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Day 01 : Chennai Arrive in Chennai where you are met by our Tour Executive to get you transferred to your hotel. Day 02 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram Stop en route at Dakshinachitra cultural centre dedicated to the art, architecture and culture of the Southern Indian states. Continue your journey onto Mahabalipuram, the place renowned for its status of World Heritage Site and relax at the beach side resort. Day 03 : Mahabalipuram Morning sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram’s seven monolithic temples, each carved from a single granite boulder standing on the seashore. In the village you will see a huge frieze, known as Arjuna's Penance, which is cut on to a flat granite rock face. Afternoon is free for independent activities and shopping. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram. Day 04 : Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry After breakfast drive 90kms/2hrs to Pondicherry, the former French colony; the town still retains a French influence in its architecture, surroundings and planning. Stay at Beach Resort. Day 05 : Pondicherry After breakfast visit the Aurobindo Ashram founded by a Bengali philosopher, Aurobindo, in the early 20th century. Afternoon you have the option to visit Auroville or relax on the beach. Overnight stay at Pondicherry. Day 06 : Pondicherry - Tanjore Today drive via the temple towns of Chidambaram and Kumbakonam to Tanjore to stay at the Ideal River Resort which is situated overlooking the Cauvery river on the outskirts of the town. Day 07 : Tanjore - Trichy This entire area is rich in South Indian temple architecture. Today visit the great Brihadeshwara temple in Tanjore, which is considered to be one of the most magnificent Chola temples in India, standing erect in the temple city. Visit the Art Gallery and Saraswati Mahal library houses in the Tanjore Palace. After lunch in Tanjore, drive 55kms/1.5hrs to Trichy/Tiruchirapalli. Day 08 : Trichy - Madurai The Trichy/Tiruchirapalli skyline is dominated by the Rock Fort Temple. Also visit SriRangam, a superb temple complex spread over an island in the Cauvery River. The Sri Ranganathaswami temple dedicated to Vishnu is one of the biggest temples in India. After lunch drive to Madurai, which has been a centre of learning, and pilgrimage for many centuries. Overnight stay in Madurai. Day 09 : Madurai Life in this bustling pilgrimage city is centred around the great Meenakshi Temple, which dominates the old city. This temple with its gopurams (pyramidal gateway towers) is covered with a profusion of multi coloured images of mystical figures, animals and gods. Also visit Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Museum. Stay overnight in Madurai. Day 10 : Madurai - Kanyakumari After breakfast drive 5hrs to Kanyakumari, the Southern most tip of India. A sacred spot where the 3 oceans unite and also a place known for its sunrise and sunset. Take a short boat ride out to the Vivekenanda Rock memorial and Tiruvallavur Statue standing amidst the sea. Visit the Gandhi Memorial. Overnight stay at Kanyakumari. Day 11 : Kovalam After sunrise view, have your breakfast to drive via Padmanabhapuram visiting the only Teak Palace in India towards Kovalam Beach. Arrive at lunchtime and the next the half is free for relaxation at the beach . Overnight stay at Kovalam. Day 12 : Kovalam Relax and enjoy an Ayurvedic Massage at Kovalam Beach Resort. You can rejuvenate yourself totally just by a single gently touch of the experienced hands on the advice of a doctor. Day 13 : Backwaters of Kerala After breakfast, drive 3.5 hrs to Thottapally and board your Houseboat (Kettuvallam). Serve yourself with the indigenous delicious Keralan food made by the crew as you cruise through the peaceful, palm-fringed backwaters. Overnight stay on board the houseboat. Day 14 : Alleppey After breakfast arrive in Alleppey and disembark the Houseboat. Your car will transfer you to Alleppey Beach. In the afternoon take a Heritage Tour of Alleppey town. Overnight stay at the beach. Day 15 : Alleppey - Cochin After breakfast drive 65kms/1.5hrs to Cochin. Morning sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin, the synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis' Church and the spice market. In the evening take a Sunset cruise to see some of the nearby islands and the legendary Chinese fishing nets. Overnight stay at Cochin. Day 16 : Cochin Departure in the morning from the airport to get your connecting flight to an onward destination or back home. *This itinerary is only a rough guideline and can be altered in any which way to suit your requirements.
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South India Leisure Tours-Southern Coastal Explorer
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