Essence of South India

Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel. After refreshing and rest sightseeing Cochin - a town famous for its spices and seafood. Visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish synagogue. Transfer to the Fort Cochi district where we will visit the Church of St. Thomas - the place where Vasco da Gamma was buried. Then, walk in the port where you can admire the fishermen preparing the nets for fishing. Dinner at one of the charming seafood restaurants. In the evening Kathakali show - southern art and make-up preparation. Night at a hotel in Cochin.

After breakfast, drive to Alleppey, where we will have a luxury cruise by houseboat made only of natural materials in the famous Kerala backwaters, during which one will have an opportunity to admire the natural beauty of Kerala, relax and photograph the everyday life of the villagers. During the cruise we will taste the houseboat chef's dishes. Overnight at the boat.

After breakfast and check-out from the boat, drive to Munnar which is a picturesque mountain village located among tea fields. You can enjoy wonderful views and feel the unique atmosphere of the town. You will visit a tea plantation and the "Tata museum" tea museum. In the evening, a show of martial arts characteristic for Kerala is planned. Another places are Mattupetty dam , Pothamedu view point. Overnight in a hotel in Munnar.

After breakfast travel to Periyar Sanctuary. South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumli, close to the sanctuary and where you’ll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you. Enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants or do local sightseeing of spice plantation .Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Madurai. Visit famos Meenakshi Temple - a complex dedicated to Shiva and his wife, which is characterized by a wealth of sculptures and decorations, and a multitude of pillars. Visiting Tirumalaha Najak Palace from 1636 with visible Islamic influences. Overnight at a hotel.

Travel to Tanjor, where we will visit a set of unique temples that are on the UNESCO list. There is a sanctuary, which is covered by a monolithic dome built of a single block of granite weighing 80 tons, which was pulled to the top of the building with the help of a 6 km long ramp, using the ancient technique of building the pyramids used by the Egyptians. Wonderful bronze handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a trip around South India. In the afternoon, visiting the Tanjore Palace Complex with interesting exhibitions and a library. Night in Tanjore.

Visit the capital of the former French colony, the Sri Aurobindo ashram and the temple of the god Ganesha where you can see not only various rituals and representations of the god Ganesha but also a live elephant who blesses the people visiting the temple with its trumpet. In the evening, walk the boulevard of the rising moon along the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram. The city is famous thanks to its seven pagodas. On the local waterfront there is a group of ancients from the 7th century, carved in rock caves and monolithic sanctuaries representing the architectural style of Drawi. The monument has been inscribed on the UNESCO list. Particularly noteworthy are the huge reliefs, considered the most perfect example of the Palladian art. The most famous is the relief of Penance Bhagirathy, known as the Ganges Ride from Heaven. The picturesque Shore Temple was built in honor of Vishnu nearby. A night at the hotel.

After breakfast travel to Chennai. Drop off to the airport.