DAY 01.   ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 02.   CHENNAI – TRICHY                         Day Train
Morning a brief orientation drive through this sprawling city, Early afternoon we board the train to Tiruchirapalli, affectionately known as Trichy. Arrive and transfer to hotel. 

DAY 03.   IN TRICHY
Full day excursion to Tanjore, 58 Km east by road, an old temple city with exuberant Hindu sculpture, the work of Chola architects (10th to 14th centuries). The main shrine houses an enormous lingam, the sacred fertility symbol of Siva. En-route visit Chola Dam, Pundi Roman Catholic Church and Low cast village. 

DAY 04.   TRICHY – MADURAI                            Drive 142 Km 3 Hrs.
Morning half day tour to the famous rock fort which looms about 300' over the banks of the Cauvery river. A Ganesh temple stands here, and there are superb views from the top of the fort looking down on the river island of Srirangam and the temple of Ranganatha Swami. Late afternoon depart and drive to Madurai arrive and check in at hotel.  

DAY 05.   IN MADURAI
Madurai is the Tamil heartland and the acknowledged center of Dravidian culture. The old town clings around the 9 tall gopurams (monumental gates) of the 16th century Meenakshi Temple. We explore the Hall of 1000 Pillars, the Palace of King Tiramalai (a blend of Hindu and Saracen architectural styles), the Great Tank and the Gandhi Museum. Rising above the complex, above the festive Pandemonium of swirling crowds of pilgrims that never seem to cease, are 11 stupendous towers.  

DAY 06.   MADURAI – QUILON (Kollam)                           Drive 305 Km 6 Hrs. 
Morning depart and drive through magnificent Cardamon hills and cross into Kerala state, one of the most colorful regions of India with a cultural heritage stretching back thousands of years. A fairly prosperous area, the most valuable crops are tea and rubber; timber is also an important industry. Arrive and check in at hotel. 

DAY 07.   QUILON – ALLEPPEY - COCHIN          Boat 84 Km        Drive 63 Km 1 ½ Hrs. 
Quilon is the starting point of the most of beautiful stretch of inland waterways in Kerala over 80 km of Malabar backwaters winding under the lush leaves of coconut palms all the way to Alleppey. We embark on the local riverboat - cum - ferry for an exotic journey of some 8 hours, chugging in unhurried style of waterways used by villagers commuting from villages to village. After docking at Alleppey, we drive to cochin hotel.

DAY 08.   IN COCHIN
Cochin, a 'Venice of the East' and gathering place of merchants since antiquity, is full of bustling traders. Our river craft tour takes us to Fort Cochin the oldest European settlement in India (1500), and has a mixture of English, Dutch and Portuguese influence. Passing through Bolgatty Island and see cantilevered Chinese Fishing nets. Also we explore St. Francis church and the Jewish Synagogue. 

DAY 09.   COCHIN – COIMBATORE                   183 Km 4 Hrs. 
Heading inland we drive to Coimbatore at the foot of Nilgiri Hills. Arrive and check in at hotel. rest of the day at leisure for relaxing for personal exploration. 

DAY 10.   COIMBATORE – OOTY                       Drive 98 Km 2 Hrs.
Early morning a short drive to Metupalayam railway station, here we try to board the Nilgiri Express (train journey availability, subject to local conditions), and climb by rack rail mountain train through the scenic Nilgiri Hills to Ootacamund, or Ooty as it is known. Arrive Ooty by afternoon and transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure to explore botanical garden, horse - racing, and shopping on Charring Cross, the center of town. An artificial lake enhances Ooty's natural beauty, and there are some good walks in the immediate vicinity.  

DAY 11.   OOTY – MYSORE                 159 Km 2 ½ Hrs.
Morning leisurely we leave for a short drive through Madumalai National Park, home to variety of wildlife, to city of fragrance ‘Mysore’, arrive and check - in at hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. 

DAY 12.   IN MYSORE 
Morning explore the huge Maharaja's Palace, impressive enough by day, is spectacular at night, lit by thousand dazzling lights. At the top of Chamundi Hill stands an enormous monolithic sculpture of the sacred bull Nandi. Afternoon at leisure for personal exploration of Mysore Sandalwood arts and crafts.  

DAY 13.   MYSORE – CHENNAI       (Train) (Shatabdi except Tuesday 1420/2125)                       CHENNAI – MAHABALIPURAM       Drive 58 Km 1 ½ Hrs.
Morning at leisure, afternoon board Chennai bound train, arrive in the late evening and drive to Mahabalipuram hotel. This small village offers us the ideal opportunity to relax after our journey; the area is well known for its beautiful temples and miles of beaches, perfect for an evening stroll or beach - combing.   

DAY 14.   IN MAHABALIPURAM
Full day to explore world heritage 17^th century Shore temple, Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest bas – relief (some 27 m long by 20 m high ), and one of the most impressive friezes in India, Mandapa cave temples with interesting relief’s, Five Raths and monolithic temples sculptured out of the rock in the mid 7^th century. Optional short drive brings us to Kanchipuram, the Golden City of 1000 Temples one of the Seven Sacred Places of India. Its famous 7th century temples include the Pallavas, the oldest examples of Hindu architecture in South India. 

DAY 15.   MAHABALIPURAM – CHENNAI - DEPARTURE            Drive 58 Km 1 ½ Hrs.
Morning depart and drive to Chennai airport for onward journey.