South India tour in a small group

Arrival at Chennai International Airport in the evening or morning. Welcome to India by our local representative, transfer to hotel. Departure for a tour of Chennai, including a visit to the Government House, San Thomas Church and Parathasarathy Temple. In the evening, stroll along Marina beach and visit the local markets (the first day's program may change depending on your international flight arrival time).

Departure for Mahäbalipuram. On the way, visit the temples of Kanchipuram, former capital of the Pallava dynasty. Visit to Ekambareswara temple and Kailasanathar temple. Settle in Mahabalipuram and visit Arjuna's Penance, a bas-relief depicting the flow of the Ganges and Krishna's butter ball. In the evening, visit the town of Mahabalipuram and its beaches.

In the early morning, watch the fishermen returning from their catch. Then, in the morning, cycle to the village of Kadumbadi via small roads. Here you'll discover the rural life of South India. Tasting of fresh coconut milk. Return to Mahabalipuram. In the afternoon, visit the five ratha chariots of the Pandavas, heroes of the Maha Bhârat epic, and the shore temple. Then visit the Varah cave temple. In the late afternoon, discover the markets of Mahabalipuram. Free evening at your hotel.

Departure for Pondicherry. Installation in Pondicherry. Pondicherry, a small town with French charm on the Bengal Sea coast. Until 1954, it was the capital of the French trading posts in India. You'll be interested in the city's history. You'll discover its narrow streets, which still exude a French atmosphere, and the "big bazaar" district, where the Indian rhythm has returned. In the late afternoon, visit the Manakula Vinayagar temple, where an elephant named Lakshmi blesses you at the entrance. In the evening, stroll through the French quarters and along the waterfront.

Departure for Tanjore. On the way, visit the Unesco World Heritage temples of Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram. Settle in Tanjore. Afternoon visit to Tanjore's Maratha Palace. Late afternoon visit to Tanjore's Keelavasal market.

Morning departure for the Brihideshwara temple, also known as the Great Shiva Temple. Built between 1003 and 1010 during the reign of Rajaraja I, founder of the Chola Empire, which covered the whole of southern India and neighbouring regions, it was designed as a royal temple to demonstrate the emperor's power. It is dedicated to the god Shiva, of whom there are many representations. The wall surrounding the temple is crowned by a multitude of bulls (Nandi), since this animal is Shiva's vehicle. After its construction, it was extended to include other buildings, sanctuaries and towers until the 17th century. It is built in granite and brick, and unlike most temples in southern India, it is painted in color. Departure for the Chettinad region, home to the Chettiars, a prosperous business and banking community, many of whose members emigrated to South and Southeast Asia. Visit the decorated houses of the Chettiyar community in Kanadukatthan village.

Departure for Madurai. Settle in Madurai. Visit to the palace of Tirumalai Nayak. In the afternoon, visit to the Meenakshi temple in Madurai. The Mînâkshî temple is divided into two buildings, each dedicated to one of the two spouses, Shiva and Mînâkshî. Although not the largest temple in the country, it has long been the tallest in Asia, thanks to its 60-metre-high tower. In the afternoon, a stroll to discover the local markets around the Madurai temple. Then off to visit the Pazamudhir temple on a hill near Madurai. In the late afternoon, return to the hotel and free time.

Departure for Munnar. Settle in Munnar. Visit to the tea museum in Munnar, followed by a visit to a tea plantation to see the magnificent tea plantations. Then on to Munnar town. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Depart with your guide for your half-day trek through the tea plantations and mountains of the Western Ghats. Arrive at the summit for a panoramic view of the verdant mountain landscape. Return to the hotel and end of the afternoon at leisure.

Morning departure for Alleppey. Installation in the house-boat and discovery of Kerala's backwaters: navigation on the canals and visits to the surrounding villages.

Morning tour of the backwaters and disembarkation at Alleppey. Departure for Cochin. Settle in Cochin. In the afternoon, visit to the Kochi Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth, and the Jewish Quarter, followed by a visit to the spice market. In the evening, a Kathakali dance performance, followed by a tour of the Fort Kochi district.

Visit the Mattanchéry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace. Built in 1555 by the Portuguese, the first Westerners to arrive in the region, as a gift for the raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma. Its nickname is in fact due to the restoration undertaken by the Dutch in 1663. Despite its Western origins, the palace is built in the Indo-Kerala style, with its intricate carpentry, magnificent painted coffered ceilings and roofs reminiscent of Chinese pagodas. In the afternoon, visit the Church of St. Francis and the Basalica of Santa Cruz. In the evening, explore the Fort Kochi district.

Transfer to Cochin international airport for return flight to France