DAY 01   USA - CHENNAI

Depart the USA on your flight to Chennai (Madras).

DAY 02   CHENNAI

Upon arrival at the airport you are met by our representative and transferred to the hotel TAJ COROMANDEL.

DAY 03   CHENNAI - COVELONG

Morning: Visit the Bronze Gallery at the State Government Museum with a rare collection of Chola-period bronze. Proceed to Fort St. George, built by the British and now housing the Secretariat; San Thomas Church, first built in the 16^th Century, reconstructed over the years, and still in regular use; and Kapaleswara Shiva Temple with the beautifully sculptured "Gopuram" (temple-tower) typical of South Indian temple architecture. Drive through the flower and fruit market, Marina Beach, Madras University, the Senate House High Court, and Guindy Snake Park. Later drive down to Covelong Beach and check-in at the hotel FISHERMAN COVE.

Afternoon: At your leisure.

DAY 04   COVELONG

Morning: Visit the 7^th century town Mahabalipuram, also called Mamallapuram. See the single surviving Shore Temple, Mandapams (rock-cut cave temples), and Arjuna’s Penance, the world’s largest stone bas- relief. Arjuna's Penance is dominated by relief sculptures of a procession of elephants, some of them life size.

Afternoon: At  your leisure.

DAY 05   COVELONG

Unwind at Fisherman Cove Beach Resort with its powder-white sand, casuarinas, palm trees, and spectacular views of the deep blue Indian Ocean.

DAY 06   COVELONG - PONDICHERRY

Morning: Drive to formerly French-ruled Pondicherry. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel ANANDA INN.

Afternoon: Visit the old French area with its cobbled streets, Raj Nivas---the official residence of the lieutenant governor, and the Gothic-style Sacred Heart Church. Also visit the Pondicherry Museum with display of period-furniture from French India. Proceed to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the final resting place of Sri Aurobindo, a saint-cum-yogi who synthesized yoga and modern science. It is also the final resting place of "The Mother" who succeeded him ( a Paris-born painter musician who became Sri Aurobindo's disciple). Proceed to the envisioned universal town Auroville, construction of which began 1968 and continues today.  

DAY 07   PONDICHERRY - TANJORE

Morning: Drive to Tanjore (Tanjavure). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel SANGAM.

Afternoon: Visit Brihadesvara Temple built by Raja Chola from 985 -1014 A.D. Rising 300 feet high, it is the  tallest ancient monument in India. Marvel at the vibrant and intricate murals.

DAY 08   TANJORE - TRICHY

Morning: Drive to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli). Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel SANGAM.

Afternoon: Visit the Rock Fort, a spectacular monument on top of a rock command with a breathtaking view of the sacred Kaveri River. There are 434 steps cut out into the rock side.  Halfway to the fort lies the Thayumanaswamy Temple, also known as the Rock Fort Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is an important pilgrimage site of the Hindus. This beautifully carved rock-cut cave temple of the Pallava period has a 100-pillar hall and a Vimana covered with gold. Also visit Srirangam, a massive 13^th century temple dedicated to lord Vishnu which contains within its walls a bazaar as well.

DAY 09   TRICHY - MADURAI

Morning: Drive to Madurai. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel TAJ GARDEN RETREAT.

Afternoon: Visit the great Meenakshi temple and its large temple-town complex of walls, corridors, concentric streets, tanks, and shops. See the Hall of Thousand Pillars (actually 997) and the painted Gopurams (towers) rising high above the surrounding countryside. Later visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches.

Evening: Visit Meenakshi temple to witness Aarti ceremony.

DAY 10   MADURAI - PERIYAR

Morning: Drive to Periyar. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel SPICE VILLAGE.

Rest of the day: At your leisure.

DAY 11   PERIYAR

Morning: Take a nature walk and explore the small town. Later visit a spice plantation.

Late afternoon: Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat. . Cruising on the lake you are likely to spot wild elephant, bison, deer and spectacular bird life.

DAY 12   PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM

Morning: Drive to Kumarakom. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel COCONUT LAGOON.

Afternoon: Enjoy a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage followed by a private cruise through narrow Kumarakom  water canals. End with a magnificent sunset view from one of the large canals.

DAY 13   KUMARAKOM - COCHIN

Morning: Drive to Kottayam and board your boat for a leisurely cruise of the backwater of Kerala. Disembark at Allepy and Proceed to Cochin. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel TAJ MALABAR.

Evening: Enjoy a performance of Kathakali dances. These dances are one of the oldest theatre forms in the world.

DAY 14   COCHIN

Morning: Visit the historic city of Fort Cochin. ancient capital of the Dutch, Portuguese and finally the British. See the old spice market at Mattancherry, the antique shop on Jews Street, the Synagogue, the Dutch Palace and the church of St. Francis where Vasco da Gama was buried.

Afternoon: At your leisure.

DAY 15   COCHIN - BANGALORE - MYSORE

Morning: Board your flight to Bangalore. Upon arrival, drive to Kokrebellur, a unique bird sanctuary within a village. All the trees in the village are used by the migratory birds for nesting. Continue to Srirangapatnam, once Tipu Sultan’s ("The Tiger of Mysore") capital. Visit Daria Daulat (Splendor of the Sea), Tipu’s summer palace, built in 1784. Visit also the exquisite garden, and Sri Ranganatha Temple. Continue to Mysore. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel LALITA MAHAL PALACE.

DAY 16   MYSORE

Morning: Visit the Palace of the Maharaja, designed in the Hindu-Saracenic style by the English architect Henry Irwin and built by local artisans over the period of 1897-1912. The Palace of the Maharaja is adorned with magnificent archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures. Also visit Sri Chamarajendra Art Gallery, which contains rare musical instruments, exotic wall decorations, and original paintings by Ravi Varma.

 Afternoon: Visit a sandalwood oil factory and witness the extraction of the precious sandal oil. Proceed to a government silk factory where skilled weavers produce exquisite Mysore Silk saris, desired by women all over India.

DAY 17   MYSORE - BANGALORE

Morning: Drive to Somnathpur. Visit the star-shaped 13^th century Hoysala temple dedicated to Keshava that still is in excellent condition. The exterior walls are carved with episodes from the epics. Continue to Bangalore. 

Upon arrival: Check-in at the hotel TAJ WEST END.

DAY 18   BANGALORE

Morning: Tour the "Garden City" visiting the Lal Bagh (Botanical Gardens) laid by Hyder Ali in 1760  with a variety of old Trees, Fountains, Lotus Pools, Terraces and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Next tour the palatial government buildings and the Maharaja’s Palace. 

Afternoon: At your leisure.

DAY 19   BANGALORE - USA

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for your onward destination...TOUR ENDS