Indian Rose Tours: Enlightened Travel in South India






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• HIGHLIGHTS of SOUTH INDIA If this is your first visit to South India and you want to see all the highlights but also visit lesser known places, this tour has your name written all over it. You will start with a few days relaxing and visiting the world renowned 7th century World Heritage monuments of Mamallapuram, and the French colonial heritage sites of Pondicherry. The visits to large Indian cities like the bustling pilgrimage town of Madurai and the cultural capital of Kerala, Cochin, are alternated with peaceful stays in lush countryside towns like Athur and Munnar. You will get the chance to work on your tan at the most beautiful beach of South India in Varkala and laze on a traditional boat in the Backwaters. The little known wildlife reserve Wayanad offers the best chances of spotting wild elephants in India. In Mysore you will get to see how the maharajas live and visit the temples of the Hoysalas, which are unsurpassed in architectural detail. The tour concludes with a half day excursion in bustling Bangalore. We also offer the option of ending your adventure with an extra day of relaxation in the easy going beach town Mamallapuram, adding two days to the tour. Alternatively, we can organize a shorter but similar itinerary of 22 days. Send us an e-mail for more information on this tour or for any adjustments you would like to see added to the tour described below. The best time to visit South India is September to March. In April and May it gets very hot and June, July and August see the monsoon rains. South India witnesses a second smaller monsoon for about 6 weeks in and around November.
THE ITINERARY BASICS 1. Mamallapuram 2. Mamallapuram 3. Mamallapuram 4. Pondicherry 5. Pondicherry 6. Thanjavur 7. Athur 8. Athur 9. Madurai 10. Madurai 11. Munnar 12. Munnar 13. Thekkady 14. Thekkady 15. Backwaters 16. Varkala 17. Varkala 18. Varkala 19. Cochin 20. Cochin 21. Wayanad / Kalpetta 22. Wayanad / Kalpetta 23. Mysore 24. Mysore 25. Mysore 26. Hassan 27. Bangalore — OPTION: 28. Mamallapuram 29.Mamallapuram /End — End of the tour

• A LOOK AT EACH OF OUR 27 DAYS 1. Arrival in Mamallapuram Most flights from the West arrive at Chennai airport late evening or early morning. A representative of Indian Rose Tours will welcome you at the airport. He will hand over all the documents you will need during your tour. One of our cars will take you to your hotel. Accommodation: Standard: Mamalla Heritage Superior: Chariot Beach Resort Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort 2. Mamallapuram After breakfast you'll have some time to explore Mamallapuram and stretch your legs. Mamallapuram is a small village with quaint shops and a few good restaurants - it's the perfect place to wind down from your flight and acclimatize to the warmer Indian climate. Mamallapuram is most known for her 7th century World Heritage rock-cut monuments. The most famous of these are the Shore Temple, which looks out over the tranquil beach, and the Five Rathas, a collection of small gems resembling chariots. Equally beautiful is Arjuna's Penance, a relief carving displaying scenes from the ancient epic tales of the Mahabharata. A local guide can accompany you to the most important sights of this captivating village during a 3 hour walk in the cooler hours late this afternoon. Accommodation: Standard: Mamalla Heritage Superior: Chariot Beach Resort Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort
3. Mamallapuram Today you can pedal your bike through the countryside surrounding Mamallapuram. You can visit a number of things, like a small village school to see how people live in this beautiful land. You'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional thali-lunch with your guide and his family! Around 1 pm you'll get back to Mamallapuram, but you may use the bike as much as you like until it gets dark. The people of Mamallapuram still cut impressive statues from rocks. All through the easy going village you'll see the sculptors creating amazing images from pieces of stone, coaxing flowing images out of immutable rock. Mamallapuram has a nice beach and the hotel has a comfortable swimming pool. This village is also a great place to get acquainted with the delicious Indian cuisine in one of the many quality restaurants. Accommodation: Standard: Mamalla Heritage Superior: Chariot Beach Resort Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort 4. Pondicherry Today you'll drive about 3 hours to Pondicherry (also called Puducherry), a former French town on the Eastern coast. Pondicherry is divided in a bustling Indian section inland, and a smaller and quieter French section on the Bay of Bengal. The French quarter is dominated by wide lanes shaded by trees, here almost devoid of the chaotic traffic India is known for, and by large colonial buildings, most of which still belong to the French or to the Aurobindo ashram. This afternoon you could decide to wander around the French part of town and enjoy a drink at dusk when the boulevard comes to life with Indian men jogging along Gandhi's Statue, families going for an evening walk and lovers gazing out over the Bay of Bengal. Pondicherry has some top quality restaurants serving both Indian and French cuisines for you to enjoy. Accommodation: Standard: Ginger Superior: Athiti Heritage: Aurodhan Heritage Guest House 5. Pondicherry Today you will visit Auroville, an international community where people of 40 different nationalities have come together with the goal of building a harmonious township where creed, nationality and colour are ignored. Their utopic vision is inspirational, and you will get to see how they make it work. In Pondicherry you'll have time to gorge on French baguettes for lunch. During the second part of this sightseeing tour you'll set out to see the sights of Pondy, as Pondicherry is popularly known. You'll visit the Shri Aurobindo Ashram, the Ganesha Temple, the Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Gandhi Statue on the boulevard. Accommodation: Standard: Ginger Superior: Athiti Heritage: Aurodhan Heritage Guest House

6. Thanjavur Next, you will leave the coast and move on to Thanjavur, which is known best for the Brihadeshvara Temple (aka The Big Temple). This UNESCO monument was built in 1010 AD and is the crowning glory of Chola architecture. The shining black Nandi statue (Nandi is Shiva's mount) is one of the biggest in India and weighs an astonishing 25 tons! The best times to visit the temple are late afternoon and early morning when the temple is often covered in beautiful sunlight. Thanjavur (also known as Tanjore) has a tradition of classic bronze working. Today you'll get a chance to see the bronze-casters at work who will explain the lost-wax method by which they make the artefacts. Accommodation: Standard: Gnanam Superior: Parisutham Deluxe: Ideal River View 7. Athur via Trichy Today your driver will take you to Trichy to visit the impressive Srirangam Temple complex. Construction on this monument started in the 10th century and the latest addition was only finalized in 1989. As opposed to the quieter Thanjavur monument, this popular temple is usually quite lively, and sees many colourfully dressed pilgrims coming to make offerings to Lord Vishnu. After your visit to this huge complex and the bustling bazaar in front of it, you can have a traditional lunch before moving on. Late afternoon you will arrive at Athur. Your resort is situated a few kilometres away from this tiny village in the Tamil countryside. It lies on the shores of a picturesque lake and at the foothills of the Western Ghats, the small mountain range that marks the natural and official border between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This is a serene and comfortable place to stay, and the friendly staff turns out delicious meals (included in the tour price). The resort is run by an English couple and the staff are boys and men from the Athur locality. Accommodation: Superior: Lakeside 8. Athur Today you can choose to participate in either of these exploratory adventures: Country Tour: You can choose to go on a tour through the countryside of Tamil Nadu, taking in the natural beauty and locale. We'll visit some small villages and be able to see local craftsmen at work. Bird Watching: If you would like to experience some of the local fauna, a friendly person from the resort will be happy to take you on a walk around the lake and/or through the foothills of the Western Ghats. Mind you that this person is not a professional bird-watcher. If you are interested in bird-watching please let us know at the time of booking so we can arrange a professional bird-watcher to accompany you. This region sees some species of birds not found anywhere else. These excursions are not included in the tour price. Payment is done directly to the resort. Or of course it's also possible to take walks individually, laze in the garden, swim in the lake or simply relax at the pool to your heart's content. Accommodation: Superior: Lakeside
9. Madurai After a late breakfast in Athur, it will take about 2 hours to drive to Madurai, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of India. City life revolves around the very colourful Shree Meenakshi Temple, one of the holiest temples of India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, which means it attracts a different, more humble kind of devotee compared to the more affluent followers of Vishnu. Pilgrims from all over India come here to worship, filling the temple with people representative of the entire subcontinent! Madurai is also a haven of skilled tailors, especially in the Pudhu Mandapam, a bustling market in an old part of the temple. If you're interested in having clothing made just for you, this is the place to do it! Accommodation: Standard: Madurai Residency Superior: Royal Court Heritage: Madurai Heritage 10. Madurai This morning you will drive half an hour to the small village of Thiruparakundram where you'll visit the Murugan Temple. The inner sanctum of the temple was cut directly in the millennia old rocks. This village sees few Western tourists and walking away from the main street by the temple will introduce you to friendly and welcoming locals. You’ll be back in Madurai in time for a traditional thali lunch. No visit to Madurai would be complete without the experience of a friendly rickshaw wallah cycling you through the suburbs of the city. You'll visit a vegetable market, small local industries, the Gandhi Museum, the dhobi ghats (where laundry is done at the river) and will traverse the labyrinthine narrow streets into areas where people hardly ever see any Westerners. It’s a truly unique and intimate way of seeing the other side of a big Indian city like Madurai. Accommodation: Standard: Madurai Residency Superior: Royal Court Heritage: Madurai Heritage 11. Munnar From Madurai, you will drive about 6 hours west to Munnar, situated in the cool hills of the Western Ghats. The hills of Kerala will literally be a breath of fresh air after the low lands of Tamil Nadu. Munnar has an elevation of 1500 metres and is surrounded by green tea and coffee plantations, where the rolling hills and cool skies will make you feel at ease immediately. Accommodation: Standard: Hill View Superior: Kaivalyam- Recommended. Deluxe: Seina Village Resort

12. Munnar Today you can take a 5 hour trek through the green tea plantations. The local guide will take you up to viewpoints with stunning views of the Western Ghats. Munnar is a small town with a distinctly Tamil feel to it and a lively market. There are a few lovely Hindu temples. Munnar is also a good place for Ayurvedic massage. Accommodation: Standard: Hill View Superior: Kaivalyam- Recommended. Deluxe: Seina Village Resort
13. Thekkady The road from Munnar to Thekkady may well be the most scenic route in South India. This 5 hour drive will take you through gorgeous tea plantation after gorgeous tea plantation before winding its way through forested mountain scenery and finally finding its destination in friendly Thekkady. Also known as Kumily, Thekkady is known for its quality spice gardens and the beautiful scenery surrounding this touristy village. During the Spice Plantation Tour this afternoon an informative guide will explain everything you always wanted to know - and more! - about the many different spices Kerala is so famed for. How many nutmegs could kill you? Why is vanilla so expensive? What are the Queen, King and Princess of Spices? At the end of this tour you will have all the answers! In the late afternoon you can witness a Kalarippayat show, which according to the Malayalis (inhabitants of Kerala), is the oldest form of martial arts in the world. It at times resembles a kind of dance, almost an Indian version Capoeira. The fighters use real (and sharp!) weapons. Don't try this at home! Accommodation: Home Stay: El Paradiso Superior: Wildernest Deluxe: Cardomom County

14. Thekkady Today you can choose between the following optional excursions or decide to simply walk around the friendly town and enjoy an Ayurvedic massage. Full Day Jungle Tour: Today's excursion takes you early morning by jeep into the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. This guided day trip includes a trek, a boat ride and a jeep tour. What makes this tour special is that it takes you to a part of the reserve that doesn't see as many tourists as the main part of the park. This makes for a very tranquil tour and greatly enhances your chances of spotting wildlife! If you prefer not to go on a day long tour there are these alternatives in the more popular part of the park at Thekkady: Jungle Walk: You can go for a 3 hour long early morning jungle walk in the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. The guide will help you to spot some of the wild animals living in this 777 square kilometer reserve. It's a very scenic walk. Boat Ride: In the afternoon you could decide to join the other travellers and tourists on one of the boats cruising the scenic man-made Periyar Lake. Chances of spotting wildlife depend greatly on the popularity of the boat ride that day and on the time of year. Elephant ride and elephant washing: A half hour ride through a spice plantation on the back of an elephant is followed by washing the beautiful animal. The elephants get treated really well and it's good fun. Expect to get wet! There could not be a better way to relax from an adventurous day than by being spoiled with an Ayurvedic massage. Ayurveda (knowledge or science of life) is a millennia old medicinal system geared towards restoring the balance within. The herbal massage is an integral part of this. Kerala is home to all the ingredients of the Ayurvedic oils, up to 300 different herbs, and the Ayurvedic massage is a part of every Malayali (inhabitants of Kerala) life. Thekkady has many quality massage practitioners. Accommodation: Home Stay: El Paradiso Superior: Wildernest Deluxe: Cardomom County 15. Backwaters It will take about 5 hours to get to Kollam where your boat will be waiting for you. Not long after you have left the shore your crew will serve you a sumptuous Keralan lunch. The Backwaters is a network of waterways just behind the Keralan coast, the most extensive populated inland water system in the world. People live on small pieces of land and live from fishing, aquaculture, cashew farming, coir-making (making ropes from coconut fibre), and other traditional trades. Life here has hardly changed over the centuries, and you can feel the pace of time slow down as you ease your way through these waters. You travel by and spend the night on traditional kettuvallam boats (A/C or non A/C). You will have a crew of three at your disposal, and your room has its own bathroom. On the way you can make a stop where you can buy king prawns (all food on the boat, except for the fish you buy yourself, is included in the tour price). Your chef will prepare the fish any which way you desire....gorgeous! Most Backwater Tours take place around Alleppey. Especially during peak season (December / January) this area gets very crowded with boats. This is why Indian Rose Tours prefers the Backwaters around Kollam where your experience will be more authentic and peaceful. Moreover around Kollam we can include a 2 to 3 hour tour on a country boat which can traverse the narrow canals enabling you to observe daily life up close. Accommodation: Traditional Kettuvalam Boat

16. Varkala After having enjoyed a delicious breakfast on the boat, a 1 ½ hours drive takes you to the prettiest beach in Kerala. Varkala used to be a nearly empty stretch of beautiful beaches surmounted by high red cliffs and waving palm trees. In the mid to late Nineties, the place was discovered by backpackers and tourists as an alternative to the busier Kovalam, and Varkala began to become more and more popular. Nowadays, Varkala has many hotels and good restaurants, all catering to the constant flow of Westerners coming here to enjoy the pretty beach and the warm climate. Varkala has more on offer than just a paradise beach, delicious fish, cozy restaurants and chances of seeing stunning sunsets. You could, for example, take the scenic walk to Kappil. Put on your walking hat and follow the 7 kilometres hewn path along the coast Northward, which takes you by several small tranquil beaches, fisherman's houses and over rocky cliffs and coves until you reach a long stretch of white sand beach stretching like a pale finger between the sea and a large fresh water lake. There are many places along the way to stop for a lemon soda or a swim, and you can then take an auto rickshaw back to your hotel. Accommodation: Standard: Skyline Superior: Deshadan Deluxe: Madurai Taj The Gateway 17. Varkala Today you can choose to laze on the beach or take part in the following three optional excursions: Shri Narayana Guru Ashram: In Varkala Town is the renowned Sivagiri Mutt, the ashram of the late Shri Narayana Guru (1855-1928), the most important guru in Keralan history. He propagated the idea that all religions essentially come down to the same thing, that all Gods are one God, and all people are equal. His followers dress in yellow and are Muslims, Hindus and Christians who celebrate their spirituality together without strife. Sivagiri helped build the reputation for tolerance Kerala is known for. The best time to go is at the end of the day to witness the evening puja. Accommodation: Standard: Skyline Superior: Deshadan Deluxe: Madurai Taj The Gateway 18. Varkala Trivandrum -officially called Thiruvananthapuram - is the capital of Kerala and often overlooked by travellers coming to Kerala. If you meander away from the main busy streets you'll find yourself in old Kerala with many narrow alleyways and traditional Kerala architecture. Trivandrum is home to one of the best kept zoos in India. In this complex you will also find the Napier Museum, built in 1880 in classical Kerala style, which houses interesting bronze and ivory sculptures along with many other artefacts. The Sri Chitra Art Gallery on the same grounds has good paintings by reputed Indian artist Ravi Varma. The 200 year old Puthe Maliga Palace is the home of the Travancore kings. Part of this wooden palace, with marble statues and imported Belgian glass, has been turned into a museum which displays, among other things, Kathakali images and the old thrones of the maharajas. Trivandrum: This full-day excursion takes you in about one and a half hours by taxi to the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (thankfully best known by its shorter name Trivandrum). In Trivandrum you'll visit several quality museums, the zoo (including a reptile house) and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. You can of course also choose to spend the day on tropical Varkala-beach. Accommodation: Standard: Skyline Superior: Deshadan Deluxe: Madurai Taj The Gateway 19. Cochin A beautiful 5 hour train ride through the Backwaters of Kerala will take you to the cultural capital of Kerala, Cochin (also called Kochi). For the past 3000 years traders have been flocking to the coast of Kerala to get their share in the spice trade. The Greeks, Romans, Chinese and the Arabs traded with the Keralites on this famous stretch of Malabar coast, and the Travancore Empire managed it all from this iconic peninsula. The Europeans have been dominating this lucrative trade since about 1500AD. The Portuguese, the English and the Dutch have all left their footprints in Cochin which is readily apparent in the many colonial buildings and in the dominant religion, Christianity. You'll be staying in a heritage hotel run by the local clergy. Accommodation: Standard: Gama Heritage Superior: Rossitta Castle Heritage: Madurai Grande Residencia Heritage: Killian's Botique Hotel 20. Cochin Today an auto rickshaw wallah can take you around any of the sights in Cochin you might want to visit during a 3 hour tour. The friendly driver will know if a festival is being celebrated and if so, where. Also, he can take you to the best markets and shops and he knows where, for example, ginger is being dried in the sun or the fish are just coming in from the Chinese nets. Cochin is a big city, but the wide streets see very little traffic. The major sights are fairly central to each other, and it is easy to walk around this old fort town in an afternoon and feel the same pace a trader might have experienced 200 years ago. A visit to the Chinese fishing nets at the end of the day can be an equally timeless moment, not to be missed. Your visit includes a showing of the most classical of Kerala art forms, the theater-dance Kathakali. The actors will first put on their make-up and give a demonstration of what the different hand movements and facial expressions signify, the art of communicating whole chapters in a single motion. It takes many years of training to become a Kathakali dancer, and you'll soon see why. As these professionals take the stage to show you their art, you will be able to share in a piece of truly unique historical performance. Accommodation: Standard: Gama Heritage Superior: Rossitta Castle Heritage: Madurai Grande Residencia Heritage: Killian's Botique Hotel 21. Wayanad / Kalpetta Nine hours might seem like a long bus ride, but the winding and beautifully scenic journey that takes you to the Wayanad district in the Western Ghats is well worth the time. The small village of Kalpetta is surrounded by rolling green hills. Three different wildlife reserves from three different states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) converge in this remarkable area. This may very well be the most beautiful part of the Western Ghats, but it has not really found its way onto the common travelers itineraries yet. You can go trekking or do a jeep tour in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Accommodation: Standard: Green Gates Superior: Elephanta Pass Deluxe: Banasura Hill Resort

22. Wayanad / Kalpetta You will visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary by means of a 2 hour jeep safari. The sanctuary is home to untouched forests and many different animal-species. It is known as one of the best places in India to spot wild elephants. The Wayanad region has some very interesting temples. The 13th century Jain Temple has beautiful stone carvings while the Thirunelly Temple is said to be one of the oldest on the Indian subcontinent. Also in this area are the Edakkal Caves, with 3000 year old murals and sweeping views of Wayanad district. Wayanad is the home of a large contingent of the tribal Adivasi people. To get an idea of their way of life head to the Wayanad Heritage Museum. Accommodation: Standard: Green Gates Superior: Elephanta Pass Deluxe: Banasura Hill Resort 23. Mysore A 4 hour journey brings you to Mysore, situated on the Deccan Plateau, your first foray into the state of Karnataka. Again, this is a beautiful trip which takes you through two different wildlife reserves and then through fields of green rice paddies. Mysore is the royal jewel of Karnataka state. The city is most famous for its many regal buildings, colourful bazaars, green parks and for the Maharaja palace where the former king still resides. Mysore is home to one of the oldest (since 1892) and best kept zoos of India. In the city centre you'll find several very good restaurants and the population is known for their friendliness. Every Saturday night from 7 to 7:30pm and every Sunday night from 7 to 8pm the palace is lit up by 97,000 light bulbs which makes it look like it just escaped from the pages of a fairy tale. Accommodation: Standard: Park Lane Superior / Heritage: The Green Hotel Heritage: Royal Orchid Metropole 24. Mysore This morning you'll have plenty of time to stroll through the Devaraja Market, widely known as the most colourful market of India. You'll be immersed in smells, sounds and colours as you pass the exotic fruits, vegetables and incenses sold here in the timeless dance of banter and bargain. This is also a good place to stock up on some natural oils. Don't forget your camera! Today's afternoon excursion brings you the chance to view the pinnacle of Hoysala architectural achievment: the Keshava Temple of Somnathpur. Architecturally speaking, this is the most impressive temple of the tour. Your guide will explain how to recognize the different Gods and Goddesses, and show you the amazing details which you would otherwise walk by without noticing. Definitely a highlight! You end this day with a visit to Chamundi Hill from where you'll have a great view on Mysore City. Accommodation: Standard: Park Lane Superior / Heritage: The Green Hotel Heritage: Royal Orchid Metropole

25. Mysore During your stay in Mysore a visit to the Maharaja Palace is a must. The interior of this Indo-Saracen marvel - a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors and gaudy colours - is undoubtedly over the top. Keep a look out for the decorated doors and pillars; it's this kind of stunning display of color and artistry that makes India such a wonder to travel in. Accommodation: Standard: Park Lane Superior / Heritage: The Green Hotel Heritage: Royal Orchid Metropole 26. Hassan You'll drive to Hassan via Sravanabelagola, one of the most important pilgrimage places for Jains in the world. You can climb the 614 steps to see the 17 meter tall statue of the naked Gomateshvara and/or visit a few small temples in the easy going village itself. This is a very holy place. After lunch in Hassan you'll visit the World Heritage monuments of Belur and Halebeed which date from the 12th century. The Hoysala kings, who ruled from here, put a lot of money and effort in erecting the most beautiful buildings. They have a very distinctive style and the architects had a clear eye for detail. They are among the most intricately carved and breath taking monuments to Hinduism in India. Accommodation: Standard: Suvarna Regency Superior: Southern Star Heritage: Hoysala Village Resorts 27. Bangalore / departure from Bangalore Airport It takes just a few hours to drive to Bangalore known as the IT city of India. Today afternoon a local guide will show the most important sights of Bangalore (also known as Bengaluru). You will visit the famed Lalbagh Botanical Gardens home to a wide variety of centuries old exotic trees and plants. Lalbagh (Red Garden) is also home to a beautiful glasshouse modelled on the Crystal Palace in London. Accommodation: Standard: Basant Residency Superior: The Pride hotel Heritage: Villa PottiPati — END OF THE TOUR — You'll arrive back home with a bag full of new experiences and a lot of great memories!
* OPTIONAL * As return flights to and from the same airport are often substantially cheaper than departing from a different airport as the one you arrived at, and because many people prefer to end their trip at a small coastal village, we present you with the following option: 28. Mamallapuram Your car will drop you at the railway station in Bangalore. A 6 hour train journey takes you into Chennai from where a car will take you to Mamallapuram in just over an hour. You'll arrive in the evening back at this small beach-side village where you began a few eventful weeks ago. 29. Mamallapuram Your car will drop you at the railway station in Bangalore. A 6 hour train journey takes you into Chennai from where a car will take you to Mamallapuram in just over an hour. You'll arrive in the evening back at this small beach-side village where you began a few eventful weeks ago. You can keep your room until you leave halfway through the evening for your departure to Chennai Airport. Accommodation: Standard: Mamalla Heritage Superior: Chariot Beach Resort Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort




Please send us an e-mail if you would like to know more about the suggested accommodation. We are happy to change the itinerary to suit your personal wishes. The tour can be adjusted to fit your budget and to accommodate any specific needs you may have (e.g. add domestic flight(s), upgrades of hotels, changes in itinerary, include more excursions, etc). If you so wish, we can arrange for a knowledgeable and experienced Tour Leader to join you for the duration of the tour. If Micha is available you can request him to lead your tour. This will definitely be worthwhile in case your travel party consists of 6 or more people. The price will depend on your choice of accommodation, the number of people in your travel party, when you are travelling, which excursions you would like to see included, and how many train journeys and/or flights you would like us to book for you. We have earned a reputation for having the most competitive prices in the market combined with the best and most personalized service. Always included: Meeting and assistance on arrival & departures • Clean and reliable accommodation • Daily breakfast at your hotel • All transfers, excursions and sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary • Petrol / gas costs, toll tax, parking, and vehicle insurance • Experienced English-speaking local guides for sight-seeing and excursions • General Info on travelling in India including handy tips on a wide range of subjects • Detailed day to day program • City Info of all places you will visit • All applicable taxes

• HIGHLIGHTS of SOUTH INDIA

If this is your first visit to South India and you want to see all the highlights but also visit lesser known places, this tour has your name written all over it. You will start with a few days relaxing and visiting the world renowned 7th century World Heritage monuments of Mamallapuram, and the French colonial heritage sites of Pondicherry. The visits to large Indian cities like the bustling pilgrimage town of Madurai and the cultural capital of Kerala, Cochin, are alternated with peaceful stays in lush countryside towns like Athur and Munnar. You will get the chance to work on your tan at the most beautiful beach of South India in Varkala and laze on a traditional boat in the Backwaters. The little known wildlife reserve Wayanad offers the best chances of spotting wild elephants in India. In Mysore you will get to see how the maharajas live and visit the temples of the Hoysalas, which are unsurpassed in architectural detail. The tour concludes with a half day excursion in bustling Bangalore.

We also offer the option of ending your adventure with an extra day of relaxation in the easy going beach town Mamallapuram, adding two days to the tour. Alternatively, we can organize a shorter but similar itinerary of 22 days. Send us an e-mail for more information on this tour or for any adjustments you would like to see added to the tour described below.

The best time to visit South India is September to March. In April and May it gets very hot and June, July and August see the monsoon rains. South India witnesses a second smaller monsoon for about 6 weeks in and around November.

THE ITINERARY BASICS

1. Mamallapuram 2. Mamallapuram 3. Mamallapuram 4. Pondicherry 5. Pondicherry 6. Thanjavur 7. Athur 8. Athur 9. Madurai 10. Madurai 11. Munnar 12. Munnar 13. Thekkady 14. Thekkady 15. Backwaters 16. Varkala 17. Varkala 18. Varkala 19. Cochin 20. Cochin 21. Wayanad / Kalpetta 22. Wayanad / Kalpetta 23. Mysore 24. Mysore 25. Mysore 26. Hassan 27. Bangalore — OPTION: 28. Mamallapuram 29.Mamallapuram /End — End of the tour

• A LOOK AT EACH OF OUR 27 DAYS

1. Arrival in Mamallapuram
Most flights from the West arrive at Chennai airport late evening or early morning. A representative of Indian Rose Tours will welcome you at the airport. He will hand over all the documents you will need during your tour. One of our cars will take you to your hotel.

Accommodation:

Standard: Mamalla Heritage

Superior: Chariot Beach Resort

Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort

2. Mamallapuram
After breakfast you'll have some time to explore Mamallapuram and stretch your legs. Mamallapuram is a small village with quaint shops and a few good restaurants - it's the perfect place to wind down from your flight and acclimatize to the warmer Indian climate.

Mamallapuram is most known for her 7th century World Heritage rock-cut monuments. The most famous of these are the Shore Temple, which looks out over the tranquil beach, and the Five Rathas, a collection of small gems resembling chariots. Equally beautiful is Arjuna's Penance, a relief carving displaying scenes from the ancient epic tales of the Mahabharata. A local guide can accompany you to the most important sights of this captivating village during a 3 hour walk in the cooler hours late this afternoon.

Accommodation:

Standard: Mamalla Heritage

Superior: Chariot Beach Resort

Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort

3. Mamallapuram
Today you can pedal your bike through the countryside surrounding Mamallapuram. You can visit a number of things, like a small village school to see how people live in this beautiful land. You'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional thali-lunch with your guide and his family! Around 1 pm you'll get back to Mamallapuram, but you may use the bike as much as you like until it gets dark.

The people of Mamallapuram still cut impressive statues from rocks. All through the easy going village you'll see the sculptors creating amazing images from pieces of stone, coaxing flowing images out of immutable rock.

Mamallapuram has a nice beach and the hotel has a comfortable swimming pool. This village is also a great place to get acquainted with the delicious Indian cuisine in one of the many quality restaurants.

Accommodation:

Standard: Mamalla Heritage

Superior: Chariot Beach Resort

Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort

4. Pondicherry
Today you'll drive about 3 hours to Pondicherry (also called Puducherry), a former French town on the Eastern coast. Pondicherry is divided in a bustling Indian section inland, and a smaller and quieter French section on the Bay of Bengal. The French quarter is dominated by wide lanes shaded by trees, here almost devoid of the chaotic traffic India is known for, and by large colonial buildings, most of which still belong to the French or to the Aurobindo ashram.

This afternoon you could decide to wander around the French part of town and enjoy a drink at dusk when the boulevard comes to life with Indian men jogging along Gandhi's Statue, families going for an evening walk and lovers gazing out over the Bay of Bengal.

Pondicherry has some top quality restaurants serving both Indian and French cuisines for you to enjoy.

Accommodation:

Standard: Ginger

Superior: Athiti

Heritage: Aurodhan Heritage Guest House

5. Pondicherry

Today you will visit Auroville, an international community where people of 40 different nationalities have come together with the goal of building a harmonious township where creed, nationality and colour are ignored. Their utopic vision is inspirational, and you will get to see how they make it work. In Pondicherry you'll have time to gorge on French baguettes for lunch.

During the second part of this sightseeing tour you'll set out to see the sights of Pondy, as Pondicherry is popularly known. You'll visit the Shri Aurobindo Ashram, the Ganesha Temple, the Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Gandhi Statue on the boulevard.

Accommodation:

Standard: Ginger

Superior: Athiti

Heritage: Aurodhan Heritage Guest House

6. Thanjavur
Next, you will leave the coast and move on to Thanjavur, which is known best for the Brihadeshvara Temple (aka The Big Temple). This UNESCO monument was built in 1010 AD and is the crowning glory of Chola architecture. The shining black Nandi statue (Nandi is Shiva's mount) is one of the biggest in India and weighs an astonishing 25 tons! The best times to visit the temple are late afternoon and early morning when the temple is often covered in beautiful sunlight.

Thanjavur (also known as Tanjore) has a tradition of classic bronze working. Today you'll get a chance to see the bronze-casters at work who will explain the lost-wax method by which they make the artefacts.

Accommodation:

Standard: Gnanam

Superior: Parisutham

Deluxe: Ideal River View

7. Athur via Trichy
Today your driver will take you to Trichy to visit the impressive Srirangam Temple complex. Construction on this monument started in the 10th century and the latest addition was only finalized in 1989. As opposed to the quieter Thanjavur monument, this popular temple is usually quite lively, and sees many colourfully dressed pilgrims coming to make offerings to Lord Vishnu. After your visit to this huge complex and the bustling bazaar in front of it, you can have a traditional lunch before moving on.

Late afternoon you will arrive at Athur. Your resort is situated a few kilometres away from this tiny village in the Tamil countryside. It lies on the shores of a picturesque lake and at the foothills of the Western Ghats, the small mountain range that marks the natural and official border between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This is a serene and comfortable place to stay, and the friendly staff turns out delicious meals (included in the tour price). The resort is run by an English couple and the staff are boys and men from the Athur locality.

Accommodation:

Superior: Lakeside

8. Athur
Today you can choose to participate in either of these exploratory adventures:
Country Tour: You can choose to go on a tour through the countryside of Tamil Nadu, taking in the natural beauty and locale. We'll visit some small villages and be able to see local craftsmen at work.
Bird Watching: If you would like to experience some of the local fauna, a friendly person from the resort will be happy to take you on a walk around the lake and/or through the foothills of the Western Ghats. Mind you that this person is not a professional bird-watcher. If you are interested in bird-watching please let us know at the time of booking so we can arrange a professional bird-watcher to accompany you. This region sees some species of birds not found anywhere else.

These excursions are not included in the tour price. Payment is done directly to the resort.
Or of course it's also possible to take walks individually, laze in the garden, swim in the lake or simply relax at the pool to your heart's content.

Accommodation:

Superior: Lakeside

9. Madurai
After a late breakfast in Athur, it will take about 2 hours to drive to Madurai, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of India. City life revolves around the very colourful Shree Meenakshi Temple, one of the holiest temples of India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, which means it attracts a different, more humble kind of devotee compared to the more affluent followers of Vishnu. Pilgrims from all over India come here to worship, filling the temple with people representative of the entire subcontinent!

Madurai is also a haven of skilled tailors, especially in the Pudhu Mandapam, a bustling market in an old part of the temple. If you're interested in having clothing made just for you, this is the place to do it!

Accommodation:

Standard: Madurai Residency

Superior: Royal Court

Heritage: Madurai Heritage

10. Madurai
This morning you will drive half an hour to the small village of Thiruparakundram where you'll visit the Murugan Temple. The inner sanctum of the temple was cut directly in the millennia old rocks. This village sees few Western tourists and walking away from the main street by the temple will introduce you to friendly and welcoming locals. You’ll be back in Madurai in time for a traditional thali lunch.

No visit to Madurai would be complete without the experience of a friendly rickshaw wallah cycling you through the suburbs of the city. You'll visit a vegetable market, small local industries, the Gandhi Museum, the dhobi ghats (where laundry is done at the river) and will traverse the labyrinthine narrow streets into areas where people hardly ever see any Westerners. It’s a truly unique and intimate way of seeing the other side of a big Indian city like Madurai.

Accommodation:

Standard: Madurai Residency

Superior: Royal Court

Heritage: Madurai Heritage

11. Munnar
From Madurai, you will drive about 6 hours west to Munnar, situated in the cool hills of the Western Ghats. The hills of Kerala will literally be a breath of fresh air after the low lands of Tamil Nadu. Munnar has an elevation of 1500 metres and is surrounded by green tea and coffee plantations, where the rolling hills and cool skies will make you feel at ease immediately.

Accommodation:

Standard: Hill View

Superior: Kaivalyam- Recommended.

Deluxe: Seina Village Resort

12. Munnar
Today you can take a 5 hour trek through the green tea plantations. The local guide will take you up to viewpoints with stunning views of the Western Ghats. Munnar is a small town with a distinctly Tamil feel to it and a lively market. There are a few lovely Hindu temples. Munnar is also a good place for Ayurvedic massage.

Accommodation:

Standard: Hill View

Superior: Kaivalyam- Recommended.

Deluxe: Seina Village Resort

13. Thekkady
The road from Munnar to Thekkady may well be the most scenic route in South India. This 5 hour drive will take you through gorgeous tea plantation after gorgeous tea plantation before winding its way through forested mountain scenery and finally finding its destination in friendly Thekkady. Also known as Kumily, Thekkady is known for its quality spice gardens and the beautiful scenery surrounding this touristy village.

During the Spice Plantation Tour this afternoon an informative guide will explain everything you always wanted to know - and more! - about the many different spices Kerala is so famed for. How many nutmegs could kill you? Why is vanilla so expensive? What are the Queen, King and Princess of Spices? At the end of this tour you will have all the answers!

In the late afternoon you can witness a Kalarippayat show, which according to the Malayalis (inhabitants of Kerala), is the oldest form of martial arts in the world. It at times resembles a kind of dance, almost an Indian version Capoeira. The fighters use real (and sharp!) weapons. Don't try this at home!

Accommodation:

Home Stay: El Paradiso

Superior: Wildernest

Deluxe: Cardomom County

14. Thekkady

Today you can choose between the following optional excursions or decide to simply walk around the friendly town and enjoy an Ayurvedic massage.

Full Day Jungle Tour: Today's excursion takes you early morning by jeep into the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. This guided day trip includes a trek, a boat ride and a jeep tour. What makes this tour special is that it takes you to a part of the reserve that doesn't see as many tourists as the main part of the park. This makes for a very tranquil tour and greatly enhances your chances of spotting wildlife!

If you prefer not to go on a day long tour there are these alternatives in the more popular part of the park at Thekkady:
Jungle Walk: You can go for a 3 hour long early morning jungle walk in the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. The guide will help you to spot some of the wild animals living in this 777 square kilometer reserve. It's a very scenic walk.
Boat Ride: In the afternoon you could decide to join the other travellers and tourists on one of the boats cruising the scenic man-made Periyar Lake. Chances of spotting wildlife depend greatly on the popularity of the boat ride that day and on the time of year.

Elephant ride and elephant washing: A half hour ride through a spice plantation on the back of an elephant is followed by washing the beautiful animal. The elephants get treated really well and it's good fun. Expect to get wet!

There could not be a better way to relax from an adventurous day than by being spoiled with an Ayurvedic massage. Ayurveda (knowledge or science of life) is a millennia old medicinal system geared towards restoring the balance within. The herbal massage is an integral part of this. Kerala is home to all the ingredients of the Ayurvedic oils, up to 300 different herbs, and the Ayurvedic massage is a part of every Malayali (inhabitants of Kerala) life. Thekkady has many quality massage practitioners.

Accommodation:

Home Stay: El Paradiso

Superior: Wildernest

Deluxe: Cardomom County

15. Backwaters
It will take about 5 hours to get to Kollam where your boat will be waiting for you. Not long after you have left the shore your crew will serve you a sumptuous Keralan lunch. The Backwaters is a network of waterways just behind the Keralan coast, the most extensive populated inland water system in the world. People live on small pieces of land and live from fishing, aquaculture, cashew farming, coir-making (making ropes from coconut fibre), and other traditional trades. Life here has hardly changed over the centuries, and you can feel the pace of time slow down as you ease your way through these waters.

You travel by and spend the night on traditional kettuvallam boats (A/C or non A/C). You will have a crew of three at your disposal, and your room has its own bathroom. On the way you can make a stop where you can buy king prawns (all food on the boat, except for the fish you buy yourself, is included in the tour price). Your chef will prepare the fish any which way you desire....gorgeous!

Most Backwater Tours take place around Alleppey. Especially during peak season (December / January) this area gets very crowded with boats. This is why Indian Rose Tours prefers the Backwaters around Kollam where your experience will be more authentic and peaceful. Moreover around Kollam we can include a 2 to 3 hour tour on a country boat which can traverse the narrow canals enabling you to observe daily life up close.

Accommodation:

Traditional Kettuvalam Boat

16. Varkala
After having enjoyed a delicious breakfast on the boat, a 1 ½ hours drive takes you to the prettiest beach in Kerala. Varkala used to be a nearly empty stretch of beautiful beaches surmounted by high red cliffs and waving palm trees. In the mid to late Nineties, the place was discovered by backpackers and tourists as an alternative to the busier Kovalam, and Varkala began to become more and more popular. Nowadays, Varkala has many hotels and good restaurants, all catering to the constant flow of Westerners coming here to enjoy the pretty beach and the warm climate.

Varkala has more on offer than just a paradise beach, delicious fish, cozy restaurants and chances of seeing stunning sunsets. You could, for example, take the scenic walk to Kappil. Put on your walking hat and follow the 7 kilometres hewn path along the coast Northward, which takes you by several small tranquil beaches, fisherman's houses and over rocky cliffs and coves until you reach a long stretch of white sand beach stretching like a pale finger between the sea and a large fresh water lake. There are many places along the way to stop for a lemon soda or a swim, and you can then take an auto rickshaw back to your hotel.

Accommodation:

Standard: Skyline

Superior: Deshadan

Deluxe: Madurai Taj The Gateway

17. Varkala
Today you can choose to laze on the beach or take part in the following three optional excursions:

Shri Narayana Guru Ashram: In Varkala Town is the renowned Sivagiri Mutt, the ashram of the late Shri Narayana Guru (1855-1928), the most important guru in Keralan history. He propagated the idea that all religions essentially come down to the same thing, that all Gods are one God, and all people are equal. His followers dress in yellow and are Muslims, Hindus and Christians who celebrate their spirituality together without strife. Sivagiri helped build the reputation for tolerance Kerala is known for. The best time to go is at the end of the day to witness the evening puja.

Accommodation:

Standard: Skyline

Superior: Deshadan

Deluxe: Madurai Taj The Gateway

18. Varkala
Trivandrum -officially called Thiruvananthapuram - is the capital of Kerala and often overlooked by travellers coming to Kerala. If you meander away from the main busy streets you'll find yourself in old Kerala with many narrow alleyways and traditional Kerala architecture. Trivandrum is home to one of the best kept zoos in India. In this complex you will also find the Napier Museum, built in 1880 in classical Kerala style, which houses interesting bronze and ivory sculptures along with many other artefacts. The Sri Chitra Art Gallery on the same grounds has good paintings by reputed Indian artist Ravi Varma.
The 200 year old Puthe Maliga Palace is the home of the Travancore kings. Part of this wooden palace, with marble statues and imported Belgian glass, has been turned into a museum which displays, among other things, Kathakali images and the old thrones of the maharajas.

Trivandrum: This full-day excursion takes you in about one and a half hours by taxi to the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (thankfully best known by its shorter name Trivandrum). In Trivandrum you'll visit several quality museums, the zoo (including a reptile house) and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

You can of course also choose to spend the day on tropical Varkala-beach.

Accommodation:

Standard: Skyline

Superior: Deshadan

Deluxe: Madurai Taj The Gateway

19. Cochin
A beautiful 5 hour train ride through the Backwaters of Kerala will take you to the cultural capital of Kerala, Cochin (also called Kochi). For the past 3000 years traders have been flocking to the coast of Kerala to get their share in the spice trade. The Greeks, Romans, Chinese and the Arabs traded with the Keralites on this famous stretch of Malabar coast, and the Travancore Empire managed it all from this iconic peninsula. The Europeans have been dominating this lucrative trade since about 1500AD. The Portuguese, the English and the Dutch have all left their footprints in Cochin which is readily apparent in the many colonial buildings and in the dominant religion, Christianity. You'll be staying in a heritage hotel run by the local clergy.

Accommodation:

Standard: Gama Heritage

Superior: Rossitta Castle

Heritage: Madurai Grande Residencia

Heritage: Killian's Botique Hotel

20. Cochin
Today an auto rickshaw wallah can take you around any of the sights in Cochin you might want to visit during a 3 hour tour. The friendly driver will know if a festival is being celebrated and if so, where. Also, he can take you to the best markets and shops and he knows where, for example, ginger is being dried in the sun or the fish are just coming in from the Chinese nets.

Cochin is a big city, but the wide streets see very little traffic. The major sights are fairly central to each other, and it is easy to walk around this old fort town in an afternoon and feel the same pace a trader might have experienced 200 years ago. A visit to the Chinese fishing nets at the end of the day can be an equally timeless moment, not to be missed.

Your visit includes a showing of the most classical of Kerala art forms, the theater-dance Kathakali. The actors will first put on their make-up and give a demonstration of what the different hand movements and facial expressions signify, the art of communicating whole chapters in a single motion. It takes many years of training to become a Kathakali dancer, and you'll soon see why. As these professionals take the stage to show you their art, you will be able to share in a piece of truly unique historical performance.

Accommodation:

Standard: Gama Heritage

Superior: Rossitta Castle

Heritage: Madurai Grande Residencia

Heritage: Killian's Botique Hotel

21. Wayanad / Kalpetta
Nine hours might seem like a long bus ride, but the winding and beautifully scenic journey that takes you to the Wayanad district in the Western Ghats is well worth the time.
The small village of Kalpetta is surrounded by rolling green hills. Three different wildlife reserves from three different states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) converge in this remarkable area. This may very well be the most beautiful part of the Western Ghats, but it has not really found its way onto the common travelers itineraries yet. You can go trekking or do a jeep tour in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Accommodation:

Standard: Green Gates

Superior: Elephanta Pass

Deluxe: Banasura Hill Resort

22. Wayanad / Kalpetta
You will visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary by means of a 2 hour jeep safari. The sanctuary is home to untouched forests and many different animal-species. It is known as one of the best places in India to spot wild elephants.
The Wayanad region has some very interesting temples. The 13th century Jain Temple has beautiful stone carvings while the Thirunelly Temple is said to be one of the oldest on the Indian subcontinent. Also in this area are the Edakkal Caves, with 3000 year old murals and sweeping views of Wayanad district.

Wayanad is the home of a large contingent of the tribal Adivasi people. To get an idea of their way of life head to the Wayanad Heritage Museum.

Accommodation:

Standard: Green Gates

Superior: Elephanta Pass

Deluxe: Banasura Hill Resort

23. Mysore
A 4 hour journey brings you to Mysore, situated on the Deccan Plateau, your first foray into the state of Karnataka. Again, this is a beautiful trip which takes you through two different wildlife reserves and then through fields of green rice paddies.

Mysore is the royal jewel of Karnataka state. The city is most famous for its many regal buildings, colourful bazaars, green parks and for the Maharaja palace where the former king still resides. Mysore is home to one of the oldest (since 1892) and best kept zoos of India. In the city centre you'll find several very good restaurants and the population is known for their friendliness.

Every Saturday night from 7 to 7:30pm and every Sunday night from 7 to 8pm the palace is lit up by 97,000 light bulbs which makes it look like it just escaped from the pages of a fairy tale.

Accommodation:

Standard: Park Lane

Superior / Heritage: The Green Hotel

Heritage: Royal Orchid Metropole

24. Mysore
This morning you'll have plenty of time to stroll through the Devaraja Market, widely known as the most colourful market of India. You'll be immersed in smells, sounds and colours as you pass the exotic fruits, vegetables and incenses sold here in the timeless dance of banter and bargain. This is also a good place to stock up on some natural oils. Don't forget your camera!

Today's afternoon excursion brings you the chance to view the pinnacle of Hoysala architectural achievment: the Keshava Temple of Somnathpur. Architecturally speaking, this is the most impressive temple of the tour. Your guide will explain how to recognize the different Gods and Goddesses, and show you the amazing details which you would otherwise walk by without noticing. Definitely a highlight!

You end this day with a visit to Chamundi Hill from where you'll have a great view on Mysore City.

Accommodation:

Standard: Park Lane

Superior / Heritage: The Green Hotel

Heritage: Royal Orchid Metropole

25. Mysore
During your stay in Mysore a visit to the Maharaja Palace is a must. The interior of this Indo-Saracen marvel - a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors and gaudy colours - is undoubtedly over the top. Keep a look out for the decorated doors and pillars; it's this kind of stunning display of color and artistry that makes India such a wonder to travel in.

Accommodation:

Standard: Park Lane

Superior / Heritage: The Green Hotel

Heritage: Royal Orchid Metropole

26. Hassan
You'll drive to Hassan via Sravanabelagola, one of the most important pilgrimage places for Jains in the world. You can climb the 614 steps to see the 17 meter tall statue of the naked Gomateshvara and/or visit a few small temples in the easy going village itself. This is a very holy place.

After lunch in Hassan you'll visit the World Heritage monuments of Belur and Halebeed which date from the 12th century. The Hoysala kings, who ruled from here, put a lot of money and effort in erecting the most beautiful buildings. They have a very distinctive style and the architects had a clear eye for detail. They are among the most intricately carved and breath taking monuments to Hinduism in India.

Accommodation:

Standard: Suvarna Regency

Superior: Southern Star

Heritage: Hoysala Village Resorts

27. Bangalore / departure from Bangalore Airport
It takes just a few hours to drive to Bangalore known as the IT city of India.

Today afternoon a local guide will show the most important sights of Bangalore (also known as Bengaluru). You will visit the famed Lalbagh Botanical Gardens home to a wide variety of centuries old exotic trees and plants. Lalbagh (Red Garden) is also home to a beautiful glasshouse modelled on the Crystal Palace in London.

Accommodation:

Standard: Basant Residency

Superior: The Pride hotel

Heritage: Villa PottiPati

— END OF THE TOUR —
You'll arrive back home with a bag full of new experiences and a lot of great memories!

* OPTIONAL *

As return flights to and from the same airport are often substantially cheaper than departing from a different airport as the one you arrived at, and because many people prefer to end their trip at a small coastal village, we present you with the following option:

28. Mamallapuram
Your car will drop you at the railway station in Bangalore. A 6 hour train journey takes you into Chennai from where a car will take you to Mamallapuram in just over an hour. You'll arrive in the evening back at this small beach-side village where you began a few eventful weeks ago.

29. Mamallapuram
Your car will drop you at the railway station in Bangalore. A 6 hour train journey takes you into Chennai from where a car will take you to Mamallapuram in just over an hour. You'll arrive in the evening back at this small beach-side village where you began a few eventful weeks ago.

You can keep your room until you leave halfway through the evening for your departure to Chennai Airport.

Accommodation:

Standard: Mamalla Heritage

Superior: Chariot Beach Resort

Deluxe: Ideal beach Resort

Please send us an e-mail if you would like to know more about the suggested accommodation. We are happy to change the itinerary to suit your personal wishes. The tour can be adjusted to fit your budget and to accommodate any specific needs you may have (e.g. add domestic flight(s), upgrades of hotels, changes in itinerary, include more excursions, etc). If you so wish, we can arrange for a knowledgeable and experienced Tour Leader to join you for the duration of the tour. If Micha is available you can request him to lead your tour. This will definitely be worthwhile in case your travel party consists of 6 or more people.

The price will depend on your choice of accommodation, the number of people in your travel party, when you are travelling, which excursions you would like to see included, and how many train journeys and/or flights you would like us to book for you. We have earned a reputation for having the most competitive prices in the market combined with the best and most personalized service.

Always included:
Meeting and assistance on arrival & departures • Clean and reliable accommodation • Daily breakfast at your hotel • All transfers, excursions and sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary • Petrol / gas costs, toll tax, parking, and vehicle insurance • Experienced English-speaking local guides for sight-seeing and excursions • General Info on travelling in India including handy tips on a wide range of subjects • Detailed day to day program • City Info of all places you will visit • All applicable taxes

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