14 Days 13 Nights Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) – Gangaikondacholapuram – Darasuram-Tanjore – Madurai – Munnar – Alleppey – Cochin

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.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Pondicherry which still carries a strong flavour of the French presence in India.Visit Auroville enroute. On arriva, check in at your hotel.Afternoon a familiarisation of the City. The traditional French architecture is still maintained even in the latest renovations and the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is the authorized agency for any such renovations in Pondicherry. After sightseeing, you will be brought to the Beach Road to spend sometime walking through the beach side to see the public life around. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay at Pondicherry.

The old town of Pondicherry has a unique charm and the French Quarter is unique in its cleanliness,architecture,discipline etc.To experience the spirit of Pondicherry, its essential to walk through the old town and closely observe the nature of its architectural traditions. Its interesting to note that if someone wants an old building to be restored in Pondicherry,the local authorities ask for the approval of INTACH on priority.This is interesting and we could see how naturally those old buildings were restored in French style.One will walk through Town Hall (Mairie/Hotel de Ville), Notre Dame des Anges Church,Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient,Cluny Emboidery centre,Alliance
Francaise,INTACH Heritage Centre for Exhibitions, Lycees Francaise and lot more.

The main attraction in terms of the universality of Pondicherry is Auroville belongs to no religion,nation,colour etc but to all men of goodwill,all those who thirst for progress and aspire to a higher and truer life. The dream behind this divine destinations is “A place on earth which no Nation could claim as its own,where al human beings of goodwill who have a sincere aspiration could live freely as citizens of the world and obey one single authority,that of the supreme truth; a place of peace,concord and harmony where all the fighting instincts of man would be used exclusively to conquer the causes of his sufferings and miseries,to surmount his weaknesses and ignorance, to triumph over his limitations and incapacities, a place where the needs of the spirit and the concern for progress would take precedence over the atisfaction of desires and passions, the search for pleasure and material enjoyment. The shopping plaza at the Auroville is a paradise for shoppers where you find a unique range of eco products made in the local villages.

The beach close to the French quarter is landscaped with wide stone paved pathways and the vehicular traffic is banned from 6 PM till 7.30 AM.its strictly maintained and the pedestrians enjoy their walk in the evening. Many of the old heritage buildings are now getting converted to hotels and guest houses.All kinds of restaurents with international cusines are seen everyehere. A walk through the market place on M G Road is also amazing.

After an early breakfast drive to Tranquebar,a Danish Colony before Independance. Enroute visit Chidambaram Temple.Rest of the day relax on beach. Overnight at Hotel. Chidambaram Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram, 78 km south of Pondicherry and 60 km north of Karaikal in Cuddalore District, the east-central part of the Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India. The Sangam classics refer to Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan, respected clan of traditional Vishwakarmas, as being the chief architect of the temple renovation. There have been several renovations in its history, particularly during the days of Pallava/Chola emperors in ancient and pre-medieval periods.

Tharangambadi, also known as Tranquebar, is about 275 km from Chennai. This settlement was chosen by the Danes to expand trade in the 17th century A.D. Ove Gedde, a Danish admiral, negotiated and signed a treaty with the Tanjore King, Vijaya Raghunatha Nayak, in ovember 1620. It provided for creation of a port at Tharangambadi mainly for export of pepper to Denmark. Work on the fort began immediately and was completed in 1622. By mid-19th century, all Danish settlement were transferred to the British East India Company under a pact. Tharangambadi was one of them and the Fort, along with 13 brass canons mounted on the ramparts of the fort, became British property.

Morning go for a sightseeing at Tranquebar. You may visit Dansborg Archaeological Museum, Governor’s Bungalow, Masilamani Nathar Temple etc. Overnight at Hotel. The historical Fort Dansborg at Tharangambadi, a relic of the Danish Era in India, is back in the limelight with the initial phase of restoration work nearing completion. Constructed nearly four centuries ago, the monument which served as the residence of Danish Governor for 150 years, has been in ruins, because of age, weathering and apathy on the part of the dministration.After
independence, the monument was used as an inspection bungalow of the Public Works Department and in the late 1970s, a museum was set up to portray the Indo-Danish contacts in political, social and commercial fields. At present, a major portion of the Fort is under the control of the State Archaeological department, while one portion is with the Archaeological Survey of India.

One of the major attractions of Tranquebar is its rich ozone layer – most evident on the beach. The ozone has a rejuvenating effect and does wonders to the tired urban body. Every weekend hundreds of local families from the neighbouring villages gather around the 400 year old Fort which is the second largest Danish fort after Kronborg located in Denmark. Ice-cream vendors, balloon sellers and snack stalls give an insight into the humble expression of how people like to celebrate life by the ocean in Tranquebar.

The Dansborg Archaeological Museum situated inside the fort holds a collection of curios and artefacts dating back to the Danes. It also has fossils of early centuries, coins, fish bones, Chinese porcelain and weapons. Rare paintings of Maratha kings and palm leaf manuscripts are also stored here. Built in 1784, the Governor’s Bungalow is currently under restoration and will be transformed into a local cultural centre. This building along with the surrounding buildings, will be a central public area for Tranquebar and its inhabitants. A library, an exhibition area, a shop, a Tamil restaurant and a tourist office will be a part of this project.The 700 year old Masilamani Nathar Temple built in 1306 by
the Pandya King Maravarmam Kulasekara Pandyan is unique in its architecture. It was built combining Chinese architecture with Tamil architectural technique, possibly in an attempt to attract Chinese merchants who were visiting India.

After an early breakfast at the hotel,drive to Gangaikondacholapuram (UNESCO temple) to visit the amazing architectural Marvel. Later visit Darasuram Iravadeeswarar Temple (UNESCO Monument). On arrival at Tanjore,check in to your hotel.Overnight stay at Hotel.

After breakfast,check out and go for a sightseeing of Tanjore to visit the Big Temple (Brihadeeswara Temple) and Art Gallery.Later drive to Madurai, an ancient city, more than 2,500 years old, known as the Athens of the east.Enroute stop at Sreerangam Temple to have a photo session.Overnight at Madurai hotel.

Thanjavur rose to the glory during the later Chola reign between the 10th and 14th Centuries and became a centre of learning and culture.Thanjavur is still the centre of all the classical arts and music.The Big Temple and the other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. It is the headquarters of Thanjavur district, the ‘Rice Bowl’ of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is also famous for its distinctive art style, which is usually a combination of raised and painted surfaces. Tanjore paintings are deeply rooted in tradition and still innovative within limits. This art is sacred and dedicated.

Full day sightseeing of Madurai with evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple.Overnight at hotel. Meenakshi Temple – In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the temple, the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Siva. The pillars of the Mandapam are decorated with scenes from the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction of Madurai and its huge Gopurams towers over the city. Meenakshi temple has a thousand pillared ‘Mandapam’. Precisely there are 985 pillars and each of them is delicately and
exquisitely carved. Among these are the musical pillars, which produce music when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are carved out of a single granite rock. The temple has been a hub of Tamil culture and has been sponsoring literature, art, music, and dance in the region for a long time.

After breakfast, drive to Munnar, known as nature lover’s paradise. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day for leisure or for free walks. Overnight at the Hotel. Munnar …breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – an idyllic tourist destination in
God’s own country with unending expanses of tea plantations… pristine valleys and mountains…exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests… aroma of spice scented cool air. Munnar has all these and more…. It’s the place you would love to visit… It’s the place you would wish never to leave.

Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities makes Munnar a holiday resort. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower, which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi – which towers over 2695 M and is an ideal spot for campers who like trekking.

Full day guided Tea Trail experience. You will be driven to a Tea Plantation to pluck the tea leaves and you will go through the whole process of making tea.In between our Naturalist will give you short Nature walks. Lunch will be served at the Estate Bungalow. Finally you will taste your own tea and will take home half kilo of Tea as memory of your day experience. Overnight at the Hotel. Munnar –perched on the roof of Western Ghats is explored by John Monroe in 1877 during a land survey of Travancore High range for British India. Later two Scottish men Henry & William Turner pioneered plantations in Munnar under a concession from the then King of High Range. They constituted ‘North Travancore Land Planting & Agricultural Society’ in 1879. There begins the age of Plantations in South Western Ghats. The first plantations were Cinchona, Coffee, Cardamom and Sessile . Later Baron Ato Von Rosenberg, a German planter joined them and constituted United
Planters Association of South India (UPASI). In 1895 Finley Company reorganized all plantations and constituted all under their management agent ‘The Kannan Devan Hills Producers Company’. In 1973, after FERA(Foreign Exchange Regulation Act) came into existence, the Finley company lost its holdings and a new company constituted under their then management company Tata Tea. Thus Tata Finely born. In 1983 Tata took over the complete plantations from the Finely and now its Tata Tea. Tea history Trail – ‘From Plant to Packet’

An Study tour through the rolling hills of tea garden experiencing Tea from plant to packet. A full day exploration by walk, interaction and participation with planters, and workers . The day start with early morning ride from your hotel to a private tea plantation . The plantation is more than hundred years old and located in the foothill of Aanamudi-the highest peak in South India. The geographic feature of the area offers excellent scenic wonders including sighting of wildlife. The tour start with a walk through the garden with tea pickers. Our guide – a tea expert – will explain the method and norms of picking . You can join them and start picking tea leaves. Your collection will be taken to a mini factory separately. Mean time you can interact with the workers and supervisor. After a tea break you will be invited to visit their factory. There you can experience all levels of processing and production. Then it is the time for you to make your own tea with the leaves you collected in the morning. You can do all processes in the mini factory with the help of workers.

Your lunch will be arranged in the Colonial Bungalow once used by British Planters. After the lunch a guided walk through the garden in the forest fringe to watch nature, wildlife and birds. Return to the factory by the time of ‘Tea Tasting’. Mean time your own tea, which is picked and processed by you will be ready for packing. After a tea and snack return to your hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast,drive to Alleppey to board your Houseboat for a cruise through Vembanad Lake to explore the tiny backwater villages and its life.Your food will be freshly cooked and served hot on board.Overnight on-board the Houseboat.

What is truly magical about a houseboat is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers. The houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen where they are cooked on board and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. Today, the tradition is still continued and the food from the local cuisine is served by the Kuttanad locals, on board. The name Backwaters brings you the very thought of Houseboats. Food and leisurely times spent on-board with the feeling and privacy of house as well as enjoying the natural beauty. A Cruise amidst marvelous mangrove forests, captivating coconut canopies, swaying palms, mangrove forests, pulsating paddy fields sprinkled with enchanting waterways and canals decked with white lilies, can be quite a rejuvenating experience for the weary traveler. Enjoying a cruise in these backwaters is not to be missed, as it leaves you feeling fully rejenuvated. The banks of these backwaters in Kerala are the most enchanting
picnic spots. You get to experience the native way of living.The experience on the Houseboat is not the one to be explained by words.Its to be lived and evolved by yourself

After a leisurely breakfast,check out and drive to Poothotta village for an authentic village experience and canoe cruise followed by a farm lunch.

Village backwater Cruise – A journey in a country boat into the pristine purity of a typical village backwater of Kerala…. goes through the zigzagging narrow canals and paddy fields fringed with coconut palms watch rare birds…. country boat making a natural fish farm where you can go fishing…. You will witness coir making,toddy tapping before you end up your exclusive experience in our Farm House for lunch -a delicious traditional Kerala dish under a tree….. While scrolling through this amazing village, you will watch the common life of the villagers for their livelihood.You will see them fishing in the river,the women do the coir making,a toddy tapper who does his job as a routine,men
climbing the coconut trees to pluck the coconuts,later peeling the same to prepare to dry and make oil extraction possible.Its all about a life experience which you will cherish throughout your life.

Afternoon drive to Cochin to check into your hotel. If anyone wishes to go sightseeing, they may do that for two hours. Evening, visit Pepper Trails kitchen for a cookery show followed by dinner. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Cochin Sightseeing – St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568, Chinese hand-painted tiles are one of the attraction. This, the only Synagogue in India has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The “Dutch Palace” was built in the 1550s; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring – a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites – which gives the effect of polished marble.

Kerala has a distinctive cuisine, very unusual and different from the rest of India. Cooking in Kerala is all about discoveries, aromas and colours. Kerala cuisine is very hot and spicy and offers several gastronomic opportunities to those willing to experiment with the local cuisine. Traditionally, in Kerala food is served on a banana leaf. One has to take food with right hand. This cookery demo is not just being in the kitchen, will give you hands on experience, you’ll learn to prepare 3-4 variety of Kerala’s delicacies in a friendly, relaxed, informal environment. Each dish will be demonstrated, prepared and cooked.

Last day morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight.