Southern Explorer & Bollywood

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 assist you with the transfer.

Full day city tour visiting Fort St. George, Government museum, Vallur Kottam, Santhome Cathedral, Kapaleeswarar temple, Marina beach and travel to Mahabalipuram

After a brief introduction by your Tour Manager, start a sightseeing tour of Chennai and visit Fort St. George built by the British in 17th-century, Government Museum or Madras Museum showcases human history and culture. Valluvar Kottam the most recognizable monument in Chennai. Santhome Cathedral is a 16th-century cathedral built by the Portuguese and later restored by the British. Kapaleeswarar Temple, to experience the cultural history of Chennai and South India in general and the Marina Beach a natural beach famed to be the second-longest natural beach in the world. Evening travel to Mahabalipuram and stay two nights in Mahabalipuram.

Check in at hotel

On arrival, check-in at your accommodation. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day excursion to Kanchipuram, visit Silk weaver village followed by Mahabalipuram city tour visiting Shore Temple and Krishna Mandapam

Morning proceed for an excursion to Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples and one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, back in 2nd century BC the city was the capital of the early Cholas Kingdome. The city is also famous for its silk weavers, settled around 400 years ago and has given it an enviable reputation. We witness the weavers using the highest quality silk and pure gold thread. Later return to Mahabalipuram and visit Shore Temple, one of the oldest in south India dating back to 8th century, is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. Three separate buildings make up the temple and numerous carvings can be found throughout the temple. Conclude your day with a visit to Krishna Mandapam, which has the world's largest bas-relief measuring 27 m x 9 m, whale back shaped rock, contains figures of gods, men, beasts, birds, and representation of the entire creation.

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

On arrival, check-in at your accommodation. Rest of the day is free to take a stroll in the street of this beautiful town or relax at the hotel.

City tour of Pondicherry visiting Rai Nivas, Basilica, Old Town and Sri Aurobindo ashram, later travel to Thanjavur

Today we proceed to visit Rai Nivas, Sri Aurobindo Ashram and explore the medieval town of the French province, the town has managed to preserve its French aura. From its delectable restaurants offering French cuisine and streets bearing French names, Pondicherry's French connection is very much alive. The city temples and churches and imposing monuments of the colonial era are some of the sites worth visiting in this small port city. Later travel to Thanjavur, scenic land of Tanjore known for its exotic temple charm.

Check in at hotel

On arrival, check-in at your accommodation. Rest of the day at leisure.

City tour of Thanjavur visiting Brihadeeswara temple and palace and evening visit local bazaar

Morning proceed for a visit to Brihadeeswara temple, called the Big Temple. The 64. 8 Mt. tall tower over the sanctum sanctorum, a testimony to the engineering skill of the Cholas. In keeping with the size of the temple, it has gigantic Mahalingama in the shrine, measuring 4 meters in height. A monolithic Nandhi chiselled out of a single rock. It is the second largest Nandhi in India. Then we proceed for visit to Palace which dates back to 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-making of bronze icons, Thanjavur art plates, bell-metal castings and wonderful Tanjore style of paintings etc. Evening free to explore the local bazaar.

Travel to Chettinad, enroute visit Srirangam temple and rock fort at Trichy

Morning travel to Chettinad, the town is full of rich cultural heritage, exotic food and remarkable specimens of Dravidian architecture. It is well known for its mansions, temples and culinary delicacies. En-route stop at Trichy and visit Srirangam Temple, located at River Kaveri and famous for its superb sculptures. Thereafter 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. After the visit, continue your travel to Chettinad.

Check-in at Hotel, evening explore local bazaar followed by Chettinad cuisine dinner

On arrival check-in at the accommodation. Evening explore the local bazaar and witness the 18th Century wooden carved houses. Later in the evening, we enjoy a Chettinad cuisine. Chettinad is a cuisine from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu and considered as one of the spiciest and aromatic cuisines of Indian owing to the extensive usage of freshly ground whole spices. Star anise and Kalpasi (Black stone flower/ kala patthar phool) are the spices included in many recipes which provide a distinct aroma to the Chettinad food.

Sightseeing tour of Chettinad visiting Heritage Mansions, Meenakshi Sundereshwar Temple, and Museum, later travel to Madurai

Start city sightseeing tour by visiting heritage mansions built more than 100 years ago and famous for their architecture, chandeliers and wooden craftsmanship. Next visit to Meenakshi Sundereshwar Temple, that is famous for its unique architecture. Continue with a visit to the Museum before travelling to Madurai, the centre of Tamil heritage and culture is 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, check-in at hotel by self. Rest of the day at leisure.

Visit Meenakshi temple and travel to Thekkady

Morning 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 are well known all over the country, they carry a special fragrance unique to Madurai. Later 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

On arrival transfer to your accommodation with rest of the day is at leisure.

Morning boat ride at Periyar lake followed by spice plantation tour, evening attend cooking demonstration with dinner

Morning experience boat cruise on Lake Periyar, which showcases a kaleidoscope of activities that occur around the lake and jungle. Evergreen moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands characterize Periyar. Later visit a spice plantation growing cardamom, pepper and coffee. 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. Evening attend a cooking class and enjoy learning to cook Kerala dishes, one of the most intriguing cuisines of the world. The class will be held in a traditional home set in the grounds of a working biol-organic spice garden.

Travel to Kumarakom

Morning check out and travel to Kumarakom, located on the banks of Vembanad Lake, an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies.

Check in at Houseboat

On arrival check-in and you will board your private houseboat, converted from a Kettuvallam or traditional rice barge, and sail through the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters in Kerala are 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 own distinct lifestyles. Witness the peaceful way of life on these amazing waterways. Enjoy lunch, dinner and breakfast ( next morning) on board. This will be a real highlight of your holiday.

Disembark houseboat at Alleppey and travel to Cochin

Disembark in the morning from the Houseboat, get picked up by our driver from the Jetty and travel further to Cochin, a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula, is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.

Assistance on arrival, later visit Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral and Chinese fishing nets, evening enjoy Kathakali dance performance

Assistance on arrival and transfer to your accommodation. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of the oasis state of Kerala, and one of India’s most colourful cities. You will take a walk around the Synagogue. The area around the synagogue is known as Jew town and is one of the Kochi's spice trade centres. Thereafter we stop at Mattancherry Dutch Palace which was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Maharaja of Cochin in 1555. Ongoing, you will visit St. Francis Church, the first church to be built in India by the Portuguese. After visiting Santa Cruz Cathedral, enjoy a stroll on the beach to see the Chinese fishing nets. Later in the evening enjoy a Kathakali Dance Performance. Kathakali is a ritualized dance form that is native to Kerala, with elaborate costumes and make-up. Male dancers portray both male and female roles that tell the stories taken mostly from the epics of the Mahabharatha and Ramayana.

Flight to Mumbai

Assistance for departure transfer to Kochi airport to board the flight to Mumbai, famously known as the city of Dreams. The city offers a cosmopolitan and diverse lifestyle with a variety of food, entertainment and nightlife, available in a form and abundance comparable to that in other world capitals.

Assistance on arrival at airport (Domestic flight)

On arrival at Mumbai airport, TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive will meet you at the arrival lounge holding a placard. He will assist you with a transfer to your hotel. Mumbai is a place where culture is a blend of traditional festivals, food, music, and theatres. The city offers a cosmopolitan and diverse lifestyle with a variety of food, entertainment, and nightlife, available in a form and abundance comparable to that in other world capitals.

Half day city tour visiting Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum and Dhobi Ghat

After breakfast enjoy sightseeing tour of Mumbai visiting The Gateway of India, Mumbai's most famous monument, complete with its four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone and also an architectural landmark. We now visit The Prince of Wales Museum, which ranks among the city's most distinctive Raj-era constructions. It stands rather grandly in its own, crowned by a massive white Mughal-style dome, beneath which one of India's finest collections of paintings and sculpture is arrayed on three floors. The other famous sites we will visit are the -Dhobi Ghats one of the more well-known open air laundry facilities in Mumbai. Rest of the day free to relax and enjoy amenities at your hotel.

Departure transfer to International Airport

Morning assisted departure transfer to Mumbai airport to board the flight to onward destination. The tour ends with sweet memories.