Chennai (or Madras as it was known earlier) is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Chennai has the different face of India - classical, ancient, gentle. Definitely touched by colonialism but not ravaged by wars and intensely aware of its roots and traditions.

After breakfast, proceed to visit the finest examples of ancient South Indian architecture - Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram temples. The major tourist attractions of Kanchipuram covering Kailasanthar temple, Ekambareshwarar temple, Vardarajanperumal temple and the Sakkiswarar temple. Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock-cut shore temples.

Proceed to Pondicherry , which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down.

After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel, visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.

After breakfast drive to Chidambaram also called as Thillai, which has the famous Natraja temple with the root of the sanctum - sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In the temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. After lunch, drive to Thanjavur enroute visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Bragadeswara temple.

Morning drive to Chettinad. Chettinad is the ancestral home of the Nattukottai Chettiyars, a prosperous banking community successful in the oversea business markets in South and Southeast Asia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are a total of 76 villages and Karaikudi is the largest one. Chettinad is famous for its houses for its unique, spicy, and very tasty cuisine.

Morning drive to Madurai. Afternoon visit to the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple.

After breakfast drive to Cochin. Day at leisure.

The major tourist attractions of Cochin include the Marine Drive, Fort Kochi and the Hill Palace, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and the Pallipuram Fort & The Chinese fishing nets.

After breakfast, we drive straight to Kumarakom. The Kumarakom village is situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The scenic beauty and meandering lagoons and backwaters of Kumarakom are sure to mesmerize you thoroughly. As you reach Kumarakom, check-in at one of our listed hotels. After resting for a while at your hotel room, pay visit to the Bay Island Driftwood Museum. The museum showcases great collection of quality driftwood articles holding high artistic values, prepared through an innovative modern art technique.

Post breakfast leave for Alleppey in a houseboat for an overnight cruise. Before reaching Alleppey, stop mid-way at Kottayam. The Kerala backwaters have been known for their mesmerizing and alluring charms spread across the whole area. While cruising along the backwater feast your eyes on the lush green padded fields, palm fringed costal lines and enjoy the majestic scenery. Refresh yourself by relaxing for a while in the beautiful houseboat of witness the sunset on this floating villa. Stay the night at the houseboat.

Leave houseboat at Alleppey & drive to Cochin for tour of the famous Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church and the Jewish Synagogue. Enjoy the spectacular view of giant Chinese Fishing Nets being lowered on the famous Vasco-da-Gama Square.

The Sultan Battery is a watchtower built by Tipu Sultan to watch the entry of warships into the Gurpur River. It has a marvelous construction and gives a feeling of a minuscule fortress with its many apertures for rising cannons all around. The battery, was erected in black stones and the structure is well adorned with equipment's for shooting canons.

Morning drive to Mysore. This fort was the stronghold of Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali. Tippu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tippu's airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Here,is also the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple. Visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and culptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull.

Drive to Bangalore for onward flight.

Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide for all sightseeing.

Chennai (or Madras as it was known earlier) is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is also the third largest metropolis in India. Chennai has the different face of India - classical, ancient, gentle. Definitely touched by colonialism but not ravaged by wars and intensely aware of its roots and traditions. Chennai itself has largely remained a business city - the automobile industry, International giants included, has seen advancement in particular in the last few years.

After breakfast full day excursion to Mahabalipuram sightseeing which includes the Thirukadalmallai, Shore Temple, Pancha Pandava Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Caves, and Krishna's Butterball on the beach.

Later proceed on city tour visiting the temples which are a city within a city built in the Dravidian style, one for Shiva and other for spouse Meenakashi. Also visit Teepa Kulu, a tank with an island temple. Evening relish the glimpses of Indian classical dance performances over a sumptuous south indian dinner. Bharat Natyam, considered the oldest form of classical dance in lndia,is essentially a highly stylized solo feminine dance which combines movement, music and mime with "nritta" and "nritya", on the theme of spiritual love. Kathakali, originating from Kerala,in which the dancers appear rather strange and exaggerated with the highly elaborate make-up in green, red and white,with styled beards made of rice paste and head dress giving the expression of a mask. Mohiniyattam, a secular dance of an enchantress with combined elements of both Kathakali and Bharatnatyam. A typical Udipi meal served on green plantain leaf rounds off an enchanting evening. Overnight Madurai.

Proceed by road to Periyar. Check into Spice Village, a beautiful resort situated amongst spice gardens and pepper vines. Rest of the day free to relax with a Ayurvedic massage carried out by expert masseurs and visit close by plantations. Ayurvedic medicine (science of life / health) is the ancient Hindu system of medicine - a naturalistic system depending on diagnosis of the body's 'humours' (wind, mucus, gall and sometime, blood) to achieve a balance. In the early form, Gods and demons were associated with cure and ailments,treatment was carried out by using herbs, minerals, formic acid (from and hills) and water, and hence was limited in scope. Ayurveda classified substances and chemical compounds in the theory of panchabhutas or five 'elements'. It also noted the action of food and drugs on the human body. Ayurvedic massage uses aromatic and medicinal oils to tone up the nervous system and has~been practiced in Kerala for centuries. Overnight Spice Village.

Tour of Periyar wildlife sanctuary by boats / elephants to view a rich variety of wildlife - Tiger, elephants, wild boar, deer and monkeys. Evening jungle theme dinner which requires the group to be dressed in jungle attire. The call of the wild and the sound of the jungle are complemented by folk dancers and singers. Exotic theme cocktails with bonfire and bar-be-cue rounds off a magnificent evening. Overnight Spice Village.

After breakfast full day sight-seeing tour of Cochin. With its wealth of historical associations and its beautiful setting on a cluster of islands, it is one of India's most cosmopolitan cities. Cochin is famed for its natural harbour, one of the finest in the world. It is one of India's most interesting cities. Here you can see the oldest church in India. The Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing Nets etc. Evening view Kathakali dance or Kalaripayattu performance. Overnight in Cochin.

Departure transfer to connect the flight to international destination.

Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide/naturalist for all sightseeing & safari.

Arrive Cochin for your point of entry. A picturesque island cluster, natural ports and scenic lagoons, Cochin drapes you in warmth and ethnic Kerala glory. A glorious past and scenic greens make Cochin a splendid tour option. Remaining day at leisure.

In the morning drive straight to Kumarakom. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the backwaters known for its small water canals surrounded by lush green paddy fields and swaying palms or get indulge yourself with some Ayurvedic and Spa treatments.

Early morning move out for a tour of the Kumarakom bird sanctuary. A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Rest of the day completely free at your leisure.

After having a leisurely breakfast drive to Alleppey to embark on your private "Kettuvellam – House Boat" to start your thrilling experience through the backwater beauty of Kerala, while on your journey you can view Greenish Paddy Fields, Coconut Farms, Small Churches and paddy fields and you can observe the life orientation of village people with backwater. Your houseboats are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sunbathe or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it's the life along the backwaters that makes this a fascinating experience. Overnight stay in your – Air conditioned Deluxe House Boat.

Day free at the houseboat past quaint backwater villages.

After breakfast, disembark and drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Spend the rest of the day at leisure; you can walk around the peaceful town known for its fragrant spice and coffee plantations. Overnight stay Periyar.

Drive to Munnar. Munnar is a picturesque hill station, known as " Tea City", enroute visit Cheyyappara Waterfalls. In the evening, stroll around the incredible mountainous terrains. Overnight at Munnar.

Visit Eravikulam National Park at Rajamalai, Anamudi Peak, Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary, Mattupetti Dam ,Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm, Echo Point, Top Station, Marayoor. Drive back to hotel. Overnight at Munnar.

After breakfast transfer to Kovalam. Later free at the Kovalam beach, considered to be the finest beach resort in the world. Enjoy the lovely surrounding and the picturesque view of the Light House beach, the largest and the most popular beach in Kovalam and Samudra Beach. Also enjoy the lovely view of the Arabian waves embracing the virgin sands as well as enjoy various water sports in a pleasant and exciting way.

Full day sightseeing tour of Trivandrum the capital city of Kerala to pay visit to some of the exciting tourist attractions including Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Museum and Sri Padmanabha Temple. Rest of the after enjoy along the pristine beaches of Kovalam and surf the cool breeze as well as enjoy the bliss of the warm water of the Arabian Sea.

After having a leisurely breakfast, move out for sightseeing of Cochin which includes Fort Cochin, Dutch Palace, St. Francis church which is the oldest European Church in India, Jewish Synagogue and Famous Chinese fishing nets. In the evening, enjoy the famous dance drama of Kerala – "The Kathakali".

After breakfast drive to Cochin airport to connect flight for onwards destination.

Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide/naturalist for all sightseeing & safari.

Arrive Cochin for your point of entry. A picturesque island cluster, natural ports and scenic lagoons, Cochin drapes you in warmth and ethnic Kerala glory. A glorious past and scenic greens make Cochin a splendid tour option. Remaining day at leisure.

After having a leisurely breakfast, move out for sightseeing of Cochin which includes Fort Cochin, Dutch Palace, St. Francis church which is the oldest European Church in India, Jewish Synagogue and Famous Chinese fishing nets. In the evening, enjoy the famous dance drama of Kerala – "The Kathakali".

In the morning drive straight to Kumarakom. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the backwaters known for its small water canals surrounded by lush green paddy fields and swaying palms or get indulge yourself with some Ayurvedic and Spa treatments.

Early morning move out for a tour of the Kumarakom bird sanctuary. A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Rest of the day completely free at your leisure.

After having a leisurely breakfast drive to Alleppey to embark on your private "Kettuvellam – House Boat" to start your thrilling experience through the backwater beauty of Kerala, while on your journey you can view Greenish Paddy Fields, Coconut Farms, Small Churches and paddy fields and you can observe the life orientation of village people with backwater. Your houseboats are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sunbathe or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it's the life along the backwaters that makes this a fascinating experience. Overnight stay in your – Air conditioned Deluxe House Boat.

Day free for leisure at houseboat.

After breakfast, disembark and drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Located about 155 kilometers away, it will take you about 4 hours to reach Periyar. Upon arrival in Periyar, check-in at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure; you can walk around the peaceful town known for its fragrant spice and coffee plantations. Overnight stay at your hotel in Periyar.

After breakfast drive to Cochin airport to connect flight for onwards destination.

Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide/naturalist for all sightseeing & safari.