South India Explorer (07 Nights / 08 Days – Munnar / Thekkady / Madurai / Trichy / Swamimalai / Pondicherry / Mahabalipuram / Chennai) c Click here to Book Your Tour Online DAY 01- MUNNAR / THEKKADY BY SURFACE - 160 KMS - 04 HRS Morning drive to Thekkady. On arrival check-in at hotel. Later visit Wild Life sanctuary by boat. The pride of Kerela and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady.   Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands.   Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.   Later visit to local Spice Market. Overnight at hotel. DAY 02 - THEKKADY / MADURAI BY SURFACE - 160 KMS - 04 HRS After breakfast drive to Madurai. On arrival check-in at hotel. Marurai: The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. Afternoon proceed for city tour of Madurai, visiting Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum. Overnight at hotel. DAY 03 - MADURAI / TRICHY BY SURFACE - 145 KMS - 04 HRS After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. On arrival check-in at hotel.   After lunch proceed for city tour of Trichy visiting Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam Temple. Overnight at hotel. DAY 04 - TRICHY / SWAMIMALAI After breakfast drive to Swamimalai. Enroute visit Tanjore covering Sri Brahadeeswara Temple, Palace & Art Gallery, also visit of Gangaikondacholapuram & Darasuram.   On arrival in Swamimalai check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel. DAY 05 - SWAMIMALAI / PONDICHERRY BY SURFACE - 80 KMS - 02 HRS After breakfast drive to Pondicherry which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St.Agasthaya settled down. On arrival check-in at hotel. After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter   Overnight at hotel. DAY 06 - PONDICHERRY / MAHABALIPURAM BY SURFACE – 132 KMS / 3 HRS After breakfast drive to Mamlapuram. Built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipuram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum.   On arrival in Mahabalpuram check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel. DAY 07 - MAHABALIPURAM After breakfast proceed for full day sight seeing of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram – Kanchipuram is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara , Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. Overnight at hotel in Mahabalipuram. DAY 08 - MAHABALIPURAM / CHENNAI BY SURFACE – 58 KMS / 1 HRS After breakfast transfer to Chennai airport to board flight for onward journey. *************************** END OF TOUR ************************* COST / TERMS / CONDITIONS Cost of Accommodation  & Transportation (In US$ Per Person): USD 1760 per single room (for 1 person) By taking Deluxe hotel USD 1800 per double room (for 2 persons) By taking Deluxe hotel USD 1210 per single room (for 1 person) by taking Standard hotel USD 1300 per double room (for 2 persons) by taking Standard hotel   The Tour Cost Includes:   (1) Total 7 Nights accommodation with breakfast. (2) Transportation by A/C small car as per the itinerary. (3) Service of local English speaking guide during sight seeing. (4) Entrance fee of the monuments. (5) Currently applicable taxes   The Tour Cost does not Include:   (1) Any personal expenses like liquor, tips, laundry, camera fee etc. (2) Anything which is not mentioned under the clause "Cost Includes".