South India Panorama - 10 days

An organized trip to South India, with temples, colonial towns, tropical landscapes and the waterways of Kerala.

1st day: Athens / Thessaloniki - Madras

Fly to Madras (Chennai), on the east coast of South India, via a stopover.

Day 2: Madras (Chennai)

Morning arrival and guided tour of the Government Museum with its collection of bronze statuettes of the Tsola dynasty, St. George's Fort, Church of the Virgin and Church of St. Thomas. Visit Kapalisvarar Temple, dedicated to Shiva. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Madras - Mahabalipuram - Puducherry

Depart for Mahabalipuram (55 km) and visit the Descent of the Ganges reliefs, the Shore Temple and the Five Ratas complex. Continue to Pondicherry (100 km), walk through the colonial streets, French Consulate, Sri Aurobindo ashram and Government Square area. Stroll along the promenade to the Mahatma Gandhi statue and the old lighthouse.

Day 4: Puducherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore

A route of about 170 km in the Tamil hinterland, between rice paddies and rivers. Visit Chidambaram Temple, dedicated to Shiva Nataraja. Continue to Tanjore and the Brihandeswara Temple, a UNESCO monument, with the Nadi monolith and the imposing Vimana tower.

Day 5: Tanjore - Tiruchirappalli - Chettinad - Madurai

Route about 250 km Visit to Ranganatha-swami temple, Srirangam river island of Tiruchirappalli. Continue to Chettinad, with its luxurious 19th century merchant residences, and arrive in Madurai.

Day 6: Madurai

Guided tour of the impressive temple of the goddess Menaksi, with its decorated towers, arcades and carved pillars. Short visit to the old city palace. In the evening return to the temple for the end of the day ceremony.

Day 7: Madurai - Periyar

Departure for Kerala via the Cardamom mountain range (140 km). Afternoon boat tour of the Periyar National Park lake with wildlife viewing. Free time in Koumily for spice shopping.

Day 8: Periyar - Alleppey

Morning visit to an elephant farm to observe their care. The program also describes a ride on an elephant's back. Then drive about 180 km to Alleppey and board houseboats to cruise the canals and waterways of Kerala. Full board and overnight accommodation on the floating accommodation.

Day 9: Alleppey - Cochin

After breakfast departure for Cochin (70 km). Visits to the old synagogue and the Jewish quarter, the Dutch Palace, the Church of St. Francis and the coast with the famous Chinese nets. In the evening watching a Katakali dance performance.

10th day: Kotsin - Athens / Thessaloniki

Early morning transfer to the airport and return flight via a stopover. Same day arrival.