The Grand Southern Trip

Day 01: Chennai

On arrival, Passion to India tour manager would be greeting you and assisting with hotel check-in. A brief up on your tour plan would be provided. Chennai is popularly regarded as the "Gateway to the South". This city presents culture that is distinctly different from that of north. Visit Kapaleeshwara temple, Triplicane - Sri Parthasarathy temple, St.Thomas Cathedral, Fort, Museum. Overnight stay

Day 02 : Chennai - Kanchipuram -Dakshinachitra

Post early morning breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas. Kanchipuram is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. On reaching some of the must Visit temples are Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Ekambareshwara temple, Kailasanatha temple, Vaigundha Perumal temples. Proceed to Dakshinachitra, and relish lunch. Proceed to Mamallapuram. Check in at the property. Overnight stay.

Day 03 : Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Post breakfast; explore Arjuna penance, Sri Krishna butter ball, cave temples, five Rathas and famous sea shore temple. After touring this rich cultural heritage; remaining time is at leisure to enjoy the sprawling beach. Over night stay at hotel.

Day 04 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

Post breakfast proceed towards Pondicherry, which was the former French colony. On arrival, check into hotel. After some relaxation Visit the well known Sri Manakula Vinayagar temple, Aurobindo ashram and later drive to worship world peace Mandir – Auroville. After visiting these must see places in Pondicherry, proceed to hotel and check in at the property.

Day 05 : Pondicherry - Tanjore

Today post breakfast drive to Tanjore, enroute visit Chidambaram – famous lord Shiva temple and continue drive to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Dharasuram and after exploring continue drive to Tanjore, upon arrival check in to hotel. Rest hours free and night stay

Day 06 : Tanjore- Trichy

Today visit Big temple – dedicated to lord Shiva and Big bull, visit Tanjore museum, art gallery, and palace and after drive to Trichy, upon arrival check in to hotel.

Day 07: Trichy

Trichy witnessed the carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive’s house is still there to see and so is the Danish church. The rock-fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganesha on top and Shiva temple. Post lunch visit Amma Mandapam, Srirangam – Sri Ranganatha swami temple, rock fort – Sri Ganesha temple. Over night stay

Day 08: Trichy - Madurai

After breakfast drive to Nartamalai and visit to 9th Century Chola Temple then drive to Sithannavasal (8th Century Herbal Painting). Take a 40Kms drive to reach Chettinad Palace – witnessing ancient architectural house of Tamilnadu and have traditional lunch at palace later continue drive to Madurai. Check in visit Meenakshi Amman temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopuram (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, Visit the Thirumalai Naik Palace - a gracious building in the Indo Saracen style, famous for the stucco work on its domes & arches. Over night stay in Madurai.

Day 09: Madurai - Periyar

Post breakfast; take a 4hrs drive to Periyar. Check-in at the property and relax. In the evening, take a boat ride in the lake. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, languor monkeys. In the evening, take guided spice plantation tour to learn more about of spices. Rest hours free to relax with an ayurvedic massage (preferable). Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10: Periyar - Munnar

Post breakfast, drive to Munnar. On the way, enjoy the wonderful Landscapes, Tea and Cardamom Plantation and check into hotel. Post lunch visit Rajamalai forest. Overnight stay

Day 11: Munnar - Cochin

Today drive to Cochin. Check-in at hotel. In the evening, witness the Kerala traditional art Kathakali, performed by professional artist. Over night stay at Cochin.

Day 12: Cochin

Post breakfast, tour around fort Cochin, Mattancherry palace, Jewish synagogue, St. Francis church and view the operation of the Chinese fishing nets. Enjoy shopping. Overnight stay.

Day 13: Cochin - Cheruthuruthy

Post lunch poceed to Cheruthuruthy and enroute visit the Hill Top Palace and continue on Cheruthuruthy. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 14: Cheruthuruthy - Calicut

Today spend time with the Masters at Kerala Kalamandalam, an arts institute which trains dancers, musicians and other artists in the customary art forms of the region. After a traditional lunch, drive 3.5 hours to Calicut. Overnight stay.

Day 15: Calicut

In the morning, visit the fascinating weaving centre at nearby Beypore, before returning to the resort in the afternoon for a traditional Ayurvedic massage. In the evening soak up a sunset cruise on the backwaters. Overnight at hotel .

Day 16: Calicut - Wayanad

A two hour drive to Wayanad in the morning is followed by an optional visit to the ancient caves at Edakkal, home to some of the oldest examples of rock carving in the world- they date back some 10000 years. Overnight at Resort.

Day 17: Wayanad - Mysore

Today proceed to Mysore after a five hour drive through coffee plantations and rural villages and in the afternoon we will take tour of the opulent palace, one of the most beautifully decorated buildings in the South of India. Overnight at Hotel .

Day 18: Mysore

A full day of sightseeing including Somnathpur Temple and an afternoon visit to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple. On the way down the 1000 steps you will see the monolithic Nandi Bull Temple overlooking the city Overnight at Sandesh the Prince.(D).

Day 19: Mysore - Bangalore

Today, enjoy the excursion to Srirangapatnam, the city established by King Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. The city fell after three repeated wars fought against the British forces. Visit Tipu’s palace, fort, and Sri Ranganathaswami temple. Proceed to Bangalore. Overnight stay.

Day 20: Bangalore

In the morning take a tour of Bangalore city In the evening, city tour visiting bull temple, ISKON temple, Big Shiva Mandir and Lal Bagh. Amble in the happening and colorful MG Road & Church Street. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 21: Bangalore - Tiruvannamalai

Morning drive to Tiruvannamalai. Afternoon time at the Ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi and settling into the relaxed pace of the town. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 22: Tiruvannamalai

The sacred mountain of Arunachala dominates the skyline and the spiritual life of this small but bustling temple town. Said to be an embodiment of the Hindu God Shiva as a column of fire, the mountain is a significant pilgrimage point with hundreds of thousands completing the circuit of the mountain's base every full moon night. We will make the walk, for those who are interested, around dawn. The remainder of the day can be spent at the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi, and around the beautiful Shiva Temple, where everyone is permitted to enter the main Sanctum. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 23: Tiruvannamalai

Day in Tiruvannamalai to climb a short way up Arunachala Mountain to soak up the peace of the caves where Ramana lived in silence for many years.. Overnight at Aruna Ananthai.

Day 24: Tiruvannamalai- Mahabalipuram

In the morning drive to Mahabalipuram, with the option to ascend the imposing King's Fort at Gingee and then proceed to Mahabalipuram. The afternoon is free to relax before we have a final group dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 25: Mahabalipuram - Chennai Departure

The day is free preparing for transfer to Chennai for your ongoing journey.