Tour: Southern Sojourn With CGH Earth Experiences
Places Visited
Chennai, Pondicherry, Kumbhakonam, Chettinad, Madurai, Periyar, Houseboat, Cochin, Mararikulam
Highlights –
1. French Colony of India.
2. Renowned Arts & Crafts of Tamilnadu.
3. Famous Meenakshi Temple.
4. Chettinad Cuisine.
5. Houseboat Stay.
6. Chinese Fishing nets and techniques.
7. Periyar Wildlife.
8. Spices Stories.
9. Beautiful Beaches.
10. Kerala Cuisine and Culture.
1. French Colony of India.
2. Renowned Arts & Crafts of Tamilnadu.
3. Famous Meenakshi Temple.
4. Chettinad Cuisine.
5. Houseboat Stay.
6. Chinese Fishing nets and techniques.
7. Periyar Wildlife.
8. Spices Stories.
9. Beautiful Beaches.
10. Kerala Cuisine and Culture.
Price Includes
✔ Accommodation (16 nights) in amazing Hotels and Resorts.
✔ Meal Plan –Bed & Breakfast-Except onHouseboat where it is on full board.
✔ All transportation by air-conditioned chauffeur driven vehicle.
✔ All entrances fee and guide during sightseeing.
✔ Bullock cart Ride
✔ Boat ride in Periyar.
✔ Walks & trails as mentioned in the itinerary.
✔ All currently applicable taxes. (Subject to govt. norms)
✔ Meal Plan –Bed & Breakfast-Except onHouseboat where it is on full board.
✔ All transportation by air-conditioned chauffeur driven vehicle.
✔ All entrances fee and guide during sightseeing.
✔ Bullock cart Ride
✔ Boat ride in Periyar.
✔ Walks & trails as mentioned in the itinerary.
✔ All currently applicable taxes. (Subject to govt. norms)
Day 1 – Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai and transfer to hotel.
On India’s eastern shores of the Bay of Bengal lies Chennai formerly known as Madras.. It is one of the main gateways to South India, and more than any other city it is a true reflection of this country’s diversity. It encourages all forms of development, from modern technology to traditional arts and crafts. Here the East India Company was founded in 1639, and in 1644 company built Fort St. George, which remains one of the city’s important landmarks. Indeed today it serves as the State Government Secretariat.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Taj Connemara
The Leela Palace
On India’s eastern shores of the Bay of Bengal lies Chennai formerly known as Madras.. It is one of the main gateways to South India, and more than any other city it is a true reflection of this country’s diversity. It encourages all forms of development, from modern technology to traditional arts and crafts. Here the East India Company was founded in 1639, and in 1644 company built Fort St. George, which remains one of the city’s important landmarks. Indeed today it serves as the State Government Secretariat.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Taj Connemara
The Leela Palace
Day 2 – Chennai
A full day city sightseeing tour includes the Government Museum & Art Gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays), Kapaleeshwarar Temple, ValluvarKottam,and adrive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and the St. Thomas Cathedral.
Overnight at hotel.
Taj Connemara
The Leela Palace
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Taj Connemara
The Leela Palace
Day 3 – Chennai to Pondicherry
Morning drive to Pondicherry.
Away from the hustle and bustle of big city life, Pondicherry, formally a French colony, is a quiet town on the southern coast. There remains a French connection in the town’s tree lined boulevards, quaint colonial buildings and the red kepis (belts) worn by the police, the French consulate and Hotel De Ville.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Palais De Mahe
Away from the hustle and bustle of big city life, Pondicherry, formally a French colony, is a quiet town on the southern coast. There remains a French connection in the town’s tree lined boulevards, quaint colonial buildings and the red kepis (belts) worn by the police, the French consulate and Hotel De Ville.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Palais De Mahe
Day 4 – Pondicherry
Today’s sightseeing include Saint Louis Street, The French War Memorial, The Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Palais De Mahe
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Palais De Mahe
Day 5 – Pondicherry to Kumbakonam
Morning drive to Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam city municipal corporation in the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Also known as a “Temple town” due to the prevalence of a number of temples here.
Kumbakonam was ruled by many dynasties from Third Century BC till Twentieth Century AD. It rose to be a prominent town between the seventh and ninth centuries AD, when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The city reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture; and it acquired the cultural name, the “Cambridge of South India”. In 1866, Kumbakonam was officially constituted as a municipal corporation, which today comprises 48 wards, making it the largest municipal corporation and second largest local civil body in Thanjavur district.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Mantra Koodam
Kumbakonam city municipal corporation in the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Also known as a “Temple town” due to the prevalence of a number of temples here.
Kumbakonam was ruled by many dynasties from Third Century BC till Twentieth Century AD. It rose to be a prominent town between the seventh and ninth centuries AD, when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The city reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture; and it acquired the cultural name, the “Cambridge of South India”. In 1866, Kumbakonam was officially constituted as a municipal corporation, which today comprises 48 wards, making it the largest municipal corporation and second largest local civil body in Thanjavur district.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Mantra Koodam
Day 6 – Kumbakonam
Today explore and experience the age old traditional are and craft of the town.
Kalamkari-Kalamkari originated during the Marathas’ rule over Thanjavur and was frequently commissioned by the royal family. It involves intricate art work on fabric, where the colours are extracted from natural sources such as flowers, barks, roots and seeds to make plant-based dyes on cotton.
Pattu Silk Waeving:Wiggling through narrow lanes of Kumbakonam, you reach a place where mere strands of threads are transformed into something magical. The timeless technique of ‘Pattu’ silk weaving is alive and thriving in the hands of these master craftsmen.
Lost Wax Casting: Watch master craftsmen use the ‘Lost Wax’ technique, using a combination of wax and soft clay from the river bed to make moulds for ornate bronze sculptures.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Mantra Koodam
Kalamkari-Kalamkari originated during the Marathas’ rule over Thanjavur and was frequently commissioned by the royal family. It involves intricate art work on fabric, where the colours are extracted from natural sources such as flowers, barks, roots and seeds to make plant-based dyes on cotton.
Pattu Silk Waeving:Wiggling through narrow lanes of Kumbakonam, you reach a place where mere strands of threads are transformed into something magical. The timeless technique of ‘Pattu’ silk weaving is alive and thriving in the hands of these master craftsmen.
Lost Wax Casting: Watch master craftsmen use the ‘Lost Wax’ technique, using a combination of wax and soft clay from the river bed to make moulds for ornate bronze sculptures.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Mantra Koodam
Day 7 – Kumbakonam to Chettinad
Morning drive to Chettinad.
Chettinad is a cluster of 72 villages in Sivaganga district of Southern Tamilnadu.
Chettinad is a serene and beautiful town known for its magnificent temples, grand palaces, and verdant beauty sprinkled all around.
There are many facets to the Chettinad region. Like, the astute business community of Chettiars, distinct spicy cuisine, stunning ancient mansions and the artistic Athangudi floor tiles.
The timeless temples built centuries ago with intricate stone carvings and towering gopurams are still around. Even today, they adhere to the age-old religious customs and traditions.
Afternoon enjoy the Bullock Cart ride to explore Chettinad’s old streets, temples, markets and antique stores from the comfort of a bullock cart ride; taking you back in time to a forgotten era.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Visalam
Chettinad is a cluster of 72 villages in Sivaganga district of Southern Tamilnadu.
Chettinad is a serene and beautiful town known for its magnificent temples, grand palaces, and verdant beauty sprinkled all around.
There are many facets to the Chettinad region. Like, the astute business community of Chettiars, distinct spicy cuisine, stunning ancient mansions and the artistic Athangudi floor tiles.
The timeless temples built centuries ago with intricate stone carvings and towering gopurams are still around. Even today, they adhere to the age-old religious customs and traditions.
Afternoon enjoy the Bullock Cart ride to explore Chettinad’s old streets, temples, markets and antique stores from the comfort of a bullock cart ride; taking you back in time to a forgotten era.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Visalam
Day 8 – Chettinad to Madurai
Morning drive to Madurai.
Madurai is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu with astounding Sri Meenakshi Temple complex at its centre. Situated on the banks of Vaigai River it has a rich cultural heritage passed down from the great Tamil era more than 2,500 ago. It was the capital of the great Pandyan kings 2,000 years ago, becoming an important cultural and commercial centre.
Known for cultural and scholarly pursuits, it also produces fine craftwork in brass and bronze, and wooden toys.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Madurai is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu with astounding Sri Meenakshi Temple complex at its centre. Situated on the banks of Vaigai River it has a rich cultural heritage passed down from the great Tamil era more than 2,500 ago. It was the capital of the great Pandyan kings 2,000 years ago, becoming an important cultural and commercial centre.
Known for cultural and scholarly pursuits, it also produces fine craftwork in brass and bronze, and wooden toys.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Day 9 – Madurai
Today’s sightseeing tour includes the Sri Meenakshi Temple and the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal.
Sri Meenakshi Temple: Madurai is synonymous with the Meenakshi Sundareswaran twin-temple, around which the city has evolved.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal: Built in 1636 by the ruler who’s named it bears, this imposing edifice displays magnificent stuccowork on its domes and impressive arches.
Rest of the day at leisure or explore the town on foot.
Overnight at hotel.
The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Sri Meenakshi Temple: Madurai is synonymous with the Meenakshi Sundareswaran twin-temple, around which the city has evolved.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal: Built in 1636 by the ruler who’s named it bears, this imposing edifice displays magnificent stuccowork on its domes and impressive arches.
Rest of the day at leisure or explore the town on foot.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Day 10 – Madurai to Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar.
Periyar is located in the Idukki district of central Kerala. On the cool hills of the Western Ghats the heartland of which luxuriate in matted coffee, tea, pepper and cardamon plantations.
The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature’s splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake – an artificial lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands.
Afternoon explore the spice plantations and later in the evening master chef will share some skill with you at the cookery class.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Spice Village
Niraamaya Retreat Cardamom Club
Shalimar Spice Garden
Periyar is located in the Idukki district of central Kerala. On the cool hills of the Western Ghats the heartland of which luxuriate in matted coffee, tea, pepper and cardamon plantations.
The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature’s splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake – an artificial lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands.
Afternoon explore the spice plantations and later in the evening master chef will share some skill with you at the cookery class.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Spice Village
Niraamaya Retreat Cardamom Club
Shalimar Spice Garden
Day 11 – Periyar
Today visit the Periyar lake for wildlife viewing. The tropical jungle around Periyar lake can be also be explored on the foot but we board in a motor launch as it drifts around a bend and comes into sight of elephants, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bear, deer or bison coming to the shores of the lake for a drink.
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the facilities like Spa and Ayurveda etc.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Spice Village
Niraamaya Retreat Cardamom Club
Shalimar Spice Garden
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the facilities like Spa and Ayurveda etc.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Spice Village
Niraamaya Retreat Cardamom Club
Shalimar Spice Garden
Day 12 – Periyar to Houseboat
Morning drive to jetty to board your Houseboat and cruise slowly through the beautiful palm fringed backwater channels witnessing the day to day life on the banks.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Spice Coast
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Spice Coast
Day 13 – Periyar to Cochin
Drive to Cochin.
Cochin, ‘Queen of the Arabian sea’ and also one of the gateways to Kerala. The city is built up on a cluster of islands and peninsulas consisting mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula.
Cochin is an attractive city with serene backwaters, lagoons with feathery coconut palms. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal.
Check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Evening Kathakali dance drama, enacting epics from the Hindu Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Brunton Boatyard
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa
The Malabar House
Eighth Bastion
Cochin, ‘Queen of the Arabian sea’ and also one of the gateways to Kerala. The city is built up on a cluster of islands and peninsulas consisting mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula.
Cochin is an attractive city with serene backwaters, lagoons with feathery coconut palms. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal.
Check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Evening Kathakali dance drama, enacting epics from the Hindu Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Brunton Boatyard
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa
The Malabar House
Eighth Bastion
Day 14 – Cochin
Today enjoy the city tour includes the 16th century Jewish synagogue, the Dutch Palace and the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Afternoon at leisure to explore the fort area and local market on own.
Evening enjoy the Sunset while cruising in the harbour.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Brunton Boatyard
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa
The Malabar House
Eighth Bastion
Afternoon at leisure to explore the fort area and local market on own.
Evening enjoy the Sunset while cruising in the harbour.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Brunton Boatyard
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa
The Malabar House
Eighth Bastion
Day 15 – Cochin to Mararikulam
Drive to Mararikulam.
Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm. The village of Mararikulam tucked away behind a line of dense palms that rise like a sudden rampart of green out of the sands The isolation of the islands has ensured the preservation of their pure culture and pristine nature, right to the present day
Rest of the day enjoy the beach.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Marari Beach Resort
Xandari Pearl
Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm. The village of Mararikulam tucked away behind a line of dense palms that rise like a sudden rampart of green out of the sands The isolation of the islands has ensured the preservation of their pure culture and pristine nature, right to the present day
Rest of the day enjoy the beach.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Marari Beach Resort
Xandari Pearl
Day 16 – Mararikulam
The Marari Breach, is the perfect spot for those seeking to experience a completely new pace.
Early morning and evening you can attend open-air yoga classes with a qualified master,
Anytime during the day, spend time lolling by the poolside with a book from the library. Or take a dip in the private sea, the beach usually being nearly empty, except for a few other guests and the odd local fisherman. Or explore the area and its fishing villages on a bicycle.
Overnight at hotel.
CGH Marari Beach Resort
Xandari Pearl
Early morning and evening you can attend open-air yoga classes with a qualified master,
Anytime during the day, spend time lolling by the poolside with a book from the library. Or take a dip in the private sea, the beach usually being nearly empty, except for a few other guests and the odd local fisherman. Or explore the area and its fishing villages on a bicycle.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
CGH Marari Beach Resort
Xandari Pearl
