A MESMERISING JOURNEY from the THRILLING COROMANDEL to the MAGNIFICENT MALABAR COAST

Providing a sensational experience of places like Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Tanjore, Madurai, Periyar, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kochi - 10 nights / 11 days

This is a beautifully-crafted journey, which has the right ingredients to satiate your soul and challenge your perceptions about everything you see, hear and taste. This amazing programme is an opportunity to relish nature and the sea-side at its very best. Showering calm and comfort over you from all sides, this soothing trail of beaches and unique destinations proves that travelling in itself is a bigger joy than simply reaching and staying at a single place. Whether it’s chaotic Chennai or murmuring Mahabalipuram, the enchantment is unbeatable. The rich traditions of Puducherry will remind you of an old India, soaked in its traditions and religious customs. The serene boat cruises will tell you the story and make you dwell deeper into the lives of the rural people around Periyar, Kumarakom and Alleppey. Experiencing wildlife through a visit to the Periyar Sanctuary is unforgettable due to the presence of tigers, langur, bison and sambar.

Highlights of this wonderful tour comprise these exceptional indulgences –

• Guided tour of Chennai and its markets, indulging in local cuisines
• Visit to the amazing temples and architectural treats at Mahabalipuram
• Feeling ancient India through the old remnants of Tanjore and Puducherry
• Watching elephants and bison at the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Cherishing the luxury of a boat cruise, travelling from Kumarakom to Alleppey
• Enjoying sea beaches and the local fish market scenario of Kochi

All touring will be on a private basis with your own driver / guide. All ranges of accommodation would be available from 3* hotels upwards and to include deluxe 5* hotels and palaces as well as boutique-style / heritage properties. Just indicate your preference and budget and leave the rest to us and our expert ground handlers in India!

DAY 1: ARRIVE CHENNAI

You will be greeted by our local representative when you arrive at Chennai before being transferred to your hotel. Prepare to get indulged in the old city of Chennai.

The Metropolis City of Chennai –

Earlier known as Madras, this city is one of the major four metropolitan cities of India. In comparison to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, Chennai is a little laid-back with a twist of  modernisation. Populated and developed into an industrial city, it gained significance in history at the time of the British ruler’s tenure, partly due to its trading avenues and its domestic cotton produce. The artificial harbour at Chennai made it easier for them to perform trading activities smoothly. Present day Chennai is all set to shake hands with modern development, when it comes to off-beat studios, elite restaurants, lifestyle shops and refreshing coffee shops. One great thing about this place is the never-fading enthusiasm of its people and their love for the city. Taking great pride in its culinary history and spicy twist, local South Indians always indulge in small street-side flavours, made freshly by the locals. 

The sight-seeing experience –

The very existence of this city is evidence of business opportunities, a vigour to cherish life and to find indulgences all the way along. Starting from the main markets of Chennai, you will explore how this old-world place has kept its unique essence alive. The temples, beaches and museums all invite you here with a positive gesture. Equally impressive is the zeal of its people who take life day by day so confidently. For fans of Indian flavours, it is one of the heavens for taste buds. The modern cafes and shopping malls that have resurfaced in the last century provide modern day luxuries. The indulgence of lying on a beach sun-bathing feels awesome. Some noted places in your visiting list will include St. Mary’s Church, the High Court and St. Thomas Cathedral. Built exclusively with white limestone and in gothic style, these are worth glances of admiration.

DAY 2: CHENNAI to MAHABALIPURAM by SURFACE (60 kms. / approx. 1½ hours)

You wake up in the morning, have a delicious breakfast and then get moving to Mahabalipuram. Situated about 60 kilometres from Chennai, this place can be accessed after only a brief road journey of 1½ hours.

Once you reach here, now is the time to explore Mahabalipuram.

Picturesque Mahabalipuram –

The mere location and its adjoining geographic affinity to Chennai make it a must-visit place. Offering culture, adventure and a fun time, Mahabalipuram for sure is a place not to be missed by travellers. Being the major centre of political prominence during the Pallava kingdom days, it is home to world heritage-listed temples. The good thing about this place is its food, laid- back environment and a plethora of sight-seeing and sun-bathing opportunities. The temples in Mahabalipuram display epic stories and ancient poems, which are the soul of Indian mythology. The coastal beauty and charm of this place come to life at sunset time. Travellers love to enjoy fast food served around small stalls in the ‘othavadai’ or the famous ‘othavadai cross-streets’. Surfing and rafting claim major spots at its lively beaches. Temples and old wonders can be explored smoothly, either on a rented bicycle or just on a carefree walk.

The sight-seeing experience –

Offering opportunities for fun-loving and adventurous travellers, Mahabalipuram is a great refuge from the salty coastal air and humid market places. You can enjoy its wide open beaches: surfing on the sea and rafting are preferred activities. You can have your favourite snack in  Othavadai Street and spend some quality time here shopping for local Tibetan antiques like trinkets and ear-rings. Monuments and local buildings will make you indulge in the vivacity of an era when the British came here and developed many systems.

The Temple with five chariots, the Shore Temple and Arjun’s Penance are remarkable works done with architectural excellence. You will come closer to the epic tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata at this small place. A brief visit to Mahishasurmardini Cave brings to the surface unlimited powers hidden in the female goddess. You will feel more connected to Nature and with your inner self at this delightful place.

At the end of the day, you take a much-needed overnight rest.

DAY 3: MAHABALIPURAM – PUDUCHERRY by SURFACE (100 kms / approx. 2 hours)

You start this day with a delicious breakfast and move ahead to Puducherry. You will reach here after covering a road distance of about 100 kilometres and it will take you approximately 2 hours to do so. On arriving, you get yourself some comfort in your hotel room and then move out to exchange greetings with the wonderful place of Puducherry.                                                                                        

Puducherry - France in India

Comprising of old French-style small town-houses, this old part of the world is still calm and peaceful, thanks to the amazing architecture and planning done by the French. Most of the homes have rich shrubs like bougainvillea inside the house’s walls and boundaries. Other than  remarkable cuisine and authentic wines, the city is also best-known these days for its health- oriented pursuits of yoga and meditation. The brighter side to life can be experienced at the world- famous Auroville where Shri Aurobindo is followed religiously. Another face of this small and energising place is in the form of upscale marts as well as life-style boutiques selling the designs and creations of Indian designers and entrepreneurs. Offering a mixed feeling of both worlds, Puducherry comes alive in front of your eyes as a dreamy and historically sound place. Come and taste this land all by yourself!

The sight-seeing experience –

Tasting old and lost French recipes or roaming around the clean and fine vineyards and offering much more to life – all of this can be done only at this amazing destination called Puducherry. You will feel enchanted by the glory of its bungalows and the beauty hidden in its simplicity. The old Puducherry feels like an old French town and there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in some wine and hot smoky starters in nearby French restaurants. The modern part of this place is just like other cities: full of buzzing markets, all the crowds, hustle and bustle as well as the  glory of its rich food and shops. You may not only reward your taste buds  here but can also come closer to the inner life-force by spending some time in the company of enlightened people in Auroville. The famous ashram called Aurobindo is believed to be the home of Agastya sage from 1500 B.C.

You spend the night relaxing in your comfortable room.

DAY 4: PUDUCHERRY - TANJORE by SURFACE (177 kms. / approx.. 6 hours)

The journey towards Tanjore also includes a short stop at two magnificent temples -  Airatesvara Temple and Gangaikondacholapuram Temple. Both are marvellous pieces of art and architecture from the powerful Chola Dynasty. Created during the tenure of King Rajendra, these temples have idols of Lord Shiva, combined with unforgettable sculptures of other deities and art motifs. You continue travelling towards Tanjore and on arrival, you check-in for a comfortable stay. Later on, your sight-seeing of Tanjore starts.

Tanjore – A marvellous abode dedicated to art

Looking at the rich art and unique sculptures, one can see that this place was once an epitome of cultural and creative pursuits. Being an art lover, King Rajendra Chola promoted it in abundance throughout his kingdom. It gave Tanjore the real identity which it is holding to its present day. It was during the Chola Dynasty that Hinduism and its ideology spread its wings and flew with strength to even outside India to illuminate and inspire world spirituality. If the Chola Dynasty gave this city its identity, other powerful dynasties helped in preserving the same. The City Palace is a small window of time that helps you get a sneak peek into the wonderful history of the dynasties which ruled after Chola kings. Amidst all the chaos and the crowds that betray your solace-seeking spirit, Tanjore invites you to taste a slice of its glory and embrace its unique heritage.

The sight-seeing experience –

If you love ancient sculptures and want to be lost in the beauty of these artistic endeavours, Tanjore is for sure a great place to do so. Being a small city with an exceptionally rich history and culture, it reminds you of an era when love for religion and spirituality was conveyed through art and creativity. Many temple sculptures of that era are solid examples of this ideology. Being famous for trade activities, Tanjore was and is still a great destination to purchase creative items, sandalwood artefacts, cotton, spices and silk. The progress in trade activities brought fair distinction among various castes and people used to follow the advice of priests for all religious and community activities. The modern city area however is like other places: full of life and busy streets. Tasting local cuisines and buying silk clothing are good options in the exclusive local shops here.

You get a peaceful night’s rest at the end of the day.

DAY 5: TANJORE – TRICHY - TANJORE by SURFACE (60 kms. / approx. 1½ hours)

Having a delicious breakfast in the morning and moving to your next travel abode is the motto of day 5. You will reach Trichy after a short journey of 1½ hours. Upon reaching here, you then start the sight-seeing.

Trichy – The City of the sacred rock

Believed to be an old city more ancient than the Christian era, Trichy gets its name from the sacred rock located in this place. Srirangam Temple, located on the banks of the River Cauvery, offers amazing presentations of spiritual and artistic pursuits. This magnificent temple is based in Srirangam Town and attracts a higher footfall as compared to other star attractions of the city. Spread across a land of 156 acres, it holds the record of being the largest running temple in the world. Another marvellous temple is in the form of a giant rock, carved into fabulous Shiva and Ganesha idols. Pilgrims flock over here for a bath in the adjoining tank waters on specific days when religious rituals are observed. To reach this temple, more than 344 stairs need to be climbed. You then travel back to the city of Tanjore and come to Brihadishwara Temple for sight-seeing.

The sight-seeing experience –

If you are an admirer of temples and love to explore how large temples run as a unit, there is no better place than Trichy to do so. Being the world’s largest running temple, Trichy is known for its architectural beauty, a firm belief in spirituality and un-matched devotion. At Srirangam Temple based in the city of Srirangam, you will observe the reclining statue of Lord Vishnu. The large area of 156 acres provides a sufficient place for pilgrims to stay and perform the rituals. About one billion year-old rocks, carved into inspiring Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha statues, offer the devotion and feeling of grandeur for the Almighty’s unlimited powers. This unique temple is busiest during the festival time, when travellers and locals come here for taking a dip in the adjoining tank. A brief visit to the Brihadishwara Temple in Tanjore provides you with an altogether different look of a temple, carved from granite stone.

You get yourself some sound sleep back at your hotel.

DAY 6: TANJORE - MADURAI by SURFACE (170 kms. / approx. 3 hours)

You get back on the road as you travel towards Madurai, one of the oldest cultural capitals of Tamil Nadu.

Madurai – Cultural Flavour of Tamil Nadu

Although Chennai claims top spot for being the modern capital of Tamil Nadu, the cultural soul of this state until now is possessed by Madurai. Being the centre of traditions and ceremonies during the ancient dynasties, this place has been known for temple art and cultural vibrancy. The famous temple of Meenakshi Amman is a perfect masterpiece that shows how religion and tradition walk hand-in-hand at this medieval city in South India. Being one of the oldest cities in India, it holds so much to offer despite the buzzing markets and crowded roads. It offers the colours, cultures and soul of South India on a platter, which are  much more focussed and concise when compared to Chennai. Providing calm to restless travellers, it gives them the perfect excuse to come here and indulge in a holiday. Modern-day Madurai is rising with information technology jobs, turning this city into a hub of small firms.

The sight-seeing experience of Madurai –

In the versatile land of Madurai, you can once again revisit an era of cultural richness, emerging art forms, amazing architecture and a love for artistic pursuits in the life-style of local people. Not to be forgotten is the major attraction of the Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai, which has a unique combination of art and spiritualism to offer satisfaction to your senses. Carrying a rich legacy of the kings who ruled at this place, Madurai is more about the flavours, smells and religious activities done in a unique way. There are plenty of attractions to bless your senses but the undivided attention-seekers are the sculptures carved from the rocks, telling epic tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Palace of Tirumala Nayaka, built in Mughal style, is great and Visalam Swarga is an architectural achievement with no pillar support. After the day’s excursion, you can enjoy the bed chamber ceremony at Sri Meenakshi Temple.

You rest overnight in Madurai.

DAY 7: MADURAI – PERIYAR by SURFACE (160 kms. / approx.  4 hours)

After your breakfast in the morning, you then start a journey towards Periyar. You will come to this beautiful abode on earth after a journey of four hours and covering a distance of about 160 kilometres. On arrival, you have a delicious lunch in the greenery and fresh air of this nature’s heaven. Afterwards, you start to explore Periyar.

Periyar – The Wild Beauty

This wonderful place came to life when the British rulers helped in developing an artificial lake and an animal reserve in an area of 777 square kilometres. This rich soil is home to bison, tigers, sambars, monkeys and elephants. These thrive and walk freely in the moist forests of Periyar.

Periyar can be explored by boat cruise and the inner layers of the rural life can be opened. Popularly known as Thekkady, this place is surrounded by rice fields, water canals and very small tea and essentials shops. The nearby small place called Kumily is famous for its road-side stalls, small eateries and upmarket restaurants.

Travellers flock here to indulge in the local flavours. In addition to the fresh air, the forest feeling and the unmatched experience of wildlife, Periyar brings you closer to Nature’s abundant blessings, waiting to be cherished. All you need is to just come and embrace it.

The sight-seeing experience –

Periyar feels nice to everyone who wants a change from busy concrete jungles and to bask in the sunshine. You will get a mixed taste of soil, flora, fauna and wildlife when you come to Periyar. The artificial lake and the surrounding area is like a beautiful picture painted on Nature’s canvas. The sight of animals like tiger, bison, sambar and elephant will thrill and excite your senses.

Enjoying the freely flowing waters of this land on a small boat cruise will feel like heaven. The calm and solace embraces your tired soul when the boat moves on the lake’s water. The buzzing markets in Kumily are a complete change and are a great place to have a quick bite with some warm drinks. A mesmerising walk through the large spice garden helps you understand the origin of spices that impart flavours to curries.

DAY 8: PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM by SURFACE (130 kms. / approx. 4 hours)

After a tasty morning breakfast, you start the short journey from Periyar to Kumarakom. This will take about four hours and is a great change for city dwellers like most of us.

Kumarakom – The abode of birds

Being situated in an amazing location where birds, rice-fields and greenery all come together to create a beautiful picture, Kumarakom is based on the western coast of famous Vembanad Lake. An adventurous journey from the comfort of a houseboat makes it all appear even more thrilling and satisfying. The picturesque palm trees and the backwaters give a relaxed feeling to your soul and replenish your inner self with lots of positivity. Nature’s magic works wonders on the nearby bird sanctuary where lots of adorable bird species can be seen. Less crowded when compared to Alleppey, Kumarakom is an easier place for booking a houseboat.

The sight-seeing experience –

You will find that this place is peaceful, hassle-free and offers a plethora of opportunities for travellers to indulge in calm water-riding. Famous for the original rice boats which were once used to transfer groceries from one place to another, these are nowadays also used for travelling purposes. Rafting and canoeing also offer prime opportunities for travellers so that they can have plenty of experiences at this picturesque place. However, Kumarakom often proves to be the best place just  to relax and bask in the glories of Nature. You will spend the rest of your day enjoying the calm environment of this place and refreshing yourself in the hotel grounds or your room in Kumarakom. Travelling through the water-quenched paddy fields offers a rare sight that can be easily explored in these pristine Kerala backwaters. Your overnight rest will also be at the same place.

DAY 9: KUMARAKOM - ALLEPPEY by HOUSE-BOAT: ALLEPPEY - KOCHI by SURFACE (62 kms. / approx. 1½ hours)

After having a delightful breakfast, you board your house-boat and travel across Vembanad Lake. You have your freshly-prepared lunch on the house-boat itself and carry on travelling towards Alleppey. On reaching Alleppey, you disembark from the house-boat and travel by  road to the city of Kochi. On reaching here, you get yourself comfortable and have an overnight rest.

DAY 10: IN KOCHI

You start your morning in Kochi with breakfast and start exploring this unique destination.

Kochi – City of Cultural Diversity

The present day face of Kochi is a result of all the years of rule it has been through. Be it under the French, Portuguese or British, this place has imbibed the essence of all these cultures so beautifully. This land seems so peaceful and well organised. Its laid-back streets paint a picture of calm and simplicity and like to invite travellers to experience their untold stories. The Dutch Palace, built in 1557, is an amazing example of how Portugal exchanged good vibes with the then- ruling king Raja Veera Keralavaram for industrial favours. Being a famous place for the growing of spices, condiments, rubber plants, bananas and coconuts, it has always been a fascination for industrial projects. The local fishermen use huge Chinese Fishing Nets to capture fresh fish produce and sell it in the local market. Kochi is also a great place to indulge in the local cuisine, which is also inspired by the people who came here and gave it rich flavours.

The sight-seeing experience –

You can indulge in the local curries and drink the potions prepared in the local style in Kochi. You could cherish the sun-kissed beaches or simply embrace the land by walking along its serene and picturesque streets. Kochi uplifts your mood and your soul in one go. Carrying baggage becomes a thing of the past once you set your feet in this amazing place. 

You can come to the Dutch Palace and feel enchanted by its architecture. This is the perfect place on earth to buy local spices, cashews, good tea and coconut produce. Large Chinese Fishing Nets operated through weights and pulleys invite you to the buzzing sea-shores of Kochi, where fishermen fight with the sea’s waves to fetch the day’s capture in the form of fresh marine fishes. You enjoy a Kathakali dance in the evening at a local theatre. You then come back to your hotel room for a final night’s rest.

Overnight stay at Kochi.

DAY 11: LEAVE KOCHI by FLIGHT

In good time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home or to your onward destination.

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