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 : Exploring Chennai
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 visit Kanchipuram 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 of Arjuna's Penance, a bas-relief depicting the descent of the Ganges. During this day, you will also discover Krishna's butter ball.
In the evening, you discover Mahabalipuram city.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Mahäbalipuram / Pondicherry(Puducherry) (100km - 02hr)
After 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 (Puducherry)
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(Thanjavur) (250 km - 05 h)
After breakfast, you take the road towards Tanjore. Along the way, you visit Chidambaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram 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 are assisted to perform the Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 : Tanjore (60 km-1.05 hr) Trichi (90 km - 02 hr) Chettinadu
After breakfast, you take the departure to reach Chettinadu 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 temple. You arrive in Chettinadu and after you are settled in the hotel, you leave for the visit of Chettiyars village and its houses.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : Chettinadu / Madurai (90 km - 02 hr)
Today, after 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 around Meenakshi temple.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Madurai / Periyar Reserve (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 / Munnar (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 - Munnar
After breakfast, a sightseeing of Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, Rajamala Peak, Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point will fill your day.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Munnar / Alleppey(Alappuzha) (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 / Cochin(Kochi) (70 km - 02 hr)
In the morning, after 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(Kochi)
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 / Ooty (290 km - 08 hr)
Today, after breakfast, you take the road to Ooty, a small mountain resort located on the Nilgiris mountain range. A long day is waiting for you as we leave Kerala and Tamil Nadu to reach Niligiri through a winding road. The trip to Coonoorghat is one of South India’s most picturesque road. It offers a superb view on the plains and the splendid woods of palm trees and other trees.
Passing through the small resort of Coonoor we continue our way through the many tea and coffee plantations to reach Ooty where we stay for the next two nights
After an 8-hour journey, you arrive in Ooty and you settle down at the hotel and have a free evening to fullyenjoy this small mountain resort.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 : Ooty / Coonoor : (train)
After breakfast, you board a train that takes you to Coonoor crossing the mountains. When you arrive and after you are settled in the hotel, you visit the city of Coonoor.
You then return to Ooty and you discover "The Queen of the Southern Mountain Resorts" which has long been a haven for British officials and tea growers in South India. Located at 2.286 m altitude, the climate in winter is indeed much colder than in plain and the evenings can be quite cool.
For those who want, we propose a pleasant walk to Snowdon Peak (2,450 m) through a huge variety of flora (eucalyptus, conifers, Shola), before returning to the city to discover the Botanical Garden which maintains more than 1,000 Varieties of plants, shrubs and trees such as orchids, ferns and other alpine plants all grouped amidst beautiful lawns.
In the late afternoon, you stroll around the bazaars of the city and can taste the local chocolate.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 17 : Ooty / Mysore(Mysuru)(160 km - 03 h)
After breakfast, you head towards Mysore. Upon arrival, you will settle at the hotel before visiting Chamundi temple and Mysore Palace. Rebuilt in 1912 after devastation by a fire incident in 1897, Mysore Maharaja’s Palace is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of India. The work direction was led by a British architect: Henry Irwin and several styles were mixed; including Indo-Muslim, Oriental and Dravidian art.
Note: On Saturday and Sunday evening the Mysore Palace is illuminated.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 18 : Mysore / Halebid / Belur / Hassan (150 km - 03 h)
Early in the morning, you leave to visit Somnathpura ancient temples and it is After having breakfast, on the road to Hassan, that you visit Shravanabelagola, one of the high places ofKarnataka Jain pilgrimage. You will admire the colossal and monolithic statue of Bahubali, saint of Jain mythology, dating from the end of the 10th century.
You continue on your way to Halebid and Belur, famous for their temples, masterpieces of the twelfth-century sculptor’shoysala. You arrive at the hotel at the end of the day.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19 : Hassan / Hospet(Hosapete) (330 km - 07 hr)
After breakfast, a long drive awaits you today in Karnataka through the arid plateaus of Deccan.
When you arrive, you will be settling at your hotel in Hospet, near the splendid site of Hampi, the former capital of Vijayanagar, a Hindu kingdom and classifies as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 20 : Hospet / Hampi / Hospet
After hbreakfast, your day is entirely devoted to the discovery of Hampi site. You will discover Virupaksha temple, dedicated to the god Shiva, and Vitthala temple with its chariot of procession and its Mandapam, dance hall with superbly carved pillars.
In the royal enclosure you will discover the Lotus Palace, the Queen's Baths and other architectural wonders. This city, formerly greater than Rome, fascinated the European and Persian travelers who stayed there.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 21 : Hospet / Badami (180 km – 04 hr)
After breakfast you take the road to reach Badami. On the road, you visit Aihole and Pattadakal sites, religious capital of the Chalukya dynasty. These temples, which were built between the 6th and 8th centuries, are renowned for their original beauty and purity, new styles experienced by builders and sculptors.
In Badami you will visit rock caves which overlook the beautiful Agastyatirtha basin before heading to Hubballi where you will settle at the hotel upon your arrival.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 22 : Badami/ Hubballi (110km – 2h) / Goa (220 km- 04-05 hr )
After breakfast, you take the road to Goa, Portuguese enclave and former witness of the spice race. As soon as you arrive you have a glimpse of Goa, a state favored by an ideal climate, containing fabulous beaches, charming people, delicious food, fortresses perched on hills, small whitewashed churches and imposing cathedrals dating from the Portuguese era. On the way, you make a stop at Hubli, where you visit ruins. In the afternoon, you arrive in Goa and after settling at the hotel, you can enjoy your end of the day to relax and enjoy the beach. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 23 : Goa / Departure
After breakfast, your morning is spent visiting the old town and its churches. You are free until your departure in order to fully enjoy your last moments of relaxation on the fabulous beaches.
You are transferred to the airport according to the return flight schedule.