Highlights of South India

Duration 09 Nights / 10 Days Places Covered: Chennai (Madras), Madurai, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, Kerala Backwaters Cruise, Kochi, Fort Cochin

Day 2 - Chennai - overnight train
(Train journey: approx 9 hours) Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the 4th largest city in India. Situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, the city has a diversity of attractions and is also a place of interest for shoppers, augmented by a choice of the finest hand-woven textiles in silk and cotton. Home to spicy south Indian cuisine and strong filter coffee, Chennai is a historic city that is increasingly becoming cosmopolitan. A city tour takes us to some of the major sights including Valluvar Kottam - a memorial to a famous poet-saint, the 13th century Sri Kapaleeshwarar Temple - an ancient Siva temple and a delightful introduction to Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture, San Thome (St Thomas) Mount - a cathedral built in 1523 by the Portuguese on a hilltop where St Thomas the Apostle (the original 'Doubting Thomas'!) was said to have been martyred, and the famous 12 kilometre-long Marina Beach - supposedly the second longest beach in the world. In the evening we board an overnight train bound for Madurai.

Day 3 - Madurai
Our destination is Madurai, one of the oldest and holiest cities in southern India. Its origins can be traced back to the 4th century BC and it supposedly traded with the Ancient Greeks and later the Romans. This rich cultural heritage that blossomed during the great Tamil era, more than 2500 years ago. It was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD and was the capital city for the great Pandya kings. In the afternoon we travel to the banks of the Vaigai River and visit Sri Meenakshi Temple, an elaborate Dravidian-style structure that was designed in 1560 and built between the years 1630 to 1650, during the Nayak Era. However, a temple complex has existed on this site for over 2000 years. Key features are its distinctive towers and stone carvings. It is also a place of frenzied activity with small shops crammed with the confines of the temple, making it a place of commerce as well as a place of worship.

Day 4-5 - Thekkady - Periyar National Park
(Driving time: approx 5 hours) After breakfast we continue our journey by road and cross from one state to another, as we travel from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. Our journey is on a hilly and winding road and our destination is Thekkady, which is set amidst beautiful countryside and is the visitors centre and gateway to Periyar National Park - a renowned wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve. After arriving we get to relax before making an evening visit to a spice plantation. The next morning, we drive into the park and take a ferry ride on picturesque Lake Periyar, an artificial lake that was built by the British in 1895. Periyar National Park is home to gaur, wild boar, sambar deer, langur, wild elephant, various antelopes and a wide variety of birds. There are also around 36 tigers in the reserve and they are generally quite elusive, but if we are lucky we may even spot one! As well as our included boat excursion, we also have the option of going on a guided nature walk though the beautiful forest.

Day 6 - Kumarakom
(Driving time: approx 3 hours) From Periyar we head towards Kumarakom, which is renowned for its backwaters and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary is rich with a number of noteworthy species. Kumarakom itself is a beautiful town situated in the hills and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and lush scenery in the state, with serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east.

Day 7 - Kerala Backwater Cruise
From Kumarakom we board our houseboat, converted from a Kettavallum, or traditional rice barge, and sail the beautiful backwaters of Kerala - a breathtakingly stimulating experience. This large aquatic area is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals, and the people who live in this region have created their own distinct lifestyles. While sailing down the maze of canals one sees simultaneously different scenes - villages, paddy fields, coconut palms, fishermen and everyday local life. From our comfortable houseboats we witness the peaceful way of life on these amazing waterways and get to watch the sun go down over the backwaters. Our overnight stay on board our boat is sure to be a real highlight of our trip and the cool breeze from the lake always helps us to sleep better, after we moor up for the night.

Day 8 - Kochi
(Driving time: approx 1½ hours) We finish our cruise at the small market town of Alappuzha (Alleppey), which is built on a network of canals and surrounded by coconut palms. Our drive to Kochi (Cochin) takes us past some of the numerous villages that line the intricate waterways, where there are various local industries such as like coir making, toddy tapping, spice producing, mat weaving and pot making. The backwaters of Kerala have literally become the lifeline of the state.

Day 9 - Kochi
Kochi is set on a cluster of peninsulas and islands on the Indian Ocean. On a city tour we explore Fort Cochin and also St Francis Church. Built by Portuguese Franciscan monks in 1503, this is said to be the oldest church in India. The structure itself is testament to the evolving history of Cochin, having been used at various times by Roman Catholics, Dutch Protestants and Anglicans. We also visit the famous Mattancherry Jewish Synagogue, which was originally built of wood in 1568. The area surrounding the synagogue is full of spice shops selling cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and a host of other spices. We also take a look at the unique Chinese fishing nets, which are set up close to our hotel.