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South India

Global Journey

Imperial Escapes – South India Cultural Heritage Tour –
(10 Days)

Route: Chennai → Mahabalipuram → Pondicherry → Thanjavur → Tiruchirappalli → Chettinad → Madurai → Periyar → Kumarakom → Cochin

Day 1 – Arrival in Chennai

Arrival: Chennai International Airport

Sightseeing:

  • Fort St. George
  • Kapaleeshwarar Temple
  • Santhome Basilica
  • Marina Beach
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  • Overnight: Chennai
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Day 2: Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (Approx. 165 km / 4 hrs)

Mahabalipuram Sightseeing:

  • Shore Temple
  • Pancha Rathas
  • Arjuna's Penance
  • Krishna's Butter Ball

Continue to Pondicherry.

Evening:

  • French Quarter
  • Promenade Beach
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  • Overnight: Pondicherry
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Day 3: Pondicherry – Thanjavur (Approx. 180 km / 4 hrs)

Morning:

  • Sri Aurobindo Ashram
  • Basilica of the Sacred Heart
  • Auroville (optional)

Drive to Thanjavur.

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  • Overnight: Thanjavur
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Day 4: Thanjavur – Tiruchirappalli – Thanjavur (Approx. 120 km round trip)

Thanjavur:

  • Brihadeeswarar Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Royal Palace & Art Gallery

Proceed to Tiruchirappalli.

Trichy:

  • Rockfort Temple
  • Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Proceed to Tiruchirappalli.

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  • Overnight: Thanjavur
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Day 5: Thanjavur – Chettinad – Madurai (Approx. 230 km / 5 hrs)

Visit Chettinad region:

  • Heritage mansions
  • Athangudi tile-making
  • Traditional Chettinad cuisine

Continue to Madurai.

Evening:

  • Meenakshi Amman Temple
  • Night Aarti ceremony
  • |
  • Overnight: Jaipur
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Day 6: Madurai

Sightseeing:

  • Meenakshi Temple
  • Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal
  • Gandhi Memorial Museum
  • Local flower and banana markets
  • |
  • Overnight: Madurai
  • |
Day 7: Madurai – Periyar (Thekkady) (Approx. 140 km / 4 hrs)

Drive through the Western Ghats.

Activities:

  • Spice plantation
  • Boat safari on Periyar Lake
  • Optional Kathakali or Kalaripayattu performance
  • |
  • Overnight: Thekkady
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Day 8: Periyar – Kumarakom (Approx. 125 km / 4 hrs)

Drive to Kumarakom.

Activities

  • Backwater cruise
  • Bird Sanctuary (seasonal)
  • Leisure at lakeside resort
  • |
  • Overnight: Kumarakom
  • |
Day 9: Kumarakom – Cochin (Approx. 50 km / 1.5 hrs)

Sightseeing:

  • Fort Kochi
  • Chinese Fishing Nets
  • Mattancherry Palace
  • Paradesi Synagogue
  • Jew Town

Optional Kathakali dance show.

  • |
  • Overnight: Cochin
  • |
Day 10: Departure from Cochin

Depending on your flight schedule:

  • Free time for shopping
  • Transfer to Cochin International Airport.
  • |
  • Journey Ends
  • |

Tour Highlights:

  • Chennai's colonial heritage and temples
  • UNESCO monuments of Mahabalipuram
  • French heritage of Pondicherry
  • UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple
  • Rock Fort and Srirangam Temple
  • Chettinad architecture and cuisine
  • Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
  • Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kerala backwaters at Kumarakom
  • Historic Fort Kochi

This itinerary is well suited for Imperial Escapes as a premium cultural tour, combining Tamil Nadu's magnificent temple architecture with Kerala's scenic landscapes and backwaters. It also allows comfortable driving distances and ample time for sightseeing.

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