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Day 01 Chennai 
On arrival you will be met and transferred to hotel. Later proceed for
the sightseeing of Chennai, “the gateway of South India”.
P.M. Visit National Art Gallery and Museum (closed on Fridays) which has
a selection of ancient paintings of almost all schools as well as section
devoted to modern art, Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, Drive along
Marina Beach (the second longest in the world), San Thome Cathedral,
Mylapore Shiva Temple and shopping.
Day 02 Tiruvannamalai
Drive to Tiruvannamalai enroute visit Kanchipuram, the city of 1000
temples. Visit Vaikuntaperumal temple, Ekambareeswarar and Varadarajar
temple. Kanchipuram is famous for its exquisite silk sarees. Visit the
handloom and shop if you please. Drive to Tiruvannamalai visit the
Ashram and temple.
Day 03 Trichy
After breakfast drive to Trichy. Check-in at hotel and relax. Later
visit Srirangam and RockFort temples.
Day 04 Kodaikanal
Today it is a scenic drive up to Kodaikanal, which is one of the most
charming hill stations in South India. Kodaikanal lies on the southern
crest of the Palani Hills, at an altitude of 2100 metres above sea level.
Stay two nights at the Carlton Hotel.
Day 05 Kodaikanal
At leisure. Kodaikanal is noted for its scenery and landscaped lakes. Two
of
the most spectacular views in Kodaikanal can be enjoyed from Coaker’s walk
and pillar Rocks; however, at certain times of year the views can be
restricted by the weather. Places of interest are Coaker’s Walk, Golf
Links, Green Valley View, Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade Falls, Bear Shola
Falls & the Lake etc. Have a boat ride on the Lake. Over night at
hotel.
Day 06 Periyar
Periyar. You will be taken to one of the best game sanctuaries in India –
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Your journey to Thekkady is through
breathtaking, winding, dense rubber, etc; do not forget your camera. A
boat ride on the spending Lake Periyar is the best way to experience the
sanctuary. Visit the Spice plantations like c ardamom,
cinnamon, pepper, coffee and tea estates. On your way back to hotel, you
can shop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spice.
Day 07 Kumarakom
A cruise on the Vembanad Lake, gently rocked by the waves rippling to the
rhythm of the swaying coconut palms on the distant banks could be truly
exhilarating. Stay in the backwater resort and enjoy your day in swimming
or a massage that would do wonders on your body. The splash of water
slapping softly on the banks provides a soothing background music. Visit
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The breathtaking view of the lake during the
dawn and dusk and the glimpse of the formation of birds flapping in and
out of the bird sanctuary can be seen from any spot of the island.
Day 08 Trivandrum
Visit Napier Museum, Chitra Art Gallery and Padmanabhapuram Palace. Later
proceed to Padmanabhaswamy temple and Suchindram temple – known for
its 18 feet high Hanuman statue and musical pillars.
Day 09 Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari, India’s lands end is where the three seas – Arabian Sea,
Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, and hence the confluence is
called Thriveni Sangamam. The beach itself is a beautiful sight, with
multi-coloured sands and spectacular sunrises and sunsets as the sky and
horizon break into a riot of colour. Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial,
Gandhi Mandapam and Temple.
Day 10 Madurai
Drive to Madurai, known for 1000-pillared Meenakshi temple. Viit
Meenakshi temple, famous for its Court of Thousand Pillars, built in 1560
A.D and visit to the temple to witness the famous night ceremony when the
Temple bronze of Lord Siva is carried to the bed chamber of Goddess
Parvathy to the accompaniment of religious prayers and music. Also visit
Thirumalai Nayak’s Palace and Gandhi Museum.
Day 10 Karaikudi
Explore the area of Chettinad visiting some of the grand mansions that are
an architectural delight. The Chettiars are renowned for their warmth and
hospitality. Overnight at “Chettinad Palace” an Heritage House.
Day 11 Tanjore
Tanjore is rich in its architecture, exquisite handicrafts, paintings,
bronzes and South Indian Musical instruments. Visit the magnificent
Brahadeeswara temple, where the shade of the tower (gopuram or vimanam)
will not fall on the ground. The second largest monolithic sculpture,
Nandi (Bull) can be found in the portal of the shrine. The Royal palace
complex houses in important library and museums, including a superb
collection of Chola bronzes.
Day 12 Pondicherry
Pondicherry, once a French settlement and now home to the Aurobindo Ashram
- It spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science and
Auroville or the City of Dawn, an international settlement where community
living is the focus of life. The sphere shaped Matri Mandir
a hall of meditation is the splendid centre of Auroville. Visit
Pondicherry Museum which has an outstanding collection of artifacts. The
sculpture gallery is a treasure house of Pallava and Chola art. Evening
Relax at the beach, which runs along the city.
Day 13 Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram, the only surviving shore temple of India. Visit Shore
Temple – The oldest temple of South India which sets an example for
Dravidian art, Arjuna’s Penance – A complicated magnificent piece of
skillfully carved work and largest bas-relief sculpture in the world,
Rathas – rock-cut temples, named after the five Pandavas resembling the
Dravidian temples with their imposing towers, sculptured walls and
multi-pillared halls, Mandapam, Krishna temple, tiger cave, etc.
Day 14 Mahabalipuram
Day free to relax or for leisure activities.
Day 15 Departure
Day at leisure till noon. Check-out of the hotel by noon and drive to
Chennai Airport enroute visit Dakshina Chitra Cultural Centre.
"All
Tours can be tailor-made to your needs
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