DAY 1: Depart from USA
- Board your international flight from USA to start your journey back on time to the ancient land. 2 Meals will be served on board of your overnight flight
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DAY 2: Arrive Chennai
- Upon arrival to Chennai. Upon arrival to Chennai airport, transfer to your hotel. CHENNAI, one of the metropolitan cities in India, is often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. The city is a true reflection of this countrys diversity. Chennai has flourished into a charming and welcoming city, in a time span of just over 350 years. This city encourages all forms of development, both modern technology and the traditional arts and crafts, and embraces a series of paradoxes. Overnight at your hotel.
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DAY 3: Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram By Surface 133 KMS
- Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Chennai. Chennai too has many places for tourist&rsquos interest viz. Fort St. George, High court Building, Marina beach, Theosophical Society, Calluvar Kottam, Mgr Film City and other places of Interest. The Fort stands as a symbol of the British Raj, amid state offices, facing the sea in the east of the city, just south of George Town. It is the first British fort build around1653 by the British East India Company.
- Later proceed for Mahabalipuram en route visiting Kanchipuram - Kailashnath temple & Ekambareswara Temple. Kanchipuram is among the most famous of t he temple cities of Tamil Nadu. Its temples house different Hindu sects. Though today it is only a destination for pilgrims, and a repository of major architectural monuments, in antiquity it occupied a more preeminent place in the history of South India. The city was the political capital of the Pallava rulers during the 7th - 9th Centuries. It remained an important city during the succeeding Chola and Vijayanagara empires. Visiting famous temples: The Kailashnatha temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the oldest temple of Kanchi. It reflects the freshness and simplicity of the early Dravidian style of temple architecture and was built by the Pallava king Rayasimha. It can also be described as the worthy successor of the rock temples at Mahabalipuram, which were also built by the Pallava rulers. On arrival at Mahabalipuram transfer to your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 4: Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry By Surface 55 KMS / 1.5 HRS
- Morning guided tour of Mahabalipuram visiting Five Rathas, Arjunas&rdquo Penance, largest relief carving on earth, Mahishamardini Mandapa, Talasayana Perumal Temple, see Shore Temple.
- Mahabalipuram - It&rsquos globally renowned for its shore temples Mahabalipuram was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. , this tiny sea - side village of Mahabalipuram, is set in a boulder - strewn landscape. The sculpture, here, is particularly interesting because it shows scenes of day-to- day life, in contrast with the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu, where the carvings generally depict gods and goddesses. Mahabalipuram art can be divided into four categories: open air bas - reliefs, structured temples, man-made caves and rathas (chariots carved from single boulders, to resemble temples or chariots used in temple processions). The famous Arjunas Penance and the Krishna Mandapa, adorn massive rocks near the centre of the village.
- Later drive to Pondicherry and on arrival to hotel. Pondicherry town (now known as Puducherry) is the headquarters of the Union Territory of Pondicherry which comprises Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yaman and Mahe - four widely separated towns, the first two enclaves in Tamil Nadu, the other two enclaves in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively, made one by their French connection.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 5: Pondicherry City Tour
- After breakfast, enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Pondicherry. The Government Place set in an old-fashioned tree-lined square from which the residential lanes of the town radiate. Aurobindo Ashram is the soul of Pondicherry. It was founded by the great spiritual leader Sri Aurobindo Ghose in 1926 and now houses his samadhi as well as that of The Mother, his main disciple. Pondicherry Museum is housed in a century-old building and has an impressive collection of artifacts, ranging from the Chola and Pallava period to the French colonial days. Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus is an impressive 18th century church. Botanical Gardens in the old town were established by the French in 1826 and display the formal European garden design. You can see 1,500 types of shrubs and trees from all over the world here. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 6: Pondicherry, Tanjore By Surface (177 KMS / 3.5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Tanjore. Tanjore was the capital of the Chola Kings between the 1st -12th centuries, and is one of the oldest cities in India. This small town is famous today for its temples with beautiful architecture. Tanjore is also the centre for the classical arts, such as dance and music. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Later, enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Tanjore. Visits include the famous Chola Temples (Brihadeeswara), Thanjavur palace, Art Gallery, Hall of museum, Schwartz church etc. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 7: Tanjore, Trichy By Surface (68 KMS / 1.5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Trichy. Trichy or Tiruchirappalli, is another ancient citadel of the Chola dynasty, with its earliest settlements dated back to the 2nd millennium B.C. Trichy is beautifully situated on the banks of the river Cauvery. Today, Trichy is a bustling commercial center renowned for its khadi industries, diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, and glass bangles. It also offers a rich cultural heritage, beautiful temples, and is well known for its educational institutions. Upon arrival, check into your hotel.
- Later, enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Trichy. Visits include the famous Srirangam temple and Rock Fort temple. Rock Fort Temple: Constructed over a thousand year period starting from the reign of the Pallava King Mahendravarman in the 6th centure AD, the Rockfort is the citadel sculpted out of an 83 m high rock. The Rock Fort temple complex in Trichy is a collection of three temples - the Manikka Vinayakar temple at the foot of the hill, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil at the top of the hill, and the Taayumaanavar Koyil (Shivastalam) on the hill. Srirangam Temple Gopuram is situated on island 7 Ks from Trichy, surrounded by the waters of the Caveri River. There are 21 gopurams, among which the Rajagopuram is the largest in Asia. Most of the construction dates from the 14th to 17th centuries, with several empires which contributed to the architecture including the Cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas, and ruler from Vijaynagar. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Trichy, Madurai By Surface (128 KMS / 3 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Madurai. Madurai was the capital city of ancient Southern civilization. Madurai&rsquos cultural heritage goes back 2,500 years. It is an important commercial and has conducted trade as far as Rome and Greece as early as 550 BC. Today, Madurai is known as the Temple City, especially for the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, it derives its name from the divine nectar (Madhu) that was showered from the locks of Lord Shiva according to a popular legend.
- Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Later, enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of the famous Meenakshi temple and its huge Dravidian civilization temple complex. The Meenakshi temple complex is one of India&rsquos greatest cultural and architectural landmarks. Originally built by the early Pandy King Kulasekara, it is also one of the greatest Shiva Temples in South India. This temple celebrates the love of Meenaskshi and her groom Sunderaswarar (The Handsone Eswaran). Eminent and exquisitely carved towers enveloping the temple, each one as high as nine storeys high. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 9: Periyar, Cochin By Surface (190 KMS / 4.5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Cochin. Cochin - Queen of the Arabian Sea is the commercial capital of Kerala. Cochin has one of the finest natural harbors in the world, and was at one time, the major center of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, etc. The imprints of its colorful past can be seen in the people and monuments of Cochin, even today. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Later, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cochin. Visits include a panoramic city tour of the Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday), St. Cruz Cathedral, the Church of San Francisco, and the Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Saturday), and finally the local harbor where you will experience the working style of famous Chinese fishnets. These nets were introduced to the Cohin Harbor by the Chinese explorer Zheng He between 1350 to 1450. Enjoy Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 10: Madurai, Periyar By Surface (140 KMS / 3.5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Periyar. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and check into your hotel. Later, enjoy a visit to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and enjoy a Boat Ride on Lake Periyar. Periyar is the finest sanctuary for viewing and photographing Indian Wild Elephants. Here, you will may also see some of India&rsquos exotic wildlife such as the Sambar, Barking deer, Wild Boars, Tigers, Panthers, Wild Goats, Spotted Deer, Leopard. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 11: Cochin, Alleppy By Surface (56 KMS/1.5 HRS) Alleppy, Kumarakom By Boat (overnight)
- After breakfast, morning at leisure. Later, drive to Alleppey and embark onto your houseboat. Enjoy lunch, and relax. Soak in the beautiful and serene sights of the backwaters of Alleppy. Your traditional houseboat will take you for a one-night cruise on the romantic backwaters of Alappuzha. Experience authentic Kerala cuisine while sailing through the gorgeous backwaters, a place that appears to be untouched by time. At night, gaze at the moon and the stars and listen to the soft splashes of water against the houseboat. Here, one can surrender themselves to nature, and feel as if they have been born again. Dinner and overnight on the houseboat.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 12: Kumarakom, Trivandrum By Surface (160 KMS / 3.5 HRS)
- Your houseboat arrives into Kumarakom. This is the most picturesque area in the backwaters in the "Kuttanad region", called the rice bowl of Kerala. Kumarakom is a quaint little village situated on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake. After breakfast onboard the houseboat, drive to Trivandrum. Trivandrum, now called Thiruvananthapuram, is the capital of Kerala, the Gods own country&rdquo is located at the southwestern tip of India, bordered by the Arabian Sea on the west and Tamil Nadu on the east. Trivandrum boasts a long shoreline with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches, and a rich cultural heritage. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 13: Trivandrum, Cape Comorin, Trivandrum By Surface (87 Kms)
- After breakfast, drive to Kanya Kumari for a half day sightseeing tour which includes Kanyakumari Temple, Gandhi Memorial and Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Cape Comorin or Kanyakumari is the southern most tip of peninsular India. It is the confluence point of three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Apart from this, it is also a vital Hindu pilgrim center, renowned for its exotic sunrises and sunsets over the horizon. One of the unique features of Kanyakumari is the multicolored sand found on its beach. Kanyakumari temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain Lord Shivas hand in marriage. There are two rocks reaching out of the ocean, situated southeast of the Kumari Amman temple. One among these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the virgin goddess are said to be imprinted on the rock. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970, as it is said that Swami Vivekananda sat in deep meditation in Kanyakumari. The Gandhi Memorial was built on the spot where the vase consisting the Mahatmas ashes was kept for public viewing before submersion. Drive back to Trivandrum and overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 14: Trivandrum, Mumbai By Flight (Kingfisher-IT #3138 @ 1:10 pm-3:10 pm)
- After breakfast, enjoy a half-day tour of Trivandrum. Visit Kovalam Beach, Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, the Napier Museum, and Shree Chitra Art Gallery. Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer to the international airport in time to board the flight to the U.S.
- Shortly after midnight your international flight will take off from Delhi airport.
- Meal: Breakfast
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