South India Explored

Your South India Temple tour begins, with your arrival in Chennai, where you will be met by a Trans India Holidays and will be transferred to your chosen hotel.
Overnight stay in Chennai.

This morning you will be picked up for a guided half day sightseeing of Chennai that includes, the San Thome Cathederal, Santhome Cathedral Basilica at the southern end of the Marina Beach derives its name from St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, who is believed to have come to Madras sometime during 52 A.D. He was killed on the St. Thomas mount just outside the city in 78 A.D. and was interned in the SanThome beach, where a church was built.
The tour also includes St Thomas Mount, the Little Mount Shrine, the Fort St George, St Mary's Church, and the Fort Museum which houses a collection of objects from the tenancy of the East India Company in Chennai including letters from Robert Clive.
Overnight stay in Chennai.

After a relaxing stay in Chennai, start your drive to Mahabalipuram, the next stop on your South India Temple tour which was ravaged by the Tsunami in December 2004. On your arrival in Mahabalipuram, check in at your selected hotel and then head out to see the incredible monolith Rathas (5 rock carved temple chariots).
Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

This morning after a relaxing stay in temple town of Mahabalipuram, start your drive to Pondicherry, the next destination on your South India Temple Tour. Pondicherry is a former French colony settled in the 18th century and is now a union territory and an attractive seaside town, still with an Anglo–French flavor. What attracts most of the travelers, apart from the beautiful atmosphere, exceptional restaurants and the cheap beer, is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The Aurobindo Ashram was established by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 and this ashram has brought international reputation to this coastal town.
On your arrival in Pondicherry, check in at your selected hotel, and relax a bit and freshen up. Later in the afternoon head out for sightseeing. Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the Ashram is not a quiet place of retreat secluded from the world but a vibrant center of life in an urban setting and its hand made paper factory is one Aurobindo’s successful commercial enterprises. After visiting the ashram continue your sightseeing a visit the Auroville and the Pondicherry Museum.
Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

This morning after visiting Pondicherry, start your drive to Trichy en route visiting Tanjore - famous as the "Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu". Tanjore was also the royal city of the Chola Empire which ruled from 850 to 1270. Visit the famous Brahadeeswarar Temple, listed as a World Heritage site.
On your arrival in Trichy you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.
Overnight stay in Trichy.

The day starts with a sightseeing tour of Trichy starting from the Rock Fort Temple and the Ranganathswamy Temple, devoted to Lord Vishnu and comprising of a series of walled courts with 21 towers. Later drive to Madurai, an ancient and traditional town, subjugated by the colorful and lively Meenakshi Temple, the most famous of South India's temples, whose thousand-pillared hall is crowded with exquisitely carved columns. Spend 2 nights in Madurai.
Overnight stay in Madurai.

This morning head out for guided sightseeing tour of the great Meenakshi Temple -a marvelous example of Dravidian architecture then to the Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo saracenic style before going to the Alagar Hills and finally the Tirupara Kundran Rock temple.
Overnight stay in Madurai.

After visiting the beautiful Madurai, start your drive to Periyar, the next destination on your South India Temple tour. Periyar is one of the most popular National Parks in Southern India, but these days this is more famous for its serene feel than sightings of wildlife. The uniqueness of the sanctuary extends around the banks of a huge artificial lake that was created by the damming of the Periyar River a century ago. The sanctuary is known for the Tigers.
On your arrival check in at your selected hotel at Periyar for 2 nights. Later in the evening go on for a boat ride in to the Periyar National Park.
Overnight stay in Periyar

This morning the guide will pick you up from the resort for a guided tour to the nearby spice plantation. Cinnamom and ginger, pepper and cardamom, and various other spices grown on the Periyar hill made it nature’s taste factory in the 14th century, as Cochin became nature’s harbor, the shipping port for a spice hungry world.
Overnight in Periyar.

This morning drive through tea and rubber plantations, scattered with small cardamom, coffee, ginger and pepper-growing estates to the calmness of Kumarakom backwaters, the next destination on your South India Temple tour.
On your arrival check in to your chosen retreat and enjoy the rest of the day discovering nature's beauty at your own pace. The pristine beauty of the Kerala backwaters is said to be the highlight of a holiday in South India.
Overnight stay in Kumarakom.

After enjoying the stay at Kumarakom start your drive to Cochin. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay. After checking in at the hotel, relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or head out to explore the city at your own pace. Later in the evening you will be picked up for a Kathakali Dance Show.
Overnight stay in Cochin.

This morning head out for Cochin's half day of sight seeing starting from the Dutch Palace, The Portuguese constructed The Mattancherry Palace in 1557, and presented to the Maharaja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma (1537-61) as sign of goodwill. After 1663, the Dutch carried out some constructions and renovations in the palace, and from that day it was widely called as the ‘Dutch Palace’, continue your sightseeing to The Jewish Synangogue, The Jewish Synagogue is located near the Dutch Palace. This synagogue was constructed in 1568 and was brilliantly decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. The Synagogue has a giant scroll of the Old Testament, then to the Cochin Harbor, the very popular tourist attraction the Chinese Fishing nets. These fishing nets are one of its kind and are found only in India, then to the St. Francis Church which was constructed in 1503 by the Europeans. This church was the oldest church in India. And finally visit the Hill Palace which was constructed by the Raja of Kochi in the 19th century. The Kochi province was ruled from the Hill Palace.
Overnight stay in Cochin.

Have a relaxed morning and after the regular check out, you will be met by our representative and will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight back home.