Best of two Cultures (Tamilnadu & Kerala)

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Location : South-eastern part of India 
Capital City : Chennai 
Major Attractions : Temples, Beaches, Tanjore Paintings, Bharatnatyam, Pongal 
Delicious Cuisine : Dosa-vada-sambar, Chettinad chicken

Detailed Itinerary : Upon arrival at the Chennai Airport / Railway Station, you will meet our company representative with traditional welcome and assist you at the airport/ Railway Station to our hotel for check in. Capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is known for its cultural heritage & temple architecture. The city is known for its rich culture, majestic temples, ancient monuments and golden beaches and is one of the major tourist destinations of South India. The city still manages to retain its traditional charm even though it has many good hotels, modern shopping plazas and other modern amenities. A nice place to spend your holidays in a city that is different from others. Rest of the day is free for individual activities.
Stay overnight will be Chennai hotel.

Day 02 : Chennai - City Tour
Chennai - Mahabalipuram (70 km - 02 hr)
Detailed Itinerary : In the morning after breakast in Chennai Hotels you would proceed to to the prominent star attractions of Chennai, Tamilnadu, South India such as the much visited St. Thomas Mount and the commonly visited Church of St. Mary, the Basilica of San Thome, British-built Old Government House, the lighthouse and the mesmerizing Marina beach. You may also take an excursion trip to Snake Park and Vedanthagal Bird Sanctuary. After checkout from Chennai Hotels, we will drive to Mahabalipuram, 7th century port city of the South Indian. It is thought to be named after the Pallava king Mamalla. It has a variety of historic monuments built largely between the 7th & the 9th century, & has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stay overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 03 : Mahabalipuram - Excursion to Kanchipuram (65 km - 1½ hr)
Detailed Itinerary : In the morning after leisurely breakfast at the hotel, Get ready to explore the city of Mahabalipuram, the tour list comprises of an entire day's programme for the twin temples of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Mahabalipuram is home to beautiful temples other historical monuments, Mahabalipuram is quite an interesting place to visit and explore. It is also famous for its historic monuments have also been classified as a UNESCO world heritage. You may visit locales and the places of historical importance such as the immensely popular Krishna Mandapam and Arjuna's Penance in Mahabalipuram. A look in at the Sakkiswarar Temple, Vaikuntha Perumal Temple and the much famed and fabled Kamakshi Amman Temple will complete the travel tour. Your tour of Mahabalipuram will also take you to tourist attractions like the Shore Temple, which is a fine example of early temple construction in South India and Arjuna's Penance, the largest bas-relief in the world. This tour also include a visit to Mahishasuramardhini cave renowned for its mythological carvings, Five Rathas- these are the five monolithic temples and the Shore Temple one of the oldest temples in South- India and the nine; rock- cut cave temples of Mahabalipuram.

Afterward we will visit excursion to Kanchipuram, It is known as the seven holy cities in the country. In ancient times it was called Kachi. Visit Kailasanatha Temple, is famous for exquisite carvings & attracts devotees & tourists alike. There are 58 small shrines located around the main shrine, as a compound wall. Fresco style paintings adorn the inner walls of the temple. After that we will visit Ekambaranatha, ancient temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. The 57 metres high Raj Gopuram is one of the tallest towers in South India. The 3000 year old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yielding different variety of mangoes. Hence, this day shall be scheduled for a visit to the scenic beaches of Mahabalipuram where guests can relax and sun-bask. 
Stay overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 04 : Mahabalipuram - Tanjore (300 km - 06 hr)
Detailed Itinerary : Early morning after breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Tanjore. flourished during the rule of the Nayaks & Mahrattas. It is called the Rice Bowl of Tamilnadu. Visit the beautiful Chola temple of Brihadeeshwarar in Tanjore and appreciate its architecture. Brihadewswara Temple also known as the 'Big Temple', built by the Chola dynasty. This massive temple is 216 feet high and the single spherical stone on top weighs 80 tons. This 10th century CE temple, one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is a brilliant example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. The beautiful Chola Fresco paintings on the inner walls of the temple are no way less than Ajanta paintings.
Dinner and Stay Overnight at Hotel.

Day 05 : Tanjore - Madurai via Trichy (200 km - 04 hr)
Detailed Itinerary : After hearty breakfast at hotel, we will departure for Madurai via Trichy, is situated on the banks of Cauvery River and was a citadel of the early Cholas, only to be conquered by the Pallavas later. It has very historic temples, monuments & churches. It was an important town in the days of the later Cholas, Nayaks as well as during the early days of the British East India Company. On arrival city tour of Trichy, covering Srirangam temple and Rockfort. Rockfort most famed landmark is an 83 m high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the world approximately 3,800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland & older than the Himalayas. After arrival at Madurai Visit the Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple located at the heart of Madurai city. Spend the rest of the day exploring Madurai which houses many places of National importance. It has rich cultural heritage passed for more than 2500 years old & has been an important commercial centre as early as 550 AD. It is the oldest city in Tamilnadu & was originally known as Kadambavanam or the forest of Kadamba. Dinner and Overnight Stay in Madurai. 

Day 06 : Madurai
Location : South-western part of India in Arabian Sea 
Major Attractions : Adventure Sports, Beach Resorts, Exotic Beaches 
What Makes For A Holiday : Scuba Diving and Underwater Corals

Detailed Itinerary : In the morning after leisurely breakfast, you will visit the 1,000 pillared Meenakshi Amman Temple and Tirumalai Palace.A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure known as Ayiramkaal mandapam or the Hall of a thousand pillars in the outermost corridor. Madurai has also been mentioned in Megasthenes' Indica, where the ancient Greek diplomat and envoy to India in the 3rd century BC wrote about this city of temples in most glorious words.  You are at leisure for the rest of the day to explore the temple city of India at your own pace. Enjoy an early dinner and return to Meenakshi Temple for the evening pooja (prayer) closing ceremony. After the ceremony, return to your hotel and spend the night.
 
Day 07 : Madurai - Periyar (136 km - 3 ½ hr)
District : Idukki District 
Location : Thekkady - Kumily, Kerala 
Famous For : Tigers, Elephants 
Coverage Area : 777 Sq kms

Detailed Itinerary : Take a hearty breakfast at the hotel and drive for Periyar, which is at the distance of 110 kms and it will take 3 ½ hours to reach. Periyar is a place to cruise on the lake & gives an opportunity to see wildlife. Periyar wild life sanctuary,is noted for its tiger reserve is and is one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. It is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, bison, antelopes, sambhar, wild boar, monkey, a wide variety of birds. On your way, we will see Idukki Dam. We arrive Periyar by noon. In the evening we embark on sightseeing tour. Spend the day tracking the animals at Periyar. Take a boat cruise on the Periyar Lake. The night will be spent at Periyar.

Day 08 : Periyar - Kumarakom (135 km - 04 hr)
District : Kottayam 
Location : Banks of Vembanad Lake, 15 km W of Kottayam  
Known As : Queen of Vembanad 
Best Time To Visit : Water Fowls, Siberian Cranes

Detailed Itinerary : Today morning after leisurely breakfast you will drive to Kumarakom on day 08 of your Kerala Tour Itinerary. Kumarakom is known for backwaters, huge Vembanad Lake & famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. You could do various optional activities there like village walk, Visit Kottayam – nearby town to visit century old Christian churches, temples, & local market etc. On reaching, transfer to the backwater resort. Relax in the backwaters. Enjoy the boat ride and visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Also indulge in water sports such as windsailing & water skiing etc. Overnight stay at the resort.  

Day 09 : Kumarakom - Alleppey (Overnight Houseboat)
District : Alleppey 
Area : 1414 Sq. Km 
Known As : Alappuzha 
Best Time to Visit : Monsoon deals are Expensive. Visit anytime during rest of year

Detailed Itinerary : Day 9 of your South India Tours Itinerary takes you on an enthralling houseboat cruise. Cruise around beautiful backwaters of Kumarakom to Alleppey to observe & experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters. Board the traditional rice boats - "Ketuvallam" sailing through the picturesque backwaters and small amidst the Kerala's beautiful scenery. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Day 10 : Alleppey - Cochin (65 km - 01 hr)
District : Emakulam 
Location : Ernakulam in Kerala, 220 km from Trivandrum 
Known As : Lagoon's Country. 
Best Time To Visit : Post Monsoon, September to May.

Detailed Itinerary : Today morning after early breakfast take a sightseeing of wildlife sanctuary on Lake Periyar by boat cruise. Afterward we will proceed to Cochin, A picturesque island cluster, natural ports and scenic lagoons, Cochin drapes you in warmth and ethnic Kerala glory. It has one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Upon arrival check in the hotel, Refresh you self, our representative will arrange for you to witness a colorful expression of ethnic Kerala culture - a Kathakali Dance performance. Stay overnight at the hotel in Cochin.

Day 11 : Cochin
Detailed Itinerary : On day 11 you have an opportunity to take half day tour to Jew Town, synagogue Also visit the spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices & history that brought the world to its doorstep. Your Splendid South India tours comes to an end and you carry on your journey back home.

Tour Highlights
Bangalore	Tipu Sultan Palace & Museum, ISKCON Temple & Lal Bagh Garden.
Mysore	Srirangapatnam & Tipu's Summer Palace, Maharaja's Palace & Chamundi Hill
Ooty	Scenic Beauty of Nilgiri Hills, Botanical Garden, St. Stephen Church
Cochin	St. Francis' Church, Dutch Palace (Built by Portuguese), Jew Town, Jewish Synagogue, spice market, Chinese fishing nets & Kathakali Dance Show Optional - Boat Cruise
Alleppey	House Boat & Backwaters
Kumarakom	Backwaters & Bird Sanctuary
Kovalam	Beaches