (Haveli’s) that gives us insights into the legacy of this vibrant and prosperous community. We also get a chance to explore a local weekly market called a ‘santhai’ from where we can shop for hand spun cotton fabrics, palmyra leaf baskets, and locally-grown produce that comes from village farms. In the afternoon we drive to the colorful city of Madurai famous for its intricate temples. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 9 - In the morning we leave for the local sightseeing tour of Madurai. We first visit the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace built in 1636 in Indo-Mughal style by the Nayaka Dynasty, known for its rectangular dance floor. Madurai is a perfect place to wander around and to experience Hindu culture with temples and bazaars. Afterwards we visit the most famous Meenakshi Temple - an outstanding example of Vijaynagar temple architecture. The gopurams (towers) that surround the temple are known for their colorful stucco images of gods, goddesses, and animals, and offer plenty of photo opportunities. In the evening we attend the Aarti ceremony, a Hindu ritual of worship where candles are lit and songs are sung in the honor of the gods. (Aarti: the "Shiva Sunset" ceremony carried on a palanquin to join Meenakshi).

Overnight - Hotel

Day 10 - Today we drive to Thekkady where we enter the state of Kerala. The drive is spectacular as the road meanders through the Western Ghats with fantastic views and a chance for brief stops at some local markets and grape plantations along the way. We arrive at the small bustling village of Thekkady and check into the hotel. The entire region is a spice growing center. In the afternoon, we head for a guided short walk through spice gardens and plantations. During the tour, we learn about the history, growth and development of wonder spices like, cardamom and pepper. Other crops include tea, coffee and vanilla. We also learn how these spices are used in local cuisine and their medicinal properties. Return to the hotel and stay overnight in Thekkady. Walk Duration: - 01-02 Hours

Overnight - Hotel

Day 11 - Experience the peaceful beauty of the Periyar national Park with a full-day of guided trekking and rafting adventure. This exciting activity is part of the nature walk in Periyar and begins at 0800 AM in the morning. We leave for jungle trek to catch a glimpse of its abundant birdlife such as kingfishers, storks and hornbill. The trek will lead us to the banks of Periyar Lake. Following a breakfast break, we'll head out onto the waters aboard a bamboo raft where we may spot local wildlife such as, elephants, gaur and sambar. We stop for lunch before returning back to the starting point. By late evening, we return to the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 12 - After breakfast, we leave for the calm coastal town of Kumarakom. Kumarakom is the first place to implement responsible tourism practices. Upon arrival, we check-in and relax at the resort. Later, we embark on a walking tour which provides us an authentic taste of village life, as well as showcasing community-based tourism products and services. We will be taken through the narrow canals on a country boat operated by the local villagers. We can observe daily life on the banks, such as people working in rice fields, children swimming in the lake, fisherman, and women weaving coconut palm leaves, during our leisurely ride.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 13 - After leisurely breakfast, the morning is free to unwind at the resort or visit the local village before we drive to Alleppey (Board the houseboat at 2 pm). Also known as Alappuzha, the town is the principal center for backwater cruises in Kerala. Experience Kerala's backwaters onboard your traditional thatched roof houseboat. We begin our cruise along the backwaters of Kerala, a key highlight of the trip. These beautiful boats have been renovated and converted into pleasant cruise ships. We meander along the waterways flanked by lush tropical vegetation, catching glimpses of dazzling tropical birds and watching idyllic villages. Our overnight stay is on a boat in the middle of the famous Vembanad lake.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 14 - After a relaxed breakfast on the houseboat, we disembark at Alleppey and drive to Kochi, also known as Cochin. Upon arrival, we check-in at the hotel. Later we leave for a guided tour of the Fort Kochi area, founded by the Portuguese in 1503 and believed to be the earliest European settlement in India. The true character of the town is found in the old Fort Cochin area of the town. We begin our sightseeing tour with the Mattancherry and Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese as a gift for the Raja of Kochi. Next, we visit the Jewish synagogue dating back to 1568. We then head to the St. Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India, built in 1503 and stop at the Dhobi Khana (laundry station), established by the Dutch in 1720 for washing army uniforms. We also visit the Chinese fishing nets that line the entrance to the harbour introduced by the Chinese in the late 14th Century. We end the day with a visit to the town of Kochi, its bazaars, spice market, and the old harbour area.

Overnight - none

Day 15 - After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination, carrying fond memories of your Classic South India tour with you.

Tour Ends