India
The temples of Tamil Nadu, then Kerala by houseboat
India
South India from Chennai to Cochin, on a guided tour: the seaside temples of Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and its French quarter, Chidambaram temple, the great temple of Thanjavur, the palaces of Chettinad, Madurai and its Meenakshi temple, Periyar reserve and Kerala cooking, a cruise on Lake Vembanad by traditional houseboat, then Cochin and its Dutch palace.
When
Oct to March
Price
From 1 364€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
9 nights
Ideal length
Days 1-6
Temples, a French trading post and the palaces of Chettinad.
Day 1
Flight to India
Flight to Chennai. Night on board.
Day 2
Arrival in Chennai
Welcome and transfer to the hotel.
Day 3
Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
The monolithic temples and carvings of Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO site, then Pondicherry and its French quarter.
Day 4
Chidambaram – Swamimalai
A fishing village, then Chidambaram temple and its great carved towers.
Day 5
Thanjavur
Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, a masterpiece of Chola architecture listed by UNESCO.
Day 6
Chettinad – Madurai
The palaces of Chettinad and the tiles of Athangudi, then Madurai and, in the evening, the ceremony at Meenakshi temple.
Days 7-11
Spices, backwaters and Cochin.
Day 7
Madurai – Periyar
Drive to Periyar reserve and a home-cooked lunch with an introduction to Kerala cooking.
Day 8
The backwaters by houseboat
Through the tea and spice plantations to Kumarakom, then a houseboat cruise on Lake Vembanad.
Day 9
Alleppey – Cochin
Cochin, the old spice port: the Dutch palace and its murals, the Chinese fishing nets.
Day 10
Cochin – flight home
Transfer to the airport and fly to France.
Day 11
Arrival in France
Arrival in France during the day.
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