DAY 1: Depart UK.
Overnight flight to Chennai.

DAY 2: Chennai.
On arrival in Chennai you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. This beautiful city on the Bay of Bengal, formerly known as Madras, has grown from a small fishing village into India's fourth largest metropolis.

DAY 3: Chennai - Mahabalipuram.
This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Chennai, visiting its Fort St George, St Mary's Church, National Art Gallery and Government Museum, before driving along the elegant 12 kilometre long Marina to Mylapore to see its Portuguese Basilica and Hindu Temple. This afternoon, we head south to Mahabalipuram for a two night stay. (B)

DAY 4: Mahabalipuram.
This morning, visit Kanchipuran, among the most famous of Tamil Nadu's temple towns and a centre for hand-woven silk sarees. Its multitude of temples include the soaring Ekambareshwara Temple featuring a remarkable pillared hallway, as well as the stunning Kailasanatha, Sri Varadaraja, and Sri Vaikuntaperumal Temples. In the afternoon, admire the legendary Shore Temples at Mahabalipuram - beautiful domed edifices which overlook the Bay of Bengal and have stood for twelve centuries. (B)

DAY 5: Mahabalipuram - Tanjore.
Depart this morning visiting the temple town of Chidambaram and the Nataraja Temple en-route, before arriving at Tanjore this afternoon. Known as the 'rice bowl of Tamil Nadu', Tanjore is best known for its Brihadeshwara Temple, built over a thousand years ago. (B)

DAY 6: Tanjore - Madurai.
Today begins with a fascinating look at Tanjore's sights, including the iconic Brihadeshwara, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enclosed in two courts, this towered temple houses an exquisitely decorated shrine. You'll also visit the Tanjore Royal Palace and museum with its fascinating collections of 19th century royal artefacts. This afternoon, travel to Madurai for a two night stay, calling in at Trichy on the way, to view its 3,800 year old high rock fort. One of south India's oldest towns, Madurai was a centre of religious pilgrimage for centuries. This evening, get a glimpse of its devout religious culture on a visit to the Meenakshi Temple at prayer time. (B)
Note: The rock fort is perched upon a rocky outcrop, 272 feet above the plains. The visit involves uphill walking and stair climbing.

DAY 7: Madurai.
Today, enjoy a day trip to Rameshwaram, an island town connected to the mainland by the majestic Indira Gandhi Bridge, a wonder of modern Indian engineering. One of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage, it boasts the spectacular Ramanthar Temple complete with grandiose pillared corridors, shrines and bathing pools. (B)

DAY 8: Madurai - Periyar National Park.
This morning, revisit Meenakshi Temple and stunning remains of Tirumalai Nayak Palace, before driving to Periyar for an overnight stay. High in Kerala's Western Ghats this magnificent reserve boasts lushly wooded hills, a picturesque lake and a cool, comfortable climate, creating perfect conditions for exotic animals and birdlife, including elephants, deer, boar, kingfishers and the elusive tiger, of which there are thought to be around 40 living in the park. (B)

DAY 9: Periyar National Park. Included Backwater Houseboat cruise.
Enjoy a morning game drive by boat through the Park on the lookout for the wildlife that live here. After visiting one of the area's spice gardens, you will board your houseboat for a cruise, from Kumarakom. Gliding along the still backwaters, you'll pass an incredible mosaic of palm plantations and locals swimming and washing their laundry on the riverbanks, giving you an enthralling insight into hidden Kerala. Overnight stay on Lake Vembanad. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Backwater houseboat cruise - Cochin.
Say goodbye to your houseboat this morning at Aleppy for our drive to Cochin, a hugely important spice trading port in olden times, and now a cosmopolitan business centre. This afternoon, admire the city's Portuguese-built Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue and St Francis Church, which holds the palm-leafed title deed that the Raja handed to the occupying Portuguese in 1503. Also, marvel at the intricate beauty and rhythm of Cochin's legendary Chinese Fishing Nets, unique to this part of Kerala and testament to the Oriental influences. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular show of Keralan classic dance. (B)

DAY 11: Cochin - Ooty.
This morning we head to Ooty known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations'. Ooty is nestled in the slopes of the picturesque Nilgiri mountains and encircled by lush vegetation and sweeping valleys. (B)

DAY 12: Ooty.
Today, board a miniature, narrow gauge 'toy' train for a wonderfully evocative journey meandering through green hills from Ooty to Coonnoor, returning by road. This afternoon, soak up the delights of Ooty's famous Botanical Gardens, marvelling at their exotic flora and fauna, and the 20 million year old fossilised tree trunk. (B)

DAY 13: Ooty - Mysore.
This morning, drive to the traditional town of Mysore. Charming and peaceful, this historic town is hardly touched by modernity and overflows with magnificent palaces, decorative gardens and sacred temples. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

DAY 14: Mysore.
Enjoy a full day's excursion to the Srirangapatnam, a fortress built on a long island in the Cauvery River. Inside the fortress walls, visit the mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, the legendary 18th century ruler. Continue onto Sravenabelagola, one of the oldest and most important Jain Pilgrimage sites dating back to the 3rd century BC. Erected sometime between 980-983AD, the town's Gommateshwara statue is reached by a climb of nearly 700 steps, providing excellent views. (B)

DAY 15: Mysore - Chennai.
Admire the sights of Mysore this morning on a tour of its grandiose Maharajah's Palace, a beautiful synthesis of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. From there, on to Chamundi Hill, the site of a summer palace complex housing an ancient temple and the Nandi, a giant depiction of a sacred bull carved from a single boulder. In the afternoon, transfer to Mysore's railway station to board the Shatabdi Express to Chennai for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 16: Chennai - UK.
After breakfast, transfer to Chennai Airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)