Three States – Tamilnadu , Karnataka & Kerala

From Chennai to Mahabalipuram

Arrive Chennai Airport. You will be met on arrival and immediate transfer to coastal town of Mahabalipuram (55 km , 1.5 hrs)

Mahabalipuram 
This UNESCO World Heritage site showcase the magnificent line of ancient stone carvings that both impress and intrigue. The Shore temple stands out with its brilliant Pallava architecture and masterful carvings. With its historical monuments, architectural stories, mysterious caves, cycling tours and beaches and delicious seafood, the place packs in the punch of a must see destination.

Overnight at Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram –Kancheepuram -Mahabalipuram

Morning proceed for a visit to Kancheepuram (55 km, 1.25 hrs)

Kancheepuram 
The City of Thousand  Temples is one of the seven sacred cities  and considered as the second holiest place in India.  The great Buddhist Vhikku  Bodhidharma lived and worked here.  Kancheepuram is also famous for its hand-wooven silk fabrics.

You will experience a thali lunch on banana leaves at a local restauarant.

Later drive back to Mahabalipuram .Visit  Shore Temple and other stone Carvings and rock-cut temples.  

Over night at Mahabalipuram

From Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry

Morning ,   drive to Pondicherry (110 km , 02 hrs)

Now called Puducherry ,  this “French Riviera of the East” is known for its large boulevards, brightly painted houses with high compound walls laden with bougainvillea, clean, well-laid streets with French name plates, colonial buildings, gothic churches, classic heritage monuments, pristine beaches, serene backwaters, expansive gardens and of course delicious authentic French cuisine.

Afternoon visit the town of Auroville, an oasis of peace and enlightenment. 

This evening you will climb on a cycle rikshaw to stroll around the tamil street of Pondicherry.

Over night at Pondicherry.

From Pondicherry to Chennai

After breakfast drive to Chennai (165 km, 3 hrs)

Chennai
Chennai, India’s fourth largest city is also called the Gateway to the South. From a tiny hamlet in 1639, it grew around the Fort St. George built by the British. A lush green city famed for its temples, silk, music and dance.

Afternoon visit Fort St George and government museum.

Overnight at Chennai.

From Chennai to Mysore by train

At 0515 hrs , check out and proceed to the central railway station to connect the train to Mysore at 0600 hrs. Breakfast on board train.  Arrive Mysore at 1300 hrs. 

Mysore, once the capital of the Wodeyar kingdom is a city of fine gardens, tree-lined boulevards, art galleries and an intriguing palace. 

Evening visit the devaraja fruit & Vegetable market. Devaraja market  is an apt place to get a flavor of the local people’s . With more than 100 years of history, this market is well knitted into the heritage of Mysore. This is a good sample of a traditional Indian market place that is colourful, noisy, vibrant and a tad chaotic. Overnight at Mysore

This evening you will visit the house of  a Kodava family who have settled down in Mysore. At their home you will experience a taste of authentic Kodava cuisine and culture. The Kodavas are a martial race with a tradition of ancestor worship. The family will be dressed in traditional Coorg attire. This interaction provides a fascinating insight into Kodava Culture and customs. 

Overight at Mysore.

At Mysore

Morning visit  Somnathpur .The Keshava Temple stands at the edge of the tranquil village of Somnathpur – 33 km east o Mysore.  Built in 1268 during the heyday of the Hoysala kings, it’s an astonishingly beautiful, unpoilt building.  The walls of this star-shaped temple are covered with superb sculptures in stone depicting various scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabarata, Bhagavad Gita and the life and times of the Hoysala Kings.  

Afternoon visit Maharaja’s palace built in 1911-1912. The palace harmoniously synthesizes the Hindu and the Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures, which are truly magnificent .  Also visit the Art Gallery.  

Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Mysore
 

From Mysore to Kabini

After breakfast ,  proceed to Kabini (90 km,02 hrs) . 

The legend and romance of Kabini plays out in a theatre called Nagarhole, and revolves around a pristine river called Kabini (originally Kapila) that snakes its way through the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, and forms an aqueous boundary with the Bandipur National park.Together, this area constitutes the largest contiguous forest cover in this part of the world and is part of the Nilgiri biosphere, the largest in Asia, and home to the largest concentration of herbivores in Asia. And herbivores don't get larger than the Asiatic elephant, whose favourite playground this is. At Nagarhole, one can witness the largest congregation of Asiatic Elephants in the world, and these majestic mammals rule the roost here.

Evening proceed for a Jungle Safari. During the safari, which lasts for two hours the visitor has a good opportunity to sight the herbivores. Sightings of the predators are less frequent, but improve considerably during the summer.

Overnight at Kabini

At Kabini – Jungle Safari

Early morning proceed for a Jungle Safari in Jeep.  

Rest of the day, free at the resort or engage in activities offered by the resort

Overnight at Kabini.

From Kabini to Ooty

Morning drive to Ooty  (145 km , 4 hrs) 

OOTY
Ooty or Udhagamandalam known as the Queen of the Blue Mountains, along with Kotagiri and coonar nearby, Ooty is famous for its rolling hills, covered in pine and eucalyptus forests and its coffee and the tea plantations.  Developed, as a hill station by the British, had been inhabited by the Toda tribal people who lived in villages or munds consisting of a handful of huts

Overnight at Ooty.
 

From Ooty to Cochin via toy train up to Coonoor

After  breakfast , connect the toy train to Coonoor at 0900 hrs. 

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is located in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Metupalaiyam to Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills. The construction of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky. It took 45 years later in 1899 that the first steam engine train chugged up this track.The track is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) long, and passes over 26 viaducts, and through 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges. This railway is particularly picturesque because of the surrounding rocky terrain, tea plantations, and forested hills.

Arrive Coonoor railway station at 1025 hrs. Your driver will wait for your and further drive to Cochin (260 km, 06 hrs) 

The spice trade first bought Chinese and Arabian traders to Kerala’ shores and later the Portuguese  , Dutch and British thus making Fort Cochin a cultural melting point. Wander through its old streets, the synagogue, the ancient churches, colonial houses and the picturesque Chinese fishing nets. 

Overnight at Cochin.

At Cochin – Being local

Today is a different day , this morning you will explore Cochin with your guide by being a localite. There is no car today. You will walk , take the TUK TUK through the narrow streets of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry , climb on a local bus in the busy hours to the city  , walk along thousands of people exploring the local market , know the spices , visit the railway station when thousands of people return to their nearby village after the day’s work , take the local ferry from the mainland to return to the island of Fort Cochin. By evening you will experience everything what is happening in a day at Cochin. 

During the course, you will also visit the monuments at Fort Cochin and Mattancherry  - The St  Francis  Church,  the oldest European Church in India ,where Vasco de Gama the first European traveller to India was originally buried here.  Dutch Palace at Mattancherry (Friday closed) is renowned  for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.  The Jewish Synagogue ( Saturday closed) at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town.  

This evening you will have Sea food dining experience with Mr Francis and his wife Mrs Rosy at their residence and experience the traditional flavours and preparations of Kerala Cuisine.  They serve closely guarded secret recipes sourced from the old families of Cochin flavourful dishes generously spiced with fresh cinnamon, pepper, red chilli, coriander, green chilly, curry leaves, vanilla, ginger. Freshly caught fish and crustaceans grilled or cooked the way you fancy with a fusion of Indian condiments. Mrs Rosy will also teach you a favourite sea food dish of Fort Cochin. 

Overnight at  Cochin 

From Cochin to Nedumudy backwaters

Morning drive to the tiny village of Nedumudy in the backwaters (65 km , 1.5hrs)

Stay at the Nelpura Heritage Homestay. The homestay is a renovated structure adjoining the ancestral house of Mr. Chacko and family. The building showcases the fine features of traditional Kerala architecture and woodcarving. Dates back around 150 years, the Homestay rooms made mostly with seasoned timber, still retain their original grandeur. 

Proceed for a canoe ride to see the famous Mancompu Bhagavathy Temple 

An evening walk with the host through the narrow lane by the backwaters is a real local experience and one can witness families gathered in front of their houses for evening talk and discussions. If it is a week day , you can also visit a nearby school. 

Overnight at Nedumudy

From Nedumudy to Kovalam beach

After breakfast, drive to Kovalam beach (170 km, 04 hrs) 

Adorned with breath-taking views, serene beaches and refreshing atmosphere, Kovalam is an ideal leisure getaway. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans since long.A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. 

Overnight at Kovalam

At Kovalam

Full day relax at kovalam beach

Overnight at Kovalam

Departure from Trivandrum airport

In time transfer to Trivandrum airport (16 km, 35 mts) to connect flight back home