DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for India
Depart for India

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Chennai
Welcome to India! Arrive in cosmopolitan Chennai on the Bay of Bengal, gateway to South India; transfer to the hotel. Time to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone or venture out to get acquainted with some of the city's extraordinary sights and the lively shops selling vibrant handmade silk sarees
Overnight: Chennai

DAY 3, Saturday - Government Museum, Santhome Basilica Church, Marina Beach
This morning, begin your exploration of the city at the Government Museum, with its fascinating exhibits about ancient Chennai. After lunch, a scenic drive along the coast takes you to Marina Beach, a surprising combination of colonial buildings, churches, and monuments accented by the natural beauty of endless skies and sea. Afterward, visit Santhome Basilica Church built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle. The Basilica is one of the holiest Christian sites in India and one of the world's surviving Apostolic burial sites. Continue to the beautiful Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Walk around this centuries-old temple and admire the elaborately decorated gopuram, a fine display of Dravidian architecture before returning to the hotel. This evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner
Overnight: Chennai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday - Kanchipuram, "City of a Thousand Temples", Silk Weaving Artisans
This morning, travel to Kanchipuram, the "City of a Thousand Temples," one of Hinduism's most sacred cities. Here, you tour the historically important Ekambareswarar Temple with its 540 pillars. Then, visit the stunning Kailasanathar Temple with its elaborate carvings before lunch. Kanchipuram, world-famous for its hand-woven silk sarees, is the center of silk production and design in India for over four centuries. As you drive along the streets of the city, view colorful displays of sarees waving in the breeze, woven on hand looms by artisans throughout the city out of bright silks, embellished with golden threads. On your exclusive visit to a traditional silk weaving workshop, meet with some of the artisans and learn how to drape and wear a sari. Afterward, on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram, an ancient archaeological wonder rising on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Once a major seaport, these magnificent monuments, and carvings are remarkable examples of exquisite architecture, illustrating tales from mythology and highlighting the development of the Dravidian temple style. Spend your evening at leisure
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Monday - Mahabalipuram's Monuments
After breakfast, embark on a guided tour. Admire the Shore Temple standing by the sea for over 12 centuries, with it's imposing twin towers. At the southern end of the site, see the Five Rathas carved from large boulders and Arjuna's Penance, a massive bas-relief that magnificently depicts the flow of the Ganges down from the Himalayas coupled with scenes from Indian daily life. This temple complex is considered the finest early example of ancient southern Indian architecture. This afternoon, join a yoga session or relax on the lovely beaches this coastal city has to offer before dinner tonight at the hotel
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Tuesday - Pondicherry's French Quarter, Auroville Meditation Center, Paper Factory
Your journey along the coast takes you to enchanting Pondicherry, a former French colonial settlement that still retains its carefree French atmosphere and architectural legacy. In the charming Old Quarter, with its tree-lined streets, colonial villas are draped with colorful bougainvillea, and sidewalk cafes abound. Even the policemen are dressed in traditional French red hats and belts! Visit serene Auroville, City of Dawn famous for the meditation center inspired by the teachings of the Indian yogi Sri Aurobindo. Many spiritually minded visitors come here and stay to nurture his vision of human unity. Next, view the golden-domed Mother Temple. Enjoy lunch back at the hotel. Later, tour a factory where delicate individually handcrafted papers are produced followed by a visit to Aurobindo Ashram. Take a walk around the French, Hindu and Muslim quarters of Pondicherry
Overnight: Pondicherry
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Wednesday - Chidambaram Temple, Thanjavur, Maratha Palace
Depart Pondicherry for Chidambaram, home to the massive temple complex of Nataraja, one of the holiest of all Shiva sites, a spectacular architectural marvel spread over 50 acres in the heart of the city. After lunch, travel to Thanjavur (Tanjore) once a thriving capital of the celebrated Chola Empire, known as the "rice bowl" of the Tamil Nadu region. On arrival, visit the Maratha Palace, within a maze-like complex. Walk through the open courtyard Art Gallery displaying priceless collections of superb Chola bronzes and stone carvings and visit the Saraswathi Mahal Museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Thanjavur
Overnight: Thanjavur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8, Thursday - Brihadeeswarar Temple, Amma Mandapam, Ranganathaswamy Temple
Begin the day with a visit to the grand Lord Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where thousands of people worship daily. Built by King Raja Raja Cholan over a thousand years ago, this impressive temple is one of South India's most magnificent architectural accomplishments. Continue with a drive to Trichy. Here, visit Amma Mandapam, a religious bathing ghat on the banks of the Kaveri River. Witness pilgrims immersing themselves in a ritual bath before proceeding to worship at the sacred Ranganathaswamy Temple. Stop at this famous temple, one of the most illustrious in the country, nestled in an ethereal setting on the island of Srirangam. Following lunch, return to Thanjavur. Tonight, have dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Thanjavur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Chettinad's Mansions, Gandhi Museum
Your travels take you to Chettinad, land of the Chettiars, a community that dates back to the Chola period making its fortunes as money lenders, merchants and jewelry dealers. Here, see lavish mansions that reflect the opulence of a bygone era. Also known for its food and Master Chefs, delight in a distinctive traditional lunch of local favorites. Next, you reach the vibrant city of Madurai on the banks of the Vaigai River, a center of learning and pilgrimage for many centuries. A visit to the Gandhi Museum follows with an opportunity to learn about this remarkable man lovingly called the "Father of the Nation" instrumental in India's fight for independence. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Madurai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Madurai's Temples, Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Madurai's Bazaars
Don't miss this morning's optional Vanakkam (means welcome in Tamil language) private interactive walking tour of Madurai! At the first light of dawn, walk the quiet streets as the city awakens. Observe first-hand how everyday life begins in this Indian city from prayer rituals at the temple to market shopping -- truly a total immersion into the culture. Return for breakfast, followed by a visit to the ancient Meenakshi Amman Temple, Shop at the bargain-filled bazaars bursting with treasures and jewelry shops galore before returning to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, head to the massive Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace with its imposing courtyard, grand throne chambers and entry flanked by stone carved horses. Later visit a local dance school practicing Bharatnatyam. Meet with students to learn more about the dance and attend a performance
Optional: Vanakkam Madurai Tour (AM)
Overnight: Madurai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Sunday - Periyar National Park, Spice Plantation
Today, drive to Periyar National Park perched high in the Cardamom Hills, the best-known wildlife sanctuary in South India, home to elephants, antelope, deer and many species of birdlife. Its variety of flora and fauna, pristine lake and magnificent forests will surely make this visit most memorable. After time to relax and settle in at the hotel, stroll leisurely through one of the area's spice plantations. You'll hear about the many different ways to use these spices in both medicines and in the preparation of food. In the evening, join the optional Kalaripayattu Martial Art Show with dinner. Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest Martial Arts styles in the world.
Optional: Kalaripayattu Martial Art Show with dinner
Overnight: Periyar National Park
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Monday - Periyar National Park
Thrilling activities await you today at the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Begin the day with a nature walk inside the National Park. Pass through evergreen and deciduous forests accompanied by your local guide, who informs you about the local flora. A highlight of the day is a scenic Jeep ride through various plantations, 1300 meters above sea level, for panoramic views of Thekkady. Afterward, a boat ride on the picturesque lake. Tonight, gather for dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Periyar National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Tuesday - Alleppey Back Waters, Houseboat Cruise, Kochi
The drive to Alleppey reveals this tranquil backwater region of Kerala. Boarding a houseboat, you cruise along this very intricate network of canals, lakes, lagoons and rivers called the "Venice of the East." Observe Kerala's rural lifestyle as you glide past tiny villages sprinkled with rice fields and witness a way of life that has changed little through the ages. With women washing clothes on the river banks while children play in the shallows and kingfishers dart among the palm trees. Savor a specially prepared lunch of Keralan cuisine cooked on board just for you. Arrive in Kochi, a principle port and center of the Malabar Coast spice trade since the 14th century. Known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea," it was here that the first European settlement in India was established by the Portuguese. Subsequently, the city was ruled alternatively by the Dutch and the British until its independence
Overnight: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14, Wednesday - Home Hosted Cooking Class, Sunset Harbor Cruise
Today you're treated to a specially arranged cooking class at a private home in Kochi. Join your hosts in the preparation of lunch while learning some of the secrets of Indian cuisine. Afterward, view 16th century St. Francis Church, one of the oldest churches built by the Europeans in India. Head to the harbor where local fishermen continue to use cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, distinctively unique to Kochi, living symbols of a centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast dating back to the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan. Back at the hotel, time to freshen up before embarking on a sunset harbor cruise. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Thursday - Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Paradesi Synagogue, Kathakali Dance Performance
This morning depart on a tour of the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese and later renovated by the Dutch in the 17th century. Then, continue to the heart of the Old Quarter. Here, visit the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest existing Jewish synagogue in India. Magnificently decorated with hand-painted Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers, the synagogue has preserved four important scrolls of the Old Testament. Time to relax before tonight's colorful Kathakali dance performance, Kerala's popular classical and emotional form of dance, drama and music that combines storytelling with music and rigorous physical training. Following the performance, enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant and bid goodbye to your Tour Manager
Overnight: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 16, Friday - Depart India
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast