JOURNEY TO SOUTH INDIA
Chennai - Covelong - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar (05 Nights / 06 Days)
Welcome to India! Arrive Madras International airport, On arrival, meet assist at the airort by our representative and directly proceed to Covelong (43 kms/1 hr) Upon arrival at hotel the guests will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome consisting of aarti-tikka and garlands with non-alcoholic welcome drink. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Covelong
Fullday sightseeing tour of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Covelong - Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry (162 kms/4 hrs) Tour of Pondicherry - visiting Botanical garden, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later visit township of Auroville or the city of Dawn. Designed by a French architect Roger Arger, it is an entirely new concept in education and urban living. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Pondicherry - Tanjore
After breakfast drive to Tanjore (177 kms/4 ½ hrs) Upon arrival at Tanjore - check into hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tanjore. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai (190 kms/5½ hrs) enroute visiting Trichy City tour of Trichy - visit the 'Rock Fort Temple' which rises abruptly to a height of 273 ft. A steep staircase cut into the rock leads upto the Fort. At the first level are the remnants of a huge hall blasted into ruins in 1772. The next storey is the Mathrubhuteshwarer Shrine dedicated to Shiva. Finally at the top of the hill, the 'Uchhi Pillayar Koil' - a Ganesh Temple offering a commanding view of the city. Thereafter continue drive to Madurai Upon arrival at Madurai - check into hotel. Evening visit of the Meenakshi temple - Leave the hotel for the temple by cycle rickshaws. At 9 PM, attend the night ceremony at the temple. This is a ceremony that takes place every evening when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva is carried to the bed chamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by religious prayer and temple music. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Madurai - Periyar
Morning city tour of Madurai visit the Meenakshi temple one of the biggest temple complexes in India. After breakfast drive to Periyar (177 kms/5 hrs) Upon arrival at Periyar - check into hotel.
