Scenic South

Assistance on arrival at International airport

On arrival, once you have completed Immigration formalities and collected your baggage, please proceed to the arrival lounge. TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive will meet you holding a placard who will provide you the transfer.

Full day sightseeing tour, visit Kalakshetra, Sri Parthasarathy temple, St Mary’s church and Santhome Cathedral Basilica

Morning proceed for the guided sightseeing tour of Chennai with a visit to Kalakshetra, a school of art and music that encourages exponents of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing. Thereafter visit St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India; Sri Parthasarathy Temple built by Pallavas in the 8th century AD; San Thomas Cathedral Basilica, one of the historical churches in India. This Roman Catholic church is one among the three churches in the world that were built on the tomb of apostles.

Travel to Mahabalipuram en-route visiting Kanchipuram

Assistance on departure and travel to Mahabalipuram famous for its intricately carved temples and rock-cut caves located on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal in the state of Tamil Nadu. Enroute visit Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples, was the capital of the early Cholas Kingdom. It has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious backgrounds for centuries, and its imposing temples of unique architectural beauty bear eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. The city is also famous for its silk weavers. Woven from pure mulberry silk, the saris in dazzling colors are embellished with fine gold thread (zari) and are available in various designs and variety, making the job of selection quite challenging. Later continue your drive to Mahabalipuram.

Check in at Hotel

On arrival check-in at the accommodation by self. (No assistance)

Full day city tour visiting Monuments with sculptural panels, Caves, Monolithic Raths (Chariot) and Temples

Morning proceed for the city tour of the temple city of Mahabalipuram, once a flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers, a Dravidian dynasty that once ruled over the major portion of peninsular India. Earlier known as Mamallapuram, the city is said to be a fabulous open-air museum of sculpture under the vault of the burning sky where the Pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, monolithic Raths (Chariot) and Temples. In a land that is liberally strewn with some of the best in temple art, Mahabalipuram holds its own and stands as a silent yet eloquent witness to the glory of its creators. The wonders in rock leave one enthralled, conveying an impression of beauty and harmony. In the evening enjoy a walk and witness life of locals living in the town.

Travel to Pondicherry

Morning travel to Pondicherry, the town which is adorned with natural beauties of the Deccan Plateau. This city was ruled by the French for about 281 years before Independence, and the profound influence of Southern France is still very prominent. The medieval town of the French province, Pondicherry has managed to preserve its French aura, from its delectable restaurants offering French cuisine to streets bearing French names.

Check-in at Hotel followed by sightseeing tour of Pondicherry

On arrival transfer to your accommodation. Later enjoy exploring the heritage section of the city - the French Quarter. The best part of Pondicherry though remains the many walks you can take through the beautiful French Quarter (which is the area bounded roughly by NSC Bose St, SV Patel Rd and Goubert Ave). Walk through streets with names like Rue Romain Rolland, Suffren and Dumas. Visit the Promenade Beach and Rocky Beach. The main buildings which we will be covering will be French War Memorial, Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.

Travel to Thanjavur

Today will travel to Thanjavur, the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu" and known as the Granary of South India lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and crisscrossed by a lengthy network of irrigation canals. Thanjavur rose to glory during the later Chola Reign between 11th and 14th centuries AD and became the centre of learning and culture. It is also known for its exquisite handicraft’s bronzes and Musical Instruments.

Enroute visit Chidambaram and check-in at Hotel

En-route visit Chidambaram, known for its beautiful temple dedicated to the "Lord Nataraja" Lord Shiva in the form of a Cosmic Dancer. The Nataraja temple is said to be the venue of the divine dance competition between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. It blends piety, tradition, history and art to an outstanding level. Visit the GangaiKonda Cholapuram for its rich, beautiful and intricately carved Chola style sculptures on the walls and roofs, 42 in number. It also houses some remarkable bronzes of the Chola Dynasty. Then after continue to travel to Thanjavur, on arrival transfer to your accommodation.

Morning sightseeing tour of Thanjavur visiting Brahadeeswara temple, Thanjavur Palace and local bazaar

Morning proceed for a visit to Brahadeeswara temple, called the Big Temple. The 64.8 metre tall vimanam (tower over the sanctum sanctorum) is testimony to the engineering skill of the Cholas. In keeping with the size of the temple, it has gigantic Mahalingam in the shrine, measuring 4 metres in height. A monolithic Nandhi chiselled out of a single rock, measures 5.94 metres in length, 2.51 metres in width and 3.66 metres high. It is the second largest Nandhi in India. Afterwards, we visit a palace which is just 1km from the Big Temple, dates back to the 14th century AD. It is a fascinating building with huge corridors, spacious halls, decorated rooms, tall observation towers, beautiful stucco works, wonderful fresco painted walls and ceilings, an underground tunnel and intricate carvings. The town is also famous for its ancient handicrafts. Evening free to explore the local bazaar.

Travel to Trichy

Morning travel to the historical city of Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), a fine blend of tradition and modernity is situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, that has a long history going back several centuries before the birth of Christ.

Check in at hotel, followed by sightseeing tour of Trichy

On arrival at Trichy, transfer to your accommodation. later proceed for the sightseeing tour of the city and visit Rock Fort, a spectacular landmark of Trichy perched on a massive rock outcrop which rises abruptly from the plains over the old city, a climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapathi at the top, and a further climb to Shiva temple. Thereafter visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple; famous for superb sculptures.

Travel to Madurai

Morning travel to Madurai, one of South India's oldest cities. It has been the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Madurai is called Athens of the East because of the way myth meets life here.

Check-in at Hotel

On arrival in Madurai, check-in at your accommodation (No assistance required). Rest of the day is at leisure or for own activities.

Sightseeing of Meenakshi Temple

Morning proceed on a city tour of the second largest city situated on the banks of the River Vigai, believed to be more than 2500 years old. Visit the magnificent Meenakshi Temple and experience stunning architecture where sculpted pillars tell a story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. The entire city is built around this temple. Jasmine flowers well known all over the country, carry a special fragrance unique to Madurai.

Travel to Thekkady

Morning check-out and travel to the valley of spices and see the spice plantation gardens. Thekkady, with its bountiful treasures of tropical flora and fauna, is the ultimate reservoir of many an endangered species and a rich tribal culture.

Check-in at Hotel and afternoon enjoy Spice plantation tour

On arrival at Thekkady, transfer to your accommodation. Later proceed to view the rare species of plantations and visit a spice plantation growing cardamom, pepper, coffee, and tea estate. Walk amidst the palette displaying variant shades of green, neatly arranged into terrace farms, the symmetry broken only by the sudden appearance of a gurgling stream. It is believed that the spice trade dates back three thousand years in Kerala and many spices find their home here. The slanting slopes caress a variety of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves. On the way back you could stop at the local market and purchase some fragrant spices.

Morning enjoy boat ride, rest of the day at leisure

Early morning proceed for a boat cruise on the Lake, which showcases a kaleidoscope of activities that incur around the lake and jungle. Evergreen moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands characterize Periyar. Explore the wildlife sanctuary on the boat, the sanctuary centrepiece the man-made Periyar Lake, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala and is home to Tiger, bison, wild boar, sambar, monkeys, wild elephant, antelopes and a wide variety of birds. More than 260 species of birds are found here, like the Great Indian Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, Black-winged Kite, Barbets, Plovers, among many others. Later return to your accommodation and day is free to relax.

Travel to Alleppey

Travel to Alleppey, famous for its several backwater canals, paddy fields and lagoons. This charming place is the hub of Kerala’s backwaters and is home to a huge network of backwaters and more than thousand houseboats.

Check in at Houseboat

On arrival, check-in and board your private houseboat converted from a Kettuvallam or traditional rice barge. Sail through the beautiful backwaters of Kerala as it reflects a world of serenity and wonderment. This large aquatic area is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals, and the people who live in this region have created their distinct lifestyles. Witness the peaceful way of life on amazing waterways with lunch, dinner on board. This will be a real highlight of your holiday.

Disembark at Kumarakom

After breakfast, in time disembark at Kumarakom, a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary here, spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise.

Travel to Kochi

Morning travel to Kochi, set on a cluster of peninsulas and islands in the Indian Ocean. Explore and witness the town possessed by many rulers. The Port of Cochin is known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” and is the industrial hub of the state where the ancient civilization mingles with the 20th century.

Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel

Assistance on arrival and transfer to your accommodation.

Half day sightseeing of Fort Cochin Area, walk along the Marina drive promenade and visit St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral, Chinese Fishing Nets, in the evening Kathakali dance show

Morning visit Fort Cochin, a charming historic area on the western end of Cochin notable for its blend of local Malayali and colonial (Portuguese, Dutch, and British) architecture, and get a glimpse of daily life in Kochi. Visit St. Francis Church; the first church to be built in India by the Portuguese. After visiting Santa Cruz Cathedral enjoy strolling on the beachside viewing the life at Chinese fishing nets. We will walk along the Marine Drive promenade until we reach the bazaar (market) area. The spice shops and vegetable markets are great for learning about Kerala cuisine. Evening, enjoy Kathakali dance performance, a ritualized dance form that is native to Kerala, with elaborate costumes and make-up.

Assistance on departure to Kochi airport

In time assisted departure transfer to Kochi airport to board flight to onward destination.