SOUTH INDIA - MONUMENTS, TEMPLES AND WILDLIFE

CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM - KANCHIPURAM - PONDICHERRY - THANJAVUR - TRICHY - RAMESHWARAM - MADURAI - KODAIKANAL - OOTY - MUDUMALAI - YERACUD - CHENNAI

Day 1 - Chennai
Chennai was once a fishing village and is now the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. Arrive ex International flight to Chennai. Morning at leisure. Evening visit to Silver Sands Beach. Overnight hotel.

Day 2 - Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India. It is most famous for its exquisitely woven handloom silk saris. It has some very famous temples like the Kamakshi Temple and the Ekambareshwar Temple. Mahabalipuram is famous for its shore temples. Most of the temples and rock carvings were completed around 630 - 660 AD and are notable for their folk- art origins. O/Nt Hotel in Chennai

Day 3 - Chennai - Pondicherry
Start early and drive to Pondicherry, which was formerly a French colony. Today it is famous for the Aurobindo Ashram, which was chosen by the late Sri Aurobindo, revolutionary turned saint and Auroville, the inspiration of The Mother, a French woman who was the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo and conceived the idea of an international city of Dawn. Auroville was established to experiment and develop a new order of integrated living.

Day 4 - Pondicherry
Spend a day at leisure at the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.

Day 5 - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Thanjavur
Chidambaram is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja, who is believed to have performed his cosmic dance here. Arrive at Thanjavur and check into hotel for overnight stay.

Day 6 - Thanjavur
Thanjavur is the cultural capital of this region. It is the home of Carnatic music and dance. It is famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple, constructed more than a thousand years ago. Saraswati Mahal Library, The Art Gallery, and Sangeetha Mahal are also of interest. The land surrounding Thanjavur is known as the granary of Tamil Nadu, blessed as it is by the waters of Kaveri River.

Day 7 - Thanjavur - Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirapalli or Tiruchi is situated on the banks of River Kaveri. It is known for its rock fort and temple at a height of over 83-m which are of spiritual significance. Tiruchi was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period.

Day 8 - Excursion to Srirangam and Jambukeshwar.
Srirangam, located 7 Kms from Tiruchi, is a very important pilgrim centre, surrounded by the waters of Kaveri and Kollidam. It is an island town of 600 acres, enclosed within the seven walls of Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. It stands today as the biggest temple complex of India. Situated 2 Kms east of Srirangam is the beautiful Shiva temple known as Jambukeswara Temple. It is named after an elephant which is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Day 9 - Tiruchirapalli - Rameswaram
Rameswaram, a small island in the Gulf of Mannar in the Bay of Bengal is a major pilgrim centre. It is connected to the mainland by road. Mythology hays that Lord Rama on his return from Lanka paid homage to Lord Shiva here before proceeding to Ayodhya. The Ramanathaswamy temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculptured pillars.

Day 10 - Rameswaram - Madurai
Morning: Bathe in the sea at Agnitheeram, which is considered sacred and a pure place to bathe. Afternoon drive to for Madurai

Day 11 - Madurai
The 2600 years old Madurai is often referred to as the 'Athens of the East'. It is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu both historically and mythologically. A reference is made to Madurai in the Indian epic Ramayana, and great chroniclers Magasthenes (302 BC) and Ptolemy ( 140 AD) have made references to it in their travelogues. Marco Polo, the famous explorer visited this city in 1293 AD. Enjoy a full day tour of city and temples. In the Evening see sound and light show and late night temple rituals.

Day 12 - Madurai - Kodaikanal
Morning at leisure in Madurai. Afternoon drive to Kodaikanal, a beautiful hill station located at an altitude of 2133 m in the Western Ghats.

Day 13 - At Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal was discovered as a hill station around 1845 when American mission people came and settled here. Kodaikanal served as an ideal get away for the British and Europeans visiting India. The town nestles around the man-made lake Kodai which spreads out in a star shape over 60 acres. There are thickly wooded slopes, tumultuous waterfalls and steep rock outcrops that add to the scenic beauty of the area. Kodai is rich in flora and fauna and a paradise for bird lovers. In 1861 114 species of birds were recorded in this area. Places of interest in this area are the Kodai lake, Bryant Park, Solar physical observatory, The Pillar rocks, Fairy falls, Berijam lake and Coaker's walk which offers some of the best views of the plains as it runs along a steep slope on the southern side of the lake.

Day 14 - Kodaikanal - Coimbtore
Depart for Coimbatore. It's a long drive over some spectacular scenery in the Western Ghats. Coimbtore is mainly a textile centre and is known as the Manchester of south India.

Day 15 - Coimbtore - Ooty
Drive early morning to Ooty or Udagamandalam, popularly known as the queen of hill stations. Ooty is located at a height of 2286 m and is famous for its sprawling tea gardens.

Day 16 - At Ooty
Ooty is spread over a large area amongst rolling hills and valleys. An ideal place to relax and take a leisurely walk.

Day 17 - Ooty - Mudumalai Sanctuary
Drive to Mudumalai Sanctuary located in the luxuriantly forested foothills of the Nilgiris. Mudumalai is part of a much larger sanctuary, which includes Bandipur and Wynad in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Kerala. The main attractions here are the Spotted Deer, Indian bison, elephant, wild boar, otters, and crocodiles.

Day 18 - Mudumalai - Bandipur
Drive to Bandipur Tiger Reserve, one of the 15 selected for Project Tiger. In the days of the Mysore Maharajas, Bandipur was their game reserve. It covers an area of around 875 Sq. Kms. Apart from the tigers; the other residents of this area are herds of bison, spotted deer, elephants, and sambhar. Leopards also live here.

Day 19 - Bandipur - Yeracud
Drive to Yeracud, a quiet hill town with many coffee plantations.

Day 20 Yeracud - Chennai

Day 21 - Chennai - Home
Depart ex International flight for onward destination.