Splendor Of South India | Visit to South India | Holiday in South India | Travel to South India

Arrive in Chennai, formerly known as Madras, India's fourth largest city. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Your afternoon tour of Chennai takes you to Victoria Art Gallery, Bronze Gallery and Chennai Museum. The Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral and Kapaleeswarar Temple complete your visit.

Today enjoy an excursion to Kanchipuram one of the seven sacred cities of India. Visit three of the country's best temples-Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Sri Vaikuntha Perumal, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Continue your excursion to the ancient Pallavan port of Mahabalipuram to visit the 7th century rock hewn monuments. The shore temple, the only surviving one of seven, is a unique example of a temple built of rock quarried elsewhere and carried to shore.

Fly Today fly to Madurai. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon embark on a sightseeing tour of Madurai, which includes Meenakshi Temple, Tirumal Nayak Palace-a gracious building in the Indo Saracenic style-Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. In the evening return to Meenakshi temple to witness the evening Puja ceremony.

In the morning drive to Thekkady. Along the way we pass through Tea, Cinnamon, Clove & Cardamom plantations -beautiful to see & smell! Afternoon is at leisure.

Enjoy early morning game viewing by boat on Periyar Lake. The motor launch drifts along the lake presenting close views of elephants, deer, bison and even leopards and tigers. Later in the morning drive to Kumarakom. Your afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take advantage of the rich waters with a bit of fishing, or just relax and soak in the rich atmosphere of your surroundings.

In the morning set out to enjoy the Backwaters. Lifetime Experience of Rice boat - the moving masterpiece, has been plying the inland waterways of southwest India for untold centuries and originally used as cargo rice boats. The fully furnished and palm covered boats (single & double) bedrooms with attached bath, sit out, kitchen and living room made of traditional wood. In each houseboat, there are 3 men staff (crew), comprising a cook and two well trained punters throughout the cruise. Punters stand on each end of the boat for punting and directing the boat. Kerosene-lit lamps along will be available for light and mosquito nets will be provided. Traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian Kerala cuisine is served. A journey through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of the world's truly unforgettable experiences, myriad network of silent lagoons, freshwater river, and hyacinth covered canals that wind their way through colorful corridors of forests, palms and fruit trees. A canoe expedition via an intricate network of canals, through backwater villages where daily continues unaltered, as it has for centuries. You will see lush palm groves and stretches of rice fields. Overnight in House Boat.

Take a cruise this morning on Vembanad Lake, site of a bird sanctuary. Later drive to Cochin, one of the most picturesque places in Kerala. Your tour this afternoon includes a visit to the Portuguese Church built by St. Francis in 1562, the Jewish Synagogue, the famed Mattancherry Palace, and the Chinese fishing nets-ingenious devices requiring little human attention. Tonight enjoy a presentation of the colorful costumed Kathakali dance drama. Overnight stay.

Say good-bye to this fascinating Land with sweet and memorable memories. Transfer to airport to board the flight for onward Destination / Hometown.