Temples & Backwater Tour Of South India 15 days

Day 1 Arrive Chennai

Arrival transfer to hotel (check in/out time 12pm). Visit Fort St. George, St Mary Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.

O/n at hotel.

Day 2 Chennai - Mahabalipuram (120kms)

Drive to Mahabalipuram via visiting Kanchipuram an ancient city famous as city of thousands temple. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit UNESCO WHS monuments Monolithic Temples, Krishnas Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 3 Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (120kms)

Drive to Pondicherry check in at hotel. Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 4 Pondicherry - Thanjavur (180kms)

Drive to Thanjavur via visiting Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and The Great Living Chola Temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Darasuram. On arrival check in.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 5 Thanjavur - Trichy (60kms)

Visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Palace Complex built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Drive to Trichy check in at hotel. Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple the largest functional temple in the world and The Rock Fort the oldest rock in the world 230 crore years old.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 6 Trichy - Madurai (135kms)

Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 7 Madurai - Munnar (160kms)

Drive to Munnar, check in at hotel. Later tea estate visit & tea testing.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 8 Munnar

Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Dairy Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 9 Munnar - Thekkady (110kms)

Drive to Thekkady via Ramakkalmedu the windiest places in Asia. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 10 Thekkady

Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on boat safari followed by spice plantation tour. Drive to Kumarakom check in.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 11 Thekaddy - Alleppey (135kms)

Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat & sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters.

O/n in houseboat. Meal plan: B,L,D.

Day 12 Alleppey - Cochin (60kms)

Drive to Cochin check in at hotel. Visit Fort Cochin, St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace & Chinese fishing nets. Evening watch Kathakali Dance.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 13 Cochin - Kovalam (200kms)

Drive to Kovalam check in at hotel. Rest day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 14 Kovalam

Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Temple, Napier Museum, Kuthira Malika & Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Drive through popular beaches.

O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

Day 15 Kovalam - Departure

Departure transfer to airport. Meal plan: B.

3 Star hotels used or similar for 14 nights accommodation:

• Chennai x 1 night Raj Park/ MGM East Woods
• Mahabalipuram x 1 night IN Deco Hotels/ Mamalla Beach Resort
• Pondicherry x 1 night Shenbaga Hotel/ Annamalai International
• Thanjore x 1 nightGrand Gardenia/ Oriental Towers
• Trichy x 1 night Red Fox Hotel/ Grand Gardenia
• Madurai x 1 night Astoria by Sparsa/ Madurai’s Residency
• Munnar x 2 nights Fort Munnar/ Abad Copper Castle
• Pariyar (Thekkady) x 2 nights Abad Green Forest/ Hotel Treetop
• Day cruise in Alleppey x 1 night Deluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats)
• Cochin x 1 night The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza
• Kovalam x 2 nights Harmonia Beach Resort/ Sagara Beach Resort

4 Star hotels used or similar for 10 nights accommodation:

• Chennai x 1 night The Raintree/ Accord Metropolitan
• Mahabalipuram x 1 night Ideal Beach Resort/ Confluence The Banquet & Resort
• Pondicherry x 1 night Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa
• Thanjore x 1 night Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa
• Trichy x 1 night Sangam Hotels/ Ideal River View Resort
• Madurai x 1 night GRT Regency/ Fortune Pandiyan Hotel
• Munnar x 2 nights Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar
• Pariyar (Thekkady) x 2 nights The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County
• Day cruise in Alleppey x 1 night Premium Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats)
• Cochin x 1 night Casino Hotel/ The Avenue Regent
• Kovalam x 2 nights Estuary Island Resort/Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel

5 Star hotels used or similar for 14 nights accommodation:

• Chennai x 1 night ITC Grand Chola/ The Leela Palace
• Mahabalipuram x 1 night Radisson BLU Resort Temple Bay/ Fisherman's Cove
• Pondicherry x 1 night Palais De Mahe/ La Villa
• Thanjore x 1 night Svatma
• Trichy x 1 night Sangam Hotels/ Ideal River View Resort
• Madurai x 1 night Heritage Madurai/ The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
• Munnar x 2 nights Chandys Windy Woods/ Tea County
• Pariyar (Thekkady) x 2 nights Spice village/ Cardamom County
• Day cruise in Alleppey x 1 night Luxury Houseboat (Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons)
• Cochin x 1 night Xandari Harbour/ Le Meridien
• Kovalam x 2 nights Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove/ The Leela Kovalam Beach