Temple And Backwater

Temples & Backwaters

During this South India trip, you will sleep aboard a traditional boat in Alleppey and experience the simple charms of the scenic Backwaters. You will observe the wild elephants of the park of Periyar, you will relax in a spa dedicated to Ayurveda, you will admire the magnificent architecture of the temples of Madurai and Tanjore, you will explore the rich merchant houses of Karaikudi, you will contemplate the horses in the ground which line the streets by the hundreds in Ayyanar, you will fall under the charm of the French city of Pondicherry and you will visit Chennai to unlock the secrets of local history and silk. Come, South India and its many treasures await you!

South India is famous for its many sacred sites, centuries-old traditions and the peaceful atmosphere of the Kerala Backwaters.

You begin this stay in India by discovering Hindu temples in the sacred cities of Tamil Nadu, you immerse yourself in the multiculturalism of the former colonial city of Pondicherry, and cross the Indian countryside. Then, you explore the tea and spice plantations, navigate the Backwaters surrounded by tropical jungle and reach the historic city of Cochin. You begin your exploration in Mysore, the international capital of yoga which is also home to one of the most beautiful palaces in India. Then, you leave to discover the magnificent natural park of Nagarhole.

This circuit in India is a perfect balance between discovery and relaxation, making your vacation a great success.

Chennai (Madras) – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Tanjore –Chettinad- Madurai – Periyar – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Cochin- Mysore- Nagarhole National Park- Bangalore.

Strong points-

• Discover the heritage and culture of Chennai and Cochin through personalized tours
• Trace the rich history of silk in Kanchipuram
• Explore the French charm of Pondicherry
• Admire famous temples with grand architecture
• Experience the Evening Ceremony at Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
• Sail the peaceful Backwaters of Kerala
• Watch Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances
• The temples of Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti and Murugan.
• The Sacred Ashrams with Meditation
• Ayurvedic massage in Pondicherry
• Boat trip in the Mangrove forest.
• UNESCO heritage village tour
• Experience an authentic meal in a local restaurant.
• Rikshaw or Push Push ride in the French colony.
• Visit the artists’ villages
• An unforgettable session of “Bollywood” cinema.
• Visit an orphan and a school in Pondicherry
• Be a part of hindu ceremony in cosmic natrajan temple or other shiva temple.
• One night in heritahe tamil house and enjoy tamil cooking class
• An amazing train journey
• Jeep safari in the forest to see wild life
• An Indian cooking class is also an option

ITINEARARY

Day 1: CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – CHENNAI

Welcome to India

Vanakkam! Your driver welcomes you at Chennai International Airport and takes you to your hotel. Sit back and enjoy your free time to rest or explore the city. For example, you can visit the neo-Gothic Saint-Thomas Basilica or the Parthasarathy temple, one of the oldest in the city. In the evening, enjoy one of the delicious local dishes such as dosas, pancakes typical of the region, accompanied by sambhar, a traditional stew made from lentils, peppers and other spices. Night at the hotel.

Day 2: Chennai (Madras)/Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram

After breakfast, head to Kanchipuram (76 km, 1.5 hours drive) to explore a fabulous collection of temples built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava period (when silk was the royal fabric), Kanchipuram is also renowned for its refined saris, adorned with sublime patterns. Once in Mahabalipuram, you will check into your hotel. After that, you will visit this World Heritage listed city which has some of the finest examples of Indian rock carving art. Other remarkable sites on the program: the Temple du Rivage, which belonged to a set of seven pagodas and is located at the edge of the water; and the Panch Rathas (or five chariots), a group of monuments and animals carved out of monoliths and constituting the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were built in the space of a century in a fabulous burst of creativity. After that, you will return to Mahabalipuram.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram/Pondicherry

After breakfast, head to Pondicherry, which was the capital of the French colonies in India from the 17th century. The journey will take just under 3 hours. Lunch will be followed by a visit to this city with wonderful French and Tamil influences. You will start with the ashram of Sri Aurobindo and Auroville, and you will spend the rest of the day exploring the different districts of Pondicherry.

Rikshaw or Push Push ride in the French colony.

Day 4: PONDICHERRY

Discovery of the white city

Today, you stay on site to discover more about this city steeped in history. You step back in time as you walk, admiring colonial architecture along streets bearing French names. You can then continue in the Indian quarter and discover its giant market, full of colors and scents. You cannot resist the charm of this mixed city. At the end of the day, you stroll along the seafront and meet the smiling inhabitants of Pondicherry. Visit the artists’ villages and visit an orphan and a school in Pondicherry. Dinner with local flavors and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Pondicherry-Chidambaram-Tanjore

Visit to Hindu temples

City of the “cosmic dancer”, the city of Chidambaram and the great temple of Nataraja (Shiva in his avatar as a dancer) are the jewels of Dravidian architecture in Tamil Nadu. It is a high place of Hinduism dedicated to the god Shiva because according to a tradition the temple would be part of a set of five temples dedicated to the divinity and possessing the lingams associated with the five elements (water, air, fire, earth, ether). This would be the temple of the Ether Lingam. Famous for its sumptuous temple of Bribadishwara, a masterpiece listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tanjore is a pleasant city that stands out for its very particular artistic style with its incredible temples and palaces. Capital of the powerful Chola Empire from the 9th to the 13th century, it marked the cultural peak of the Dravidian civilization in southern India. Free visit of the temple and if you wish, you can attend a religious ceremony

Day 6: Tanjore-Karaikud or Chettinad

Cultural tours in Chettinad

In the process of being listed as a UNESCO heritage site, the Chettinad region is renowned for being the country of the Nattukottai Chettiar, a wealthy community of traders who exported their products to Ceylon and all of Southeast Asia. They built sumptuous baroque residences throughout the region, some of which have been converted into hotels. Having become bankers at the beginning of the 20th century, they deserted the region to settle all over the world. Some palaces and residences remain in the region with their atypical cachet. Visit of the region and discovery of the tasty Chettiar cuisine considered one of the best in India. Visit of the weavers, the factory of decorative tiles, the wood sculpture in Athangudi and the workshops of manufacture of the procession carts of Karaikudi. One night in heritahe tamil house and enjoy tamil cooking class.

Day 7: Chettinand–Madurai

Very lively, Madurai is one of the oldest cities in southern India, a very active center of Tamil culture and a place of pilgrimage for centuries. While being one of the liveliest cities in South India, there is nothing overwhelming about it thanks in part to its human scale. The main attraction of Madurai remains the sumptuous Sri Meenakshi temple in the heart of the old city. A veritable labyrinth where priests and faithful work in an atmosphere of spiritual fervor, the Madurai temple with its magnificently carved 50m high entrance doors (gopuram) is certainly one of the most fascinating in India. Visit of the city, its flower market, and the Sri Meenakshi temple

Day 8: Madurai–Periyar

After breakfast, heading to Periyar. This nature reserve located in the heart of the Cardamom Mountains is home to incredible wildlife and a superb lake. In the evening, you will stroll through plantations of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee and tea. On the way back to your hotel, you can stop at a local market filled with fragrant spices. You will then have dinner while watching a show of kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art. Night at the hotel.

Day 9: BACKWATERS – HOUSEBOAT

Backwater cruise

You embark this morning for a superb cruise in a traditional private houseboat. You then navigate peacefully on the Backwaters, waters whose mystery is matched only by the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Fauna and flora here and there enchant your cruise: while water lilies and hyacinths float elegantly, birds fly above your houseboat. You will probably come across boatmen using bamboo poles to advance by pushing the shallow bottom. You spend a peaceful night aboard your comfortable cabin.

Day 10: Houseboat – MARARI

End of the cruise

Spend your last moments on board, observing the scenes of life that pass before your eyes. You disembark and take the direction of Mararikulam. You reach Marari beach. Being part of the Alappuzha region, known as the “Venice of the East”, it is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in Kerala. You spend the end of your stay in the middle of coconut palms and fruit trees, in a village whose watchword is well-being. Serenity reigns in this vast domain where tradition rubs shoulders with modernity.

Day 11: Marari-Cochin

After breakfast, your vehicle will be waiting for you on the shore to drive you to the next destination, Cochin. This city, made up of several peninsulas, is often nicknamed the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. It has an important cultural heritage. Once checked in to your hotel, you will discover the many local treasures. You will visit the synagogue adorned with magnificent Belgian crystal chandeliers and hand-painted Chinese tiles. You will also see the Dutch Palace, whose superb frescoes illustrate the entirety of the Ramayana. You will stop at the Saint-Francois church (the first European-style Indian church), then stroll through Fort Cochin. You will take the opportunity to photograph the huge emblematic squares that would have been imported into the region by Chinese merchants. The exploration will end with a Kathakali show. Back at the hotel, a special dinner will be served to mark the end of your trip. Night at the hotel.

Day 12: COCHIN / CALICUT (by train) / MYSORE

early in the morning, transfer to the station and departure by train for Calicut. From there drive to Mysore through the landscapes of the Western Gaths, with vast tea and coffee plantations. Mysore was the seat of many princely dynasties. Many monuments still bear witness to these successive reigns. In the evening, illumination of Mysore Palace. Night at the hotel.

Day 13: MYSORE

In the morning, visit to the local market. Continuation with the gardens of Brindavan and Chammundi Hill where from the top of this hill one can discover an admirable panorama on the city, and also a colossal Nandi bull, carved in a block of granite. On the hill overlooking the city, the temple of Chammundeshvari celebrates a major episode in Hindu mythology. The Maharaja’s palace, all in gilding, mirrors and mosaics, offers fine examples of the Liberty style. Night at the hotel.

Day 14: MYSORE – NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK

Heading for the wild

This morning, you leave for Nagarhole National Park. This magnificent nature reserve is known as the former hunting reserve of the Maharajas. In 1955 it became a luxuriant paradise for the wild fauna and flora which today flourish in the heart of this immense green lung. Here live peacefully elephants, antelopes, leopards, bears, tigers and many other species. You devote your afternoon to exploring this impressive wild environment and set off to explore the park aboard a Jeep. In the silence of this lush jungle you can see some of the most beautiful mammals in the distance: leopards, tigers, elephants, sloth bears and deer. After these magical moments, you return to your hotel to spend the night there. You settle down quietly in your hotel, listening to the exotic sounds of the forest.

Day 15: (Nagarhole-Banglore

After breakfast, you will leave your hotel to reach Bangalore. You will discover in particular the temple of Sri Ranganathaswamy. You will first go to the Dodda Ganeshana Gudi (or Bull Temple), a 16th century building dedicated to the sacred bull Nandi and marked by the ages. You will then stop at the imposing Vidhana Soudha, a neo-Dravidian building that houses the legislative headquarters of the state. The main center of India’s IT sector, Bangalore is nicknamed the “Silicon Valley of India”. It also has the title of “garden city” because of its many public parks. Combining ancient history and architecture with modern technological developments, it perfectly combines past and innovation. The sites you will visit include the ISCKON temple (interesting alliance between spirituality and contemporary technology). Visit Sri Nagamma Temple, Viveknagar

Day 16: Depart Bangalore

Return flight

Depending on your flight schedule, take some time to relax by the water before departing with your private driver to Bangalore Airport. Your trip to South India comes to an end. Your mind is tinged with all your recent discoveries and encounters, and you embark with a sweet Indian nostalgia. End of our services.