South India's Temples & Elephants

Arrive at Chennai International airport. You will be met by a representative who will escort you to The Leela Palace.

The metropolis of Chennai is often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. Chennai is a city younger than its image. More than any other city in India, it is a true reflection of this country’s diversity. It is the city that encourages all forms of development, both modern technology and traditional arts and crafts, and it embraces a series of paradoxes.

Room available from 14:00.

Morning at leisure to overcome jet lag.

This afternoon visit Santhome cathedral church situated on the Marina beach. It was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers. The church is designed in neo-Gothic style. The building is about 50 meters high. It has the distinction of being the second church built on the burial of an apostle.

From here we drive past the scenic Marina beach and head for Fort St George. The fortress was founded in the year 1639. The fort is a stronghold with six-meter high walls that withstood a number of assaults in the 18th century. The fort museum contains many relics from the time of the British rule in India, including portraits of many Governors of Madras – (Closed on Friday).

Culminate with a visit to Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Built around the 7th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu holy trinity. His consort Parvati is worshipped as the ‘Goddess of the Wishing Tree. Built in the typical Dravidian (South Indian) style of architecture, the temple is a prominent historical landmark in the city.

Welcome dinner at Jamavar – an Indian restaurant.

(B)

After breakfast excursion to the temple town of Kanchipuram. Drive time from Chennai to Kanchipuram is approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes, a distance of 65 km.

Kanchipuram, also known as Kanjeevaram or simply Kanchi, is an alluring small town located in the state of Tamil Nadu. Settled on the western river basin of the Palar River the city offers stunning scenic beauty. The city is home to a number of sacred Hindu temples and is often referred to as the “City of Temples”.

Upon arrival in Kanchipuram visit Vaikaunta Perumal Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and one of the 108 Divya Desams (108 Vishnu temples that find reference in the literary works of Tamil saints, Azhvars), Vaikunta Perumal temple is also known as Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram. Created out of King Nandivarman’s (the 2nd) devotion and religious zeal, Vaikunta Perumal temple has been standing here since the 8th century.

Step back in time and stroll down the memory lanes of Kanchipuram and Kanchi Kudil, or mini-Kanchipuram as it is famously known. Ideal for capturing a glimpse of old-world Kanchipuram, Kanchi Kudil is essentially a traditionally structured house over a century old.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon continues to Mahabalipuram – the coastal town famous for its ancient history and stunning collection of rock temples and carvings. Dating from 630 to 668 AD, the Pallava rulers who made the port were also responsible for encouraging artists, resulting in an outstanding collection of cave temples, monolithic shrines shaped as rathas stone temples and relief sculptured rock panels.

Stop at Bhagiratha’s Penance, which depicts the descent of the River Ganges. This bas-relief is sculpted over two enormous rocks and shows life-size figures of animals, gods, and saints watching the descent of the holy river from the Himalayas. The amphitheater of chariot-shaped, mid-7th century monolithic temples were influenced by Buddhist architecture and imitate granite temples originally made of wood, and are among the oldest example of their type. Nearby, the shallow Mandapas or pillared halls excavated out of the rocky hillside have superbly executed sculptures. These illustrate stories from Indian mythology and show the development of the Dravidian or South Indian temple style.

Finally, you stop at the piece de resistance of this collection – The Shore Temple. This World Heritage Site is surrounded by gardens laid out according to a design from ancient texts. The Temple is unusual for its shrines dedicated to both Vishnu and Siva. This sandstone temple is the only surviving one of a complex, the rest having been claimed by the sea.

Later drive back to Chennai for an overnight stay.

(B/L)

Morning transfer to the airport to board the hour long mid-morning flight to Trichy.

You will be met at the airport and introduced to the guide with whom you will visit Rockfort Temple in Trichy, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky crop that rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. It was one of the main centers around which the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India. The city is a thriving commercial center in Tamil Nadu and is famous for artificial diamonds, handloom cloth, glass bangles, and more.

Lunch at hotel Sangam – Multicuisine restaurant.

Later drive to Tanjore – approx. 1 hour. Check-in at Svatma.

(B/L/D)

Morning visit the Sri Brihadeshwara Temple built by the great Chola king, Raja Raja I in the 10th century AD; this temple is an outstanding example of Chola architecture.

Guarding the inner shrine of the temple is the gigantic statue of Nandi, the Bull, while the walls of the sanctum are covered, with the wall paintings of the Chola and Nayak periods. This superb monument has been listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Also, visit Royal Palace Museum, popular in the town for preserving various primeval items like paintings, manuscripts, and statues from temples like the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple and Brihadeeswarar Temple.

The beautiful stone sculptures of the Pandya, Chola, Nayaka, and Pallava periods are some of the top attractions among visitors to the museum. The bronze idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is so stunning that it cannot be described in the words. The painting done on wood by using diverse vibrant colors and decorated with invaluable gems and gold leaves astonishes the people.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel pool, and spa. Optional: Cooking demonstration.

Dinner at the hotel – Vegetarian cuisine.

(B/L/D)

Morning drive to Madurai covering a distance of 190 km in approx. 3 hours 30 minutes.

En route visit Chettinad, famous for its fortress-like homes and temples that are architectural marvels. Visit Chettinadu Mansion a 100-year-old architectural marvel situated in a quaint little village called Kanadukathan. Following your mansion tour, visit Antiques Street.

Lunch at Visalam – Chettinad cuisine is known for its culinary delicacies and food.

Continue to Madurai. Upon arrival check-in at The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai.

(B/L)

This morning your tour begins with a visit to the beautiful Meenakshi Temple dedicated to Lord Siva and Goddess Meenakshi. Its enormous domes covered with brightly colored statues dominate the landscape and are visible from all over Madurai.

Continue to the Palace of Tirumalai Nayak, an Indo-Saracenic building constructed in 1523. There is no other building in Madurai that can better illustrate the architectural style of the Nayaks.

The afternoon is at leisure.

Dinner at the hotel. Later witness the evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple, when the whole temple complex comes alive with the sound of pipe and percussion instruments and Vedic chants, as 50 priests conduct the prayer rituals.

(B/D)

This morning drive to Periyar covering a distance of 150 km in approx. 4 hours.

Periyar – one of the world’s most fascinating natural wildlife reserves, Periyar National Park is spread across 777 sq. km. It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978 and attracts visitors from all over the world. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park.

This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar is the herds of wild elephants.

Upon arrival check in at Spice Village.

In the afternoon visit spice plantations. Kerala’s history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. It is believed that the spice trade dates back three thousand years. Pepper still remains the king of Kerala’s spices, the state is also a very rich producer of cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, garlic, vanilla, coffee, tea, etc.

Dinner at the hotel.

(B/D)

In the morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar. Cruise around taking in the cool surroundings and the panorama. The lake spreads around tropical jungles where one can see wild elephants, Indian gaur, monkeys, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, and birds of myriad varieties.

Return to hotel for breakfast, later drive to Kumarakom covering a distance of 110 km in approx. 3 hours.

Kumarakom is an enchanting backwater destination located on the picturesque Vembanad Lake. The blue backwaters and the surface of the lake reflect the azure sky, contrasting with the amazing shades of green of the mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fields that cover the verdant countryside.

Arrive in Kumarakom and check in at your hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

(B)

After breakfast, board the houseboat from the hotel jetty for a day cruise on the backwaters.

The rice boats are traditionally known as kettuvallom which means ‘boat with knots’. The entire boat is held together with coir knots only, not a single nail is used during the construction. Kettuvalloms were formerly used for the transport of goods like rice, spices, and coir from the isolated villages of the interior to the towns.

A houseboat cruise on the backwaters is a truly unique experience. You will be in awe at the vast expanse of paddy fields that surrounds these beautiful backwaters and the boat will stop at villages giving you an opportunity to glimpse village life in rural Kerala.

Lunch will be served on your houseboat. Late afternoon disembark at the hotel.

(B/L)

After breakfast drive to Kochi covering a distance of 60 km in approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.

With its wealth of historical associations and its beautiful setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, the fascinating city of Kochi perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala.

Upon arrival enjoy an orientation tour of Kochi. Walk around Fort Kochi, the most historic part of the city. It is distinguished by its long line of Chinese fishing nets, which according to local legend, were introduced on the Malabar Coast by the emissaries of Kubla Khan’s court.

Then stroll down to where the St. Francis Church stands, originally built by the Portuguese as a Catholic Church it later became Protestant under the Dutch and then Anglican under the British, until it became a part of the Church of South India in the post-Independence era. The Church’s colonial past is evident even today; there are men who operate the church’s enormous punkha fans by pulling on their ropes by hand! Also, visit the city’s Chinese Fishing Nets – a traditional type of stationary lift net used by local fisherman.

Later check-in at Taj Malabar Resort & Spa. Remaining day at leisure.

Farewell dinner at Rice Boat – the signature restaurant of the hotel.

(B)

This morning visit Mattancherry Palace (closed on Friday). Built by the Portuguese as a gift of tribute to the Raja of Cochin. The Palace was later renovated by the Dutch and became known as Dutch Palace. Today it houses a small but exquisite museum of royal artifacts some of which are extremely unusual.

Then stop off at the Mattancherry Spice Market and the Kochi International Pepper Exchange, a riotous warehouse where traders stake bids at the daily pepper auction. There is also a dry ginger depot that sells a product that finds good use in the Ayurveda industry.

Continue to Jewish Synagogue (closed on Friday & Saturday). The Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. Built-in 1568, this synagogue attracts numerous visitors to this day. It adds to the area’s quaint charm and is a great symbol of the love and harmony that exists in the community. ‘Paradesi’ literally translates as “foreigner” in most Indian languages.

In the evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance at a local theatre. The most spectacular form of dance in India, the origins of Kathakali go back 500 years.

(B)

Our representative will escort you to the international airport in time for your flight to your onward destination.

(B)