Arrival at Chennai, the bustling metropolis in Southern India... After experiencing a heartening welcome, check in to the Hotel and get ready for a full day metro tour. Drive around the metro-city and get to know some of its famous landmarks. Visit the Fort St. George (the British built fortress, which still retains its colonial charm). Watch the big beach at Marina - regarded as world’s 2nd longest seashore.

Later on travel to a little outer from the metro area… towards the sacred hillock St. Thomas Mount. It was from here that St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, carried out his missionary activities till he attained ‘martyrdom’ in 72 AD. Observe his deeds through the sculptures and relics at the old European-styled Church on the hilltop. You can find how harmoniously the traditional Tamil culture and modern British culture are blended. As night falls, return to your Hotel for overnight stay.

Now it’s time for an insight into the priceless Dravidian culture & heritage… For that proceed to the most ideal place nearer Chennai - ‘Mahabalipuram’ (a centuries-old port city, abode of priceless heritage monuments). On reaching Mahabalipuram check in to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.

Set out for Mahabalipuram sightseeing today… View some splendid specimens of Dravidian architecture & art forms - testimonies of former Pallava Kings, who were great patrons of arts / crafts - such as, ‘Pancha Rathas’ (‘Five Chariots’ - monolithic structures, each carved from one single large piece of stone - named after the five ‘Pandavas’ of the great epic Mahabharata), ‘Arjuna's Penance’ (a massive relief sculpture illustrating an episode from the epic Mahabharata), ‘Descent of the Ganges’ (another giant open-air bas relief, depicting a famous scene from Hindu mythology), ‘Varaha Cave Temple’ (a rock-cut-temple with fine carvings), ‘Shore Temple’ (a very old shrine with entry from the seashore) … As the daylight paves way for nightfall, get in to your lodgings… settle down in its soothing environs. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.

In addition to its deep rooted Dravidian traits, Tamil Nadu also exhibits marks of the Colonial era and the most remarkable testimony to this is ‘Pondicherry’ alias 'Puducherry'. Depart Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry (a French Colony for centuries before merging with India) - more of a journey from Dravidian times to Colonial times!

After reaching the destination, set out for a city sightseeing… Thought the French left Pondicherry about half-a-century ago, you can see that the city still bears a remarkable colonial influence. In fact, it consists of two major sections such as, the French 'White town' and the Indian 'Black Town'. Experience French ambience in Pondicherry‘s numerous heritage buildings and monuments viz., Le Café, Dupleix Statue, Governor’s Palace, Romain Rolland Library, Puducherry Museum… watch the well-laid out European-styled avenues. Overnight stay at Pondicherry.

In the morning leave the Colonial ambience and get back to the typical Tamil culture… Travel from Pondicherry to ‘Thanjavur’, the legendary city immortalized by Chola royal dynasty. On reaching Thanjavur, set out for a day long sightseeing... start with a masterpiece of Chola-styled architecture - the big temple ‘Brihandeswara’ (1000+ years old shrine, built by the esteemed Chola emperor Rajaraja I). Apart from its architectural intricacies and sculptures, what makes Brihandeswara temple unique is the high temple tower that is taller than the sanctum sanctorum - a feature not seen in other typical Tamil / Dravidian temples.

Later, visit the nearby water tank ‘Shivaganga’, a popular hangout place. As time permits, have a quick get-around in other notable sights like, ‘Thanjavur Palace’, ‘Royal Museum’ & ‘Art Gallery’. Afterwards do some shopping - buy unique Thanjavur specials, such as, the Thalayatti Bomai (head-nodding doll). Late evening, return to your hotel at Thanjavur for overnight stay.

Today leave Thanjavur to Trichy alias ‘Tiruchirapalli’ - a major city in Tamil Nadu. On arrival, check in to your hotel at Trichy and get refreshed. Soon proceed for Trichy sightseeing. Begin with the most important landmark in the city - the ‘Rock Fort Ucchi Pillayar Temple’ (a combination of two shrines located atop a high rock - one shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and other to Lord Ganesh, known as ‘Pillayar’ in Tamil). In these shrines, which are regarded as one of the oldest in the world, you can see inspiring rock architectures bearing ancient traits.

Afterwards visit Trichy’s most elegant Christian monument, the St John's Church - a colonial styled church that dates back to almost two centuries. Experience the vintage air that engulfs the Church. Also visit the neighboring cemetery… all these will remind you about some fairy tale scenes. As night falls, return to your hotel at Trichy and stay overnight.

Begin today’s sightseeing on a high note with a visit to the largest functioning temple complex in the world - ‘The Ranganathaswamy Temple’. Located at Srirangam near Trichy, this overwhelmingly massive shrine is regarded as one among the holiest Vaishnavite (followers of Lord Vishnu) Temples in India. Watch in awe the fascinating architecture and sculptural beauty of this gigantic shrine. Also visit the ‘One Thousand Pillar Hall’ (actually 953 intricately carved stone pillars) in the temple complex. Though Ranganathaswamy Temple complex is very vast, you won’t miss its most striking feature - the ‘Rajagopuram’ - built by the Vijayanagara Emperors this is the tallest temple tower in Asia!

Later depart Trichy and drive to another significant Dravidian city - Madurai, one of the oldest & continuously inhabited cities in the world. After reaching Madurai, check into your hotel and wash off your journey marks. If time permits take a quick look-around the surrounding city area. Overnight stay at Madurai.

Spend the morning at leisure, readying for Madurai sightseeing... Start with visiting one of India's greatest cultural & architectural landmarks - the ‘Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple’ (dedicated to Meenakshi - Goddess Parvathy). Watch the looming temple towers, each studded with carvings of Gods, Goddesses, mythological figures and even depictions from fairy tales. Explore the sprawling temple complex... Visit the awe inspiring ‘Thousand Pillar Hall’ (in fact 985 now). Then see the ‘musical pillars’ - each one, when struck, produces a different musical note!

Then visit the ‘Mariamman Teppakulam’, a huge water tank located near the Meenakshi Temple. The tank is known as Mariamman Teppakulam due to the presence of Goddess Mariamman Temple there (Teppakulam means water tank in Tamil). At the center of the tank is a Lord Ganesh temple - accessible only by water. The area of the tank and the island pavilion is approximately equal to the area of the great Meenakshi Temple!

Later visit Madurai’s other important landmarks like, the ‘Thirumalai Nayakar Palace’ (a splendid palace of the former Madurai King, who made this city a memorable one). Get a brief outlook this ageless city’s royal legacy. At nightfall, get back to your lodgings at Madurai for overnight stay.

Now take a tour to the southernmost tip of Indian subcontinent - ‘Kanyakumari’. Bid farewell to the legendary city of Madurai and proceed southwards… On arrival at Kanyakumari, you will be greeted with spellbinding views of ‘Vivekananda Rock’ and ‘Thiruvalluvar Statue’ (two most notable landmarks here) from the seashore. Take a boat and visit the landmarks... These rocks, with an air of holiness and chill of waves sprinkling all over, totally uplift the self.

Late evening, view the sunset at the beach… At first it may not sound something unusual to anyone. But, after watching the Sun slowly dipping in the seawaters at this location, you will swear this can be hardly seen in anywhere else. Kanyakumari’s unique geographical location enables both sunset & sunrise views at the same beach. So plan accordingly to observe the phenomenon. Overnight stay at Kanyakumari.

First make sure to view the spectacular sunrise at Kanyakumari. Then after breakfast checkout from the Hotel and drive to the most famous beach haven in Kerala, Kovalam. Check in to your hotel / resort at Kovalam on arrival. Take own time to get absorbed in the pleasant surroundings. Overnight stay at Kovalam.

This day is entirely for enjoying Kovalam’s seashores. An internationally acclaimed Beach Tourism centre, Kovalam is blessed with three lovely crescent-shaped seashores namely, ‘Samudra Beach’ (which is the main beach), ‘Howah Beach’ and ‘Lighthouse Beach’. Spent the day engaged in various beach activities like sunbathing, swimming, etc. Overnight stay at Kovalam.

One more day to experience Kovalam completely... Continue your beach recreations. Enjoy the big splashes in the rejuvenating sea breezes. As per your choice avail options like Ayurveda Massage, Yoga, etc. After fully satisfying with beach entertainments, stay overnight at the hotel / resort in Kovalam.

From beaches to backwaters… Proceed to Alappuzha from Kovalam. With plenty of waterways, canals & backwater lagoons, Alappuzha is rightfully dubbed in the world tourism map as ‘the Venice of the East’ - also the hub of Kerala’s backwater tourism.

By afternoon check in to a houseboat at Alappuzha. As the overnight cruise begins, settle down in this floating luxury and get immersed in the gentle rhymes of backwaters. Watch the green paddies dotted with coconut trees, groups of ducks enjoying the waters, village folks engaged in their age-old routines… grasp the spirit of rural Kerala that still thrives unaltered in these regions. Spice up your cruise with delicious Kerala cuisines along the way. Overnight stay in the houseboat comforts.

After relishing the charm of backwaters, check out form the houseboat this morning and drive to ‘Kochi’, Kerala’s no: 1 port city. After reaching Kochi check in to your hotel, relax for some time. Soon set out for a city sightseeing tour. Kochi is a place that effectively combines its modern luxuries together with the medieval colonial charm. You will justify this fact after experiencing both - right from the main city center to suburban locations like Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. The Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church and Anglo Indian Bungalows at Fort Kochi and, the Dutch Palace, Jewish Street & Synagogue at Mattancherry bring back memories of the stylish colonial era… while the busy M G Road and Marine Drive thrives ahead in modernity. After the city tour, return to your hotel at Kochi for overnight stay.

The tour concludes today… check out from the hotel and proceed to Kochi Airport for departure.