Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast city tour of Chennai. Your tour of the city starts by visiting fort St. George, the seat of the state government and the legislative assembly. The fort was built in 1652 by the British East India Company. The fort contains the fort museum with its collection of memorabilia of the East India co. Also see St. Mary`s church the oldest surviving Anglican church in India. Very near to Fort St.George is the Indo Saracenic High Court building, said to be the largest judicial building in the world after the Courts of London. Opposite the high courts lies the beautiful Marina beach, proceed on to the Kapaleeswarar temple, a pure dravidian temple and one of the most ancient in Madras. Drive on to the Government museum with its galleries off chola Bronzes. Later depart by surface for Mahabalipuram. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Visit the magnificent rock temples and carvings in Mahabalipuram. Five Rathas (chariots), ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named after the 5 Pandavas. The Shore Temple by the sea surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient times. Built in sandstone in the 7 th century. Bhagiratha’s Penance is a bas- relief (27 to 9m) sculptured on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, depicts, the penance of Arjuna, myraid characters from the Mahabharata, realistic life-size figures of animals, gods and saints watching the descent of the river goddess Ganga to earth Later depart by surface for Pondicherry On arrival check in at hotel In the afternoon sightseeing tour of Pondicherry visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram was founded in 1920 when Sri Aurobindo reached Pondicherry, a French colony and put in place his ideas of peaceful community. The ashram, for long, was run by his French companion Mirra Alfassa, universally known as the Mother. The ashrams house the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the mother and open to everybody for fixed hours every day. Pondicherry Museum Situated in the Government Park, the Pondicherry Museum has a very good sculpture gallery and a section of archaeological finds from the Roman settlement at Arikamedu. There is also a French section charting the history of the colony. The objects include the four-poster bed in which Dupleix is believed to have slept. There is also a superb collection of the snail shells from the Pondicherry Region. Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Built in the Gothic style, this massive church is one of the most beautiful churches in Pondicherry. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast depart by surface for Tiruchirapalli. Enroute visiting Chidambaram, Kumbakonam & Dharasuram. 58 Km form Pondicherry is the small town of Chidambaram is built around the great temple complex of Natraja - the dancing Shiva. The Natraja Temple Complex is a highlight of the Dravidian architecture and was built by the Cholas from 907 to 1310. Kumbakonam is a busy dusty commercial center, nestled along the Cauvery River. Visit Sarangapani temple (the largest Vishnu temple here), Kumbeshwara temple (the largest Shiva temple) and the Nageshwara temple. It is believed that every 12 years water of the Ganges flow into the Mahamakham Tank and at this time a festival is held. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Excursion to Tanjore also called Thanjavur. Sightseeing tour of Tanjore - was the capital of the Chola Empire from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries. A Chola king, Raja Raja Chola, who held the throne from 985 to 1016, built the greatest of the empire's 74 temples, the Brahadeswarar Temple, with its soaring tower over the inner sanctum. It is the world heritage site. This tower rises more than 62 meters (200 feet). On its dome rests a single block of granite weighing 80 tons. Also visit Palm Leaf Library. The Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji`s Saraswati Mahal Library is one among the few medieval libraries exist in the world. This library has the richest collection of manuscripts in Sanskrit, Tamil, Marathi and Telugu, which reflect the history and culture of South India. In addition to the existing stacks of manuscripts, this library also came in possession of the private libraries of Pandits and their Patrons who are living in Tanjavur and neighborhood. Afternoon City tour of Trichy - visit the 'Rock Fort Temple which rises abruptly to a height of 273 ft. A steep staircase cut into the rock leads upto the Fort. At the first level are the remnants of a huge hall blasted into ruins in 1772. The next storey is the Mathrubhuteshwarer Shrine dedicated to Shiva. Finally at the top of the hill, the 'Uchhi Pillayar Koil' - a Ganesh Temple offering a commanding view of the city. Also visit Ranganath Swamy Temple Srirangam a massive temple dedicated to lord Vishnu. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast depart by surface for Madurai. Afternoon: Visit the Meenakshi Temple & Tirrumalai Nayak Palace – a gracious building in the Indo Sarcenic style, famous for its stucco work on its domes and arches. In the evening visit the Meenakshi temple to attend ceremony every evening where the marriage of Meenakshi ( Parvati ) and Sundareshwara (Lord Shiva) is solemnized. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast depart surface for Periyar. On arrival in Periyar check- in at hotel Late afternoon enjoy boat ride at Lake Periyar to view the wild life for about 1-2 hrs. (Boat ride is subject to operation and availability of seats) Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast depart by surface for Kumarakom. On arrival check-in at hotel Afternoon at leisure. Overnight hotel

After breakfast around 1000 hrs board houseboat also known as Kettuvallams Kettuvallams are huge, tapering barges which were traditionally used to cargo rice and other goods across Kerala. It has a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as kitchen and rest rooms for the crew. These boats are entirely built without the use of nails. Planks of jack wood are woven together with coir ropes and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels Modern-day Kettuvallams called houseboats, carry finished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony where tourists can laze on cushions. Sections of the carved roof of wood and plaited palms open out to provide shade and allow an uninterrupted view. Most of the boats are poled by local oarsmen. Some are powered by engines. Gliding on serene backwaters, visitors can witness an unspoilt Kerala. Please note during Houseboat stay – The air condition unit will function during night only from 2100 hrs till morning 0600 hrs.) Overnight on board houseboat

After breakfast around 0900 hrs disembark houseboat and depart by surface for Cochin. On arrival check in at hotel Afternoon city tour of Cochin. Your tour of the city starts with a visit to fort Cochin with the first stop being the St. Francis church, India’s oldest European built church. Proceed on to the large pastel colored Santa Cruz Basilica. Strung out along the tip of Fort Cochin the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets provide an interesting sight. The next stop on your tour of Cochin is the Mattancherry palace, the home of the former Raja of Cochin. The palace houses an interesting collection of murals from the Ramayana; the Mahabharata etc. The last stop on your tour of Cochin is the Jewish Synagogue or the Magen David Synagogue. Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. In the evening, witness Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Kathakali draws heavily from drama and is danced with elaborate masks and costumes. Kathakali recitals are generally long and while other dance forms are more emotive than narrative, Kathakali is both. It combines dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make-up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions. Overnight at hotel.

After an early breakfast depart by surface for Ooty enroute toy train ride from Conoor to Ooty. The railway track been laid down by Britishers in Ooty is Queen of Hill Stations of North India situated in Nilgiri hills at an altitude of 2240 mts also known as Udagmandalam. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast depart by surface for Mysore On arrival check in at hotel Afternoon half day city tour visiting the Palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is a harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery, drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and have a panoramic view of Mysore from the top of the hill. On way back, see the Nandi Bull. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast depart by surface for Hassan. On arrival check in at hotel Afternoon excursion to Belur and Halebidu. - One of the finest specimens of Hoysala architecture. The wealth of sculptural detail at Belur and Halebid rivals the temples of Khajuraho or the best of European Gothic art. At Belur the temple of Lord Channakeshara is embellished with superb carvings of deities, animals and friezes depicting the life and times of Hoysala rulers. Halebid was the seat of Hoysala Kingdom; its great Hoysaleswara Temple was also built in the typical Hoysala style of architecture. A stellar base with the emblem of the lion and elephants seemingly supporting the temple, symbolize stability. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning depart by surface for Bangalore en route visit Shravanbelagola. At Shravanbelagola, hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 Kms is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara which is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years. You have to climb about 200 steps to the main temple one way. Upon arrival in Bangalore check-in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.