The Southern Splendour Sojourn

Ripon Building

• Explore the magnificent Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, a 7th-century Dravidian masterpiece dedicated to Lord Shiva, featuring towering gopurams adorned with intricate sculptures and vibrant colors.

• Stroll along Marina Beach, one of the world's longest urban beaches, where you can witness spectacular sunrises, enjoy local street food, and experience Chennai's vibrant beach culture.

• Discover the Government Museum complex, housing an exceptional collection of bronze sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and the renowned Bronze Gallery showcasing Chola-era masterpieces.

• Step into colonial history at Fort St. George, India's first British fortress, featuring St. Mary's Church (the oldest Anglican church in India) and the Fort Museum with East India Company relics.

• Experience the bustling T. Nagar shopping district, one of Asia's largest commercial areas, perfect for silk sarees, jewelry, and traditional South Indian crafts.

• Visit the stunning San Thome Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, featuring beautiful neo-Gothic architecture and significant Christian pilgrimage importance.

• Immerse yourself in classical Carnatic music at the Music Academy or Narada Gana Sabha, especially during the December music season when Chennai becomes India's cultural capital.

Optional Add Ons:

• Take a day trip to Cholamandal Artists' Village (about 20 minutes away) to explore one of India’s largest artists' communes, enjoy contemporary art exhibitions, visit artists’ studios, and stroll through the serene sculpture garden — a vibrant hub of creativity and culture just outside Chennai.

• Experience authentic South Indian breakfast at iconic local restaurants like Murugan Idli Shop or Saravana Bhavan for dosas, idlis, and filter coffee.

• Take a glimpse of the majestic Ripon Building and the striking Chennai Central Railway Station, both showcasing grand Indo-Saracenic architecture and standing as two of Chennai’s most iconic historic landmarks.

• Explore the vibrant Pondy Bazaar for traditional handicrafts, textiles, and the authentic Chennai shopping experience.

Accommodations:

• Premium: Taj Connemara or similar

• Luxury: The Leela Palace or similar

Shore Temple

• Drive from Chennai to Mahabalipuram via car(about 2 hours).

• Marvel at the iconic Shore Temple, an 8th-century granite masterpiece standing majestically on the beach, with its twin towers and intricate carvings creating a stunning silhouette at sunrise and sunset.

• Discover the Government Museum complex, housing an exceptional collection of bronze sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and the renowned Bronze Gallery showcasing Chola-era masterpieces.

• Witness Arjuna's Penance (also called Descent of the Ganges), one of the world's largest rock reliefs spanning 96 feet, depicting over 100 figures including gods, humans, and animals carved into massive boulders.

• Explore the Five Rathas (Pancha Rathas), remarkable monolithic temples carved from single rocks in the shape of chariots, each representing different architectural styles and dedicated to the Pandava brothers.

• Discover Krishna's Butterball, a giant 250-ton boulder precariously balanced on a hillside slope, defying gravity and fascinating visitors for centuries.

• Visit the Krishna Mandapa and other cave temples featuring exquisite bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, showcasing the artistic brilliance of the Pallava dynasty.

• Wander through Mahishasuramardini Cave, adorned with stunning sculptures including the famous panel of Goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon.

• Relax at Mahabalipuram Beach, a peaceful stretch of golden sand where ancient temples meet the Bay of Bengal, perfect for evening walks and watching fishermen at work.

Optional Add Ons:

• Visit the fascinating Seashell Museum, one of Asia's largest private collections featuring over 40,000 species of shells, corals, and marine specimens from around the world.

• Watch stone carving artisans at work in local workshops, continuing the 1,300-year-old tradition of granite sculpture that made this town famous.

• Explore the Tiger Cave, a rock-cut shrine surrounded by carved lion heads, located slightly away from the main monument complex.

Accommodations:

• Premium: WelcomHotels by ITC or similar

• Luxury: Kaldan Samudhra Palace or similar

Auroville Matri Mandir

• Drive from Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry via car(2 to 3 hours).

• Wander through the French Quarter (White Town), a picturesque enclave of pastel-colored colonial villas, tree-lined boulevards, bougainvillea-draped walls, and charming cafés that transport you to provincial France.

• Stroll along the Promenade Beach (Beach Road/Goubert Avenue), a scenic 1.5-kilometer stretch perfect for morning jogs or evening walks, featuring the iconic Gandhi statue, war memorial, and views of the Bay of Bengal.

• Experience the serene atmosphere of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, one of India's most renowned spiritual communities founded in 1926, where you can visit the peaceful meditation hall and flower-adorned samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

• Explore Auroville (the City of Dawn), an experimental international township 10 kilometers away, centered around the golden spherical Matrimandir meditation chamber, embodying human unity and sustainable living.

• Discover Bharathi Park and the Aayi Mandapam, a French-style botanical garden with colorful flowerbeds surrounding the elegant white monument at its center, perfect for relaxation.

• Visit the Pondicherry Museum, housed in a beautiful colonial building, featuring French furniture, Chola bronzes, Pallava sculptures, and artifacts from the colonial era.

Optional Add Ons:

•  Indulge in French pastries and baked goods at legendary bakeries like Baker Street or Café des Arts, enjoying croissants, quiches, and authentic French bread.

•  Visit Paradise Beach or Serenity Beach for water sports, surfing lessons, or simply relaxing away from the town center.

•  Shop for handmade paper products, incense, and handicrafts at Auroville boutiques and local craft centers.

•  Attend a pottery or art workshop at Auroville's creative centers or explore contemporary galleries in the French Quarter.

Accommodations:

• Premium: Grand Hotel D'Europe or similar

• Luxury: Radisson Resort Pondicherry or similar

Brihadeeswara Temple

• Drive from Pondicherry to Tanjore.(2.5 to 3 hours)

• Stand in awe before the Brihadeeswara Temple (Big Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece and pinnacle of Chola architecture, featuring a 216-foot pyramidal tower topped with an 80-ton granite capstone lifted without modern machinery over 1,000 years ago.

• Explore the Thanjavur Royal Palace complex, a sprawling 16th-century structure housing the Saraswathi Mahal Library, Art Gallery, and the magnificent Durbar Hall with its ornate ceiling and pillars.

• Admire the Art Gallery's Bronze Gallery, showcasing an extraordinary collection of Chola-era bronze sculptures including masterpieces of Nataraja and other Hindu deities, considered among the finest metal sculptures in the world.

• Learn about Thanjavur painting, a distinctive art form characterized by rich colors, surface richness through semi-precious stones, and gold foil work, at local workshops and galleries.

Optional Add Ons:

• Discover the Saraswathi Mahal Library, one of Asia's oldest libraries containing over 49,000 rare manuscripts, palm leaf texts, and priceless Maratha-period books including medical texts and astronomical charts.

• Experience the Thanjavur tradition of Carnatic music, as this city has produced legendary musicians and remains a center for classical South Indian music and bharatanatyam dance.

• Shop for authentic Thanjavur art pieces including traditional paintings, bronze replicas, and musical instruments like the veena.

Accommodations:

• Premium: Great Trails Riverview or similar

• Luxury: Svatma or similar

Madurai Meenakshi Temple

• Drive from Tanjore to Madurai, Tamilnadu's ancient cultural region (3 to 4 hours)

• Experience the breathtaking Meenakshi Amman Temple, a spectacular Dravidian masterpiece with 14 towering gopurams covered in thousands of colorful deities, intricate sculptures, and the famous golden-topped sanctums dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.

• Explore the Hall of Thousand Pillars within the temple complex, an architectural wonder featuring 985 intricately carved pillars, each with unique sculptures, and housing the temple's art museum.

• Visit the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, a magnificent 17th-century Indo-Saracenic palace featuring massive pillars, ornate stucco work, and a grand courtyard, with sound and light shows bringing its history alive.

• Wander through the bustling bazaars surrounding Meenakshi Temple, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and aromas of jasmine garlands, silk fabrics, brass lamps, and traditional items used for temple worship.

Optional Add Ons:  

• Take an evening rickshaw ride through the old city's narrow lanes, experiencing the vibrant chaos, street vendors, and authentic local life.

• Take a heritage walk through old Madurai, discovering hidden temples, colonial-era buildings, and centuries-old houses in the historic quarters.

• Experience a traditional banana leaf meal at local restaurants like Murugan Idli Shop or Kumar Mess for authentic Madurai cuisine.

Accommodations:

• Premium: Gateway Madurai or similar

• Luxury: Grand Madurai or similar

Tea Gardens Munnar

• Drive from Madurai to Munnar via car(4 to 5 hours).

• Wander through endless emerald tea plantations that carpet the rolling hills, with guided tours of working tea factories where you can witness the art of tea processing from leaf to cup.

• Delve into tea heritage at the Tea Museum, showcasing vintage machinery, photographs, and the colonial history of Munnar's tea industry.

• Stroll through the vibrant Blossom Garden, a colorful paradise featuring exotic flowers, manicured landscapes, and peaceful walking paths amidst the hills.

• Encounter panoramic vistas at Pothamedu View Point, offering spectacular views of rolling tea gardens, valleys, and distant mountain ranges.

• Experience Echo Point, where your voice reverberates across the hills, creating a magical acoustic phenomenon amidst pristine natural beauty.

• Visit the enchanting Mattupetty Dam surrounded by lush green hills, perfect for boating while soaking in the serene mountain atmosphere.

Optional Add Ons:

•   Visit the Rose Garden with its collection of rare and exotic rose varieties blooming in the cool mountain climate  

•   Visit a local spice plantation to discover cardamom, pepper, and vanilla cultivation in their natural mountain habitat

•  Ascend to Anamudi Peak, South India's highest point at 8,842 feet, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Western Ghats and surrounding valleys.

•  Embark on a visit to Eravikulam National Park, where you’ll trek through rolling hills, spot the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Munnar’s mist-covered landscapes.

Accommodations:

• Premium: Leaf Resort or similar

• Luxury: Spice Tree Resort or similar

Periyar National Park

• Drive from Munnar to Thekkady.(2.5 to 3 hours)

• Explore aromatic spice plantations where cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla grow in their natural habitat, with guided walks through fragrant groves explaining traditional cultivation methods.

• Embark on a tranquil boat ride across the pristine Periyar Lake, where you can spot wild elephants, sambar deer, and exotic birds drinking at the water's edge amidst the stunning backdrop of the Western Ghats.

• Take peaceful jungle walks through dense forests, guided by local naturalists who share insights about medicinal plants, wildlife behavior, and forest conservation.

• Witness the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu, Kerala's traditional combat form featuring graceful movements, weapons training, and incredible displays of physical prowess.

Optional Add Ons:

• Visit the Spice Market in Kumily town to purchase authentic Kerala spices and aromatic oils

• Take a bullock cart ride through rural villages to experience local life and traditional farming methods

• Participate in feeding and bathing elephants at the Periyar Elephant Camp.

Accommodations:

• Premium: Greenwoods Resort or similar

• Luxury: Hills & Hues or similar

Houseboat

• Drive from Thekkady to Alleppey. (3.5 to 4.5 hours)

• Embark on a luxurious houseboat cruise through the intricate network of backwaters, gliding past emerald paddy fields, coconut groves, and traditional villages while enjoying the gentle rhythm of Kerala's waterways.

• Savor authentic Kerala cuisine prepared fresh on board by skilled chefs, featuring local specialties like fish curry, appam, and coconut-based delicacies while cruising through scenic canals.

• Witness rural backwater life from your floating vantage point - observe farmers working in paddy fields, children playing by the water's edge, and fishermen casting nets in the traditional style.

Optional Add Ons:

• Take a brief village walk during a houseboat stop to interact with locals and explore traditional homes

• Experience fishing activities from the houseboat deck with traditional equipment

Accommodations:

• Premium: Premium Houseboat

• Luxury: Luxury Houseboat

Chinese Fishing Nets

• Drive from Alleppey to Kochi. (1 to 2 hours).

• Explore Fort Kochi's colonial heritage at the iconic St. Francis Church, India's oldest European church where Vasco da Gama was originally entombed.

• Marvel at the magnificent Santa Cruz Basilica, a stunning example of Indo-European architecture with beautiful frescoes and paintings.

• Delve into royal history at the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), featuring exquisite Kerala murals depicting Hindu epics and royal portraits.

• Step into centuries of Jewish heritage at the Paradesi Synagogue, adorned with hand-painted Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers in the heart of Jew Town.

• Immerse yourself in aromatic spice markets of Mattancherry, where cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon create a sensory journey through Kerala's spice trade legacy.

• Witness the legendary Chinese Fishing Nets at sunset, these 14th-century cantilevered fishing nets create a mesmerizing silhouette against the Arabian Sea.

• Experience the classical art of Kathakali - an evening performance showcasing Kerala's traditional dance-drama with elaborate costumes and mesmerizing expressions.

Optional Add Ons:

• Take a serene backwater cruise through the tranquil canals on a traditional houseboat

• Discover the Kerala Folklore Museum to witness the state's rich cultural tapestry through ancient artifacts and architectural marvels

• Enjoy a serene houseboat cruise on Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest and most scenic backwater stretch, where you can drift past lush paddy fields, traditional villages, and flocks of migratory birds.

Accommodations:

• Premium: Dutch Bungalow or similar

• Luxury: Fragrant Nature or similar

• Private transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Optional Add Ons:

• Visit a traditional Ayurvedic spa for a quick Kerala-style oil massage and steam bath to refresh before your journey

• Browse Cochin Heritage Gallery or small art galleries in Fort Kochi at your own pace