• An intensive tour of India's southernmost states that have a distinct identity. TAMIL NADU home of the ancient Dravidian civilization, hardly touched by the invasion of the north, it is called "Pure India". Here towering "gopura" gateways dominate towns whose thriving temple complexes are still the focus of ever day life. KERALA with its over powering tropical greenness, 41 rivers & countless waterways, arcane rituals & spectacular festivals stimulates even the most jaded imagination.
    Outline Itinerary

    Day 1 Arrival Chennai (Madras) - Assistance on arrival & transfer to hotel.
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    Day 2 Chennai/Covelong - Morning excursion to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. Evening drive to Covelong and stay at Fisherman’s Cove Beach Resort. South India
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    Day 3 Covelong/Pondicherry - Morning drive to Pondicherry. En route visiting Auroville a village based on utopian experimental-living.
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    Day 4 Pondicherry/Thanjavur (Tanjore) - Morning drive along the Coromandel coast line into the Chola heartland to Tanjore. En route visiting temple towns of  Chidambaram, Gangaikodacholapuram & Kumbakonam.
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    Day 5 Tanjore/Tiruchirappalli (Trichy)/Madurai - Morning sightseeing of Tanjore. Later drive to temple town of Madurai en route visiting Tiruchirappalli.
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    Day 6 Madurai/Periyar - Morning sightseeing of Madurai. Later drive through western ghats passing many market towns to Periyar. Stay in thatch huts set around a spice garden at spice Village.
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    Day 7 Periyar - Morning visit Spice Plantation/Jungle Walk. Afternoon Boat cruise in Periyar National Park with naturalist.
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    Day 8 Periyar/Kumarakom - Morning drive to Kumarakom.
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    Day 9 Kumarakom - Spend that day at leisure. Evening sunset country boat cruise on the back waters.
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    Day 10 Kumarakom/Cochin - After breakfast backwater motor launch cruise through narrow canals and lagoons to Alappuzha. On arrival drive to Cochin known as ‘Venice of the East’. Afternoon at leisure. Evening watch a spectacular performance of Kathakali - famous dance form of Kerala.
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    Day 11 Cochin/Departure - Morning sightseeing of Cochin. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Gateway city - Bombay, Delhi or Madras for connecting flight to onward destination.

    End of tour