India: The Beautiful South
Overview
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Destinations
Itinerary
Arrive in Chennai (formerly Madras) and transfer to your hotel.
Discover colonial Madras through the buildings left behind by the British. Then, zigzag your way through the bustling bylanes of vibrant Georgetown as your guide points out the fresh produce, local everyday commodities and colorful market stalls, pausing along the way...
Travel south to the ancient Pallava capital of Mahabalipuram, site of the UNESCO-listed cave temples, bas-relief sculptures, pillared halls carved out of the rocky hillside and the delightful shore temple. After a lunch of southern Indian delicacies, head to Puducherry and your hotel in the French Quarter.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore “Pondy” on foot starting in the French Quarter, admiring the wide shady streets, colonial architecture and soft pastel colors. Pause at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which influences much of the city. Founded by the Indian philosopher, yogi, guru, poet and nationalist...
Drive farther south to Thanjavur (formerly Tanjore), the ancient Chola capital, stopping on the way in Chidambaram to visit the vibrant Nataraja Temple, famed for its bronze dancing Shiva. Observe the daily Brahmin rituals at shrines throughout the 40-acre complex.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend some time today admiring the 11th-century Brihadisvara Temple, one of India’s most spectacular. Seek out its elaborate stucco sculptures, shrines and statues, along with the exquisite Chola frescos. Later, stroll through the 14th-century Tanjore Palace — built f...
Journey on to the Chettinad region, home to a prosperous banking and business community and remarkable cuisine, among Tamil Nadu’s most famous. Take a bull cart to lunch, where you’ll savor the subtle and aromatic local flavors, followed by a visit to a tile factory a...
Step out into vibrant Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Famous for temples built in the Dravidian style, Madurai is also home to a maze of markets and museums. This afternoon, choose between three Design Your Day® activities. Visi...
Your journey continues into Kerala and the lush Western Ghats, where your old-world plantation retreat is located. Stroll around the estate with an expert naturalist, who identifies the local flora and fauna.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover a world of tea today as you witness every step, from leaf plucking and processing to packaging and pouring. Visit the tea gardens, see the plantation workers and their villages, taste the various grades at the Lockhart Tea Factory established in 1879, and enj...
Drive through scenic forest into the countryside, where rubber trees grow and spices are cultivated. After lunch, continue the drive to Kochi (formerly Cochin). This evening, motor around the harbor and soak up the sunset.
Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch
Today, watch as the local fisherfolk set off to cast their nets. Get a peek into the massive seafood auction and witness the morning hustle as buyers haggle over the prized catch. Savor a cup of tea at a local chaikadda, after which you visit a Soviet-era Communist re...
Today, personalize your travel experience with a selection of Design Your Day® adventures. Meet a local cook and food consultant, Nimmy, who shares her Syrian-Christian heritage through home-cooked food. Tour the city with a local expert, who shares the heritage and...
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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