Classical South India With Beach Stay

Itinerary

Day 1: Chennai-Mamallapuram

Stop At: Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Mahabalipuram India
On arrival at Chennai, you will be transferred to Mahabalipuram Beach to check into your hotel on beach.(Check in time is 1 PM).Afternoon sightseeing of Mahabalipuram to explore the heritage of Mahabalipuram temples, built in 7th & 8th century AD which are today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. Overnight at hotel.
Mahabalipuram has a significant role in the history and architecture of India which gives a major role for the archaeological enthusiasts. This is the only place in India where we have Cave Architecture, Monolythic Architecture and Structural Architecture still existing simultaneously. Also the long stretch of clean beach will give one a peaceful relaxation in Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram - It is among the most outstanding examples of Pallava art and architecture. The monuments are floodlit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty even after sunset. Arjuna’s Penance - This skillfully carved rock is the largest bas relief in the world. There are nine rock cut cave temples. The Mahishasuramardhini cave, contrasting the goddess fighting a demon on one side, and Lord Vishnu's cosmic sleep on the other, is a particularly remarkable one. Five Rathas -These rock-cut temples are rated as excellent example of Pallava art. Shaped in different styles, the rathas are supposed to have been scooped out of a single rock formation.

Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Ideal Beach Resort,a 4 star hotel right on the beach

Day 2: Kanchipuram

Stop At: Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
After an early breakfast,drive to Kanchipuram for sightseeing.Afternoon return to Mahabalipuram for exploring the beaches. You may opt to go for a walk through the main streets of Mahabalipuram which is full of local life.Overnight stay at the hotel.

Kanchipuram - Kanchipuram, an ancient city known as “the city of thousand temples”, is one of the seven most sacred pilgrim centres for the Hindus. There now remain about 126 temples and a few more in its outskirts. Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Ekambaranath Temple, also known as Ekambareswarar Temple - The eleven-storey structure which is adorned with beautiful Stucco Figures is one of the tall temple towers in South India. The ancient mango tree in the courtyard inside the temple is revered by childless couples. They faithfully tie small cradles to the branches of the tree and leave with the hope that their desire for an offspring will be fulfilled. Also visit Kailasanatha Temple and Varadaja Temple.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Ideal Beach Resort

Day 3: The French Flavour

Stop At: Pondicherry, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Pondicherry
After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Pondicherry which still carries a strong flavour of the French presence in India. On arrival ,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 beachside 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 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.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Atithi,a cute boutique hotel centrally located

Day 4: Gingee Fort-Thiruvannamalai

Stop At: Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu
After breakfast, drive to Gingee Fort also known as Senchi Fort. You will visit the monuments located at the foot of the hill. Later drive to Tiruvannamalai to visit Arunachaleswarar Temple and Ramana Maharshi Ashram and Girivalam Road where you will find a number of Sadhoos just like in Varanasi.Late evening visit the temple again to watch the closing ceremony from close distance to the Sanctum Sanctorum.Overnight at Hotel.

Thiruvannamalai, known for Arunachaleswarar Temple, one of oldest Shiva Temples in India. The famous temple city of Thiruvannamalai, looks similar to Madurai, but the temple is huge and the entry to tourists are permitted very close to the Sanctum Sanctorum. May be this is the right place to witness the closing ceremony as one can stand so close to the Sanctorum and also to the sleeping room, known as Palliyara. The Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai is one of the biggest and grandest temples in South India.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Gingee Fort, Chidambaram, Villupuram District Thindivanam to Thiruvannamalai Road, 25 km, Gingee India
Visit Gingee Fort Enroute
Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu, India is one of the few surviving forts in Tamil Nadu, India. So well fortified was this place that Shivaji ranked it as the "most impregnable fortress in India" and it was called the "Troy of the East" by the British. The actual name of Gingee is 'Sengiri' meaning perhaps the "Red Hill" in Tamil that has got corrupted into Gingee.A popular tradition is that Senji Fort and the village are named after the local village Godess Senji Amman.Her temple existed before the construction of the Fort,half way up the Rajagiri Hill. The name has also been traced to Singavaram the neighbouring Vaishnavite shrine, whose lord is considered the guardian deity of the place. Originally the site of a small fort built by the Chola dynasty in 9th century AD, it was later modified by Kurumbar while fighting the Chola and again by the Vijayanagar empire in the 14th century to elevate it to the status of an unbreachable citadel to protect the small town of Gingee. Though the Fort is accessible and seen from the main road, there is no much exploration happening and the tourists are not much to be seen at all.Before you enter the Fort,you may visit a Temple by name Venkitaramana Temple which stands the test of time beside the tall hill. Once you enter the Fort, it is a vast area where you will see the prison, Elephant bathing Pond, Women’s residence, a huge granary or store house to keep food and other consumables and many more. Its not to be explained on words but to be seen and experienced.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Himalaya,centrally located

Day 5: UNESCO Sites

Stop At: Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Cholapuram, Thanjavur 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 Kumbakonam,check in to your hotel.Overnight stay at Kumbakonam.

Rajendra I, the mighty Chola King, established his new capital at Gangaikondacholapuram with this magnificent city and temple to Lord Siva in the 11th century. It is 50 kms. from Chidambaram. 

The temple is noted for its massive and richly carved sculptures. A big Nandi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion head well with a flight of steps leading to the water level and the gigantic dwarapalakas are the other special features of this temple. The temple has a huge quadrangular passage which has dark ambulatory passage in between the double wall construction which is meant to distribute the vertical load of the temple superstructure. The inside passage is accessible to tourists between 9 AM to 12 Noon and 6 PM to 8 PM.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dharasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Visit Airavateswara Temple,a UNESCO monument
Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram (Tamil Nadu), dating back to the second half of the 12th century is one of the 4 biggest temples erected by the Chola Dynasty with those of Tanjore, Gangaikondacholapuram and Tribhuvanam. Remarkable monument for its architecture and its great decorative wealth, it has been registered in the world heritage list of the UNESCO in 2004. You can also see the traces of amazing paintings popular with Nayaks’ period of 17th Century. Again the influence of social life is very much depicted in the paintings as well as the carvings.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Paradise Resorts,a farm resort set in a living traditional village

Day 6: Tanjore Big Temple

Stop At: Brihadeeswara Temple, Membalam Rd Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur 613001 India
Early morning visit Darasuram Wholesale Vegetable market which is nice to visit .Later after breakfast,visit Tanjore Palace and big temple in the morning.Afternoon return to your resort for a village experience.Go for a bullock cart ride through the nearby village.Also you may visit to the artisans around the place. Overnight stay at Kumbakonam.

Kumbakonam is a typical Tanjore village with a lot of vibrance and life around.This small village houses a number of famous artists and artisans specialized on clay and bronze handicrafts.This village also houses Asia’s second largest vegetable market works during night.The resorts in this village are in tune with the village theme and you wil feel that you are a part of the village.You will experience visiting the local village,may be a bullock cart ride through the village and watching a local cultural performance.Kumbakonam is known for its responsible tourism initiative as the resorts engage the local people for running the operations.The cuisine is also mostly of the local culinary.So we always see this village as a total experience part of your travel in India.

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.The Raja Raja Chola Art Gallery has some fine pieces of stone and bronze sculptures from the 9th and 12th centuries.

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Paradise Resort

Day 7: Sreerangam-Madurai

Stop At: Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India
After an early breakfast, drive to Sreerangam to visit the Temple with the tallest Temple Tower (Entrance Tower) in India.Continue drive to Madurai, an ancient city, more than 2,500 years old, known as the Athens of the east.Afternoon for sightseeing of Madurai with an evening visit to Meenakshi Temple.Overnight at Madurai.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Venmani Rd, Sellur, Madurai 625002 India
Visit Meenakshi Temple
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.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Fortune Pandiyan,centrally located

Day 8: Munnar Tea Gardens

Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Morning, after breakfast, proceed to Munnar, known as nature lover’s paradise . On arrival,check in to your resort.Afternoon go for an orientation tour of Munnar. 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.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Olivebrook Farm stay

Day 9: Tea Trail

Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Full day guided Tea Trail experience. You will be driven to a Tea Plantation to go with the workers 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 through the tea plantation.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.


Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Olivebrook Farm Stay

Day 10: Cochin

Stop At: Fort Kochi, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
After breakfast, drive to Cochin.On arrival at Cochin,check into your hotel.Afternoon for free walks.Evening watch a classical art performance at Greenix Theatre which is a kaleidoscope of Kerala classical arts like Kathakali, Kalaripayattu (Martial Arts),Bharatanatyam etc. Overnight at Hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Greenix Village, Kalvathy Road, Kochi (Cochin) 682 001 India
Enjoy a fusion of traditional art forms at Greenix Village
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Pass By: Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi Beach Kochi-682001 Kerala India, Kochi (Cochin) 682001 India
You may opt to have free walks through Chinese Fishing nets and the Beach

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Delight Heritage Homestay centrally located with local host family living in the same house

Day 11: Poothotta village

Stop At: Fort Kochi, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Morning, after breakfast proceed for a village backwater cruise with lunch to explore the pristine beauty of village backwater life. Afternoon go for a City Tour, exploring Chinese fishing nets, St.Francis church, the Jewish synagogue, Dutch palace etc… Cochin now named as Kochi is the Commercial capital of Kerala and a happening place.The development of the city is to be compared to that of any other Metros in the country. Late evening visit Pepper Trails Kitchen to have a cookery demonstration followed by Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

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.

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. Tender coconut water is a refreshing nutritious thirst quencher..Seafood's are main diet of Coastal Kerala. Here at Pepper Trails, we are trying to pass on a tradition of our kitchen to the World. The cookery demo will be conducted at short distance away from Kochi, in the beautiful ambiance of a Kerala’s modern architectural bungalow, nestled on the top of a valley in its natural setting with a peaceful ambience combined with refreshing environment, promising to make your another day in Kerala a wonderful experience. Enjoy a warm welcome by the breath taking lush green landscape complimented by a welcome drink and... now you are a part of our home… 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. You will then be able to enjoy tasting each dish and take home the recipes as a memento of your delicious day .

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Lunch will be prepared by a village homemaker at her home.This activity is a part of our Responsible Tourism Initiative.
• Dinner: Dinner is with the host family and with the dishes you cooked together.
Accommodation included: Delight Homestay

Day 12: Houseboat

Stop At: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Alleppey to board your exclusive houseboat for a cruise through Vembanad Lake followed by overnight stay on board, covering Alleppey villages and the life around the villages.Earlier days the big boats were used as a media of transporting goods by the local farmers and later these boats converted into Houseboats with minimum amenities and now the Houseboats are most conveniently furnished with comfortable aircon and bio toilets etc.Your food will be freshly cooked and served on board. Overnight in 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 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.
Duration: 21 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Freshly cooked and served on board
• Dinner: Freshly cooked and served on board
Accommodation included: Exclusive Traditional Deluxe Houseboat with Airconditioned Bedroom

Day 13: Marari Beach

Stop At: Marari Beach, Beach Road, Mararikulam 688006 India
Enjoy your breakfast on board.Later , checkout & proceed to Marari, a relatively quiet beach paradise of Kerala. On arrival check in at the resort on the Beach.Rest of the day at leisure on the beach.You may opt to go for an Ayurvedic Massage or a village walk.Overnight at the Resort.

Marari originates from "Mararikulam", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm/and traditional Keralan Hospitality at it's best. Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf, but it is more. An authentic experience of the world of Kerala's traditional fishing villages, and a recreation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. The village of Mararikulam lies on a forgotten shore, midway up the Malabar coast, where the Indian Ocean finally decides that it has now become the Arabian Sea.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Le Plage,a boutique resort right on the beach

Day 14: Beach

Stop At: Marari Beach, Beach Road, Mararikulam 688006 India
Full day at the resort. Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf, but it is more... An authentic experience of Kerala's traditional fishing villages, and a re-creation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. You may opt to take an Ayurvedic Massage…Visit the fishermen villages..By evening it may interesting to visit the local temple to watch the local crowd coming for worship and socialisation.Overnight at Resort.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Le Plage Boutique Beach Resort

Day 15: Cochin Departure

Pass By: Nedumbassery, Nedumbassery, Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Like all good things, your holiday experience comes to an end but you will always carry with you memories of this unique and unforgettable experience. Today, you will be assisted and transferred to Cochin International airport for your flight home!! 2.5 Hours drive

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.