DAY 02 TO KANCHEEPURAM & MAHABALIPURAM
After relaxing in the morning and overcoming the jetlag, enjoy a late morning tour of Chennai city.. Chennai was developed as a British trading post, and as such, most of its attractions have a distinct colonial influence. Stretched over an area of 13 km, MARINA BEACH is the second longest beach in the world. The ST. GEORGE FORT, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government/'s secretariat. SAN THOME Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the KAPALESHWAR TEMPLE is the oldest temple in Chennai.

DAY 04 TO PONDICHERRY
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry (or Puducheri) meaning 'the new settlement'. It was a French settlement comprising of Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam besides Pondicherry . A unique thing about Pondicherry is that it spreads into several states. On arrival check in at your city hotel. During your afternoon tour visit SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM, where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for the most parts of their lives. The PONDICHERRY MUSEUM is home to some of the most exquisite collections on architecture and sculpture. Pondicherry also has a pleasant beach alongside promenade and historical monuments.

DAY 06 TO MADURAI VIA TRICHY
This morning you will drive to the temple city of Mudurai stopping en-route at Trichy. In Trichy visit ROCK FORT, from where the view is spectacular. The VINAYAKA TEMPLE at the top is reached by climbing a tunnel in rock. Half way up is the SRI THAYUMANASWAMY TEMPLE , dedicated to Lord Siva having a 100-pillar hall and a Vimana covered with gold. Also visit TIRUVANAIKKAVAL or JAMBUKESWARA TEMPLE named after the elephant , which is believed to have worshipped Lord Siva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu tree, the lingam is partially submerged by water and meant to represent God incarnate as water. Continue your drive to Madurai . Here the architectural marvels of the temples and the exquisite sculptures fascinate all those who have a look at them. You can also participate in the many festivals and regale in the rich tradition of the locals. Some of the major attractions in the city are the MEENAKSHI TEMPLE , TIRUMALAI NAYAK MAHAL, GANDHI MUSEUM , KOODAL AZHAGAR TMEPLE, VANDIYUR MARIAMMAN TEPPAKULAM etc.

DAY 07 TO KODAIKANAL
Today morning we start with one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage, the MEENAKSHI-Sundareswarar, which is located at the heart of the city and is the hub of the religious and cultural life of the city. Built by Kulasekara Pandya in the pre-Christian era, the temple was in ruins, before it was rebuilt by Tirumalai Nayak. Spread over six hectares, the temple is an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture sculptures as well as parrots that chant the name of Meenakshi. Within the temple is located an art gallery. The gallery contains beautiful stone and brass images and some fine examples of South Indian scripts and friezes. After the visit then drive about 1 km to the palace of TIRUMALAI NAYAK . Constructed in 1523, this Indo-Saracenic building was originally four times as large as it is today. Swarga Vilasam, which served as the audience hall, is the most remarkable part of this palace.

DAY 09 TO PERIYAR (140 KMS)
After breakfast we will drive to visit the one of the major attractions of Kodaikanal the STAR-SHAPED LAKE . It is the legacy of former Collector, Sir Vere Levinge, who formed it by damming the valley where three streams flowed. The entire lake area is spread over an area of about 60 acres. Here you can also try out some boating courtesy the Boat Club that is located here. Then drive to PERIYAR, which is one of the finest sanctuaries for studying the Indian Elephant in its home. Since situated around a large lake, Game viewing is done by boat.

DAY 10 TO KOVALAM (220 KMS)
Morning enjoy the boat ride in Lake Periyar to witness the animals in their natural habitat. What an idyllic way to start the day, an early morning boat ride on Lake Periyar ! Covering an area of 300 square miles Periyar is one of the largest and most frequently visited wildlife reserves in India . It is part of the Project Tiger campaign and animals inhabiting the area include elephant, deer, pig, tiger, leopard, bison, monkeys and malabar squirrel. Whilst actually spotting an illusive tiger or leopard could prove difficult, the mix of wooded hills and valleys make it a wonderful place to enjoy the greenery. Then drive to Kovalam, near Trivandrum stopping en-route at VIZIHINIAM HARBOUR. On arrival check in at hotel Travancore Heritage.

DAY 11 TO ALLEPPEY
Drive to Alleppey in the morning, often referred to as Venice of the East. En route stop at TRIVANDRUM city for a quick tour. Covering an area of about 2,400 sq. meters, the temple of SRI PADMANABHASWAMY is believed to be around 260 years old. The temple with its gopuram (tower) soaring majestically upwards is believed to be one of the 108 shrines sacred to the Vaishnavites in India . Dating back to 1880, the NAPIER MUSEUM building is a combination of the Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. The building has a unique natural air-conditioning system. The SRI CHITRA ART GALLERY houses paintings from the Mughal, Rajput and Tanjore schools of art. Besides these, the gallery has a rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Svetoslav and Nicholas Roerich. An Oriental collection consisting of paintings from China , Japan , Tibet and Bali are a visual treat to the visitor. Later continue your drive to Quilon, also known as Kollam, having a hoary past. It was an international emporium of trade and even now it is a prosperous commercial center. The town edges with the famous ASTAMUDI LAKE . It is said that the present town of Kollam was built by the Syrian Merchant; Sapir Iso, in the 9th Century A.D. It is also the headquarters of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation. The 144 ft. THANGASSERY LIGHT HOUSE, built in 1902, is a center of attraction. The ANANDA VALLEESWARAM TEMPLE here attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques is not around Kollam. The PULLICHIRA CHURCH was established in 1700 A.D. One of the oldest and most important Mosques in the town is the CHINNAKKADA PALLI. Continue your drive to Alleppey and arrive in the evening where your houseboat is reserved for you for overnight stay for an unforgettable experience.

DAY 12 TO COCHIN
You will get up early today by chirping of birds and occasional ripples in the water. Your breakfast will be cooked before your eyes by your expert boat-crew. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast while cruising quietly on the unending stretches of these backwaters. The boat will cruise through various canals and waterways giving you an insight into the rural life. Stop at any house and ask your boatman to take you to one of the houses to interact with local people and to witness their way of living. Later check out of the houseboat and switch over to a faster boat for a 3-hour backwater cruise up to Kottayam. In Kottayam you will switch over to your car to drive down to Cochin .

DAY 15 TO MUDUMALAI
One of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in South India , the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at about 67 km from Ooty. It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve along with Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala. Wildlife in Mudumalai is very similar to other sanctuaries in Nilgiris. The predominant species in this region are bonnet macaque and common langur. Tigers and leopards also reside here but are a rare sight. Other important species are giant squirrels, flying squirrels, elephants, gaurs, sambhar, chital, barking deer and mouse deer. The birds in the sanctuary include racket-tailed drongo, black woodpecker, parakeets, barbets, mynas, cuckoos, Malabar trogon, Malabar grey hornbill, crested hawk eagle, and crested serpent eagle. An elephant camp called Theppakkadu is located within the sanctuary where you can find a rest house.

DAY 16 TO MYSORE
Leave for Mysore . Thirty-five kilometers east of Mysore lies SOMNATHPUR, a town famous for the temple built by the Hoysala kings. The beautiful building of the KESHAVA TEMPLE built in 1268 is the major attraction here. The walls of this star-shaped temple are covered with sculptures in stone depicting various scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagavad-Gita and the life and times of the Hoysala Kings Also visit Sivasamudram visiting twin waterfalls. After the visit continue your drive to Mysore and arrive straight at your hotel for two nights. A half-hour's drive from the city takes you to the terraced BRINDAVAN GARDENS . Here the well- manicured steps are bordered by water- courses. Musical fountains with soft colored lights add to the visitor's delight. The view of the gardens during the nights is a thing to be seen.

DAY 17 IN MYSORE
The city of Mysore offers a visitor an insight into the lifestyles, cultures and traditions of its erstwhile rulers. The palaces and temples around the city speak volumes about heritage and architecture of the medieval times and the kind of patronage the city received from its rulers. Forming the backdrop of the city is the 1,100-feet-high CHAMUNDI HILL. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family's patron deity. About 15 km from the royal city of Mysore lies the town of SRIRANGAPATNAM . There are many interesting places here of which the summer palace of Tipu Sultan is a must visit. Built in 1784 in the Indo-Saracenic style, the palace also has a small museum where Tipu's trivia, including a gold-embroidered tunic, old paintings and a coin collection, are displayed. Built in around AD 897 in Saracenic style, THE MYSORE PALACE has both Hindu as well as Muslim influences. The palace, designed by an English architect and completed in 1912, was built in place of an earlier palace, which was burnt down in 1897. The main palace building is made of massive grey granite with a tower covered by a gilded dome.

DAY 18 TO CHIKMAGLUR (160 KMS) Drive for 4 hours to Chikmaglur. On the way visit the temples of BELUR and HALEBID. One of the three major Hoysala temples still in daily use today is the CHANNEKESHAVA TEMPLE of Belur. The construction of the temple, which took almost a century, was started in 1116 to commemorate the Hoysala's victory over the Cholas. Enclosed in a paved compound, the temple complex includes a well and a bathing tank. It is believed that every major deity of the Hindu pantheon is represented in the temple. Also visit The HOYSALESWARA TEMPLE at Halebid, which has a history dating back to around AD 1121. Though its construction spanned 80 years, it was never completed. The temple is set in a well-tendered garden. A small museum adjacent to it houses a collection of sculptures. The KEDARESWARA TEMPLE and three small Jain temples are also located at Halebid. Arrive Chikmaglur in the evening to check in at Hotel Taj Garden Retreat for overnight stay.

DAY 19 TO BANGALORE After breakfast we drive for Bangalore . Enroute visit SRAVANBELGOLA. The Monk of the White Pond or Shravanbelagola is the oldest and the most important pilgrimage centre for the Jains in the country. The town is famous for being the home to the world's tallest monolithic, the Gommateshwara statute. The 17-metre-high statue representing the saintly prince Bahubali was erected some time between AD 980 and 983. To reach the site of the statue, which stands on the hill, you need to climb a flight of about 700 steps carved in the steep granite slope. After the visit continue your drive to Bangalore . On arrival in the city, check in at Hotel Windsor Manor Sheraton.

DAY 20 TO CHENNAI Take a full day city tour visiting in and around the city. There are a number of tourist attractions to visit in and around the city. Of historical, religious and contemporary interests, these tourists spots are easily accessible and worth a visit. The VIDHAN SOUDHA makes the major attraction in Bangalore . The building is a massive neo Dravidian architecture presently functioning as the state legislative assembly. CUBBON PARK in the heart of the city, LAL BAGH, which is famous for the wonderfully bloomed red roses and the BANGALORE PALACE are some of the other must see of this garden city. In the evening fly to Chennai by CD 7588 (1945/2030 hrs) and on arrival in Chennai transfer to the international airport to connect your onward flight.

DAY 21 DEPART CHENNAI Depart for home by your onward flight.