Tour itinerary
Day 1: Overnight flight to Chennai
Depart on overnight flight to Chennai.
Day 2/3: Transfer to Mahabalipuram on coast; free day to relax
Upon arrival in Chennai (Madras) you’ll meet your Group Leader and make the short one-hour transfer to the beach resort of Mahabalipuram; the perfect place to relax after your long flight and ease gently into Indian life.
The following day your Group Leader will take you on a guided walk to see some of the shoreline temples for which the region is famed. Most of the simplistic artistic genius here was created in the 6th and 7th centuries AD. Images of everyday life abound, unique to the state. Its principle creator, Narasimha Varman I – known as Mahamalla, the great wrestler – was inspiration for Mahabalipuram’s old name, Mamallapuram. The romantic Shore Temple (now designated a World Heritage site) is entered through paved gardens, from where you will see the shrines dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The remainder of the day will be free time for you to explore the workshops lining the streets, where you can see craftsmen making sculptures, probably inspired by the temples you have seen earlier. Hotel - 2 nights (Bx1)
Day 4/5: Train to Trichy; explore Tanjore
This morning you’ll leave the coast and drive back to Chennai in time to board the early afternoon train to the temple town of Tiruchirappalli - more often referred to as ‘Trichy’. Your train journey takes around five hours and gives you a great insight into the way of life of the south Indian people. During the train journey, hawkers will ply their wares and local food can be bought on the way.
On arrival in Trichy, you continue to Thanjavur (Tanjore), 50km away. It’s the capital of the once great Chola Empire, which covered the whole of the southern part of India and Sri Lanka. The huge vimana (tower) of the Brihadiswara Temple dominates the skyline. At 76m it is one of the most magnificent and certainly one of the highest towers in India. The carvings, sculptures and paintings both in and around the temple are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your two-night stay in Tanjore should allow plenty of time to explore and to perhaps visit the nearby palace and art gallery. Hotel - 2 nights (Bx2)
Day 6: Return to Trichy; visit Sri Rangam & Rock Fort; continue to Madurai
Returning to Trichy you pass through fields of sugar cane where you can sometimes see jaggary (brown sugar formed into big blocks) being made.
En route you visit Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam. It stands on a large island that divides the Cauvery River, and is one of the most revered Vishnu shrines in south India. This temple is famous for its superb sculpture, impressive gopurams and many pillared halls. The 'thousand pillared' hall is an excellent example of Vijayanagar architecture with sculptures depicting the triumph of good over evil and the chivalrous locals defending the temple against Muslim invaders. All have been intricately carved into the pillars and the workmanship is superb. There is an excellent view over the temple from the rooftop and the central, gold-coated tower is typical of the temple’s extravagance.
The focus of Trichy is the towering Rock Fort Temple (please note there is a charge of 20Rps to take photos here). You make your way to the entrance and from there climb the 400 plus steps past several shrines onto a rock plateau. From the plateau there are stunning views over the city, coconut palms and paddy field patchwork of the Cauvery River plains. Another long set of steps then leads you to the tiny citadel shrine dedicated to Ganesh which crowns the Rock Fort Temple. Back down the steps and you make your way to the old town where the labyrinth of narrow, 18th century streets are lined with craft workshops and small textile shops. This afternoon you continue by bus to Madurai, aiming to arrive by early evening. Hotel - 2 nights (B)
Day 7: Madurai; visit Sri Meenakshi Temple
South India’s temple architecture is very different to that of the north. On the northern plains, temples are graced with slim sikaras (towers) whereas here in the south immense gopurams (gateways) carved with thousands of painted Hindu gods are the most striking elements of the Dravidian temples.
Meenakshi Temple is no exception; inside is a maze of halls, pillared cloisters and sanctuaries, all of which seem to be decorated with a profusion of murals, carvings and inscriptions. The heady fragrance of incense is everywhere, as is the chanting of priests whose deities are garlanded with colourful flowers. Outside the temple complex the streets are no less enthralling and seem to resemble one huge bazaar with hawkers, stalls and even the occasional passing elephant! Every morning Shiva is taken from his resting place with Meenakshi to the main temple shrine and returned, in the evening with great ritual. Tonight you should have another chance to visit the Meenakshi Temple to witness the daily ceremony of ‘Putting Shiva to Bed’. (B)
Day 8/9: Periyar National Park; nature walk
Today you cross the border into Kerala and drive the five or so hours to Periyar National Park, one of the main wildlife sanctuaries of southern India and indeed one of the country’s largest. Situated in the Cardamom Hills region of the Western Ghats, the park covers 777 square kilometres at an altitude of between 914 and 1,828m. At its centre lies a large, artificial lake, built by the British in 1895 to supply water to the region around Madurai and over 15 square kilometres in area. In 1973 the park became part of Project Tiger in an effort to save this wonderful animal from extinction. The park has a rich variety of wildlife - both mammals and birds. You would indeed be lucky to see the elusive tiger and leopard - both of which inhabit the forest - but should certainly see sambar, chital, otter, wild boar and gaur plus a rich variety of birdlife. In addition, wild elephants are often seen in the park.
On arrival you’ll set off on foot in a small group on a guided wildlife walk; this is one of the few Indian parks in which visitors are able to walk. You make regular stops to watch for elephant and gaur, as well as monkeys and birds.
The following morning you’ll head out to a nearby elephant camp where you can see these majestic animals at close quarters. The rest of the day is left free for you to explore; you could hire a bike in the village of Kumily and explore the area, visiting the local tea and spice markets, or cycle amongst the cardamom-covered hills. Hotel - 2 nights (Bx2,Dx2)
Day 10: Cochin; sightseeing
You set off early for the six-hour or so drive to Cochin, a town built around a saltwater lagoon of the Arabian Sea and the commercial capital of Kerala. Travelling through the spectacular green tea and rubber plantations of the Western Ghats, you descend to Kerala's 'Malabar Coast'.
Hotel - 2 nights (B)
Day 11: Cochin; sightseeing
Today starts with a walking tour of Fort Cochin. From the tightly packed streets the scents of cinnamon, cloves and countless other spices mingle in the sea breeze. On the western shore of the Fort Cochin peninsular, rows of cantilevered Chinese fishing nets remind you of Kerala’s trade links with the outside world. The area is also home to a small community of Jews whose descendants sailed into exile some 2,000 years ago; a synagogue still remains. Close by is Mattancherry Palace, originally built by the Portuguese and given to the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights. Here you’ll see the remarkable series of murals, which illustrate tales from the sacred epic of the Ramayana.
There is plenty of time to wander through the narrow lanes lined with houses built by the Portuguese, Dutch and British in their own distinctive styles. However it’s not only the extraordinary assortment of architectural styles that can be found but also an array of interesting and tasty local dishes. Still strong on rice, coconuts and fish, local cuisine also embraces influences from Europe and the Arab world. Perhaps you’ll also take in a Kathakali show (optional), a traditional dance drama in which performers wear an incredible amount of colourful costume and make-up. They sway to the music as local legends are retold by this art form dating back 500 years or more. (B)
Day 12: Drive to Kumarakom; homestay
Drive south to Kumarakom, located on the eastern coast of Lake Vembanad. The village here lies amidst classic backwaters scenery, a paradise of mangrove forest, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves connected by waterways and canals strewn with water lilies and lotus flowers. Tonight you’ll enjoy a homestay in Kumarakom. The property you’ll stay in is specially selected to offer comfortable, but simple accommodation for tourists; bedrooms here share bathroom facilities. Some accommodation is in a lake-facing outside block and some is in the main block with the family, who live and dine in this room; it’s where you’ll get to eat genuine home-cooked food - one of the key attractions of a homestay. You can expect to find delicious Kerala curries or more unusual dishes, making use of fresh fish from the lake such as Pearl Sport fish or Karimeen. This area is famous for its coconuts too and you’ll be able to drink fresh from the husk, or perhaps try a specially-prepared coconut toddy.
Homestay – 1 night (B)
Day 13: To Allepey; join houseboat & cruise Malabar backwaters
The low-lying coastal areas consist of a complex system of beautiful lagoons and canals known as the ‘Malabar Backwaters’. These waterways are the principal means of communication and trade for scores of homes and villages. Along the banks, at jetties and ferry stops, there's often a wonderful array of produce ready for market; sacks of cashews are piled high next to coconuts. Driving a short distance you arrive at Aleppey where the houseboats are moored and board. These converted kettuvallam (rice barges) are constructed in a traditional way from anjali (jackfruit) wood; ‘kettu’ means knot and ‘vallam' means boat. They offer simple, yet comfortable accommodation with air conditioning, a toilet and shower on board. They also provide a relaxing and unobtrusive way of catching a glimpse of life in the small settlements found on the spits of land which separate each channel. Many travellers find this unique insight into life along the backwaters is a highlight of their trip.
Houseboat - 1 night (BLD)
Day 14/15: Transfer to Kovalam, relax on beach
This morning you return to Allepey and disembark. You drive to your final destination - Kovalam - a small beach resort close to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Kovalam was once a series of palm-fringed beaches from where fishermen set off in their outriggers. Today it is becoming south India’s best known beach resort, yet it still maintains a small and friendly atmosphere. The four beaches that make up Kovalam are separated by rocky headlands. The beaches are lovely and backed by countless acres of swaying palm trees, amongst which are dotted any number of small restaurants and eateries.
Upon arrival on day 14 (which will be in the early afternoon) you will have plenty of free time to relax and perhaps try a traditional ayurvedic massage where oils extracted from plants with medicinal properties are worked into the head, arms, shoulders and back. On your last evening your Group Leader will no doubt organise a traditional ‘last supper’. Hotel - 2 nights (Bx2)
Day 16: Fly home
You'll transfer back to the airport and this is where the trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights will fly back home.
(B)