On arrival at Mumbai airport a transfer to your hotel will be provided. Depending on flight times there may be some time for sightseeing in Mumbai or perhaps just dinner in the city. Overnight in Mumbai. (Hotel) Meals: no meals included on day 1

Today you will have a full day to enjoy the busy city of Mumbai. Mumbai is actually an island positioned on the west coast of India in the Arabian Sea, It is India’s finance centre, the economic stronghold of the nation and the home of Bollywood. Your morning sightseeing will begin with a boat trip out to Elephanta Island. This island was originally called Gharapurti but was re-named by the Portugese when they found a large stone elephant near their landing place. The island has four rock-cut temples dating from 5th -8th century, the most beautiful of the carvings is ‘Trimurti’ a three-headed, 20 ft. sculpture of Lord Shiva. In the afternoon you will do a city tour of Mumbai to include Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, the Gateway of India (the proud arch that commemorates the visit of King George in 1911,) the Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan (the former residence of Mahatma Ghandi now a fascinating museum,) the Hanging Garden and the Raja Bhai Clock Tower. Overnight in Mumbai. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

After breakfast you will transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Kochi. In the afternoon you can walk through the lively fishing area where one can see the fish market and in the evening there is the chance to watch a Kathakali performance; this is a dance-drama famous in Kerela which re-enacts the Indian epics. Overnight in Kochi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today you have a full day to explore Kochi, starting with Jewtown and the Pardesi Synagogue then continuing to St. Francis - the oldest European church in India. You shall see the Santa Cruz Basilica; built by the Portugese in 1557 and the Dutch Palace, the tour will end at the colourful spice market. Overnight in Kochi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning you leave Kochi and head south to Alappuzha (1.5 hours drive) to the land of the famous backwaters. On arrival in Alappuzha you will board your private houseboat and set off through the maze of narrow waterways and lakes, this is time for total relaxation, to appreciate the enchanting scenery and watch daily life along the backwaters. Your trip passes through exquisite areas of palm trees, rice paddies and lakes. Overnight in Alappuzha. (Houseboat) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast on board the houseboat you disembark at Kumarakom where you will check-in at our hotel. You will spend the day at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary beautifully positioned on Vembanad Lake, as well as being a place of natural beauty the bird sanctuary is an important site for migratory birds and a paradise for bird watchers. The view of the lake at sunset is particularly captivating. Overnight in Kumarakon. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

After breakfast you will drive to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The reservoir, made here by the British in 1895 meanders through the deciduous forests providing a continuous water supply for the local wildlife. A boat trip on the reservoir is a great way to view wildlife, especially elephants that come to the water’s edge to bathe. The sanctuary is also home to bison, deer, wild boar, 4 species of primate, around 40 tigers, and 265 bird species. In the surrounding area there are many spice plantations such as tea, coffee, cardamom and sandalwood, in the afternoon you can do a spice tour of these plantations with a local expert guide. Overnight in Periyar. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning you will head out very early on a jungle walk within the sanctuary, this is the most exciting way to see wildlife, walks are led by an experienced local guide and take around three hours, this is our best chance of seeing some of the more elusive animals in the reserve. You will return to the hotel for breakfast and then depart for Madurai. (137km) Madurai is one of South India’s oldest cities, a great center of learning and art, the city has been attracting poets, writers, builders, and academics for thousand of years. You shall visit Madurai’s main attraction, the famous Sri Meenakshi Temple which lies in the heart of the old town, this multi-pillared, multi-coloured temple attracts around 10,000 pilgrims every day. You will continue to Thirumalai Nayak's Palace noted for its stucco arches and domes the palace is regarded as one of the finest secular buildings in South India. In the evening there is an opportunity to attend a puja ceremony.  Overnight in Madurai. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

After breakfast you will set off  for Tiruchirappalli (128km) Having checked-in at the hotel you will begin the tour of the city starting with the Srirangam temple; a 10th century temple complex dedicated to Vishnu, after which you can continue to the Rock-Fort temple and Shiva temple. Your tour will end at the residence of Lord Robert Clive. Overnight in Tiruchirappalli. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

In the morning you will head east to Thanjavur.(54 km) Thanjavur is a relaxed, pleasant town famous for it distinctive art style. Here you will visit the World Heritage-listed Brihadishwara Temple and palace complex. The temple contains 250 linga and a huge statue of Shiva’s bull – Nandi, the statue is carved from a single piece of rock and is one of the biggest Nandi statues in India. Overnight in Thanjavur. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

In the morning you will leave for Pondicherry (231km) Once a French colony, Ponicherry is a charming coastal town still with a hint of French culture. On arrival the rest of the day if free to explore this charming town or take a stroll on the beach. Overnight in Pondicherry. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today will be spent exploring the town. You will visit the Ashram founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo, today the Ashram is still a centre of culture and education. After this you will cross into Tamil Nadu to visit the International Community of Auroville. You may also wish to visit the Pondicherry Museum and the Sculpture Gallery. In the evening you can spend some time down on one of Pondicherry’s delightful beaches. Overnight in Pondicherry. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

After breakfast you will set off to Mahabalipuram (100km) En-route visiting the temple town of Kanchipuram famous for it’s temples and it’s silk. Here you will visit Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple and Kamakshi Temple, dedicated to Parvati "the goddess with the eyes of love". From here you travel to Mahabalipuram, once capital and seaport for the Pallava kings and famed for its shore temple. In the afternoon you can visit the world’s largest bas-relief carvings known as ‘Arjuna’s Penance’ carved onto a rock face it depicts animals and deities. You will also see the Ganesh Ratha – a rock-cut Shiva Temple and end with the splendid, romantic Shore Temple, best seen at sunset. Overnight in Mahabalipuram. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning you drive to your final destination – Chennai (50km) Chennai is the fourth largest city in India and is rich in history and tradition, it is home to the second longest beach in the world and has a wonderful mix of historical monuments and temples and ultra-modern high-rise buildings.
In Chennai you can visit the National Art Gallery and Museum, these buildings house a fine collection of ancient paintings representative of almost all schools of art. You can also visit the Fort St. George; built in 1653 by the British East India Company,  St. Mary's Church - India’s oldest British church, the Marina Beach (the second longest in the world) and San Thome Cathedral; rebuilt in neo-gothic style, the cathedral is said to house the remains of ‘Doubting Thomas’. Finally you may wish to visit the Shiva Temple at Mylapore. Overnight in Chennai. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today the tour ends in Chennai, depending on flight times there may be time for additional sightseeing in Chennai before departing to the international airport for onward flights. Fly from Chennai. Meals: breakfast