Jewels of South India

Duration : 13 nights / 14 days
Destination covered : Chennai - Pondicherry - Madurai - Kodaikanal - Kerala - Kochi - Goa

HIGHLIGHTS:

Explore a 1,100 year old World Heritage site, check out beautiful hill stations, and discover colourful temples on this journey through the south of India. Take a jungle safari in search of tigers and wild elephants, witness ancient dance rituals, cruise the backwaters on a comfortable houseboat in Kerala and unwind in Goa. This is an adventure in style!

•   Dutch palace
•   Jewish Synagogue
•   Excursion and local guide for Backwaters
•   Periyar Tiger Reserve and guided walk
•   Tour of Spice Garden
•   Sri Meenakshi Temple
•   Shore Temple
•   Hill stations
•   Goan Beaches

Day 1 Arrive Chennai
Arrive in Chennai at any time. Then you will be transfer to hotel. Overnight in at hotel.

Days 2-3 Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Breakfast in hotel and then we leave Chennai and head south towards the former French colony of Puducherry (Pondicherry). On the way, we visit the small village of Mahabalipuram to explore the 7th century Shore Temple, one of India's many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Overnight in at hotel.

Day 4 Pondicherry - Madurai
Madurai is synonymous with the wonderful Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to Shiva and his consort Meenakshi. Especially impressive are the 12 soaring towers covered with stucco figures of deities, mythical animals and monsters, painted in vivid colours. Overnight in at hotel.

Days 5-6 Madurai - Kodaikanal
Lush green valleys, terraced plantations and a pleasant climate make Kodaikanal one of Tamil Nadu's most popular hill stations. Overnight in at hotel.

Day 7 Kodaikanal - Periyar Tiger Reserve
One of the few habitats remaining for wild tigers in India (and indeed, the world), Periyar is part of Project Tiger, a wildlife conservation project designed to protect Royal Bengal Tigers from extinction. Overnight in at hotel.

Day 8 Periyar Tiger Reserve - Kerala Backwaters
Staying on the beautiful backwaters, we experience the holistic science of healing, known as Ayuerveda, translated as the 'science of life.' You can choose to experience a traditional oil massage. Overnight in at hotel.

Day 9 Houseboat Cruise Through Alappuzha and Kottyam
We take a journey through the backwaters around Alappuzha and Kottyam areas in our private houseboat. Houseboats are a reworked model of Kettuvallams which in earlier times were used to carry rice and spices. Overnight in at hotel.

Days 10-11 Kochi
Relive the days of the colonial era during your time in Kochi. Tour Fort Kochi, or visit the perfectly restored Dutch Palace and the oldest Jewish synagogue. We also take in a performance of Kathakali, considered one of the oldest dance forms in India. Overnight in at hotel.

Days 12-13 Kochin - Goa
Known the world over for its beautiful beaches and distinctive Portugese flavour, Goa ia a delightful mix of religions and cultures. We tour Old Goa and Panjim with their fascinating churches and cathedrals. Overnight in at hotel.

Day 14 Depart Goa
Leave India for your homeward destination.