Duration : 14 nights / 15 days.
Destination covered : Kochi - Nilgiri Hills - Mysore - Mamallapuram - Thanjavur - Madurai - Kerala - Kochi

HIGHLIGHTS:

.   Dutch (Mattencherry) palace
.   Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town
.   Kathakali performance
.   Ride on Blue Mountain Railway
.   Tea factory
.   Safari into Madumalai National Park
.   Mysore Palace, Chaumundi Temple
.   Excursion to Somnathpur
.   Mamallapuram Shore Temples
.   Pondicherry
.   Srirangam Temple (Trichy)
.   Brihadeeswara Temple (Tanjore)
.   Cycle rickshaw tour of Madurai and Sri Meenakshi Temple
.   Periyar Tiger Reserve and guided walk
.   Tour of Spice Garden
.   Excursion and local guide for Backwaters Homestay

Day 1 Arrive Kochi
Arrive in Kochi at any time.

Day 2 Kochi
Small islands full of Portuguese and Dutch history, all connected by wooden ferries, welcome you to Fort Kochi. The oldest church in India sits near mosques, synagogues and English manor homes. Feast on Keralan food and enjoy a performance of Kathakali dancing.

Day 3-4 Nilgiri Hills
Climb into the misty Nilgiri, or Blue Mountains, covered in tea plantations, grape gardens and eucalyptus trees. Hike through the plantations, learn how tea is grown and travel on the famous Blue Mountain railway.

Day 5 Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Spend the night at the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary provides one of the most important refuges for the elephant and bison in India. (D)

Day 6-7 Mysore
Join the pilgrims at Chamundi Hills, with its Chamundeswari Temple on top and Nandi the Bull below. Or shop for silks and sandalwood. Mysore is also a popular destination for spiritual tourism. (B)

Day 8 Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Discover another of India's UNESCO World Heritage sites. Explore the 7th centure Shore Temple by bicycle or on foot. Later, relax with a cold Indian beer on the beach.

Day 9 Thanjavur (Tanjore)/Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)
Travel to the famous temple cities of Thanjavur and Tiruchirapalli. In Thanjavur, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Brihadeeswara Temple, and discover the architecture of the Chola Empire. In Trichy, climb the Rock Fortress for a view over the city and river or visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam) and gaze over the largest temple complex in the world.

Day 10 Madurai
Today travel to busy and colourful Madurai. Join a guided tour of the temple complex, shop and try one of Madurai's popular sweet drinks.

Day 11-12 Periyar Tiger Reserve
Travel a road through plantations of spice, tea, rubber and coffee before entering the realm of one of India's most enduring symbols, the tiger. Periyar is one of the few habitats remaining for wild tigers in the world.

Day 13 Kerala Backwaters Homestay
Slip silently through sleepy canals on a boat, as the timeless landscape of Kerala's backwaters slides by. Savour this idyllic region where boats are the main transport on our Backwater Homestay - a great chance to meet, talk and eat with the people who live here. (L,D)

Day 14 Kochi
Travel back to our starting point at Fort Kochi. There will be free to do some final shopping or maybe watch sunset at the Chinese fishing nets. (B)

Day 15 Depart Kochi

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