Program Duration (13 Days)

• 1
  

  Brussels – Chennai

  Departure from Brussels by scheduled flight to Chennai. Welcome by our tour manager and transfer to hotel for overnight.
  

• 2
  

  Chennai

  After breakfast, city tour of Chennai, visiting the gateway of South India with its colonial past dating back to the 17th century. With one of the most important port in South Asia have the Portuguese, Dutch and English are successively located. Visit to the St. George fortress, tour of the most important government buildings, touring the fort museum, the Valluvar Kottam, the snake park, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the Marina . In the afternoon, free time to stroll in the city.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 3
  

  Chennai-Mahabalipuram

  After breakfast, departure to Mahabalipuram with en route visit to Kanchipuram, or"the city of the 1000, temples" today there are still 125 standing. The Silver City one of the 7 Holy cities in India. Visit the Kalasanatha Temple, the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple and the Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, built in honour of Shiva. The city is also quite famous in India for making the best silk Sarees. Afternnon lunch at local restaurant. Later visit world famous 7th century Shore Temple, the site belongs to the world heritage of Unesco. After visit transfer to hotel Mahabalipuram.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 4
  

  Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry

  After breakfast, departure to Pondicherry, along the coast of Coromandel. This coastal strip formed in the 17th and 18th centuries the scene of conflicts between different European powers over the control of India. This old French colonial town, until in 1954, is very friendly. By the mainly French colonial history is the atmosphere here is very different than in other Indian cities. Just before we arrive we visit Auroville in Pondicherry, the ' universal town ', designed by the French architect Roger Anger. The creation of Auroville (city of dawn) is a project that is derived from the ashram and based on the idea s of Sri Aurobindo, one of India's most recognized, modern Yogis. Aravinda Ghose, a freedom fighter and together with the French Mira Alfassa, also "mother" in 1926, he founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a community where people can live in peace and harmony, regardless of origin, sex, nationality, etc. After his death in 1950 the number of people that adhere to the ideas of Sri Aurobindo. Ultimately, this leads to the Foundation of Auroville in 1968, an experimental city that place should go to about 50,000 inhabitants, who are working together to a more beautiful and better future for humanity. Their number is now at about 2000, of which about two-thirds foreigners. Further to Pondicherry, arrival and welcoming hotel. After lunch (optional) guided tour of this old French territory, the walk goes along beautiful avenues with beautiful colonial buildings, the many colourful markets and the many beautiful churches. In the early evening walk along the beach to view the sunset.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 5
  

  Pondicherry-Tanjore

  After breakfast, departure to Tanjore, one of the oldest cities of India, Tanjore is derived from the word ' a ', and ' asura ' Tanjan (reus), from the Hindu Mythology. During the Chola dynasty of Tanjore was the capital of Tamil Nadu, now it is a center of art and music and also the rice granary of Tamil Nadu. After lunch visit to the most impressive edifice, the Brihadishwara Temple dating from 1010 with beautiful stone engravings. The temple is also one of the few Indian monuments on the world rankings of protected historical heritage. The thirteen-storey Vimana of the Brihadishwara Temple is 66 meters high and minced meat from one solid block of granite of no less than 80 tons. The Centre of the temple houses a huge Shiva Lingam. In front of the shrine is a six meter high statue of Nandi, the Bull of Shiva, the means of transport from one rocks and one of the largest of its kind in the whole of India Afterwards visit to the fort and the Thanjavur Royal Palace with an impressive library with over 30,000 manuscripts on palm paper, visit to the art museum with a remarkable collection of bronze statues.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 6
  

  Tanjore-Trichy-Karaikuddi

  After breakfast, departure to Karaikuddi with en route visit to Tiruchirappalli or Trichy a lively temple town on the banks of the Cauvery river with the beautiful Ranganatha Temple. Visit to this temple tere honor of the Hindu god Vishnu, the road to the temple is carved in the rocks and along the way there are shops with religious nonsense aria. Followed by visit to the Rock fort. This temple fort is built on a 83-metre-high rock, from where we have a magnificent view over the city. The 437 steps, which lead to the top, are carved out of the rock and for the most indoor. Before the climb to start Let's bless us by the temple elephant, by a little money in his trunk, he will thank us a soft Pat on our head.
  
  

  Explore local market on foot. Later, visit the Srirangam Temple, dedicated to Vishnu. This temple is located on an island: along the Ghats there are pilgrims who purify themselves and/or perform a ritual for their ancestors. Afterwards we continue our wayon to Karaikuddi. After the hustle and bustle of the temple cities we go to the quiet of the countryside in the region of Chettinad. It consists of 76 villages with old country houses, village temples and water reservoirs
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 7
  

  Karaikuddi

  After breakfast, full day visit to Karaikuddi in the heart of Chettinad. A special place to stay where there are almost no tourists stopping by. guided tour to the different typical very nicely decorated mansions, to artisans who wood and metal processing,and the gold and silversmiths, a topper in this region. Walk along the local Santhat(market). After lunch (optional) in a local restaurant, visit the Athmanathar Temple: this is one of the most reputable sites in the Tamil culture history. After the visit, return to hotel, rest of day free Optional –Cooking class Cook will be met in order to reveal the secrets of the Chettinad kitchen with a cooking course.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 8
  

  Karaikuddi-Dindigul

  After breakfast departure to Dindigul, a small town in the middle of coffee plantations with beautiful views. Dindigul is known because of its cigars, and its fruits that grow in the surroun ding hills. Arrival and welcome in the estate. In the afternoon walk through the coffee plantations where one explanation will get over the coffee production, this walk is terminated by tasting coffee. Further guided walk through the typical villages where one will have interaction with the local people. Back to the hotel where the rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy beauty of place.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 9
  

  Dindigul-Madurai

  Early in the morning, yoga initiation lesson. After breakfast, leave for Madurai, enjoy beautiful green landscapes with coconut palms and along colourful villages to Madurai. Madurai is an important pilgrimage site. En route visit to a local school, participation in the lesson to learn how write your name in Tamil. On arrival, check-in at hotel. In the afternoon visit Madurai, one of the oldest temple cities of India. Visit the Sri Meenakshi temple, dedicated to Parvati. This temple is a typical example of the Dravidian architecture. In most of the temple are not Hindus not allowed. Visit to the Pudu Mandapam, it belonged formerly to the temple, but today it is used by artisans. Visit to the Gandhi Memorial, dedicated to the life of the Mahatma. Guided walk through this wonderful city, with numerous narrow streets where there is always something to see and the many colorful markets, small ride on auto rickshaw. In the early evening, attending a Hindu ritual at the Meenakshi temple.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 10
  

  Madurai-Periyar

  After breakfast, we leave this hectic city for the mountains and the rest of the Western Ghats. We go to the Periyar National Park, located in the mountains of the Western Ghats, just over the border in the State of Kerala. The road climbs higher and higher into the mountains, and the landscape an ever rougher nature and are deciduous forests interspersed with vast tea, cardamom and tea plantations. The surrounding region is known for the many spice plantations. Arrival and welcome in the Hotel. In the afternoon, departure to the nature reserve and walk with naturalist through the jungle. The inhabitants of this reserve are about 30 remaining Tigers and some families elephants, bison, Antelope, deer, wild boar, monkeys. In addition, the area a large variety of birds, with the multi coloured Kingfisher and the exotic Hornbill as the most special. There is also an exceptional flora. Also enjoy boat ride on periyar lake to spot the animals on the banks. Return to the hotel.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 11
  

  Thekkady-Kumarakam

  After breakfast departure to Kumarakom, located in the enchanting hinterland of Kerala. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake. The local inhabitants consider Kumarakom as a paradise in Kerala, God's own country. The slender coconut palms are everywhere, infinite paddy fields, meandering lagoons and of course the backwaters. Arrival and welcome in the hotel. The variety of rivers, canals, streams and lagoons offer a beautiful view, and it is the ideal place to relax. After lunch departure with a Canoe to the small channels from the surrounding area. The rest of the late afternoon is free. In the early evening, enjoy a Ayurvedic massage (optional).
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 12
  

  Kumarakam-Alleppy (Houseboat)

  Early morning, walk in to the butterfly garden, to the 54 different species of butterflies. A nice way to start the day. After breakfast in the hotel, departure to Alleppey. On arrival embark the houseboat to enjoy back water of Kerala. The boat is fully equipped with a bedroom and a separate bathroom. You can sunbathe on the sun deck or enjoy the beautiful landscapes. During the cruise you can also enjoy the wonderful spectacle of local villagers and glimpse their day to day life alongside of Lake. . The local people travel by canoe, you can view the fisherman, farmers and the many other vendors at work in their wooden boats.
  
  

  Overnight at Hotel

• 13
  

  Alleppy-Cochin

  After breakfast on board, enjoy canoe ride in to narrow canals to admire the everyday life of local. During this excursion we will visit the main attractions in the Alleppy. After the visit, leave for Cochin.
  
  

  For many hundreds of years, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English. And all of them have left their traces here, by warehouses, churches, palaces and special fishing nets. Fort Cochin, the old atmospheric Centre, is located on an island. Narrow streets carry along hundreds of years old merchant houses and warehouses full of, among other things, ginger, cardamom and pepper. Soon we come to know why this place was much loved by the European merchant.
  
  

  Arrival and welcome in the hotel. In the afternoon, visit to the St. Francis Church, the oldest church in India built by the Europeans. Vasco De Gama, the first European who reached India, died in 1524 and was buried here for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. Visit to the Jewish synagogue, built in1568, the Chinese fishing nets and the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557. In the evening, watch the Kathkali dance show (traditional dance of Kerala).
  
  

  Late evening, transfer to the airport for your flight back home.