DAY 01 : ARRIVE CHENNAI
Namaste! Welcome to India
With a civilization that is over 5,000 years, richly steeped in history; a land that is diverse and colorful, mysterious and exotic; a land that offers a bewildering mix of adventures; the land of the Himalayas, INDIA has some of the most beautiful luxurious resorts to offer to the world, rich architectural marvels to feast your eyes on, and food fit for an Emperor. A visit to India is a power-package of changing spectacles of religions, customs, festivals, sights and sounds.
On your arrival in Chennai, you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel
Chennai is the largest city in Tamil Nadu and is located on the southeastern coast of India. The city was formerly known as Madras and was established by the British. They developed it into a significant urban center and naval base. Around 20th century, Chennai became an important administrative headquarter and the capital of Madras Presidency. The growth and expansion of British Empire led to development of the city. It has been endowed with the rich heritage of art and culture.

It is for this reason that Chennai is also called as the ‘Gateway to South India’. The city been blessed with the wealth of arts and literature. It is famous for its various cultural events, showcasing the performing arts such as Dance, Music and Drama at its best. Tamil literature is very rich in content and preaches ancient morals and values.
Overnight stay at Chennai

DAY 02 : CHENNAI – MAMALLAPURAM – KANCHIPURAM
After an early breakfast, drive down to the temple town of Kanchipuram.
Sightseeing in Kanchipuram includes a visit to Varadaraja Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu), Ekambareshwar Temple that houses the 3500yrs old mango tree & Kailasanathar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Later visit the silk weaving centre which is considered as a traditional family business for quite a long time. Kanchipuram silk sarees are very famous worldwide & especially in Indian weddings.
Continue onward to reach the laid back beach town of Mamallapuram.

Overnight stay at Mamallapuram

DAY 03 : MAMALLAPURAM – SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Mamallapuram visiting – ‘The Arjuna`s Penance’ (Bass Relief), ‘Five Rathas’ (symbolizes equality of men & women) & the famous ‘Shore Temple’.
Apart from the above said monuments we also visit many other cave temples. As a special activity, we will be visiting a sculpture studio to know more in detail about sculpturing.
Afternoon is at leisure on the beach.
In the evening dinner on the Roof top restaurant of Mamalla Heritage Hotel with a demonstration of Cookery of the famous South Indian DOSA. Dosa is one of the world’s great culinary delicacies. Similar to a crepe, it is served with a variety of fillings that will offer you the most authentic and tantalizing flavors of South India. It is made from rice and lentils and is a very typical South Indian food taken as Breakfast or Dinner.
Overnight stay at MAMALLAPURAM

DAY 04 : MAMALLAPURAM – TANJORE – KUMBAKONAM
After an early breakfast, drive down to Tanjore
Enroute visit the Temples of “Gangaikonda Cholapuram”(famous Shiva Temple) with its beautiful high towers full with many small sculptures depicting stories of old epics and “Darasuram” Temple (built in memory of the White elephant – AIRAVATH from the gods family), the temple has its original name as “Airavatheshwar temple”.
Continue onward to reach Tanjore.

Tanjore, formerly known as Thanjavur is the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu and an important tourist destination with its long historical & cultural background

Overnight stay at TANJORE

DAY 05 : TANJORE – KARAIKUDI – CHETTINAD
After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Tanjore
Visit the Brahadeeswarar Temple or popularly known as the “Big Temple” (Thanjai Periya Kovil) is said to be one among the best temples in South India. Built by the greatest Chola emperor – Raja Raja Chola, this temple is a finest contribution to Dravidan temple architecture during his dynasty and is dedicated to Lord Shivan.It is quite different from all other temples because the main tower is soaring sky high whereas the Gopurams are all small in size. The tower is 14 storey high and rises to 216 ft above the ground making the Brahadeeswarar temple the tallest temple in South India. The Paintings on the ceiling inside the inner sanctum are said to be so beautiful that one cannot take their eye from it. We can see a huge Nandi as soon as we enter the temple. Of the other magnificent Temples located in and around Tanjore are the Puliyur Vyagrapureeswarar Temple and the Sikkal Singaravelavar Temple. The Aiyarappan Temple in Thanjavur also deserves a special mention

amongst the Temples in Tanjore. It is a symbol of architectural brilliance and is very aesthetically designed

Onward drive to Karaikudi – the capital city of Chettinad. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to South and Southeast Asia, particularly Ceylon and Burma, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Chettinad is rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture, and is well known for its houses, embellished with marble and Burma teak, wide courtyards, spacious rooms, and for its 18th century mansions. On arrival check in to the Chettinad Mansion
In the evening enjoy a Cookery demonstration with hands on Cooking of the famous CHETTINAD Cuisine. Chettinad is known for its culinary delicacies. Chettinad food, now is one of the many reasons why people get to know Chettinad.

Overnight stay at the CHETTINAD MANSION

DAY 06 : KARAIKUDI – MADURAI
After breakfast, check out and drive to Madurai. Madurai is known to be one of the oldest cities in South India.

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre-Christian era. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence.
Check into your hotel and after a brief rest proceed on a sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting the Meenakshi Temple with its baroque example of Dravidian architecture and the 04 tall gopurams with multicoloured gods, goddesses, demons & deities. The 1,000 pillared hall has stone figures carved on the pillars, some of which sound like metal when hit with an object. The metal stone or musical pillar, although made of stone, produces sounds of different metals. Also
visit the Palace of Tirumala Nayaka, a gracious building in the Indo-Saraceni style, famous for the stucco work done on its domes and arches.

Overnight stay at MADURAI

DAY 07 : MADURAI – MUNNAR
After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and drive to MUNNAR
MUNNAR, breathtakingly beautiful is a haven of peace and tranquility – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations – pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – aroma of spice scented cool air – yes! Munnar has all these and more. It’s the place you would love to visit – it’s the place you would wish never to leave
Rest of the day is at leisure to pursue own activities

Overnight stay at MUNNAR

DAY 08 : MUNNAR – SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, you will proceed on a guided sightseeing tour of Munnar visiting – the Tea Museum that showcases and highlights some of the fine and fascinating aspects on the evolution and growth of tea plantations in this part of Kerala. It houses photographs, curious and machineries. Each of them depicts a turning point in the flourishing tea industry in the region. You can also see the complete processing of Tea in here too.

Onward visit the Eravikulam National park that is famous for its largest surviving population of the endangered species of “Thar goats”. Apart from Thar, the Park is the abode of other little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel etc. Later return to visit the public market area in Munnar.

Overnight stay at MUNNAR

DAY 09 : MUNNAR – COCHIN
After an early breakfast drive to Cochin – a cosmopolitan city in the federal state of kerala. The drive down him through the plantations is very attractive and gives you many photo opportunities. On arrival at Cochin, check in to hotel.

Cochin is a beautiful all weather harbor and a grand seascape, one of India’s largest ports and a major naval base. At dusk you can see the dim silhouettes of huge merchant ships patiently awaiting their turn for a berth in the docks. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene backwaters, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands.

Later this afternoon arrive early at the show venue, so that you can get a backstage view of the performers preparing for the show. Enjoy a presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali dance drama. Kathakali is a ritualized dance form native to Kerala; elaborate costumes and makeup, as seen here, are the norm. Male dancers portray both male and female roles.

Overnight stay at COCHIN

DAY 10 : COCHIN – KUMARAKOM
After an early breakfast at the hotel, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Cochin

This morning you will tour this incredible city. Visit the Portuguese St. Francis Church, considered the first European Church in India, built in 1562 by St. Francis; this is India’s oldest European-built church. The original structure was wood, but was rebuilt in stone in the mid-16th century. Continue on to Mattancherry Dutch Palace, a double-storied palace built in the classic Kerala nallukettu style, denoted an interesting blend of European and indigenous forms of architecture. The most important feature of Mattancherry Palace is the murals in the bedchambers and other rooms, which depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahbharata and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu & Krishna, These murals are some of the most beautiful and extensive, one of the wonders of India.

Proceed to the Jewish Synagogue, which was constructed in 1568 and is the oldest in the Commonwealth. A stone slab from the Kochangadi synagogue (built in 1344, and has disappeared), inscribed in Hebrew, can be found on the inner surface of the wall. The copper plates on which have inscribed grants of privileges made by the ruler are also to be found here. At the Cochin Harbour, you can watch the fishermen using strange and ravishing Chinese fishing nets to catch fishes from a tiny waterfront area strewn with natural rocks.

Continue onward to the world famous backwater destination Kumarakom. Upon arrival at Kumarakom, take a short country boat transfer across the small canal at Vechurpalli Jetty to reach Philipkutty’s Farm House. Situated on a small island on the Kuttanad region the property is one of the best home stays in South India. In the evening enjoy a Cookery demonstration and hand on Cooking of the famous SYRIAN CHRISTIAN KERALA FOOD. The type of cooking that you will be exposed to, is predominantly with a Christian and backwater influence, ie..plenty of meat and fish preparations as well as other vegetarian dishes and also the little family touches passed down over the generations.

Overnight stay at the homestead

DAY 11 : HOUSEBOAT

Breakfast at hotel
Morning is at leisure for pursuing own activities.

In the afternoon embark on a private House boat that is waiting to take you on a tour through the backwaters Alleppey, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves.
A journey through this quiet region of the best backwater belt of Kerala, reveals the picturesque rural life of Kerala people, working their fields with water buffaloes, fishing with nets from traditional longboats, and washing their clothes at the water’s edge. One may see some school boats instead of the bus, transporting uniformed children. We can glimpse through the trees at small farms, homes, churches, and mosques that dot the canals and lakes. All meals will be on board served by the on-board chef.

Overnight stay on HOUSEBOAT

DAY 12 : MARARIKULAM MARAI
Breakfast onboard Houseboat

Disembark from houseboat and transfer to Mararikulam (Marai)- a fishing village, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holidaymaker, Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm and tradition at it’s best. It is here where the tranquility, the stunning scenery and the feeling of being transported back in time, makes it a fantastic and memorable experience.
You accommodation for the next couple of nights will be at “OG’s Beach Resort” -Situated just 10 meters away from the beach, this resort is the right place to explore the Sea from its closest safe proximity. All rooms are with air conditioning, elegantly furnished with all modernized facilities & a spacious bath.

Overnight stay at OGs BEACH RESORT

DAY 13 : MARARIKULAM MARAI
Day at leisure
You may also want to experience the traditional “Kerala Ayuveda”
Overnight stay at OGs BEACH RESORT

DAY 14 : DEPARTURE TO COCHIN
Check out from hotel according to your flight timing and transfer to Cochin Airport for your onward flight.