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1. Tag: Chennai

Welcome to Chennai, India. On arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with an important group meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive in Chennai with free time to spare, perhaps take a walk along Marina Beach or check out the Santhome Cathedral.

Special Information: It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

2. Tag: Mamallapuram - Pondicherry

From Chennai, drive along the scenic East Coast Road to the fishing village of Mamallapuram. Take a guided tour around the town’s laidback beaches and temples, keeping an eye out for the sculptures and carvings dotted around the place. Visit the incredible 8th-century Shore Temple and its mandapams (carved pillars) to pay your respects to the deity Shiva. Continue onto Puducherry (Pondicherry) in the late afternoon where your evening is then free. Today's drive should take around three hours in total.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Mamallapuram - Shore Temple guided tour

3. Tag: Pondicherry

Explore Puducherry, which was under French rule until 1954, and the European style of the town extends from beautiful colonial architecture right down to the uniforms of the police. Enjoy a walking tour to see local temples, the French Quarter and the spiritual community of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The rest of the day and evening is free.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Puducherry - Walking tour & Sri Aurobindo Ashram

4. Tag: Karaikudi

Drive to Karaikudi today (approximately 6 hours). Take a walk around the village after checking in and get a taste of village life. Visit some havelis (mansions), whose grandiose architecture will no doubt impress. Be sure to sample some spicy Chettinad cuisine while you're here.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Karaikudi - Havelis
- Karaikudi - Village walk

5. Tag: Madurai

Continue on to Madurai (approximately 2 hours). Here you will wander through the colourful markets and bazaars, then visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple in the city’s centre. Still in use today, this ancient temple is a maze of lamp-lit corridors leading to shrines where traditional rituals take place. You might also like to explore the National Gandhi Museum (optional), dedicated to the life and achievements of the 'Father of the Nation' and the leader of India's fight for independence. Your evening is then free to spend as you please.

Optional Activities:
- Madurai - Gandhi Museum - Free

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple guided tour
- Madurai - Walking tour

6. Tag: Madurai

Enjoy a day of free time in Madurai. Perhaps visit the Art Museum to see a superb collection of carvings, check out the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, or simply relax over endless cups of chai.

7. Tag: Madurai - Periyar

Drive through rubber and pineapple plantations to Thekkady and explore the Periyar National Park, perched lakeside in the ranges of the Western Ghats. The sanctuary surrounds a picturesque lake, which was formed as a result of a dam that was built in 1895. It ambles through the contours of the wooded hills and is a permanent source of water for local wildlife. This afternoon, take a tour of a local spice plantation. If you have time, perhaps attend a demonstration of Indian martial arts (kalaripayattu) at the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre.

Special Information: Please note that Kerala is officially a dry state, with alcohol sales and consumption limited to bars in 5 star hotels.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Periyar - Spice plantation visit

8. Tag: Periyar

In the morning, take a guided nature walk in the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (approximately 3 hours). Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk than an animal spotting tour, but look out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage or just relax in this scenic setting.

Special Information: Our usual route is the Green Zone walk in the National Park. Tigers are extremely rare and shy in Periyar. It is however a lovely walk, the local guides are villagers who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledgeable of the areas flora and fauna. Bring water, we start early but it gets very hot and humid later in the morning. Leech socks will be provided as this is one critter that we often do spot!

Optional Activities:
- Periyar NP - Ayurvedic Massage - INR700

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Periyar - Guided nature walk

9. Tag: Kochi

In the morning, drive to Kochi, aka Cochin (approximately 7-8 hours). This place is a veritable melting pot of Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and British influences. Use your free time to get out on the water by local ferry, or wander down the beach at sunset.

10. Tag: Kochi

Visit the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), which was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese before the Dutch renovated it. Then check out the oldest functioning Jewish synagogue in India, the Paradesi Synagogue. In the evening witness a classic Kathakali performance, a dramatic dance that combines storytelling with physical technique.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Kochi - Fort Kochi walk
- Kochi - Kathakali performance
- Kochi - Jewish Synagogue
- Kochi - Dutch Palace

11. Tag: Kerala Backwaters - Kumarakom

Discover sleepy Kumarakom in the backwaters of Kerala. Drive from Kochi to Kumarkon to our resort along the riverside. Take a short backwaters cruise before heading out on a village walk. This is a great chance to meet and talk with the people who live in the backwaters, stroll under palm trees and weave in between the rice fields in this tranquil landscape.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Kumarakom - Backwaters boating excursion
- Kumarakom - Village walk

12. Tag: Kovalam

In the morning, drive to Kovalam (approximately 4 hours) via Kerala’s capital, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). Kovalam was once a quiet coastal village known for its export of fresh fish and coconuts, but is now one of India’s more popular beach resorts. Visit the ancient temple of Attukal Bhagavathy in the afternoon. If you have free time, explore the old signaling station of Anchuthengu Fort or the 16th-century Koyikkal Palace. Your evening is then free to do as you wish. Perhaps head out with the group for a farewell meal together tonight.

Optional Activities:
- Kovalam - Anchuthengu Fort - INR50
- Kovalam - Koyikkal Palace - INR50

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
- Kovalam - Walking tour

13. Tag: Kovalam

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast and you’re free to leave the accommodation at any time.

Special Information: The nearest airport is Trivandrum. Departure transfers are available to be booked in advance - please contact your booking agent before you travel.