January 04, Thursday: USA Depart USA.
January 05, Friday: Chennai Arrive Chennai in the late night. Complete immigration and customs formalities. You will be met and transferred to the charming, colonial-style Taj Coromandel Hotel.
January 06, Saturday: Chennai (B/L/D)
The morning is at leisure. Proceed to Annalakshmi Restaurant for a vegetarian lunch. Later, we will explore Chennai which is home to a mixture of Christian, British and Indian cultures. Visit the National Art Gallery and Museum with its outstanding collection of Indian sculptures, the Cathedral of San Thome associated with the Apostle of St Thomas, and Mylapore Temple. We will also visit the St. Mary’s church built in 1678 where Elihu Yale was married. In the evening, attend a Welcome reception followed by dinner.
January 07, Sunday: Chennai (B/L/D)
In the morning, we will drive to Mahabalipuram. Pallava rulers in the 7th and 8th centuries built stone temples in the form of chariots in view of the seashore. Also in the vicinity is the gigantic bas relief depicting the myth of how the Ganges came to earth. Proceed to Dakshina Chitra, a center for living traditions in a changing society. A project of the Chennai Craft Foundation which presents the culture of South India through village spaces, working craftsman, exhibitions, traditional architecture, workshop areas, performing artists, an open air theater, craft shop in four distinct language and cultural centers. Lunch will be arranged here. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
January 08, Monday: Chennai (B/L)
In the morning, drive to Kalakshetra, a dance & music school to witness their morning prayer ceremony as well as dance & music classes. Later, we will drive to Kancheepuram, known as the "Golden City of a thousand temples", all built in the 7th and 8th centuries. Kancheepuram is also famous for its silk weaving. Return to the hotel in the early afternoon. Rest of the day is at leisure for you to either relax in your luxurious surroundings or continue your explorations of the city’s bustling markets.
January 09, Tuesday: Chennai/Trichy (Tiruchirappally) (B/L/D)
Transfer to the airport in time for flight IC#967 departing Chennai at 10:00 am and arriving Trichy at 10:50 am. Transfer to the Sangam Hotel. In the afternoon, we will visit the Rock Fort Temple with its shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Ganesh Temple perched on the hilltop. Explore the enormous Srirangam Temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Summits of the many shrines of this and other Dravidian temples are crowned with rows of Kalashas or pots.
January 10, Wednesday: Trichy/Tanjore/Madurai (B/L/D)
This morning, we will drive to Madurai stopping en route at Tanjore, the capital of the powerful Chola Kings of the 10th to 14th centuries, to see the Brihadeshwar Temple, one of the finest examples of Chola architecture. In front of the temple, we will see a massive, beautifully carved Nandi (Bull), carved from black granite. Lunch will be arranged at Parisutham Hotel. We will continue our drive to Madurai and on arrival, check into the Taj Garden Retreat.
January 11, Thursday: Madurai (B/L)
This morning, explore Madurai, visiting the Meenakshi Temple where Dravidian temple architecture may be seen in its exuberant baroque phase. Its Hall of a Thousand Pillars is fabulous and is filled with worshipers at all hours of the day. Drive to Tirumal Nayak's Palace which is in a highly decorative style and was once compared to the ancient monument of Thebes. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 40 ft. high stone pillars still stands, and griffins, lions and other monster gargoyles are seen everywhere. In the late afternoon, we will visit a Dance school and will witness a performance of Bharatnatyam.
January 12, Friday: Madurai/Thekkady (B/L/D)
In the morning, we will drive to Thekkady, home to spice plantations and the scenic Periyar National Park, a 300 square mile preserve set around an artificial lake, created by damming the Periyar River over a hundred years ago. Arrive Thekkady around lunch time and check into the Spice Village Resort. Periyar is primarily known for its herd of elephants that emerge from time to time along the forest fringed shores, to drink and bathe in the waters of the lake, along with gaur, chital, wild boar and frolicking otters. Traveling by motor-launch, you are able to approach the lakeshore quite easily for close observation and photography. Birdlife is highlighted by flocks of darters, cormorants, kingfishers, ospreys, grey hornbill and racket tailed drongos. In the afternoon, we will take a boat ride to view the wildlife.
January 13, Saturday: Thekkady(B/L/D)
Today we will walk through the forest to view wildlife and then drive through the tea estates nearby. Today we will enjoy a special bar-b-cue lunch.
January 14: Sunday: Thekkady/Kumarakom (B/L/D)
This morning, we will drive to Kumarakom and check into the Coconut Lagoon Resort. Afternoon is free to relax/independent activities. This resort’s unique architecture will fascinate you as will the relaxing ayurvedic massages this area is so well-known for.
January 15: Monday: Kumarakom/Alleppey/Cochin (B/L/D)
Morning is at leisure. Around noon, we will board our house-boats for a cruise through the backwaters of Kerala to Cochin. Lunch will be served on board. On arrival in Alleppey, drive to Cochin & check into the Brunton Boatyard Hotel, our favorite Kerala resort.
January 16: Tuesday: Cochin (B/L/D)
This morning, visit the Portuguese built Dutch Palace, former residence of the rajahs of Cochin and now a fascinating museum, the Jewish Quarter and the Chinese tile floored synagogue, which houses scrolls from the Old Testament; and the original antique art stores; the Gulbenkin Museum; St Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was buried and the ubiquitous Chinese fishing nets. Afternoon is free. A special Kerala evening with regional dances, music and food.
January 17, Wednesday: Cochin(B/L/D)
In the morning, conclude the sightseeing of Cochin. Nimmy Paul runs a very successful cooking school out of her modest bungalow near Cochin. The foods of her Syrian Christian ancestry hold a special place in her heart as she effortlessly replicates lacy crepes, steamed noodles, and curries on a daily basis. Her private home, generous backyard, and warm kitchen will be the site of an unforgettable lesson and meal. Balance of the day is at leisure.
January 18, Thursday: Mysore (B/L)
Transfer to the airport in time for flight 9W#3512 departing Cochin at 8:30 am and arriving Bangalore at 9:45 am. Drive directly to Mysore. Check into the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure.
January 19, Friday: Mysore (B/L/D)
In the morning, we will visit Somnathpur Temple. It was built in the 13th century in the exquisite Hoysala Temple architecture. Hoysala art is intricate and highly detailed. The temple is set on a chiseled plinth guarded by elephants and ornate carvings. The plinth is encircled by friezes in narrow bands, each with a separate motif. Higher up are myriad niches with figures of dancers, musicians and scenes from the great Indian epics. In the afternoon, visit the Maharaja's Palace, Brindavan Gardens and Chamundi Hill where you are welcomed by a large colorful statue of Mahishasura, the demon after whom Mysore is named. The gigantic bull, vehicle of Shiva is still worshiped atop Chamundi Hill.
January 20, Saturday: Mysore/Bangalore (B/L/D)
This morning, we will drive to Bangalore, visiting en route Srirangapatnam and the summer palace of Tippu Sultan. On arrival Bangalore, check into the Taj Residency Hotel. In the late afternoon, visit one of the IT companies. In the evening, we gather for our farewell reception followed by dinner.
January 21, Sunday: Bangalore (B/L/D)
A modern city with a distinct British flavor, Bangalore is home to the 18th-century palace of Tippu Sultan, the "Tiger of Mysore", who died fighting the British. This morning, we will tour the city of Bangalore, known as the Garden City of India. Visit the Indian Institute of Science, the Bull Temple and the Lal Bagh Gardens. Afternoon is at leisure. In the night transfer to the airport for your flight home.
January 22, Monday: Bangalore/USA
Depart Bangalore.
