Southern India by Rail

Day 01 – Arrive Cochin   
Arrive Cochin by International flight. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 – Cochin
Morning after breakfast, visit Fort Kochi which is the oldest European settlement in India (1500), and has a mixture of English, Dutch and Portuguese influence. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but extensive renovations by the Dutch some hundred years later earned it the name the Dutch Palace. It has some of the best murals in India, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other great legends. On our tour we visit the Jew town synagogue where Kochi’s surviving Jewish community come to worship. Nearby are the interesting cantilevered Chinese Fishing nets.

In the early evening we see a performance of Kathakali, which is thought by some to be the very essence of the culture of Kerala. Its origins may have come from traditional temple rituals and from an art form known as Koodiyattam. It is the face make up which makes this dancing so unique. The dancers can take up to three hours painting their faces – the features are heavily emphasized as it is the facial expressions and coordinated eye movements which are important in the dance. The dances usually portray events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, great Indian epics. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 – Cochin – Kumarakom
In the morning after breakfast drive to Kumarakom (Approx. 01 hour). This is an enchanting backwater destination of Kerala. Spread over a cluster of islands on Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is pictured as a mesh of lush tropical waterways and low-lying paddy fields. Stay in the backwater resort and enjoy your day in swimming or a massage that would do wonders on your body.

Later explore the rest of the day at your own leisure by watching the Vembanad Lake which has its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web.

Late afternoon a Cruise in the backwaters of Kerala. Cruise takes you through the palm-fringed canals and is a unique way to discover Kerala. Overnight at the hotel/resort.

Day 04 – Kumarakom – Thekkady  
Have an early wake up and make your day by hearing the chirruping melodies of the sweet birds. Proceed to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary which lies at the edge of the grounds of an old estate where a profusion of all kinds of birds can be observed.

After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Approx. 125Kms / 03 ½ hours), a beautiful area of tea gardens, rubber estates and coffee and pepper plantations, located high in the Cardamom hills. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room.

In the afternoon, visit rubber plantations and varied spice gardens like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee and tea estates. On your way back to hotel, you can shop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 – Thekkady – Kanyakumari (By Train)
In morning, go for a walk in search for wildlife in Periyar national park. The Park itself is made up of a variety of habitats, open grasslands, deciduous, semi-evergreen and tropical forests all of which have different animal species.

Late afternoon drive to Cochin railway station (Approx. 04 hours) to board night train for Kanyakumari. Overnight on the board.

Day 06 – Kanyakumari
Early morning arrival in Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari is the southernmost end of Tamil Nadu, the land’s end of India or the point where the three seas meet – the Bay of Bengal, The Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and later visit Kumari Amman temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanyakumari (Parvati) who stands guard over the country. The temple is built at the spot where the goddess is believed to have waited for her consort Lord Siva. Gandhi Memorial, constructed at the spot where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were kept for public view. Vivekananda Memorial built on the Vivekananda Rock where the great Philosopher guide Swami Vivekananda went into meditation that transformed him into one of the most charismatic spiritual leader. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 – Kanyakumari – Madurai (By Train)
Morning free for leisure activity. Afternoon transfer to railway station to board train for Madurai. It is known as Athens of the East, is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vaigai. The city is believed to be more than 2500 years old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva’s lochs when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and some free time later in the day to explore local food shops which have real south Indian taste. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 – Madurai
After breakfast visit Madurai famous for the Meenakshi Sundereswar temple is the epitome of South Indian temple cities alive and bustling with pilgrims and religious preoccupations. The temple of goddess Meenakshi houses the hall of 1000 musical pillars known for their intricate work.

Late afternoon, we will visit a cooking class home where chef will give you briefing about all the spices used in food. Try your hand in this exciting activity. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 – Madurai – Mahabalipuram (By Train)
Today after early breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board train for Chengalpattu station. Upon arrival, continue on short drive to arrive at Mahabalipuram.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and some free time later in the day to explore nearby temples.

Day 10 – Mahabalipuram 
Today, we will visit the World Heritage site at Mahabalipuram. We will explore the Shore Temple, ravaged by time, but now hopefully protected by a wall. Also, we will see Arjuna’s Penance, a magnificent bas relief depicting a story from the Mahabharata.

Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 – Mahabalipuram – Chennai (Depart)
Morning after breakfast drive to Chennai (01hour). Upon arrival, proceed for the sightseeing of Chennai, “the gateway of South India”. visit National Art Gallery and Museum (closed on Fridays) which has a selection of ancient paintings of almost all schools as well as section devoted to modern art, Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, Drive along Marina Beach (the second longest in the world) and San Thome Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica.

Visit Theosophical Society – the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science. Evening is free for individual activity.

In night transfer to the airport to connect flight for onward destination.