Programme:

Day 01: Chennai - Covelong
After arrival in Chennai, the gateway of South India, a transfer to the nearby summer resort Covelong. A day free to relax on the beach. Overnight.

Day 02: Covelong - Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, a drive to Mahabalipuram and a visit of the “city of stonemasons” Mahabalipuram, which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around the whole city you will find many temples, monoliths, stone chariots and decorated caves. Visit to the Shore Temple built in the 8^th century which is considered as the oldest stone temple in South India, famous bas-reliefs Krishna Mandapa or Arjuna's Penance, Tiger's Cave built by Pallava rulers or Crocodile Bank Trust. Optional swimming at the local sandy beaches. Overnight.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram - Puducherry

After breakfast, a drive to Puducherry (Pondicherry) - an Indian union territory and former capital of French India. Visit to the utopic Auroville City - a Universal Town founded by Sri Aurobindo Society which brings people of different countries, religions and beliefs together. Then visit to the Aurobindo Ashram open for meditation, Light House Beach, Botanical Garden etc. or you will have a free time to relax at the beach that runs along the city. Overnight.

Day 04: Puducherry - Chennai – Trivandrum - Kovalam
After breakfast a free morning to relax. Then transfer back to Chennai Airport to catch a flight to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). Then a short drive to Kovalam summer resort and check-in at the hotel. Kovalam Beach is one of the finest in the country and certainly the best in the state. Kovalam curves a crescent around a sheltered bay, and its tall palms afford privacy. Overnight.  

Day 05: Kovalam
Breakfast. A free day at leisure in Kovalam. One of the best bathing bays in the world - Kovalam, where a sheltered beach and a shallow sea offer excellent bathing facilities. The scenery around the place is enchanting. You can visit the nearby fishing village or just relax on the beach. Overnight.

Day 06: Kovalam
After breakfast, an excursion to Trivandrum to visit the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the most magnificent temple dedicated to Vishnu which has been considered to be a very sacred shrine from antiquity. Then a visit to Government Museum with a collection of contemporary Indian art, paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Roerich, miniature paintings from the Mughal and Rajasthan schools, Persian, Chinese and Japanese art which is a feast to culture eyes. Return to Kovalam and overnight.

Day 07: Kovalam - Varkala
After breakfast, a drive to the pristine Varkala beach famous as a Hindu Pilgrim centre. A dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach is believed to purge the body and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini' for this shore. The 2000-year-old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions of Varkala Beach. It has a breath-taking scenery of the high cliffs rising over the beach and gushing mineral springs. Overnight.

Day 08: Thottapally + Houseboat ride
After breakfast, a morning drive to Thottapally and check into a traditional Kettuvallam Houseboat. Travel through the lush green backwaters of Kerala observing the traditional lifestyle of the Keralites. You will see the temples, fishing boats, people tending their crops and coconut plantations as you drift through the canals. It will be a unique and totally relaxing experience. Dinner and overnight on board the houseboat.

Day 09: Allepey – Cochin
After breakfast you will disembark the houseboat at Allepey and drive to Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala. The twin cities of Cochin and Ernakulam lie facing each other across the channel and are linked by bridges through Willingdon Island. It was at Cochin that the Portuguese, Dutch and English trading companies built their fort, factories and houses. Today you will be witnessing the make-up session and performance of the Kathakali Dance Show. Overnight.  

Day 10: Cochin sightseeing

After breakfast, a full-day city tour of Cochin. A walk inside the old quarter Fort Cochin with its colonial buildings from the Portuguese era and a walk on a seacoast promenade with its typical Chinese fishing nets.  Visit to the Santa Cruz Basilica or house of Vasco da Gama, the famous navigator, who was buried in 1524 in the local St. Francis Church. You will continue to Mattancherry quarter with preserved Jewish ghetto with synagogue and you will visit also the Mattancherry Palace with unique frescoes of the Keralan school of art. Overnight.

Day 11: Cochin - Goa
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Goa, a former Portuguese colony and favourite summer resort with beautiful sandy beaches and well-known hotels and clubs. After arrival and check-in to the hotel, free time at your leisure and relaxation on the beach. Overnight.

Day 12: Goa
After breakfast, a drive to Old Goa and half day city tour. You will visit old Goa Churches, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Sri Mangueas Temple, Dona Paula & Miramar Beach. An afternoon will be at your leisure for swimming and sun bathing. Overnight.

Day 13: Goa

Breakfast. A free time for individual activities. Overnight.

Day 14: Departure from Goa
After breakfast, a morning free for your own activities. Later, a drive to the airport to your connecting flight to your onward destination.