Highlights of South India

Depart from UK an overnight flight to Chennai.

Morning arrival in Chennai, transfer to your hotel for one night. Founded in 1639, Chennai was the site of the first settlement of the East India Company. Afternoon tour of the city visiting the Museum and Art Gallery. Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market; visit Fort St. George, which once served as the very first bastion of the East India Company. Within the Fort complex is the oldest Anglican Church in India, St Mary's Church, built in 1678-1680. Drive along the Marina Beach, one of the longest beaches in the world running to a length of 12 km. Also visit San Thome Cathedral, which is said to contain the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas). 

After breakfast leave for Mahabalipuram, famous for the Shore Temple and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay for two nights. 

After breakfast leave for Pondicherry. Pondicherry city has a long history dating back 2000 years when it was an important Roman trading post. Francois Martin, a Frenchman, established the modern city of Pondicherry between 1673 and 1680. The French established their supremacy in this area by waging several battles against the Dutch, the English and the Caranatic Nawabs. Pondicherry is also the place where Sri Aurobindo, a well known philosopher, patriot and savant established his Ashram. Stay for one night. 

Morning drive to Tanjore. Afternoon visit Brihadisvara Temple (capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single gigantic granite block weighing 80 tons) and Raja Chola Art Gallery. The Raja Chola Art Gallery has over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper preserved in the Saraswathi Mahal Library. Overnight stay in Tanjore. 

Morning depart for Madurai, an ancient city dating back 2,500 years. Afternoon visit Meenakshi temple, which is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture. Also visit Sundareswarar Temple with its Hall of a Thousand Pillars elaborately carved, some of which sound like metal and are commonly referred to as the metal stone or musical pillars. Stay for one night. 

Morning drive to Thekkady for two nights. Afternoon visit Periyar National Park, noted for its elephant herds and a rich variety of animal and bird life. The sanctuary is spread across 777 sq km, much of which is thick evergreen forest. Wildlife viewing by boat. 

Morning boat ride in lake Periyar in search of more wildlife. Afternoon spice plantation tour. 

After Breakfast leave for Kumarakom. Bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake on the west, Kumarakom is a land of backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands and extensive rubber plantations. Stay for two nights. 

Morning take a walking tour of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake, the sanctuary is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here. 

Morning transfers to Kumarakom Jetty, embark on a houseboat for one night. Cruise on the backwaters of Kerala. The Backwaters are a maze of bridge and canals set in a labyrinth of backwater channels dotted with endless stretches of lakes and lagoons. 

Disembark in the morning and drive to Kochi for two nights. Kochi, once known as Cochin is the oldest European settlement in India. Many influences including Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French and Portuguese are evident in the city. In the evening attend a Traditional Kathakali dance performance. 

Morning tour of the city visiting the Dutch Palace, originally built by the Portuguese, housing a fine collection of mural paintings. The Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 is magnificently decorated with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Visit the St. Francis Church, which is the city's oldest church, built by Europeans. See the Chinese fishing nets that line the tip of Fort Kochi. Evening by sunset enjoy a boat cruise. 

Transfer to the International airport in Kochi towards your onward journey to UK with sweet memories.