(12 nights and 13 days)

Chennai / Kanchipuram / Mahabalipuram / Tanjore / Trichy / Madurai / Thekkady / Periyar / Cochin / Goa / Mumbai

Day 01 - Arrival at Chennai

Arrive Chennai International Airport. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by Group Tours To India representative who will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation. You will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and day at leisure.

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the capital of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is a teeming, expansive, lively metro founded on the site of a fishing village in 1639 as a British settlement in India.
Explore the Chennai city by paying visit to the Kapaleeswarar temple, Santhome Church, Fort Museum and National Art Gallery. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02- Chennai / Kanchipuram /Mahabalipuram

From Chennai drive to Kanchipuram, once the capital of Pallava and one of the seven holy cities of India famous for its thousand temples. Also visit the numerous temples including Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunda Perumal Temple, Varatharaja Temple and Ekambareswara Temple, which give the city its name as 'the temple city'. Also visit Kamakshi Temple, dedicated to Parvati "the goddess with the eyes of love". Travel to Mahabalipuram, the famous Pallava port in the 6th and 9th centuries AD and noted for the cave temple, shore temple and monolithic rathas (rock-carved temple chariots) and bas-reliefs. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram

Today enjoy a temple tour of Mahabalipuram. The place is nothing short of a spectacular display of consummate skill with which the sculptures have been carved out of solid rocks of granite. Visit the Shore Temple, an outstanding example of early temple construction in South India and Penance of Bhagirata, the world's largest bas relief also known as "Arjuna's Penance".

Day 04: Mahabalipuram/ Tanjore / Trichy

Drive to Tanjore, the seat of the Chola power between the 10th and the 14th centuries AD to enjoy a city tour covering the tourist places like Brahadeeswara temple, the Royal palace complex, which houses library and museums. The Brahadeeswara Temple, a more than 200 feet tall Dravidian structure in truncated pyramid form, has a huge lingam in its sanctorum. In the inner shrine of the temple, you can see India's second largest monolithic statue of Nandi the bull, the mount of the Lord Shiva. Upon arrival in Trichy, your afternoon will be free to explore the city, once the citadel of Chola Empire. Visit Srirangam temple, Rock-Fort temple, and Ganapati temple on hilltop and Shiva temple. Also visit the residence of Lord Robert Clive, credited with the foundation of the British Empire in India. Overnight stay at a hotel in Trichy.

Day 05: Trichy /Madurai

Drive to Madurai. Check in at the hotel. Your day begins with a drive to Madurai, a city of great antiquity and the capital of Pandyas, one of the three great powers of South India. A great center of learning and art the place has been attracting poets, writers, builders, and academics. Visit the 1000-pillared Meenakshi Temple adorned with brilliantly decorated sculptures and statues producing almost a practically psychedelic effect. Also visit Thirumalai Nayak's Palace noted for its stucco arches and domes and Gandhi Museum. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06 - Madurai / Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)

After taking breakfast drive to Thekkady. After arrival transfer to the hotel and check in at the hotel. Periyar is one of India's finest wildlife sanctuaries and home to a wide variety of wild tuskers, bison and spotted deer. Evening game viewing at the sanctuary by boat on lake Periyar. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07- Periyar / Cochin

After taking breakfast travel to Cochin or Kochi via the major fishing harbors of Beypore and Guruvayur. Cochin, the commercial hub and main natural harbor of Kerala, has a distinct European feel as it was under the rule of Portuguese, Dutch and English at one time or another. Overnight stay at the hotel in Cochin.

Day 08 - Cochin

After taking breakfast, travel to the backwaters of Cochin, which run from the sea through lush tropical countryside. The boat trip is very relaxing and fascinating. Return to Cochin and stroll down the streets of Cochin. In the evening proceed to witness the famous Kathakali Dance.

Day 09 - Cochin / Goa (by air)

After taking breakfast transfer to the airport to fly to Goa - the picturesque land full of scenic beauty and many attractions such as the palm-fringed white beaches, historic forts, ornately decorated churches and temples, verdant hills and mountains, meandering rivers, creek and fields. After arrival at Dabolim airport transfer to the hotel. Check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10 - Goa

Proceed on a full day sightseeing tour of Old Goa, covering Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Se Cathedral, Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the church of the Lady of Rosary Church. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11- Goa

Full day is reserved for enjoying the golden beaches, luxurious casinos and spirits in Goa. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12- Goa

The day is reserved to relax on the beach, food sunbathe try some more of the local. The spectacular beaches of Goa offer you the ultimate in enjoyment. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 13- Goa / Mumbai

After taking breakfast transfer to the airport to fly back to Mumbai. Catch the connecting flight for your homebound destination.