11 Days / 10 Nights 
Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Madurai, Thekkady, Kumarkom, Cochin

Day : 01 Arrive Chennai 

Welcome to your 'Taste of South India' tour. On arrival at the Chennai International Airport, following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a Cox & Kings representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building and transfer you to your hotel. Popularly regarded as the "Gateway to the South", Chennai (formerly known as Madras), the largest city in South India and the capital of Tamil Nadu is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Overnight at hotel. 

Day : 02 To Mahabalipuram 

After breakfast, you will proceed on a guided panoramic city tour of Chennai. Drive past some of the famous colonial landmarks which include the Fort St. George, the fi rst British outpost in India and the San Thome Church. Following the city tour, you will drive to the impressive temple town of Kanchipuram known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples. It is famous for both its temples, many of them remarkably well preserved and for its hand-woven silks. Continue to the seaside village of 'Mamallapuram' popularly known as Mahabalipuram, once the main port of the Pallava Dynasty. Today, it is the site of several antique sculptural marvels. Declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO, Mahabalipuram boasts of some of India's most sublime rock-cut art. On arrival, you will check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel. 

Day : 03 To Pondichery 

Following breakfast, you will visit the famous rock-cut and the sea shore temple. 'Arjuna's Penance' is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27 meters by 9 meters. The hillside is scattered with eight temple porches with bold sculptures inside and there is also one surviving Shore Temple, built in the 1st century. A row of nandi bulls surrounds its walls and Mahabalipuram also boasts an excellent open-air museum where you can watch stonemasons at work. Continue on drive to Pondicherry, where on arrival, you will check into your hotel. Pondicherry has a rich French cultural heritage, having been the capital of the French colonies in India since the 17th century. The French legacy is visible in the well-planned town, neatly laid roads, wide and vibrant beaches, beautiful promenades, architecturally imposing churches and public buildings. Later, enjoy an orientation tour of Pondicherry, driving through its main promenande, past elegant colonial mansions and tree lined boulevards. Overnight at hotel. 


Day : 04 To Tanjore 

After breakfast, proceed on a drive through the rich countryside, past rice fi elds and colourful 'ayyanar dieties' to Tanjore. En route you will visit the temple town of Swamimalai, one of the six abodes dedicated to Lord Subramanya. It is a sylvan village, situated about fi ve kilometres west of Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of River Cauvery and is fourth among the six 'padai veedu' or sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Muruga. Continue on drive to Tanjore where on arrival you will check into your hotel. Also referred to as Thanjavur, it was the capital city of the Chola kingdom from the 9th to the 13th centuries. There are more than 70 temples in Thanjavur, the most important being the famous Brihadeeswara Temple. Overnight at hotel. 

Day : 05 In Tanjore 

Today, after breakfast, you will visit the the Sri Brihadeeshwara Temple built by the great Chola King, Raja Raja I in the 10th century AD and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Continue on a visit to the Tanjore Palace and Museum. The Palace, adjacent to the temple is a vast structure of outstanding architecture built partly by the Nayaks and partly by the Marathas around 1550 AD. The Royal museum displays many items of the kings who ruled the palace in the past - the royal clothes, hunting weapons, the head gears and many more such items. The Nayak hall of the palace is converted into an Art Gallery which has an excellent collection of artefacts from the Chola dynasty. Next to the art gallery is the Saraswathi Mahal Library with an amazing collection of manuscripts on palm leaves and paper. The library is not open to the public. But one can always go in the museum to have look at the full Ramayana written on palm leaf or a set of explicit prints of prisoners under Chinese torture. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day : 06 To Madurai 

This morning, you will drive to Madurai, en route visiting Trichy (as Tiruchirapalli is commonly known), which lies on the banks of the Cauvery. The long history of Trichy dates back to the pre-Christian era. The Cholas, the Pandyas, the Pallavas and the Vijaynagar Kings of Hampi have ruled over this place. On arrival, enjoy a visit to Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple) located 6 kms north of the city. Enclosed by seven rectangular walled courtyards, this 13th century temple is among the most revered shrines to Lord Vishnu in South India, and probably, the largest temple complex in India. (Note: Non-Hindus are not allowed into the gold topped sanctum but can visit as far as the sixth wall). Carry onwards to Madurai, where on arrival you will check into your hotel. Known as the Athens of the East, Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu is situated on the banks of river Vaigai. The city is said to have got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Originally named Madhurapuri or the 'land of nectar', the name later got modifi ed as Madurai. Overnight at hotel. 

Day : 07 In Madurai 

Following breakfast, you will enjoy a visit to the Palace of Tirumalai Nayak, an Indo-Saracenic building constructed in 1523. There is no other building in Madurai which can better illustrate the architectural style of the Nayaks. Continue to the Meenakshi Temple. One of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage, the temple is the very centre of cultural and religious life for the residents of the city. It is a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with gopurams (spires) covered from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of multi coloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical fi gures. Later in the evening, you have the option of visiting the bustling and colourful fl ower market within the temple complex and the opportunity to participate in the evening rituals. Overnight at hotel. 

Day : 08 To Thekkady 

Today, after breakfast, your journey continues from the temple town of Madurai, through a succession of market towns to the spice land of Thekkady - the heart of God's own country! The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. On arrival, you will check into your hotel. Later this afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the splendid Lake Periyar, the best way to experience the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary and view wildlife. Overnight at hotel. 

Day : 09 To Kumarakom 

After breakfast, you will drive from the heart of the spice hills to the idyllic backwaters of Kerala in Alappuzha, formerly known as Alleppey. Caressed by the Arabian Sea and interlocked by a number of canals and bridges, it is a pleasant easygoing market town surrounded by coconut trees. On arrival, you will be transferred to the jetty to embark on a leisurely exploration of the Kerala Backwaters from the comforts of your Kettuvallom (houseboat). Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. Float through the placid waters passing palm fringed canals, lakes and villages. You will disembark at your hotel in Kumarakom and check in. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands that have been converted into resorts, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The amazing shades of green of the vegetation that include mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fi elds cover the verdant countryside. Overnight at hotel. 

Day : 10 To Cochin 

This morning, after breakfast, you will drive to Cochin, where on arrival you will check into your hotel. The commercial capital of Kerala and the most cosmopolitan of the state's cities, Cochin or Kochi have long been eulogized in tourist literature as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea.' Strategically located on the east–west sea route, Cochin is Kerala's major port, boasting of one of the fi nest natural harbours in the world, which forms the hub around which the city revolves. Apart from being a major commercial hub, Kochi is also a major tourist attraction in southern India. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided tour of Cochin. Explore the fascinating sights which include the Jewish Synagogue [closed on Saturday], the oldest living synagogue in the world built by a thriving Jewish community in 1568 A.D.; The Dutch Palace [closed on Friday] at Mattancherry was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features and the Chinese fishing nets which line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Later this evening, you have the option of visiting a Kathakali Dance Centre, where you will witness the 'Kathakali', a special dance form of Kerala, with its origins in the 'Theyyam', a ritual tribal dance of North Kerala. 

Day : 11 Depart Cochin 

Today, bid farewell to India, as your 'Taste of South India' tour comes to an end. You will be transferred to the Cochin airport for your international flight back home.