India Dravida

Join this elen-day tour and discover the mysteries of some of the India Dravid´s most enigmatic cities. Get the first insight into the Indian vibrant culture and delightful food in the charming capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Admire the “City of Thousands of Temples”, Kachipuram, located on the voluptuous banks of the river Vegavathy and get amazed by the astonishing architecture of The Great Living Chola Temples in Darasurum. Be taught about the glorious history of Madurai, one of the ancient cities of South India and get to know the mythology and legends of the Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple. This trip will fill all your senses and will leave great memories for the lifetime.  

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Chennai: The capital of Tamil Nadu is considered the most important cultural and economic center of southern India

Mahabalipuram: The sand-colored temples of this area are on the Unesco World Heritage list and represent a glorious past of the Pallava dynasty

Thanjavur: Visit the best example of Chola architecture in Tamil Nadu with the Brihadeshwara temple on the outskirts of Thanjavur

Madurai: The great Hindu temple of Meenakshi and its more than 30,000 figures

Periyar: One of the most famous nature reserves in the country where, with a bit of luck, you will see elephants, a variety of birds and even wild tigers

Kochi: This coastal town boasts a lot of history and European influence that is perceived throughout the City

Day 1: ARRIVAL CHENNAI

Once you arrive at Chennai Airport, you will be met by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu, is located along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, and was established after 1639, when the British East India Company founded a fortress and a port. It was developed around the fortress of St. George. Many buildings are still reminiscent of the Colonial kingdom. The rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Chennai.

Day 2: CHENNAI

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you leave for a half-day sightseeing tour of Chennai, which includes a visit to Fort St. George, completed in 1653 and today filled with reminders of the past, including St. Mary’s, the first church consecrated on Indian soil. You will stop at the National Museum of human history, culture (closed on Fridays) and also stroll along the Marina Beach, an elegant promenade and Chennai University, one of the three oldest universities in India, with its beautiful Senate House and the Nawab Palace. Then proceed to the old Indian section of Mylapore, where you will visit San Thome Basilica- the culmination of the enduring legend of Thomas Didymus, the apostle who doubted and who is believed to have lived and preached on Mylapore’s shores. The tour will be ending with the visit to the Temple of Kapaleeshwarar, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, who stands out for its thousands of colorful figures. Afterward, return to the hotel where you will enjoy the remainder of the afternoon free at leisure.

Overnight in Chennai.

Day 3: CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALIPURAM (125 km – 4.5 h)

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you leave Chennai and head to Mahabalipuram, with a stop en route to visit the ‘Golden City’ of Kanchipuram, which contains about 125 shrines dating back to the early Cholas of 200 BC. It was successively the capital of the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Rayas of Vijayanagara, and a testimony to this are its magnificent temples. Kanchipuram’s other claim to fame is its silk, renowned for more than four centuries. A unique system of weavers makes and sells Kanchi saris, the most sought-after saris in India. Later, continue with the drive to Mahabalipuram, and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 4: MAHABALIPURAM – CHIDAMBARAM – DARASURAM – THANJAVUR (270 km – 6 hrs)

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you drive to Thanjavur. En route, stop at Chidambaram, and Darasuram. Chidambaram is an important pilgrimage center for the followers of God Shiva known for its famous Nataraja temple, an excellent example of the Dravidian architecture of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to the god Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. The dance represents the five activities of God: creation, preservation, destruction, vigilance, and blessing. We will continue to Darasuram, and we will visit one of the three ‘great living temples of Chola’, Airavetesvara Temple, whose complex was built by Chola Raja II and presents in the heart of the main enclosure an image of Shiva carved in stone. After the visit, we will continue to Thanjavur, whose region is referred to as the Tamil Nadu Rice Basin, and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Thanjavur.

Day 5: THANJAVUR – TRICHY – THANJAVUR (60 km - 2 hrs)

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before you proceed for an excursion to the historical town of Trichy. Your first stop of the tour is at Rock Fort, which dominates the landscape at an altitude of 90 meters, followed by the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi. 434 steps carved into rock interspersed with shrines lead to this temple, while yet another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascent is rewarded with a magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri River. Then visit the island of Srirangam, a massive temple dedicated to Vishnu, which contains a bazaar within its walls. Its annual winter festival attracts thousands of devotees. After the tour, return back to your hotel.

Overnight in Thanjavur.

Day 6: THANJAVUR – MADURAI (200 km – 5.5 hrs)

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, continue to your following destination, the holy city of Madurai, found in the heart of Tamil Nadu. Upon the arrival check in to your hotel. Then, join our tour of the magnificent Meenakshi Temple, detailed in a multitude of vivid colours. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with its 10 gopurams (towers) and more than 30,000 statues, then you will also visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a 17th-century Indo-Saracenic style building. In the afternoon, you will attend a Hindu puja, a ritual where people give offerings to deities.

Overnight in Madurai.

Day 7: MADURAI – PERIYAR (145 km – 4 hrs)

After breakfast, depart to Periyar, where you will check-in at around noon. Prepare to discover Periyar Nature Sanctuary and Thekkady Nature Park. The flora and fauna of Periyar’s wildlife sanctuary are absolutely thrilling, and the Periyar Lake is a paradise for nature lovers, the greatest delight it offers being the herds of elephants that come down to play in its waters. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve. Enjoy a boat ride on Periyar Lake (included) and contemplate the wildlife. Keep an eye out for sambhar, bison, spotted deer, tigers, leopards, Malabar flying squirrels, stripe-necked mongooses and more. Then we will visit a spice plantation to have an experience and learn about spices before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Periyar.

Day 8: PERIYAR – ALLEPPEY (150 km – 5 hrs)

Enjoy your delicious breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your following destination. You will depart to the “Venice of East” – Alleppey. Upon the arrival, you will be embarking on the traditional Boathouse. Get a new perspective from this boat trip among Kerala´s backwaters, lagoon, and canals. In the middle of the waterways, there are many hidden islands, towns, and cities and you will have a chance to get an insight into the profound lifestyle of the people living deep inside of these scenic surroundings. Enjoy your lunch on the board (included) and get yourself allure in this calm beautiful atmosphere. In the evening enjoy your dinner on the board (included).

Overnight on the Houseboat.

Day 9: ALLEPPEY – KOCHI (60 km – 1.5 hrs)

Enjoy your beautiful breakfast on the houseboat. After disembarking hop on your bus to depart for Kochi. Arrive in Kochi and check-in at the hotel. Enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing in Kochi with a tour including the Jewish Quarter, a religion that came to Kochi in the 6th century BC. We will see the Mattancherry Synagogue and Palace. Then we move to the dock area with its Chinese fishing nets. We continue through the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1510. We also see the Church of San Francisco, the first Catholic church in India, built at the beginning of the 16th century and the final resting place of the explorer Vasco da Gama. At the end you will return to the hotel. The rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Kochi.

Day 10: KOCHI

After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, step out into the vibrant streets of Kochi and enjoy a whole day exploring this fascinating location at your own rhythm. You can either wander around its colorful streets, sightseeing, shopping and trying local food, or relaxing at the hotel making the most of the available services. Today, you set the pace.

Overnight in Kochi.

Day 11: DEPART KOCHI

Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before your transfer to the Airport, where you’ll catch your connecting flight to your following destination.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in India. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.