Day 01 : Chennai Arrival
You are welcomed at Chennai airport either by the representative of our local agency or by your French-speaking guide. He ensures with you the transfer to the hotel we’ve reserved for you for the next two nights.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Chennai Exploration
After breakfast, you leave for the visit of Kapaleshwar temple dedicated to the god Shiva before continuing towards the Fort Saint George and its museum.
Later, you will discover the splendid San Thom Cathedral. Built in the 16th century by Portuguese, it once had the status of Basilica. However, it is in 1893 that English, during its reconstruction, gave it the status of Church.
In the evening, you enjoy a stroll on Marina beach, beautiful beach lined with local merchants and craftsmen.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 : Chennai / Kanchipuram (70km/02h) / Mahabalipuram (70km/02h)
After breakfast, you take the departure for Mahäbalipuram. Along the way, you visitKanchipuram temples, ancient capital of the Pallava dynasty, as well as Ekambareswara and Kailasanathar temples.
Upon arrival, you will settle at the hotel before going, in the afternoon,for the visit ofArjuna'sPenance, a bas-relief depicting the descent of the Ganges. During this day, you will also discover Krishna's butter ball.
In the evening, you discoverMahabalipuram city.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry (100km – 02hr)
After a heavy breakfast, you leave towards Pondicherry where you will settle at the hotel upon your arrival.
Later, you visit the Church Sacré Coeur de Jesus and Notre Dame des Anges. Then, in the late afternoon you visit Vinayaga temple, where you will be blessed at the entrance of the temple by an elephant called Lakshmi.
In the evening, you are freeto take a stroll in the French quarter of the city and on the walk by the sea.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : Pondicherry
In the morning, after breakfast, you set out to explore the city of Pondicherry in rickshaw riding, from the Muslim quarter to the seaside passing by for the Goubert market and the historic city.
Then, you go to visit Auroville and Ashram Shri Aurobindo (Auroville closed on Sunday afternoon).
In the late afternoon you are free and you can take a walk in the city’s French quarter.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 : Pondicherry / Chidambaram / Gangaikondacholapuram/ Darasuram / Tanjore (250 km – 05 h)
After breakfast, you take the road towards Tanjore. Along the way, you visit Chidambaram, GangaikondaCholapuram and Darasuram temples, Dravidian temples classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites. You arrive in the afternoon and you go directly to settle in the hotel before leaving to discover Brihadishvara temple, wonder of Chola architecture from the X century, and the remarkable bronzers’ gallery located in Nayak’s ancient Palace In the evening, you assist to a bharatanatyam dance show.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 : Tanjore (60 km-1.05 hr) / Trichi (90 km- 02 hr) / Chettinad
After breakfast, you take the departure to reach Chettinad region. A Chettiar community that thrives in business and banking, and many of whom have emigrated to South Asia or Southeast Asia in the 20th century.On the way, you stop in Trichy to visit the Rockfort and Srirangnathswamy temples. You arrive inChettinad and after you are settled in the hotel, you leave for the visit of Chettiyarsvillage and its houses.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : Chettinad / Madurai (90 km – 02 hr)
Today, after a good breakfast, you leave for Madurai where you settle upon your arrival. In the afternoon, you visit Meenakshi Amman temple, South India’s most famous temple dedicated to the fish-eyed Meenakshi goddess.In the evening, you will discover Madurai’s local markets located aroundMeenaksh temple.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Madurai / Periyar (150km – 03 hr)
After breakfast, you take the road to Thekkady, a small village near Periyar reserve and many spice plantations. You settle at the hotel when you arrive. In the late afternoon, you visit various spice plantations in Kumily. There you will have the opportunity to find spice plantations such as cardamom, pepper, ginger or curcumine. A boat safari on Periyar Lake is scheduled for the evening. (If, for any impediment, we are unable to make the boat tour tonight, we will shift this activity to the next morning).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Periyar /Munar (120 km – 03 h):
In the early morning, you go on a boat safari on Periyar’s Lake to admire the amazing fauna this reserve contains. (Depending on the day before) You then leave for Munnar and you settle at the hotel as soon as you arrive.Later, you visit the Tata Tea Museum and the magnificent tea plantations. (Closed on Mondays).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Munar
After breakfast, a sightseeing of Munar, Eravikulam National Park, Rajamala Peak, Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point will fill your day.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Munar / Alleppey (190 km - 05 h)
After breakfast, you head towards Alleppey. As soon as you arrive, you settle into your house-boat before leaving for a short stroll on the backwaters canals to discover the surrounding villages.
Night in the house-boat.
Day 13 : Alleppey(Alappuzha) / Cochin (70 km - 02 hr)
In the morning, after a heavy breakfast, you go for a ride on the backwaters canals before setting off for Cochin. Installation in Cochin. You then leave for the visit of Mattanchéry Palace. Also called "Dutch palace", this palace was built in 1555 by Portuguese, the first westerners who arrived in the region, as a gift for the Cochin raja, Veera Kerala Varma. This nickname is in fact due to the restoration undertook by the Dutch in 1663. Despite these western origins, the palace is built in an Indo-Kerala style, with beautiful carpentry work, magnificent painted coffered ceilings and roofs reminding Chinese pagodas. Your day continues with the visit of Kochi synagogue, the oldest in all Commonwealth countries(Closed on Friday and Saturday). You also visit the Jewish quarter. In the afternoon, you visit St. Francois Church and Santa Cruz Basilica. In the evening, you go to discover Kochi Fort’s district.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Cochin
After breakfast, you discover the typical alleys of this small town full of charm. You can also take the ferry to visit the surrounding islands, or browse the modern and commercial town of Ernakulam. In the evening, you will have the chance to attend a kathakali show, costume and sung drama, ancestral art of Kerala.
Return to the hotel. Overnight in hotel
Day 15 : Cochin / Depart
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport according to the return flight scheduled.