A Walk to the Sights of Classic South India

Day 01: CHENNAI

Visit of Chennai (Madras), capital of the state Tamil Nadu : bronze art gallery at the Government Museum, fruit and flower market, the High Court, the Marina Beach; Saint George’s fort, Santhome cathedral, Kapalishwara temple.

Day 02: CHENNAI-MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERY

Visit to the Kalakshetra Foundation, art and cultural academy of Indian arts and crafts, Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. Continue to Mahabalipuram. Visit of Mahabalipuram, a seaside resort with its many temples

Temples: the temple of the shore, The five Ratha (Pancha Ratha). Night in Pondicherry.

Day 03: PONDICHERY

Visit the vestiges of the colonial era and the Indian quarters: the neo-Gothic church of the Sacred Heart (18th century), Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (1791), Our Lady of the Angels; a sanctuary dedicated to Ganesh, that of Varadaraja Perumal dedicated to Vishnu of Dravidian style. Stroll by rickshaw in the old French quarters, the white city, with its colonial architecture (18th century). Visit the Sri Aurobindo Museum and Ashram, then the city museum with its collection of bronzes and sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties.

Day 04: PONDICHERY-GANGAKONDACHOLAPURAM-DURASURAM – KUMBAKONAM

At Gangaikondacholapuram, a Shivaite sanctuary (11th century). Visit of the magnificent temple of Airavateshvara (12th century) in Darasuram. In Swamimalai, visit of a lost wax bronze sculpture factory, with the different steps of the manufacturing process. Initiation to traditional South Indian recipes before tasting. In the evening, Bharatanatyam dance show.

Day 05: KUMBAKONAM-TANJORE-CHETTINADU

On the way, visit of Tanjore with the Brihadeeswara temple, Shiva sanctuary of the Chola dynasty (year 1000) and the Palace with a collection of bronzes of the XIth/XIIth century. Continuation towards Chettinad: discovery of the palatial houses built by the caste of the rich merchants Chattiars. Not far away, the sanctuary of Ayyanar with its marvelous terracotta horses and sites of artisanal traditions (weaving, tile workshop…). Walk in the fruit and vegetable market and in the bazaar of Karaikudi.

Day 06: CHETTINADU-MADURAI

Cultural and religious capital of the Tamil country with its imposing temple protected by its gopurams which dominate the old city. Departure by rickshaw for a visit of the Tirumalaya Nayak Palace and the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Shiva.

Day 07: MADURAI -PERIYAR

Continuation towards the national park of Periyar and its plantations of spices and tea. The nature reserve is home to buffaloes, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, elephants, leopards, porcupines and over thirty tigers. Visit the spice plantation and boat ride in the Periyar National Park.

Day 08: PERIYAR – ALLEPPEY

Drive to the backwaters, aboard a houseboat, a traditional sampan to discover a labyrinth of canals and lagoons lined with coconut trees and rice fields. Night on a houseboat.

Day 09: ALLEPPEY – COCHIN

Ideal city to stroll around with its old houses, its large spice warehouses, the cheerfulness of its inhabitants and all its trinket stores. Walk in the old city: Fort Cochin; the Chinese nets; the church of Saint Francis, the oldest European church in India. Visit the synagogue (1568), the Mattancherry Palace (Dutch palace) and its murals of scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends. In the evening, Kathakali show, costumed drama, sung and danced of Kerala.

Day 10: Departure from Cochin

Free morning to take a walk in the old districts; drive to the airport

 

Included : Full board, superior hotels, tour guide , transportation by air-conditioned bus and entrance fees

 Not included : international airfare, visa to enter India, insurance, drinks and tips for driver and guide/

Estimated budget :

 

Included : Full board, superior hotels, tour guide , transportation by air-conditioned bus and entrance fees

 Not included : international airfare, visa to enter India, insurance, drinks and tips for driver and guide