Starting in Chennai, formally Madras – we head south to the fabulous Sea Temples at Mahabalipuram and then proceed to Pondicherry where we explore the lovely French influencedntown. We visit Auroville and visit a paper factory where all the paper is made from the waste from the cotton industry.
We then head further south visiting Kumbakanom, Chettinad and Madurai. Visiting some incrediblentemples along the way. In Chettinad we explore this fascinating town - which used to be a major stop on the Spice Route with incredible mansions formally homes of the wealthy traders now mostly deserted and dilapidated.
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai where we witness the evening ceremony of Lord Shiva being taken to his chambers for the night is a must do!
After Madurai we climb up to the Western Ghats and enjoy cooler temperatures and visit Spice and Tea plantations and of course an early morning walk through the Periyar National Park with an indigenous guide.
We then descend to the backwaters to explore this beautiful area. We enjoy a backwater cruise and simply relax in this paradise.
We drive north from here to the pretty town of Fort Kochi – settled by the Portuguese and the Dutch. Enjoy exploring the town and nearby Mattancherry Palace.
We then fly from Cochin to Mumbai where we have a couple of days exploring this dynamic city, from here we say our goodbyes and head home.
