Inclusions
- accommodation in twin sharing rooms at listed hotel or equivalent with meals as specified in the
  itinerary
- transportation/ transfers by A/c luxury vehicle for entire tour as per itinerary
- service of English speaking tour escort
- the colonial period toy train journey  for Ooty – Coonor
- Kathakali dance performance visit at Cochin
- one night House Boat on FB basis
- farewell dinner in Kovalam
- all applicable taxes

ITINERARY

Day 1: Chennai
Evening arrival at Chennai airport and transfer to hotel

Day 2: Chennai   [B]
The morning is at leisure in Chennai (Madras). Worth visiting are the St George Fort (1653), Santhorne Cathedral (15thC) and the Kapaleeswarer Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afternoon drive to Mamallapuram and check-in. Evening at leisure.

Day 3: Mamallapuram   [BL]
This city, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, was once a thriving trading port. During the morning we take a Heritage Walk and will most likely see snake charmers and other cultural sights. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day 4: Bangalore   [BL]
Drive towards Bangalore with a stop at Kancheepuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India, capital of the Pallava Empire during the 8thC, centre of the silk industry and home to several great temples. Afterwards continue to Bangalore.

Day 5: Mysore   [B]
We explore Bangalore during the morning, visiting the temple of the Society for Krishna Consciousness which promotes Vedic culture and spiritual learning. We then drive to Mysore, the Palace City of South India. En-route we visit a wooden toy factory, an initiative of Real Travel and our Indian representatives to support the local community.

Day 6: SriRangapattinam   [B]
We visit the palaces, gardens and sacred temples of Mysore during the morning. In the afternoon we visit SriRangapattinum to see its island fortress, and to the 2000  year old Chamundi Hill Temple.
 

Day 7: Mudumalai   [B]
A morning drive to Mudumalai and its famous wildlife park. The thickly wooded hills and deep valleys provide safe habitat for several species of deer, bison, tiger, wild boar, sloth and elephant. An expert wildlife guide accompanies us through the sanctuary. We then continue to our hotel for overnight. Evening visit to view the elephant feeding (if available).
 

Day 8: Coonoor   [B]
An early morning safari into the sanctuary before the drive to Ooty. Here we board the colonial period steam train for the spectacular ride to Coonoor. Tea estates, and the summer homes of the British colonial period dot the hills.
 

Day 9: Cochin   [B]
This vibrant city in the prosperous state of Kerala located on the south-west coast of India, is scenically beautiful. After our arrival and check-in the late afternoon and evening are at leisure.
 

Day 10: Cochin   [B]
We visit the Synagogue, the Church of St Francis or the 15thC Portuguese built Basilica Santa Cruz, and the important Spice Bazaar and the busy fishing harbour. The afternoon is at leisure. During early evening we experience the traditional dance-drama of Kathakali.
 

Day 11: Alleppey   [BLD]
Drive to Alleppey during the morning and board our House Boat for lunch and a cruise through the back waters of Kerala. We see islands protected by mud walls, paddy fields, villages where the people fish, sail, swim and bathe, depending entirely on the waters. We observe the landscapes and birdlife from the sundeck.
 

Day 12: Kovalam   [B]
Disembark and travel to Kovalam, the ‘paradise of South India’. The afternoon is at leisure at our luxury beach-side hotel. You may decide on a herbal massage, or simply enjoy the sun, or board a catamaran for sailing on the Arabian Sea.
 

Day 13: Kovalam   [BD]
Day at leisure with a group farewell dinner in the evening.
 

Day 14: Departure   [B]
Breakfast at the hotel and leisure time until transfer to Trivandrum Airport for onward flight.