Southern Tour

Day 2: Mamallapuram

This city located 58 km south of Chennai is an ancient capital of the Pallava kings. Many of its temples are world heritage of UNESCO. Visit the Shore Temple, very famous in the region. It is a beautiful cultural complex dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Built by the sea, its frame is sumptuous. You can also visit the South Rathas: These are monolithic temples shaped floats procession. Lunch at a charming restaurant on the waterfront are also found near the bas relief of Arjuna, carved on the walls of a huge rock, which features animals, gods and demigods and illustrates the legends of the Panchatantra. Dinner at a restaurant by the beach. To your hotel.

Day 3 & 4 : Mamallapuram – Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a former French counter: visit the Aurobindo Ashram, the Old Town and museum. The city was in the eighteenth century Indian headquarters of the French East India Company. It was French from 1816 to change in 1954. It remains today an important center of French culture, with the French Alliance, a high school French and a French institute specialized in the study of civilizations and Indian languages​​. Visit the Cenotaph''Mother.''Walk through the old neighborhoods inhabited by the French. Beach Road is a picturesque place for a walk you will discover different aspects of local culture. The nearby beaches will provide a perfect place to relax for the evening. Pool and rest.

Day 5 : Pondicherry – Swamimalai – Tanjore

Departure to 9:30 am to Swamimalai. Visit of a traditional Tamil house and lunch with traditional dishes vegetarian. Continuation of the journey to Swamimalai, a village where many are still working on bronze sculptors using the technique of lost wax. There is also an on-site factory silk saris. Drive to Tanjore to reach 18h. To hotel on the banks of the river. Tanjore was the capital of the Chola kings to whom we owe the temples of the city and surrounding areas. The region, known for its handicrafts, is covered with fertile plains, whose rice plantations cover much of the rice needs of Tamil Nadu. The temple of Brihadishwara, dedicated to Shiva, is the jewel of Chola temple architecture. If you are interested in the artistic dimension, do not miss the Art Gallery: it brings together a large quantity of bronzes, sculptures, antiques and sacred books. If this is the story of the city that interests you most, you can visit the archaeological museum. The hotel where you will spend the night is on the edge of the river and has a swimming pool. You can enjoy it during the afternoon.

Day 6 :Tanjore – Chettinadu

Departure at 10:30 for Chettinadu. Chettinadu region was inhabited by a community of rich merchants, Chattiars, who built the baroque houses quite unique. The visit of the Palace Museum and some of these houses abandoned or often still inhabited, will give you a very complementary approach to the rich culture of Tamil Nadu apart from its religious shrines. A craft tradition is still very much alive in this region and you can visit workshops on wood, silver, textiles. Check into your hotel Chettinadu Palace Masion or Mansion?

Day 7 : Chettinadu – Madurai

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of South India. Great animation reigns at all times: the streets are constantly invaded pilgrims, beggars, merchants, oxcarts and rickshaws. It is the cultural capital of the Tamil country and the Mecca of Hinduism, you will admire the palace of Tirumalai Nayak founded in 1636. You will then discover the Temple of Tiruparakundram carved into the rock. Free walk in this city very much alive, then visit the afternoon of the Temple of Minakshi Sundareshvara Vijayanagar style. This shrine, one of the most vibrant in South India. It is dedicated to the goddess Shiva and Minakshi. A detour through the bazaar of the city will be a good way to end the day. Free dinner.

Day 8: Madurai – Kanyakumari

Departure by car in the morning to Kanyakumari. This ancient city was a major focus of art, culture and pilgrimage. The presence of both Muslim and Christian left in this city have laiss2 a specific architecture. Chola and Nayak dynasties were especially erected several temples remarkable. You can visit the site Vivekananda Memorial in you making by ferry or the Gandhi memorial. The latter was built to house the ashes of the father of Indian nation. It is a very popular with Indian tourists. One can find many shells.

Day 10 & 11: Kanyakumari – Varkala

Varkala is a small town in Kerala. Famous for its beaches surrounded by cliffs, is a place of rest and relaxation. But Varkala is primarily a Hindu pilgrimage site since the twelfth century. Jnardhana temple dedicated to Vishnu, shows. Other points of interest in town are the Sivagiri Mutt and Fort Anjengo. The Sivagiri Mutt is a center created by a guru who still has many disciples and form the lower classes. Anjengo Fort was once the seat of the Dutch garrison and date of the XVII century. This city is worth to stay two nights. Enjoy massages and Ayurvedic treatments. Beautiful beaches of South India will be there to relax.

Day 12: Varkala – Alleppey

Alleppey is one of the sites marshes of Kerala's most exotic. Bordered by the sea and dotted with canals, it is rightly the nickname''Venice of the East.''Backwaters of the country around it is also very rich in plants and birds of all kinds. Agriculture in the region will amaze you with how it has shaped the landscape. In turn you will discover other features of this charming village: traditional manufacturing coir, the market along the canals. The price of the boat and meals are included in the price. Lunch, dinner and breakfast will be on board.

Day 13 & 14 : Alleppey – Cochin

You will finish the boat trip on the lakes, lagoons and canals of Kerala through small villages and rice paddies. The tour will continue by road to Cochin. This quote is a former Portuguese trading and Dutch. The city is renowned for its scenic bay and the spectacle of large fishing nets deployed along the shore (plaice Chinese). In the evening you will attend a performance of Kathkali, a play in costume drama, singing and dancing. Topics discussed are the major themes from Hindu epics. The dinner is free. Your second day on site will take you to visit the Church of Saint Francis. It dates from the early sixteenth century and is the pride of the city. The Dutch Palace. Built originally by the Portuguese, he was then given to the leaders of the city. The synagogue will also be an interesting stop. With Chinese tiles, chandeliers European and decorations, it is an atypical Indian monuments in the city.