Breakfast at Hotel. Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Its foundation dates back to the colonial period, when the British East India Company built St. George Fort in 1639, the first European trading post in southern India. Today, Chennai, with its approximately 5 million inhabitants, remains the most important urban, political, and economic center in southern India, along with Bengaluru. A panoramic tour with an indoor stop at St. George Fort, the site from which the British controlled trade and the economy of southern India throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Inside is St. Mary's Church, the first English religious building in India and the oldest still standing. Continue to the Mylapore temple area to visit the 16th-century Kapleeswarar Temple and the fruit and flower market. Stop at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, which houses an interesting collection of bronze statues and sculptures from the Chola period.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, depart for Mahabalipuram, en route visiting Kanchipuram. Upon arrival, visit the sacred city of the same name, famous for its tall gopuram towers that dominate the surrounding countryside, a jewel of South Indian art and architecture. Only 70 of the original 1,000 Hindu temples remain intact, including the Kailasanatha Temple, built of sandstone in the early 7th century BCE. The Ekambareshvara Mandir, the city's main temple, is dedicated to Shiva and was built during the reigns of the Cholas and Pallavas. Its final form took shape around the 16th century thanks to the work of the Vijayanagar dynasty, rulers distinguished by their love of the arts and architecture, particularly Dravidian architecture, which is represented here in Kanchipuram in all its magnificence. In the afternoon, visit Mahabalipuram, home to the Shore Temple, built in the early 8th century and the first Dravidian temple constructed from large blocks of granite. Its two towers soar above the ocean, creating a uniquely captivating backdrop. Visit the Five Rathas and the rock-carved mandapas, which, from a historical and artistic perspective, represent the city's main attraction: it is here that we can fully appreciate the beauty of the Pallavas' great masterpieces. The entire complex references the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Pondicherry (about 100 km), also known as Puducherry or "Pondy": founded as an ancient trading port, it became a French outpost in the 17th century before joining the Indian Union in 1954. It remains a city with a strong colonial influence, thanks to its square, checkerboard layout, streets with French names, and the presence of several Christian churches. It exudes an evocative atmosphere of times gone by, and thanks also to the presence of the sea, it is a pleasant and unusual stop on the travel itinerary. Visit the Puducherry Museum, an interesting collection of rare bronze artifacts and stone sculptures dating back to the Pallava and Chola dynasties, as well as artifacts discovered in Arikamedu, an ancient port just 7 km from the city that had trade ties with the Roman Empire. Continue with a visit to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a unique example of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture set in an Asian context. Dating back to the early 20th century, it blends all the main architectural features of European Gothic churches, such as the slender towers, a rose window above the main door, and exquisite stained-glass windows depicting 28 saints inside. Afterward, enjoy a relaxing stroll along the seafront.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. Continue to Thanjavur (approximately 180 km): Along the way, stop at Gangaikonda Cholapuram to visit the Brihadishvara Temple, dedicated to Vishnu and completed in the early 11th century by Rajendra Chola I in refined Dravidian style. Next, stop at the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram (12th century), dedicated to Shiva Nataraja, which boasts beautiful bas-reliefs depicting the 108 figures of the Indian dance Bharata Natyam. Chidambaram is located at the mouth of the Kauveri River, surrounded by a green agricultural region. This is the site of the "tandava," the dance that defeats the ignorance of demons, and of the bhujangatrasa: the trembling of the serpent, a cosmic dance through which the deity creates the universe and the life of all things.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, depart for Tiruchirappalli. En route, stop at a Hindu temple to witness the blessing of the animals, which are an important aid to the local farmers, helping them with the hard work in the fields, so today is also a day dedicated to them. They are "decorated" for the ceremony. Visit the impressive fortress and the religious complex dedicated to Vishnu on Srirangam Island, in the Kaveri River. The temple is a veritable citadel surrounded by walls that enclose, in addition to the sacred buildings, also homes and an endless labyrinth of stalls and shops. Continue to the Chettinad area, a collection of villages among the few remaining original ones, home to bankers, traders, jewelers, and artisans who formed a distinct community in the 19th century. Chettinad is of extreme interest for the architecture of its houses and palaces, and for its cuisine, based on rare spices and unusual combinations. Along the way, visit one of the country temples dedicated to the deities who protect the life and wealth of rural villages.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we'll head to Chettinad, the market town of Chettinad, where you can admire the ancient buildings and visit some local artisan workshops. In the afternoon, we'll depart for Madurai, where we'll visit the temple of the goddess Meenakshi, consort of Shiva. This temple, filled with multicolored statues, was built by the Nayak rulers in the 17th century. Its stone walls and towers tower over the narrow streets of the city center. Each pillar is decorated in Dravidian style, and some, when struck, produce distinct sounds. After the visit, we'll check into the hotel.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. A tour to discover the beauty of Kerala, a region that will enchant any nature lover with its hills, lakes, beaches, waterfalls, and wildlife. We will visit Kerala's most popular destinations, such as Kochi, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Periyar National Park, and Alappuzha, where you can enjoy the unique experience of living on houseboats. Breakfast and departure for Periyar (160 km: approximately 4 hours). Arrival, hotel check-in, and lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the most important in all of India. A boat trip inside the wildlife sanctuary, the first national park established in the state in 1934 to preserve a natural site nestled in the Western Ghats mountain range. The boat trip allows you to get up close and personal with various animal species in their natural habitat: wild boars, deer, monkeys, and elephants, among the most interesting.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the heart of the Backwaters. The entire Alappuzha district is a marvel of natural forces, thanks to its picturesque beaches, endless lagoons, sky-blue lagoons, and numerous canals. Kumarakom is best described as a labyrinth of canals, lakes, and streams against the backdrop of Vembanad Lake. Upon arrival, settle into a houseboat, where you can admire the beauty of Kerala. Backwaters in Kerala: Relax on a cruise that will take you through the canals and onto a beautiful lake, where you can witness an age-old way of life. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board and snap photos of the diverse wildlife that inhabits the surrounding waters. Free time to explore the Allepey area, full of villages and navigable waterways fringed with palm trees. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at the hotel.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. Today we'll head to Thekkady, famous for its rainforests, wildlife, and spice plantations, particularly around the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Highlights include boat rides on Periyar Lake to spot animals like elephants, exploring the flora and fauna through nature walks, and experiencing local culture with traditional performances and local products. Late afternoon: Visit the spice plantation. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. Arrive in Kochi and visit the most cosmopolitan city in South India: the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry, the Church of St. Francis, which houses Vasco da Gama's tombstone, the synagogue with its Jewish quarter, and the street of antique dealers and Chinese nets. There's no better way to explore the historic city of Fort Kochi than on foot, through its neighborhoods steeped in history and oriental charm, enriched by colonial rule. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance.

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Accommodation : As Per Request

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Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, transfer to Kochi airport.

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Accommodation : No Accommodation

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