Spirit of South India - OLD Itinerary

Day 1  Depart Australia
Welcome to Chennai! On our arrival we will be met by our friendly Indian guide and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2  Chennai
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is rich in the treasures of history. Today we explore this lively city visiting the Fort St George dating back to 1653, and the Kapaleeswara, an ancient Shiva temple and a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. We also visit the Santhome Cathedral Church, built in the 14th and 15th centuries alongside the beach. The afternoon is at leisure. [B]

Day 3 Chennai - Mahabalipuram
Smell the sea air today as we stop at the coastal village of Kanchipuram, famous for its silks, on our way to Mahabalipuram. [B]

Day 4 Mahabalipuram - Puducherry
An amazing morning as we visit some of Mahabalipuram’s famous temples, a beautiful group of rock-cut monuments on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal. Here we can also see India’s holy men – the Sadhus, perform rituals of spiritual devotion. We then continue to Puducherry, a city where beauty lies in its quiet existence and vibrant surroundings. [B]

Day 5 Puducherry
A visual feast today as we visit the Aurobindo Ashram, famous for its arts and crafts. Enjoy free time this afternoon – try the fresh coffee and French pastries! [B]

Day 6 Puducherry - Tanjore
Our next stop is Chidambaram, one of the most holy towns in Tamil Nadu. We continue to Tanjore, the former capital of the Chola Kings and the cultural capital of the region. This evening we see stunning temples where the builders specialised in the art of making bronze figures. [B]

Day 7 Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai
Today we stop to visit Trichy which was built around a Rockfort Temple. In Madurai,we visit the world renowned Meenakshi Temple and enjoy a religious Aarti ceremony, a sacred and dramatic Hindu
ritual worshipping fire. [B]

Day 8 Madurai - Periyar
This morning we enjoy a city tour of Madurai, an important place of worship,then continue to Periyar. [B,D]

Day 9 Periyar
This afternoon we enjoy a tour of an aromatic spice plantation guaranteed to awake the senses. [B,D]

Day 10 Periyar - Varkala
Continue to the coastal village of Varkala,an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. This village is known as the paradise of the south for its spectacular sands and red cliffs. [B]

Day 11 Varkala
Chill out in paradise today, relax by the pool or enjoy a swim at the beach. This evening,a visit to the north cliff restaurants is a must to enjoy the sunset while savouring some of the fresh seafood on offer. [B]

Day 12 Varkala - Alleppey
We swap the beach for rural village life today as we board a traditional rice boat - our home for the evening as we cruise the serene backwaters of Kerala. [B,L,D]

Day 13 Alleppey - Kochi
After disembarking, we travel to Kochi, often referred to as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea.” Enjoy an afternoon tour of the city visiting the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace and St Francis Church. We also take a walk to see the famous Chinese fishing nets in the harbour. This evening we enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance. [B]

Day 14 Kochi
Enjoy a day at leisure to further explore. [B]

Day 15 Kochi - Coonoor
There are fantastic scenic views of the hills and rural life as we drive to Coonoor, known for its leaf tea and essential oils. [B]

Day 16 Coonoor - Ooty - Coonoor
Experience the toy train today as we travel on the Nilgiri Express passing through spectacular scenery on our way to Ooty, “Queen of the Hill Stations.” At a height of 2,268m, Ooty is surrounded by stunning mountain vistas. We drive back to Coonoor this afternoon. [B]

Day 17 Coonoor - Mysore
This morning we drive to Mysore, one of the most stunning cities in India. Mysore is the capital of the old royal Mysore province and is known as the ‘City of Palaces’. [B]

Day 18 Mysore
A magnificent day’s sightseeing includes the Maharajah’s Palace, with its exquisite carvings and artwork from around the world, the imposing Gothic-style St Philomena Church, and Chamundi Hill. We also visit Srirangapatnam, a site of Hindu pilgrimage. [B]

Day 19 Mysore - Depart Bangalore
Today is at leisure before travelling to Bangalore airport for our late flight home. [B]

Day 20 Arrive Australia
 

Spirit of South India - OLD

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