ITINERARY:

Arrive at the Mumbai airport, where our representative will be waiting to escort you to the hotel. Check in at the hotel and relax for a while. Then move on for a half-day excursion to Elephanta Caves, known as a popular World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel for lunch and afterwards move on for the half-day sightseeing tour of the ‘city of dreams' , Mumbai. Places like Juhu Beach, Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wales Museum, Hanging Gardens, Gandhi Memorial Museum and the Jain Temple in Malabar Hills are worth visiting in Mumbai. Later return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Mumbai.

Day 02: Mumbai – Chennai – Mahabalipuram

Board a flight for Chennai after having breakfast at the hotel. On arrival, drive your way to Mahabalipuram, home to the only surviving shore temple in India. Explore the ancient caves, Arjuna's Penance , Krishna Mandapam and the Shore Temples during your excursion to Mahabalipuram. Later return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram

Post breakfast, go for a sightseeing tour of Kanchipuram in the afternoon. Do visit the Kailashnath Temple , an example of the marvelous architecture of the 8 th century. Also pay visits to Vaikunth Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Day 04: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry

Head for a 5-hour drive to Pondicherry, former French colony. On arrival, check in at the hotel and go for a sightseeing tour of Auroville, an international multi-cultural commune. Further have the pleasure of visiting the peaceful Sri Aurobindo Ashram .

Day 05: Pondicherry – Chidambram – Tanjore

Commence your 5 th day with a 6-hour drive to Tanjore enroute Chidambaram , famous for Tandava, the dance of Lord Shiva in the Natraja Temple . Let the beautifully sculpted sculptures enchant you. On arrival in Tanjore, check in at the hotel and move on for a sightseeing tour that include visit to the Brihadishwar Temple.

Day 06: Tanjore – Trichy – Kodaikanal

Begin the 6 th day of Ancient Temples and Prestine Beaches South India Tour with a drive to Trichy in order to visit the Ranganghtaswamy Temple . Later proceed to Kodaikanal, which is full of spectacular views. Pillar Rocks and Bryant Park are some other places worth visiting.

Day 07: Kodaikanal – Madurai

Head for a 4-hour drive to Madurai, one of the most popular and ancient cities of South India. On arrival, check in at the hotel and then pay a visit to the Meenakshi Temple and get enchanted watching the elegant sculptures of the temple.

Day 08: Madurai – Lake Periyar

Head for a 5-hour drive to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and have close encounters with some wild animals. Get to see more than 250 species of birds at Periyar Sanctuary. Check in at the jungle resort and go for game shooting and boat rides in the afternoon.

Day 09: Lake Periyar – Kumarakom

Post breakfast at the hotel, head for Kumarakom, a small town on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake. Move on for a sightseeing tour after checking in at the hotel in Kumarakom. Go for excursions to the nearby bird sanctuary and to the Vembanad Lake . Later return to the hotel for an overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom.

Day 10: Kumarakom

Begin the 10 th day of your Ancient Temples and Prestine Beaches South Tour with an excursion to the nearby bird sanctuary and a with a visit to the Vembanad Lake . Later return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Kumarakom.

Day 11: Kumarakom – Cochin

Begin the day with a 3-hour drive to Cochin. On arrival, check in at the hotel and then move on a sightseeing tour. Visit places like St. Francis Church , Fort Cochin, oldest Synagogue , Chinese fishing nets and Kochi Harbor during the city sightseeing tour of Cochin.

Evening is reserved for enjoying Kathakali performances and other folk dance performances. Overnight stay at the hotel in Cochin.

Day 12: Cochin – Trivandrum

Post breakfast board a flight to Trivandrum and from there move on to the Kovalam Beach and have a fun filled time there.

Day 13: Trivandrum

Spend the day as you wish and then later in the evening, drive to the airport and board the flight back home or to your further destination.