Discovery of South India

Today, we leave Kerala to enter Tamil Nadu as the road winds through wooded hills to Coimbatore. The road leading to Coonoor is one of the most picturesque in South India, with superb views of the plains and magnificent groves with their tall and small palm trees lining the road.

Upon arrival in Ooty, also known as Ootacamund, we settle into our hotel. This is the time to explore and enjoy the beauty of the magnificent Queen of Hills station, located in the heart of the Nilgiri hills.

Note - The road will be quite long.

After breakfast, we head to Mysore. The road crosses the Eastern slope of the Nilgiri Hills towards the plains - a very scenic journey. We pass through the Mudumalai National Park and the Bandipur National Park as we cross the border between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. With some luck, we may spot deer, monkeys and elephants along the way. Upon arrival in Mysore and after checking in to the hotel, we visit Chaumundi Hill where there is a temple dedicated to Durga. On the road leading to the temple, we notice a giant statue of the bull Nandi, carved from a single piece of granite in 1659.

Today, we are heading to Hassan. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Departure for an excursion to Belur and Halebid to visit their sculpted temples with texts dating from Hindu mythology representing the mythological characters of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, two famous epics. At Halebid, we visit the Hoysaleswara temple where we can admire meticulously sculpted statues of Hindu deities around the temple. At Belur, we visit the Chennakesava temple, famous for its architecture and sculptures, before returning to the hotel in Hassan.

After breakfast, we head to Bangalore(Bengaluru). We will make a stop at Shravanabelagola, a sacred city to Jains and famous for its 18-meter Jain colossus. From the top of the Vindhyagiri hill, the statue of Gomateshwara is said to be the highest and most graceful monolithic statue in the world. Hundreds of pilgrims visit the site every day. We arrive later at Bangalore.

Transfer to the station for a train journey to Chennai. Arrival in the evening, transfer to the hotel.

After a refreshing breakfast, we visit Chennai, the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu to visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple, the Government Museum and San Thome Basilica.

Next, we head to Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities in the country and famous throughout India for its hand-woven silk. We visit the Kailasanathar Temple, famous for its exquisite sculptures and 58 small sanctuaries. We continue our program by visiting the Kamakshi Amman Temple, where you can admire the statue of Kamakshi, a super-goddess and an incarnation of Parvati. She blesses all those devoted to her. We then head to Mahabalipuram and check in at the hotel upon arrival.

After settling into the hotel and having a hearty lunch, we will take a guided tour of the city to admire its Gallic heritage. Tourist attractions include the Shree Aurobindo ashram, Auroville, the French institute and colony, the museum and the church.

Today, we head to Pondichéry, marked by the former French occupation in Inde, with its grid-pattern streets, distinctive police uniforms and colonial buildings.

After breakfast, we head to Thanjavur, crossing the Kaveri Delta - an area of lush, wonderfully fertile rice fields. Along the way, we visit the famous Darasuram temple in Kumbakonam, a superb example of 12th-century Chola architecture. Arrival in Thanjavur later in the day and check-in at the hotel. Thanjavur is known for its remarkable craftsmanship, such as bronze work, and the design of South Indian musical instruments.

In the morning, we visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple which dates back to the 10th century. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a perfect example of Dravidian temple architecture.

After the visit, we continue our journey to the colorful city of Madurai, famous for its quite complex temples. One of the oldest and most fascinating cities in Tamil Nadu, Madurai is also a thriving cultural center with a rich past. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.

The rest of the day is free to explore the city. Madurai is one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in Tamil Nadu. It is also a cultural center that thrives thanks to its rich heritage and history. Its great Meenakshi Amman Temple - Temple of Sri Meenakshi Sundarewarar, built during the Nayak period between the 16th and 18th centuries, is at the heart of the city and is one of the largest temple complexes in India.

The five gopurams that surround the temple are known for their stucco work. The southern gopuram is the tallest, measuring 48.8 m high. Worshippers bathe in the Golden Lily tank and crowd into The Hall of a Thousand Pillars, both finely decorated. Madurai is the ideal place to wander around and discover Hindu culture.

In the morning, we head to Thekkady and enter the state of Kerala. The journey is spectacular, as the road crosses the Western Ghats, promising magnificent views of Tamil Nadu. We arrive in the small bustling village of Thekkady, and settle into the hotel. This entire area is a center for spice cultivation. After lunch, we take a short walk around a spice garden to learn more about the different types of spices. We will have time in the afternoon to explore the bazaars with its large shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppers, chili, turmeric and other spices spread out along the road.

After breakfast, we head towards Alleppey. Also named Alappuzha, the town is a must-visit place for underground water cruises in Kerala. We board our houseboats and begin our cruise along the backwaters of Kerala, one of the highlights of the trip. These charming boats are decorated and transformed like comfortable cruise ships. We wind through waterways flanked by lush tropical vegetation revealing magnificent tropical birds and idyllic small villages. We spend the night on board our boat in the middle of the famous Vembanad Lake.

After a relaxing breakfast on the houseboats, we head to Kovalam. Kovalam is an extremely popular beach resort due to its shallow waters and low tide waves. It offers diverse activities for all tastes. A huge rocky promontory is located on the beach forming a magnificent bay, ideal for a few moments of peaceful swimming. The beaches are backed by promontories dotted with coconut trees. The southernmost part of the beach, where the lighthouse is located, is the most beautiful. Various activities are possible including swimming, invigorating herbal massages, sunbathing, cultural programs, or catamaran cruises.