Spice Route Of Kerala | Visit to Kerala | Holiday in Kerala | Travel to Kerala

Today Arrive Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. You are greeted by our representative & transferred to little seaside town of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), an hour’s drive from Chennai situated on the east coast of Tamil Nadu has pristine beaches, spanning 20 kms, bright sun & crisp sand, wrapping up untold tales of the 7th Century. Here time stands still; and presents meet the past. A serene town nestled amidst the historical stone sculptures and medieval architecture, that stands witness to the rich heritage – Mahabalipuram. Overnight stay.

Morning visit to Shore Temple: where we see outcroppings of rock that have been delicately carved into temples and life-sized replicas of elephants, lions and bulls.

Arjuna's Penance: This quaint little town of Mamallapuram in enriched with ancient and splendid sculptures. Each of the beautiful works of art has a story to tell. Arjuna here is shown standing on one leg to please Lord Shiva into helping him winback the Pandava empire. A fascinating combination of humans, animals and celestial beings seem to be rushing to the revered scene. Most prominent among them is a 4.8 m majestic elephant leading a procession. Also known as the Descent of the Ganga, this impressive canvas portrays the life giving river ganges flowing out from its high source in the Himalayas.

In the afternoon departures to Kanchipuram, the “City of seven Pagodas” where we see outcroppings of rock that have been delicately carved into temples and life-sized replicas of elephants, lions and bulls.

Discover Tirukkalikundram hill "hill of the sacred eagles", important center of popular pilgrimage where a 16th century temple is also dedicated to Shiva, of which the panorama is exceptional. Then visit the Ekambareswarar  temple dedicated to Shiva, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. Later back to Mahabalipuram for overnight stay.

After breakfast depart for Tiruvannamalai, a small town built at the foot of the sacred mountain Arunachala. In this city visit the temple Arunachalesvara, "Aruna the immutable" dedicated to Shiva-Parvati, one of the biggest temples of India. This hindu pilgrimage site contains four magnificent Gopuram built at the four cardinal points, spanning more than 10 hectares. The main, composed of thirteen levels, is more than 66 meters high.

Later in the afternoon departure for Pondicherry, it presents an unusual combination of european culture & indian traditions. An added attraction fair is the township of Auroville, an oasis of peace & enlightenment. Another hallowed spotted Aurobindo Ashram whose buildings sprawl throughout the town: they also make paper and books, often beautifully bound in silk. Overnight stay.

After breakfast visit to Auroville - the ‘City of Dawn’ - was conceived as a place of research into the ideal of human unity by the mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. The idea is to build a futuristic city where people of goodwill can live together in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. Auroville came into existence in 1968. Its Charter says, “To live in Auroville one must be a willing servitor of the divine consciousness”, and describes it as “belonging to nobody in particular, but to humanity as a whole”; as a place “of constant progress”; and as “a bridge between the past and the future.” Overnight stay.

After breakfast depart by road through the delta of the Kaveri to Chidambaram, you will discover the magnificent sanctuary dedicated to Shiva Nataraja, the god of dance. True religious city, it covers 13 hectares, has four Gopuram and a remarkable basin. Then, proceed to Kumbakonam and visit the city, its 18 temples dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu, filled with several richly coloured Gopuram. Visit the Sarangapani temple, the largest, dedicated to Vishnu, dating from the 12th century, in the shape of a trolley, with a portal 50 meters high. Visit to the biggest Kumbeswarar temple, dedicated to Shiva in which one penetrates by a huge Gopuram with 9 levels. In the temple you will see a lingam that would have been modeled by Shiva with sand and nectar of immortality.

Visit Nageshwara temple, Chola temple of the 12th century, then the basin of Mahamaham. Our drive continues to Thanjavur , musical capital and rice granary of India, one of the biggest religious centers of India of the south. It was once the capital of the Chola, the most brilliant kingdom of this region. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit the 9th century Brihadisvara temple, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thanjavur. Later drive to Kumbakonam, 34 kms from Thanjavur Kumbakonam is located among the two rivers Kaveri & Arasalar. The town is famous for brass, vessels, betel leaves. It is primarily a market town for the predominately agriculture based villages surroundings. Explore the unique village of Kumbakonam you will visit the UNESCO monument at Darasuram, the famous Iravatheeswarar temple, the handicraft making units etc. You may go for a bullock cart ride through the village which will be an amazing experience. Overnight stay.

After breakfast drive to Madurai, en route visit Trichy, it was a Chola Citadel during the Sangam age & was also briefly ruled by the Pallavas & the Pandyas. Visit Rock fort the 83-meter high rock fort is in the center of the Trichy. Half way up is the temple of lord Shiva dedicated to Thayumanaswami, Jambukeswaram temple, it has Shiva lingam almost submerged in water. Later drive to nectar city of Madurai. Overnight stay.

Today visit Dravidian temple- Meenakshi temple. Its hall of thousand pillars is fabulous & is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day, another terrific photographic opportunity. Also visit Tirumal Nayak’s palace, which is in a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 - foot high stone pillar, still stands. Overnight stay.

Drive to a tranquil hill retreat, the spicy village. Along the way we pass through tea, cinnamon, clove& cardamom plantations -beautiful to see & smell. Upon arrival check into the hotel.

This evening we visit the nearby Periyar game sanctuary. Game viewing here is like no other safari experience. We simply relax in a Motor launch & sail. During the dry season Tigers & Panthers come down to the lake shore for drinking water - be sure to have plenty of film on hand. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning is free. Later drive to Kumarakom, set in the heart of the backwater, in a beautiful area where the sea and the land seem to intertvene. They are made up of lagoons, canals, islands and numerous villages. Overnight stay.

After breakfast board the Kettuvalam - After breakfast board the Kettuvalam - An Authentic Kerala Houseboat - the moving master piece, have been plying the inland waterways of southwest India for untold centuries and originally used as cargo rice boats. The fully furnished and palm covered boats (single & double) bedrooms with attached bath, sit out, kitchen and living room made of traditional wood. In each houseboat, Traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian Kerala cuisines are served. A journey through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of the world’s truly unforgettable experiences, myriad network of silent lagoons, freshwater river, and hyacinth covered canals that wind their way through colorful corridors of forests, palms and fruit trees. A canoe expedition via an intricate network of canals, through backwater villages where daily continues unaltered, as it has for centuries. You will see lush palm groves and stretches of rice fields. Overnight stay in air condition house boat.

Breakfast on board. Later drive to Kochi- it is one of the India’s most colorful cities, the Dutch palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and renovated by the Dutch from 1663 with its beautiful murals and Jew town including the antique warehouses and shops, spices trading house and the Jewish synagogue built in 1568, the oldest in the commonwealth. This inter, connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of cultures & religions. Kochi is the only place in the country where you can see St. Francis church, Jewish synagogue, Hindu temples, Dutch palace & Mosque nearly side by side. In the evening, attend the performance of the Kathakali, one of India’s most famous classical dance.  Overnight stay.

Today visit old spice market at Mattancherry, the antique shops on Jew’s street. Say good bye to this fascinating tour and transfer to the airport to board the flight for onward destination.

The above itinerary can be further customized as per your travel requirements.