Our South India Splendors Tour from Chennai is an enchanting journey that covers the best destinations in South of India. You will be visiting ancient temples, forts and palaces, beaches, an elephant farm, visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a tribal village, spice gardens, stay in a houseboat and cruise through Kerala Backwaters, watch Kathakali dance and Kalaripayattu – the oldest Martial Art form from South India. This tour is for couples, families, small groups and travel writers, photographers.
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Night
Places: Chennai > Madurai > Periyar > Kumarakom > Alleppey > Cochin
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Chennai
You will arrive at Chennai Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you exit the arrival terminal after which you would be transferred to your hotel. Check in to your hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Chennai
Full day sightseeing tour of Chennai. Founded in 1639, Chennai was the site of the first settlement of the East India Company. Sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Museum and Art Gallery ( closed on Friday).
Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market; visit the Fort St. George (closed on Friday), which once served as the very first bastion of the East India Company. Within the Fort complex, is also the oldest Anglican Church in India, St Mary’s Church, built in 1678-1680.
Drive along the Marina Beach, one of the longest beaches in the world.
Also visit Kapaleeswarar Temple (temple remain closed from 1230 -1600 hours) & San Thome Cathedral, which is said to contain the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas) and drive past the Marina Beach.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Chennai – Madurai (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel. In -time transfer to airport to connect flight to Madurai.
Arrive Madurai – Meeting and assistance on arrival at airport and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon city tour visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and magnificent Shree Meenakshi temple – an excellent example of Dravidian architecture.
Evening witness aarti ceremony at Meenakshi Temple. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Madurai – Periyar (Surface Drive)
Drive to Thekkady. Arrive Periyar and check-in at hotel.
Afternoon proceed for Elephant Camp – Elephant ride, bathing, washing, feeding, commanding and timber dragging.
Day 05: Periyar
Early morning proceed for the boat ride in the Park for wildlife viewing.
Return for the breakfast at hotel. In the afternoon enjoy jeep safari to Ottakathalemedu Cross hills (approx 1500 meters above sea level).
Drive through cardamom coffee, pepper plantation to chellarcovil mettu (1200 meters high from sea level). A small walk though the area (Black Tea/ cardamom tea & local snack served on the hill). En-route visiting the spice plantations cardamom, pepper, coffee, cinnamon, vanilla and different spices.
Visit Tribal village during the Jeep Safari. Stay overnight at hotel/ resort.
Day 06: Periyar – Kumarakom (Surface Drive)
After breakfast, proceed to Kumarakom – the spectacular and inviting backwater destination. Arrive at Kumarakom by noon. Check-in to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the beauty of the natural surrounding and serenity of the beaches. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Kumarakom – Alleppey (HouseBoat)
Breakfast at Hotel. By noon board Houseboat from resort jetty.
Lunch on board, cruise through the canals, witness the serenity of the surroundings and the local lifestyle. Dinner on board.
Day 08: Alleppey – Cochin (Surface Drive)
Awake early to experience a magical backwater morning. Breakfast on board Houseboat.
Disembark Houseboat (around 0930 hours) at Alleppey, where you will be met and transferred to Cochin, a short drive away. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon is free for individual activities.
Cochin is a fascinating blend of medieval Portugal, Holland, an English country village and the local tropical Malabar culture. Here you see the India’s oldest church, old fashioned Chinese fishing nets, a classical Indian dance performance and five hundred year old Portuguese houses as you tour Cochin, a quiet seaside city in Kerala found here. 
Evening witness Kathakali Dance performance in regular theater. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Cochin
Post breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays), Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays).
Also visit the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel colored interior and carved wooden panels.
Also witness the traditional martial of South India – Kalaripayattu. Kalaripayattu is the oldest martial art form of Kerala in South India, is formed by the combination of two words Kalari means school, gymnasium and Payattu means to fight or exercise. This unique martial art form is said to be more than 2000 years old.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Cochin
In-time transfer from hotel to airport to board onward flight.
End of Tour
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