Lose yourself on this deep and searching pathway to understanding the complex and entwined influences of southern India's religious history, from ancient Buddhist scholarship to Jain craftsmanship flavour.  Explore the architectural wonders of Christian and pre-Christian eras, and implore the great masterpieces of Chola and Pallava art and sculpture to reveal to you the true nature of the rulers and empires of ancient India, and their wonderful portrayal in music and dance. 

We spend two intensive yet rewarding weeks travelling to the most significant temples and monuments of the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, starting in Chennai.  We enjoy the rich legacy of arts still alive today, marvelling at the dedications to the Hindu gods and goddesses that lovingly adorn many a wall and hidden niche, and astonishing ourselves at the amazing, riotous Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai.  We spend our last three days at a more relaxed pace, exploring the charming backwaters of the neighbouring state of Kerala, and absorbing the unforgettable images of the past days.  To look is not only to see; it is to experience, and this is one way of truly getting to know what lies at the heart of the throbbing rhythm of India today.  It is a taste that will surely have you coming back for more.

ITINERARY

Day 01:  Chennai
You are met on arrival in Chennai and transfer to your hotel. 

Day 02:  Chennai
After breakfast, we depart for a comprehensive tour of this vibrant capital of southern India. Chennai has a long attracted the finest writers, artists, Tamil film-makers and thinkers, and has an abundance of crafts traditions.  We visit its significant temples and museums.  Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03:  Chennai -  Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by the drive to popular Mahabalipuram, not forgetting the stop en route at Kanchipuram.  Kanchipuram is an ancient city with a history of significant Buddhist scholarship, as well as noticeable Hindu and Jain influences.  It became the capital of the Pallava arts and literature, music and dance prospered here while the first stone temples of South India were constructed - we stop for a look at some of them and evidence of the still-thriving arts scene.  On arrival in Mahabalipuram, we check into the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 04:  Mahabalipuram
We eat breakfast at the hotel before heading off on a full day's sightseeing.  Mahabalipuram is famous for its beautiful and romantic shore temple, weathered by the salty wind and the sea, and representing the final phase of Pallava art.  A rich plethora of arts and handicraft shops thrive here, with a number of stone carvings dotted around the town.  We stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 05:  Mahabalipuram - Chidambaram
After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Chidambaram.  On arrival we transfer to the hotel and relax.

Day 06:  Chidambaram - Tanjore
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a half-day city tour of Chidambaram.  We explore the famous dancing Shiva  temple, the Nataraja Temple complex.  It has four gopurams (tall pyramidal archways) with beautifully sculpted Hindu icons, and is filled with breath-taking examples of Chola artistry as a legacy of numerous dynastic patronages.  Afterwards, we set off on our drive to Tanjore, where we settle into the hotel.

Day 07:  Tanjore - Trichy
We eat breakfast at the hotel and then depart for our morning tour of Tanjore (also known as Thanjavur).  The city was an ancient capital of the Chola kings, and is the site of the World Heritage listed Brihadishwara Temple. The jewel in the crown of Chola architecture, it is a fascinating and utterly superb monument, with 250 linga enshrined in the walls, and the names of dancers, musicians and poets are inscribed, pointing to the significance of the arts scene.  A massive 25 ton Nandi statue is made from a single piece of rock, and a dome made from a single piece of granite weighs an estimated 80 tons -  the placement methods used for this were similar to those employed by the Egyptians.  The inner sanctum houses a 4m high lingam, while above it a 13-storey tower reaches 66m up into the sky.  This truly breath-taking temple is worth several hours of our time as we wander its spacious grounds, before making a visit to the Thanjavur Palace and Museums.  The palace complex is a beautifully kept labyrinth of halls, corridors and courtyards housing the Royal Palace Museum of interesting memorabilia, the Art Gallery of superb bronze statues dating as far back as the 9th century, and the Saraswati Mahal Library, with texts and manuscripts in many languages dating to the sixteenth century.  We then set off on the drive to Trichy.  On arrival transfer to hotel.

Day 08:  Trichy - Madurai
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a tour of Trichy (Tiruchirappalli).   The spectacular Rock Fort Temple stands 83m up on a rocky outcrop, and begun its life as a series of small cave temples hewn from the rock face.  Later, the Nayaks of Madurai made use of its natural strategic defense position on the hillside, and made it into a fort.  There are two main temples here: the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Shiva and found halfway up the hill, and another at the summit, dedicated to Ganesha.  437 stone-cut steps take you to the top but its worth every effort.   Nearby, the Sri Ranganasthaswamy Temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is an excellent example of a mixed heritage of many rulers.  The Sri Jambukeshwara Temple, also nearby and dedicated to Shiva and Parvati, is one of five temples honouring the elements, in this case water. A Shiva lingam stands partly immersed in water at the centre of the temple.  In the late afternoon, we start our drive to Madurai. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 09:  Madurai - Periyar
Breakfast at hotel before preparing ourselves for the vivid and riotous experience that is the Sri Meenakshi Temple in the old town of Madurai.  A somewhat all-encompassing and eclectic work of Dravidian architecture, it is adorned from head to foot with gopurams in a head-whirling collage of rainbow coloured images of gods and goddesses, animals and mythical creatures. It is a place that simply buzzes with activity from dawn until dusk, with many shrines attracting excited pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.  An unforgettable experience, it has to be seen to be believed, and illustrates so well the fantastical and imaginative character of India that we leave feeling we understand India a little better for it, no small feat at all.  The drive to Periyar follows, and we check into our hotel for the night.

Day 10:  Periyar - Kottayam - Alleppey (by the backwaters)
Today is a day to absorb the natural wonder of India's wildlife, taking a break from temples.  After breakfast, we depart for the 777 sq kilometre natural paradise that is Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, in the state of Kerala. Here we enjoy a refreshing safari around the beautiful lake and in the thick jungle forest, spotting anything from bison, antelope and boar to elephant, langur and, if we are lucky, tiger.   We then drive to nearby Kottayam, to catch the relaxing boat ride to Alleppey (also known as Alapuzha).  Travelling along Kerala's winding backwaters is not to missed.  The lagoons, tiny canals and rivers stretch inland from the coast and boats drift lazily on waters fringed by palms, where tradesmen pile high their coconut and cashew produce.  On arrival at Alleppey, we check into the hotel, have dinner and rest.

Day 11:  Alleppey - Kovalam
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning tour of Alleppey.  This delightful town is built on the network of backwater canals shaded by coconut trees, and trading houses are found en route wherever you go. Festivities at the Devi Temple in December are a fantastic gathering of India's finest temple musicians, while in August the Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race is a vibrant and exciting event. Otherwise, a morning spent quietly meandering around the town is delightful.  In the afternoon we depart for Kovalam, where we check into the hotel.

Day 12:  Kovalam
After breakfast we head out to explore the tropical delights of Kovalam, spending time relaxing on the warm sands and indulging in some remarkable sea-food.  Kovalam is traditionally a fishing village, and Kerala's fine sea-food name lives on here. Overnight, we stay at the hotel.

Day 13:  Kovalam - Trivandrum
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning at leisure before leaving for Trivandrum (also called Thiruvananthapuram).  On arrival we transfer to the hotel.

Day 14:  Trivandrum
After breakfast we depart for a city tour of Trivandrum, soaking up the flavour of pre-modern India that still lingers in the air here.  The Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a large, 260 year old temple in which the deity Padmanabha reclines on the sacred serpent within the inner sanctum.  Nearby, the Palace Museum exhibits a fine display on the theme of the Chinese and European spice trade.  It is within the two hundred year old Travancore maharajas' palace, and is a fine example of distinctive Keralan architecture.  After a day spent sampling this delight of old Kerala, you transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey.  Tour ends.

TOUR INCLUSIONS
Accommodation on a room-only basis.
All transfers by road including pick-ups and drop-offs at start and end of tour.
All sightseeing and safari tours as specified.

All travel by boat on the Kerala backwaters as specified.

Tour Cost
Per Person on Twin Sharing :  -  USD $ 1540