ROCK TEMPLES & BACKWATERS

MADRAS > MAHABALIPURAM > KANCHIPURAM > PONDICHERRY > TRICHY > TANJORE > KUMBAKONAM > MADURAI > KANYAKUMARI > TRIVANDRUM > KOVALAM > ALLEPPEY > COCHIN

DAY 01 – MADRAS APT > MAHABALIPURAM > MADRAS CITY TOUR > MAHABALIPURAM
Transfer to Hotel at Mahabalipuram (1 hr drive). Half-day city sightseeing tour of Madras (Chennai). Back to the Hotel in Mahabalipuram in the evening.

DAY 02 - MAHABALIPURAM
After breakfast discover the wonderful ethnic beach resort at Mahabalipuram. We stay in comfortable apartments on an exquisite sandy beach surrounded by ancient rock temples, carved rock cave shrines and the famous Shore Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Early evening on the beach. Evening buffet dinner under the stars with performances of traditional Bharata Natyam and Karnatic dance.

DAY 03 - MAHABALIPURAM > KANCHIPURAM > MAHABALIPURAM (21/2 hr)
Early morning on the beach; after breakfast drive to Kanchipuram. Enroute stop at Tirukkalukundram, a Shiva Temple, also known as Eagle Temple because every day at lunch time the priests feed the eagles--which is very significant. One of the ancient 7 Sacred cities of India and known as the Golden City of 1000 Temples, Kanchipuram has 125 recognized shrines dating back to the early Chola Dynasty of around 200BC. We visit several of the most outstanding of these temples and arrange an audience with the esteemed Shankaracharya, who is equivalent to the Pope in Hindu terms. The town is also famed for its silk.

DAY 04 – MAHABALIPURAM > PONDICHERRY > AUROVILLE (3 1/2 hr)
The resting place of Sri Aurobindo and his co-worker the Mother whose Samadhis we visit. It is interesting to perceive the effect this saint has on this sizable town. Auroville is the newer ashram initiated by the Mother, where the largest cut crystal in the world is on display in their magnificent domed hall. Upon arrival check-in at hotel and lunch. Afternoon visit to Ashram and Maitri Mandir in Auroville.

DAY 05 – PONDICHERRY > TIRUVANNAMALAI (3 hr)
Early morning drive after breakfast. This temple town of 100 or more temples is an important Shivite town. The most important is the Shiva-Parvati temple of Arunachaleswar, said to be the largest in India. The main gopuram is 66 metres high and there is a 1000-pillared hall. The ashram of the late Sri Ramana Maharshi sits at the feet of the Arunachala hill. We visit his hillside ashram, the greatest of Shiva Temples, where Sri Ramana commenced his miraculous journey to enlightenment and we circumvent the holy hill in the traditional manner.

DAY 06 – PONDICHERRY > TRICHY (5 hr)
After breakfast, checkout & head for Trichi. Check-in & take a tour of Trichi town, situated on the banks of the Cauvery River. Visit the historic Rock Fort, a famous landmark with two cave temples filled with sculptures.

DAY 07 – TRICHY > TANJORE > KUMBAKONAM > TRICHY (4 1/2 hr)
Morning drive to Tanjore, east of Trichi, fertile plains known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. Visit the majestic Sri Brahadeeswara temple with massive granite stone towers carved out of a single rock. Also visit Kumbakonam, where there are four famous temples, each dedicated to a different deity. Return to your hotel in Trichi later in the evening.

DAY 08 – TRICHY > MADURAI
After breakfast transfer to Madurai. Check-in at Madurai & go for tour around the city visiting some of the famed Temples, especially the Meenakshi Temple, which has a history of over 2000 years. There are four entrances to the Temple & each of its twelve towers has a height of 50 meters & a 1000-pillared hall called the Temple Art Museum. Also visit Thirumallainaik palace built in 1636 & Mariamman Theppukulam Tank. Overnight at Madurai

DAY 09 – MADURAI > RAMESWARAM > DHANUSHKODI > MADURAI
After breakfast, embark on an early morning drive to the Island of Rameswaram – the Varanasi of the South. Visit the ancient Holy Siva Temples & a bath in the sea at Dhanushkodi is considered holy & spiritual. Catch a glimpse of Sri Lanka in the distant horizon. Return to Madurai in the evening.

DAY 10 – MADURAI > KANYAKUMARI
After an early morning breakfast, checkout from Madurai. Enjoy a pleasant scenic drive & observe the changes in landscapes along the way to Kanyakumari (where three seas meet – Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean & Bay of Bengal). Check-in at Kanyakumari & in the evening, visit Sunset Point & Vivekananda Rock. Overnight at Kanyakumari. (The only place where you will see sunrise & sunset in the sea)

DAY 11 – KANYAKUMARI > TRIVANDRUM > KOVALAM
After witnessing an early morning Sunrise at Kanyakumari (The southern tip of the Indian subcontinent) After breakfast transfer to Checkout from your Hotel & transfer to Kovalam – Ayurveda Beach Resort. En-route visit Anantha Padmanabha Palace & Suchindram Temple. Enroute see the sights of Trivandrum - the capital city of Kerala & visit Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Check-in at the beachside resort in Kovalam At leisure on the beachside until sunset. Overnight at Kovalam.

DAY 12 – KOVALAM > ALLEPPEY > HOUSEBOAT
In the morning, checkout from Kovalam & transfer to Alleppey. Checkout of your hotel & check-in to a Houseboat - traditional rice barge converted into a complete Luxury cruise boat with Bedrooms, modern bathrooms & kitchen. Day at leisure, sailing through the backwater villages of Alleppey & get an insight into the daily life by the backwaters. All meals are served onboard the Houseboat - An unforgettable experience. Overnight on board the Houseboat.

DAY 13 – HOUSEBOAT > COCHIN CITY > AIRPORT TRANSIT HOTEL
After breakfast on board, checkout from the houseboat at Alleppey & depart for Cochin. Half-day sightseeing tour of the city and the harbour. Check-in at the Airport Transit Hotel.

DAY 14 – COCHIN AIRPORT TRANSIT HOTEL > COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Checkout from the hotel & depart for Cochin International Airport / Railway Station to board your flight for your onward destination.