Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Duration: 12 Nights & 13 Days
Destinations: Chennai(1n) – Mahabalipuram (2n) – Pondicherry(1n) –Tanjore(1N)– Madurai (2N) – Periyar (1N) – Kumarakom (2N) – Cochin (2N)

Temple and Spice

The notion of cherishing the soul what built India’s ancient dynasty and put it on the map of the silk road, and the maritime trading route. It became the desired land of every colonial empire. It rewarded India with its rich diversity, history, culture, and regional food influences. This exciting itinerary will explore the juxtapose of Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar, Kumarakom and Cochin. Be ready to experience the culture, spiritual, heritage, landscape, and food so incredibly diverse, yet so fascinatingly familiar. Temples and spice are an expression of diversity built on unity, the symbol of the people’s gratitude and devotion in this country of Gods and Goddesses. One thing for sure, your journey will never be dull. This captivating land will offer you an adventure on your senses.

Tour Highlights

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 01 – ARRIVE in CHENNAI:
 Upon arrival, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) ceremony, Caper Travel's representative will assist you at Chennai Airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight Hotel –Chennai

DAY 02 –CHENNAI to MAHABALIPURAM (Car/Coach: 70 kms / 2 hrs):

• Today we tour Chennai, starting with Fort St. George. Within the Fort we visit St. Mary's Church, the oldest Protestant Church in the East.
• Next to the Fort Museum for its exhibit armoury, silverware, rare paintings etc.
• Visit San Thomas Cathedral, said to house the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle.
• Visit the National Art Gallery, is undoubtedly one of the country's finest museums with sections devoted to geology, zoology, anthropology etc.
• Government Museum has a fine archaeological section representing all the major South Indian periods including Chola, Vijaynagar, Hoysala & Chaulakya.
• In the afternoon, we drive to Mahabalipuram.

Overnight Hotel –Mahabalipuram (Breakfast)

DAY 03 –MAHABALIPURAM:

• Visit the Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples in South India, built in the 7th Century AD in the Dravidian style, designed to catch the first rays of the rising sun.
• Visit Arjuna's Penance is the world's largest bas-relief, a huge whale-back shaped rock containing figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts, birds.
• Next, we’ll visit Rathas, monolithic temples fashioned as chariots.
• Drive 2hrs outskirt to Kanchipuram, one of the seven holy cities in the country. Visit Kailasanatha Temple, built in 8th Century AD, famous for exquisite carvings.
• Stop at Ekambaranatha, there’s a 3000 years-old mango tree inside, which has 4 branches, each yielding different variety of mangoes.
• Next, we’ll visit Kamakshi Amman Temple, built in 12th century AD.
• Drive back to the Hotel and evening is at your leisure.

Overnight Hotel –Mahabalipuram (Breakfast)

DAY 4 –MAHABALIPURAM to PONDICHERRY (Car/Coach: 100 kms / 2 hrs):

• Start a journey to Pondicherry. En route stop by at Auroville and visit Matri Mandir, the spiritual & physical center of Auroville (opening hrs 1530-1630 hr).
• Continue our journey to Pondicherry, the land of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the serene world for spiritual seekers. Upon arrival check-in hotel and evening at your leisure.

Overnight Hotel - Pondicherry (Breakfast)

DAY 05 –PONDICHERRY to TANJORE (Car/Coach: 200 kms / 4 hrs):

• Today we drive to Tanjore, the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. En route we’ll visit Brihadeshwara Temple, also known as the Big Temple, built in 10th century, with beautiful Chola Fresco paintings, it is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Upon arrival check-in to hotel and spend evening at your leisure

Overnight Hotel - Tanjore (Breakfast)

DAY 06 – TANJORE to MADURAI (Car/Coach: 200 kms / 4 hrs):

• Today we leave for Madurai, the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. En route, we stop to visit its historic temples, monuments & churches at Trichy, starting with Srirangam Temple on the riverbank and the majestic Sri high rock which within a flat landscape at 3,800 million years is one of the oldest in the world Ranganathaswamy Temple.
• Stop by at Rock Fort, the 83M, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas.

Overnight Hotel - Madurai (Breakfast)

DAY 07 –MADURAI:

• After breafast we’ll visit the Meenakshi Sundareshwar, a temple with thousands of pillars in the outermost corridor.
• Enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure

Overnight Hotel–Madurai (Breakfast)

DAY 08 – MADURAI to PERIYAR (Car/Coach: 136 kms / 3 1/2 hrs):

• Today we drive to Periyar, upon arrival check in the hotel to relax.
• Later in the afternoon, we’ll take a tour of the sprawling aromatic Spice Plantation.

Return to the hotel and spend the evening at your leisure.
Overnight Hotel - Periyar (Breakfast)

DAY 09 –PERIYAR to KUMARAKOM(Car/Coach: 145 kms / 4 hrs):

• An early start for a 2hrs scenic cruise on the tranquil Lake Periyar and enjoy this breathtakingly beautiful lake in the sunrise mist. Try and spot some wildlife too. Back to the hotel for a refreshing breakfast.
• After breakfast, we drive to Kumarakom. The stunning cluster of islands on the majestic Vembanad Lake where its backwaters is home to a varied range of flora and fauna, peculiar and rare local and migratory birds, and various species marine life. Check in the hotel and spend the day at leisure.

Overnight Hotel - Kumarakom (Breakfast)

DAY 10 –KUMARAKOM:

• Early morning bird watching tour with a naturalist and return to hotel for Breakfast.
• In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely backwater lunch cruise on one a houseboat.

Overnight Hotel –Kumarakom (Breakfast, Lunch at the houseboat)

DAY 11 – KUMARAKOM to COCHIN (Car/Coach: 75 kms / 1 1/2 hrs):

• After breakfast, we drive to Cochin. Upon arrival, Enjoy day at leisure in this beautiful serene and laidback state of Cochin.

Overnight Hotel -Cochin (Breakfast)

DAY 12 –COCHIN:

• After breakfast, we proceed to visiting St. Francis' Church, the oldest European church in India where Vasco da Gama's remains were buried before it was moved to Lisbon.
• We then visit Dutch Palace, a Portuguese palace gifted to the Raja of Cochin for some fine collections of paintings from scenes of Hindu epics, Mahabharata & Ramayana.
• Stop at the Paradesi Synagogue located in the Jew Town where four scrolls of Torah from the Old Testament are kept.
• Explore the Spice market, a colorful paradise, and a scented memory.
• Head to the Fort Kochi beach to watch the Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala)
• In the evening, join us to watch the Kathakali, Kerala's classical dance.

Overnight Hotel -Cochin (Breakfast)

DAY 13 –COCHIN:
After Breakfast, we will transfer you to Cochin International Airport(car/coach: 90mins) to board your flight for your onward journey and conclude your tour.
We Thank you for travelling with Caper Travel and letting us be part of your journey. We hope to see you again soon!
Departure (Breakfast)

PACKAGE RATES INCLUDES:

• 12 x Nights’ Accommodation.
• Total of 12xBreakfastsper person (one/day at each hotel – excluding arrival day) & 1 x Lunch per person at the houseboat in Kumarakom.
• Entry fee (Single visit) to all Monuments will be visited in the itineraries.
• Transportation – Air condition Toyota Crysta car (min 2 pax) OR an Air condition 9seaters Mini coach (min 4-6 pax) with driver.
• Services of an English-speaking guide (excluding ‘leisure’ intervals).
• Additional transportation – 40mins Rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk Old Delhi Tour Day2, Return Jeep transfers at Amber Fort, Ferry boat transfer to Elephanta Island, Shared Houseboat cruise at Kumarakom.

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

• Flights (local and international) or any mode of transportation not mentioned in the package.
• Any personal expenses e.g: alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, laundry, telephones, tips, meal not stated as ‘included’, Camera fee, etc.
• Any items/destinations/tours not stated as ‘included’ in this package.
• Additional Experiences Tours are priced separately and will be charged accordingly.

HOTELS UTILISED:

*subject to availability and changes to a similar category*: