Day 1

ARRIVE CHENNAI, INDIA

Arrive in Chennai, set on the Bay of Bengal on India’s southeast coast, where you are met and privately transferred to your hotel.

Day 2

CHENNAI

After a leisurely morning at the hotel, start your tour of Cebu with some quiet time to explore Fort St. George, made in 1640. Today, it is mainly a museum and includes St. Mary's Church. Explore the National Arts Gallery whose exhibits feature all major South Indian periods, including the Chola, Vijayanagar, Hoysala and Chalukya and stop at Kapaleeswara, also known as Shivaji Nagar Temple. It houses one of India's most beautiful temples with an elaborately carved temple tower. End your day with some peace at Santhome Cathedral which is a monument, built in Gothic style with beautiful spires reaching 155 feet into the sky.

Day 3

MAHABALIPURAM

STORY OF A SACRED CITY

Start your trip with breakfast, then stop to see the Group of Monuments in Mahabalipuram. This designated UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of many different sculptures and depictions, which were created out of enormous rocks and showcase life-sized figures of animals, gods, and saints. Nearby, visit the shallow mandaps that have been sculpted out of the rocky hillside and portray stories from Indian mythology. Finally, you will be able to see the Shore Temple as well as some beautiful gardens. You will be traveling back to Chennai for lunch before making this day come to an end.

Day 4

TRICHY

HAVEN OF TEMPLES

Fly to Trichy, and tour the city with your private guide. In Trichy, visit the 49 different shrines in the temple dedicated to Vishnu. Next, visit the Tanjavur Rock Fort Temple before finally heading to Thanjavur ,former capital of the Chola Dynasty.

Day 5

THANJAVUR

DYNASTIC CAPITAL

The Cholas are known for their temple building capability. Thanjavur has 74 temples with the Brihadeeswarar Temple as the most famous. After your visit to this UNESCO site, head over to an art gallery. There you’ll see bronze statues of antique pieces from across India. Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the city's neighborhoods and opting for some leisurely activities.

Day 6

CHETTINAD & MADURAI

CAPITAL OF KINGS

After breakfast and a morning drive, you’ll arrive at the Chettinad region. This region is where wealthy business owners and businessmen of the 1800s got rich by trading in Burma. Here, you will explore their mansions, which are known for their teak pillars and marble detailing. After lunch, continue on to Madurai. If you choose, this evening you can attend a pooja ceremony hosted by Meenakshi Temple which features an idol covered in colorful graphics being carried around in procession by musicians.

Day 7

MADURAI

Join your private guide for an early morning walking tour of Madurai. Discover equal parts legend and history as you wander through this ancient Tamil capital. Return to your hotel for breakfast before exploring Madurai’s great 17th-century Meenakshi Amman Temple. The largest temple complex in southern India, and as significant to the region’s architectural legacy as the Taj Mahal is to northern India, this 15-acre complex is a joyful homage to Shiva and the triple-breasted goddess, Meenakshi.

Day 8

PERIYAR

THE WESTERN GHATS

After breakfast, travel overland into the state of Kerala to Periyar, checking in to your accommodation on arrival. Your journey takes you into the Western Ghats, a lush mountain range that rises parallel to India’s Arabian Sea coast. Later, visit a local spice plantation, where you enjoy the sights and smells of fresh spices and learn about their cultivation process.

Day 9

KUMARAKOM

THROUGH THE DOOR OF HIGHRANGE

After breakfast, you will have descended a dramatic escarpment and be on your way to the village of Kumarakom. You will stop for lunch in Kanjirappally, then arrive at your lakefront hotel in Kumarakom.

Day 10

KUMARAKOM

LOCAL LIFE & VILLAGES

oday, visit several traditional villages near Kumarakom, accompanied by a specialized guide. Interact with villagers as you learn about traditional crafts and agricultural practices such as toddy tapping, climbing coconut trees, weaving coconut leaves and fishing.

Day 11

KUMARAKOM & KOCHI

After breakfast, take a scenic drive over the rim of a deep valley to Kumarakom. On the way, stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Kanjirappally before arriving at your hotel.

Day 12

KOCHI

Rise early to explore Kochi with your local guide. Enjoy a nutritious, traditional south Indian breakfast whilst observing the fishermen work at their trade in nearby boats. Spend the day exploring the capital city and its fascinating cultural mix. Visit one of the oldest synagogues in India, decorated with a mixture of blue ceramic Chinese tiles, see Kerala's most important temple and visit St Francis Church, which was erected by the Portuguese in 16th century. At the entrance of Kochi harbour you can see cantilevered fishing nets imported from China by traders; this evidence of centuries old trading links between regions. This evening enjoy an authentic South Indian theatre performance.

Day 13

Delhi

The old and New

Visit the great Jama Masjid, the most important mosque in India. Completed in 1656, its two minarets each stand 131 feet tall. Then, Ride Like a Local by rickshaw through the narrow alleys and stalls of Chandni Chowk bazaar, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. Like Jama Masjid, it dates to the era of Shah Jahan and today is a vital part of everyday life here — frequented by locals and a must-see destination for visitors. After lunch, tour New Delhi, including Humayun’s Tomb, the last resting place of an esteemed 16th-century Mughal emperor and an architectural precursor of the Taj Mahal

Day 14

DEPATURE

Transfer to the airport early this morning for your flight home