South India Temples

Duration : 21 Days
Destinations : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry – Tanjore - Trichy – Madurai - Periyar – Kumarokom - Alleppey – Cochin - Ooty - Coonoor - Mysore – Bangalore - Hom

Day 1 Arrival at Chennai: Compass Representative will meet and assist you upon your arrival at the Chennai airport. Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Chennai.

Day 2 Chennai: Proceed for city tour of Chennai in the morning after breakfast. Santhome Cathedral was built by the Portuguese in the 14th and 15th century and is named after St. Thomas. Historically important, it is one of the pilgrimages for the Christian community.

Day 3 Chennai/Kanchipuram/Mahabalipuram: By Road 76 km in 2 hr After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram - is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. Drive to Mamallapooram (Mahabalipuram) and check in at hotel. Enjoy lunch at the hotel and relax in the beach. O/N Hotel.

Day 4 Mahabalipuram: Breakfast will be at the hotel. Visit the city in the morning – built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen.

Day 5 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry: By Road 112km in 03hr After breakfast drive to Pondicherry which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India.

Day 6 Pondicherry – Tanjore: By Road 160km in 04hr Breakfast will be at the hotel. Drive to visit Aurobindo Ashram which is also known as “the city of dawn”. The place is 10 km north of Pondicherry.

Day 7 Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai: By Road 54km in 02hr 133km in 04hr After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre. It is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Proceed towards Madurai. Reach and check in at hotel.

Day 8 Madurai: After breakfast go for city tour of Madurai. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. After lunch city tour visiting - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's Palace, Great Tank and Gandhi museum.

Day 9 Madurai – Periyar: By Road 133km in 04hr Proceed for Periyar after breakfast. The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place in the history of Kerala.

Day 10 Periyar: Breakfast will be at the resort. Enjoy the day taking a nature trek and then visit the spice plantations. In the evening visit the spice market and then take a short cooking class from the chef. Overnight will be at the resort.

Day 11 Periyar – Kumarokom: By Road 175km in 04hr Breakfast will be at resort. Proceed towards Kumarakom enjoying the beauty of the traditional Kerala houses. You will also pass through rolling tea gardens and rubber plantations.

Day 12 Alleppey – Cochin: By Road 60 km in 01hr Cruise through the villages after breakfast. Disembark the boat at Alleppey. Aleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These large networks of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline.

Day 13 Cochin: Breakfast will be at the resort. Proceed for a sightseeing tour of FORT COCHIN. A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, etc. Learn the operation of the interesting Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles which work on the principle of balance.

Day 14 Cochin – Ooty: By Road 280 km in 06hr Drive to Ooty after breakfast. Ootacamund, Ooty or more recently Udhagamandalam, call it what you like, still translates to a little town set on the stepped slopes of the Nilgiris, the oldest mountain range in India.

Day 15 Ooty & Coonoor: Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Day 16 Ooty: Breakfast will be at the resort. Enjoy and relax during the day. Overnight will be at the resort.

Day 16 Ooty: Breakfast will be at the resort. Enjoy and relax during the day. Overnight will be at the resort.

Day 18 Mysore: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Visit Chamundi Hills - Towering over the city, these hills are 13 km away from Mysore. Halfway-up is the Nandi Bull, a 4.8 m monolith. Right on top is the 2000-year-old Brindavan Gardens 19 km northwest of Mysore is the KRS Dam and the ornamental Brindavan Gardens.

Day 19 Mysore – Bangalore: By Road 150 km in 04hr Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start for Bangalore later in the morning. On the way visit Srirangapatnam - 16 km before Mysore, this fort was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali.

Day 20 Bangalore: Have a leisurely breakfast and proceed for sightseeing.

Day 21 Bangalore – Home: Breakfast will be at the hotel. Enjoy shopping during the day and explore the city. Proceed to airport as per time of the flight home. End tour with sweet memories of India.