Day 1- Depart the UKToday depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)

Day 2- Arrive KochiArrive into Dubai and connect onto the Emirates flight to Kochi.
Founded by Vasco-da-Gama in 1502, Kochi quickly developed into a principle port and
the centre of the spice trade on the Malabar Coast. A picturesque town of tumble-down
buildings, vibrant bougainvillea and a languid palm-fringed harbour, Portuguese, Dutch
and British settlers have all influenced this charming city. (N)
Accommodation in Kochi: Eighth Bastion
Upgrade option: Malabar House
Alternative upgrade option: Brunton Boatyard Hotel

 

Day 3- KochiSpend the day exploring the famous Fort Kochi with your guide. Start at the
church of St Francis, India's oldest European church before walking to the town's
waterfront where you will find the iconic Chinese fishing nets and many fish stalls. In the
afternoon visit Mattancherry Palace, which was built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift
to the Raja of Kochi. Finish the day with a sunset cruise around the bustling harbour as
you watch the sun set behind the famous fishing nets. (B)
Accommodation in Kochi: Eighth Bastion
Upgrade option: Malabar House
Alternative upgrade option: Brunton Boatyard Hotel

 
Day 4- Kochi to Coimbatore – 200kmsAt leisure this morning to further enjoy Kochi
before leaving in the afternoon for the drive to Coimbatore. Known for cotton
manufacturing, Coimbatore commands a strategic location between the plains of Tamil
Nadu, the plateaus of Mysore and the coastal ports of Kerala. Coimbatore is also close
to Mettupalayam, the starting point of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty. (B)
Accommodation in Coimbatore: Vivanta by Taj – Surya

Day 5- Coimbatore to Mettupalayam – 35kms/ Mettupalayam to Ooty – by trainThis
morning transfer by car to Mettupalayam Railway Station in good time to catch the
Nilgiri Mountain Railway train to Ooty. Travelling a distance of 26 miles, this spectacular
journey encounters 16 tunnels and crosses 250 bridges. One of the steepest lines in
Asia, the views and scenery are breathtaking. Ooty once enticed the British to escape
the summer heat of the plains and, later today, visit the well-maintained botanical
gardens. (B/D)
Accommodation in Ooty: Savoy Hotel

Day 6- Ooty to Sultans Battery – 160kmsAfter breakfast leave Ooty and drive to Sultan's
Battery, a small town in the Western Ghats and the centre of a region which produces
some of India's finest coffee, cardamom and vanilla. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sultan’s Battery: Amaryllis
Alternative option: Tranquil

 
Day 7- Sultans BatteryYou have the day at leisure to enjoy Amaryllis and the
surrounding area. Swim in the beautiful pool or relax with a good book in the scenic
resort. There are also excellent bird watching opportunities at Amaryllis, for the more
energetic, there are several walking trails. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sultan’s Battery: Amaryllis
Alternative option: Tranquil

 
Day 8 -Sultans Battery to Mysore – 125kmsLeaving Sultan's Battery, drive to pretty
Mysore. In the afternoon take a two hour specialist heritage walk in the city which starts
at the Town Hall, visits the Devaraja Market and ends at the Jagan Mohan Palace.
During the walk the guide will share various stories from Mysore's past and there will
also be a chance to taste ‘Mysore Pak’, the city's famous sweet. (B)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Day 9 - MysoreToday explore Mysore with your guide starting at Chamundi Hill, site of
the Chamundeswari Temple and famous Nandi Bull. From here continue to the vast City
Palace. Re-built by Henry Irwin during 1897 in an Indo-Saracenic style, the palace
contains extraordinary wall paintings, stained glass work and inlaid doors. In the
afternoon leave the city and visit the temple complex at Somnathpur including the
exquisite Keshava Vishnu temple, one of the finest in India, and over 700 years old. (B)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Day 10- Mysore to Bangalore – 190kms/ Bangalore to Chennai – by airThis morning
leave Mysore and visit Srirangapatnam where Tipu Sultan was killed in battle against an
East India Company army including Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington.
Later continue to Bangalore Airport and fly to Chennai. One of India's largest cities,
Chennai remains a principle port and a major gateway to the south and retains an
elegant colonial heritage. (B)
Accommodation in Chennai: Taj Coromandel
Upgrade option: Taj Connemara
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Day 11- ChennaiThis morning take a guided heritage walk through the historic heart of
the city and discover colonial Madras through the buildings the British left behind. St
Mary’s (1678), the first Anglican church east of Suez, and the homes of Clive and
Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) stand rather neglected within the ramparts of old
Fort St George (now a museum). They recall the East India Company, just as the later
raj is epitomised in the mixture of neo-classical and Indo-Saracenic administrative
buildings, banks and railway stations. Later in the afternoon take a further guided walk
through the bustling bazaar of George Town. Walk through the by lanes, where plenty
of history, mythology and folklore intertwine to give you a true glimpse of living India
teeming with life and spilling over with colour, noise and exuberance. (B)
Accommodation in Chennai: Taj Coromandel
Upgrade option: Taj Connemara

Day 12- Chennai to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram – 170kmsToday leave Chennai and
drive south to the former French colony of Pondicherry stopping en-route in
Mahabalipuram to visit the beach-side temple complex – a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. In Pondicherry explore the town which still retains its typically French atmosphere.(B)
Accommodation in Pondicherry: Maison Perumal
Alternative option: Palais de Mahe

Day 13 - Pondicherry to Tanjore via Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram –
170kmsLeave Pondicherry this morning and drive Chidambaram to see the Nataraja
Temple complex and then continue to nearby Gangaikondacholapuram, which is
renowned for its Chola temple art and was part of a hydraulic lay-out that seems to
anticipate Cambodia’s Angkor. From here continue to Tanjore. Situated in the lush
green delta of the Kaveri River Tanjore is a pretty town and home to one of the most
impressive monuments of South India – the Brihadisvara Temple. (B)
Accommodation in Tanjore: Ideal River View Resort
Upgrade option: Svatma

Day 14- TanjoreThis morning explore Tanjore and the surrounding area starting your day
at the spectacular Brihadisvara Temple which was constructed between 1003 and 1010
AD by the Chola King Rajaraja I. Later drive to Kumbakonam, visit the 1,200 year old
Nagesvara Swami Temple then continue to the Sarangapani Temple, one of the largest
in Kumbakonam with a 44 metre tall gopuram. End the day at the nearby town of
Swamimalai which has a renowned school teaching the art and craft of making bronze
idols. (B)
Accommodation in Tanjore: Ideal River View Resort
Upgrade option: Svatma

Day 15- Tanjore to Madurai – 180kmsAfter an early breakfast head to Trichy which is
dominated by its Rock Fort and, after visiting the Rock’s temple, continue to Srirangam
– a religious complex spread over an island in the nearby Cauvery River. Leaving Trichy
drive south to Madurai, a hub of learning and pilgrimage for many centuries. A centre for
Tamil culture, the main attraction of this crowded but vibrant pilgrimage centre is the
famous Sri Meenakshi temple complex located in the heart of the city. (B)
Accommodation in Madurai: Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Upgrade option: Heritage Madurai Resort

Day 16- MaduraiStart the day with a morning visit to the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace then
make your way to the impressive 17th century Sri Meenakshi temple. An exact
contemporary of the Taj Mahal in Agra, this exceptional temple complex dominates the
old city and is instantly recognisable. With its nine gopurams, profusion of multi-
coloured images, flower sellers, musicians and a decorated temple elephant, the temple
is a hive of activity from dawn until late into the night. (B)
Accommodation in Madurai: Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Upgrade option: Heritage Madurai Resort

Day 17 -Madurai to Munnar – 160kmsAfter breakfast leave Madurai and continue by
road to the Munnar. Situated in a part of the Western Ghats known as the High Ranges,
Munnar is home to some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates. Being 1524m
above sea level the ascent up to the town is punctuated with spectacular scenery,
sandalwood forests and tea plantations. (B)
Accommodation in Munnar: Windermere Estate

 

Day 18- MunnarToday explore Munnar. Visit Christ Church which was built in 1910 and
has fine stained glass windows, the local Tea Museum or the Munnar Supply
Association, the oldest department store in the area that has been a feature of the town
now for over one hundred years. Another place of interest is the town market which
comes to life in the evenings. Alternatively, Munnar and the surrounding countryside of
the Western Ghats is also perfect for walkers with excellent treks and hikes. (B/D)
Accommodation in Munnar: Windermere Estate

Day 19- Munnar to Alleppey – 170kmsThis morning leave Munnar and continue towards
the Keralan backwaters to join a private Houseboat for a two night cruise. Authentic and
comfortable, all meals are cooked on board and the boat is staffed with a captain, a
deck hand and a cook. Spend the remainder of day cruising the beautiful and peaceful
backwaters. (B/L/D)
Accommodation: Spice Coast Houseboat

Day 20- Keralan BackwatersToday is at leisure to enjoy the backwaters. Consisting of a
network of lakes, canals and estuaries, sit back and relax on your boat as you pass tiled
and thatched cottages and cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. Witness local life as
children swim and play in the water, women attend to their daily chores and men fish
from their wooden canoes. (B/L/D)
Accommodation: Spice Coast Houseboat

Day 21- Alleppey to Mararikulam – 15kmsAfter breakfast depart your houseboat and
travel the short distance to the beach resort of Mararikulam. Spend the next three nights
close to Marari Beach. (B)
Accommodation in Mararikulam: Marari Beach Resort

Days 22 & 23- MararikulamThe next two days are at leisure to relax and enjoy the Marari
Beach Resort. (B)
Accommodation in Mararikulam: Marari Beach Resort

Day 24- Mararikulam to Kochi – 65 kms/ Kochi to the UKToday transfer back to Kochi
Airport to catch the Emirates flight to Dubai. On your arrival connect onto the onwards
Emirates flight to the UK. (B)