South India Heritage Tour

06 Nights / 07 Days

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Thekkady - Alleppey - Cochin - Bengaluru - Hassan - Mysore - Bengaluru

Kerala comprises some exotic wildlife reserves which prove to be a perfect home for the blissful flora, wild fauna and vibrant avifauna species. The evergreen lush forests provide a natural dwelling for animals [...]

Kerala trvel

Kerala has fascinated travelers since time immemorial with its natural bliss, undulated culture and treasured traditions. Know Best of Kerala Tour offers a sneak-peak into this thin strip of wondrous Western Ghats. The tour acquaints a tourist with a laid-back spree of the state through a stroll on the captivating sandy beaches of Kovalam, blissful sojourn on the spice jungles of Thekkady and wild time at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The better half of this tour is a timeless trance on the backwaters of Kumarakom & Alleppey along side the stay in the company of mesmerizing tea gardens and wishful waterfalls in Munnar. The last stage of Know Kerala Tour rests in Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea, a sea port which served as a gateway for many traders from many parts of the world.

Day 1: Arrive Chennai

Upon arrival at Chennai Meet on arrival at Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2:Chennai

After breakfast full day city tour of Chennai. Chennai, the capital city, popularly regarded as the 'Gateway to the South' represents a culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India. The places of interest are Kalakshetra, a school of art and music that encourages exponents of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing; Fort St. George built in 1653 during British reign in India, now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India with its premises; Sri Parthasarathy Temple built by the Pallavas in the 8th century AD; Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore also an eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica; and Theosophical Society - the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science. Evening transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram

After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram, 70 kms west of Mahabalipuram which is a city of thousand temples. One of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, it was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Apart from temples, the city is also famous for its silk weavers, who settled here some 400 years ago and have given it an enviable reputation. Later on we shall proceed to Mahabalipuram, driving south of Chennai on the coast which is the ancient port of Pallavas. The pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples. Krishna Mandapam has a big bas relief, notable for its realistic representation. The world's largest bas relief measuring 27m x 9m, whale back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demi-gods, men beasts, birds and representation of the entire creation. Shore Temple, one of the oldest in south dating back to 8th century AD is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The Five Rathas are a group of five monolithic temples, each created in different style. Later Check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (135 Km)

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. In the afternoon city tour of Pondicherry. Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sights are the Raj Niwas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual environment. Evening transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Pondicherry - Chidambaram (64 Km) - Kumbakonam (78 Km)

Morning after breakfast drive to Kumbakonam, en-route visit Chidambaram, the seat of the Cosmic Dancer; dedicated to Lord Nataraja. Spread over an area of 40 acres with a gopuram on each side, the temple is distinguished by the five sabhas or counts. The towering gopurams, the tallest one on the north is 42.4 m are carved on it with 108 dance poses of Bharatanatyam. Further continue drive to Kumbakonam, one of the oldest towns in Tamilnadu and is famous for its Mahamaham festival. In the 7th Century it was the Capital of Chola Kings. Kumbakonam, the famous temple town of South India, is picturesquely located amidst the two rivers, Cauvery & Arasalar. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the temple of Kumbakonam. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: Kumbakonam - Tanjore (40 Km) - Trichy (60 Km)

After breakfast drive to Trichy, en-route visit Tanjore. The home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional handicrafts, Tanjore (Thanjavur) is famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple. The temple constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architect's marvel. The Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library are also well known places of interest. Further drive to Trichy. Upon arrival check into the hotel. After fresh-n-up visit Srirangam, which is an island, 5 kms from Trichy. Surrounded by the Kaveri water is a 600 acres island town enclosed within the seven walls on the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. There are no less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. The 72 m high 13 tiered gopuram dominates the landscape for miles around. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, Trichy's most famed landmark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world approx 3,800 million years. The attraction is not for fort itself but the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where are the inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Yoga at Marari Eco Friendly Resort - Kochi - Departure

Participate in the farewell morning Yoga session or enjoy a relaxed morning on the beach. Checkout and drive to Kochi airport for journey to onward destination.