Explore South India

Vanakam Incredible India!Welcome to India. Upon arrival we will drive together to Mamallapuram (also called Mahabalipuram). Upon arrival at midnight, you will check into your resort. In the afternoon we will take a Heritage walk through the famous World Heritage monuments of Mamallapuram: the Coastal Temple built in the 7th century – the Arjuna buses, a bass relief – the Five Rathas symbolizing the equality of men and women.The place is located on the shore of the Bay of Bengal and was once the port of the Pallava people. The Pallavas have created many wonderful monuments with sculptural tablets, caves, monolithic Rathas and temples.

Once you reach Pondicherry, you can either experience a city tour by rickshaw or take a leisurely stroll through the alleys. Continue to Kumbakonam, one of the first cities of Tamil Nadu. The temple town is located between the Kaveri and Arasalar rivers and has been ruled by every Hindu dynasty in southern India. On the way we will stop in Ariyalur and visit a temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram one. It is one of the three great temples of the Chola dynasty UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Early morning visit the Bridhadeshwara Temple and Fort, the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture and a World Heritage Site. and is a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva in the former capital of the Chola Empire. Let your “Local Hero” Shekar guide you through the temple complex and you will be present at a tomorrow ritual for Shiva. Later get to know the art of bronze statue making origin back to ancient days. After breakfast continue to Karaikudi.

After breakfast walk through the village. Karaikudi, a large town from Chettinad region, known for its heritage and traditions. It is named after the wealthy merchants of the Chettiars, who once populated Chettinad. Through skillful financial dealings and trade with Asian island nations, the clan came to immense wealth. Today, magnificent villas and palaces, in which teak and marble were not spared, bear witness to the splendor of bygone times. Karikudi is also famous for its cuisine. In the evening you will get to know the Chetinadian cuisine at a cooking demonstration followed by dinner.

After breakfast, continue to Madurai, one of the largest temple cities in South India, which stands for the famous Meenakshi Temple. Madurai is located on the banks of the Vaigai River and has a rich cultural heritage passed down from the great Tamil era, which is more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial center as early as 550 AD. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a guided street food tour and then visit the Meenakshi Temple to participate in the popular evening ceremony where the Hindu god Shiva is taken in a palanquin to the bedroom of his wife Meenakshi.

Early morning visit the flower market of Madurai. After breakfast continue to Periyar an area known for its hills, spice plantations and elephant sightings. One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar Valley in Thekkady is the oldest. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy the magical performance of Kalaripayattu martial artists.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and start the day with a walk through the Periyar Wilderness, a protected elephant and tiger reserve, together with the park rangers. Together, join our resident naturalists on a tour of the spice garden. In the evening, learn more about the rich flora and fauna of Periyar before settling down for dinner.

Today you will learn more about the history of tea and visit a tea factory and then continue to Kumarakom, the enchanting backwater region of Kerala. The labyrinthine network of rivers, canals, streams and lagoons that form the famous backwaters of Kerala offer breathtaking views and are an ideal place to relax.

Around noon you will check in on your private houseboat and cruise along the backwaters: a beautiful area full of canals, lakes and bays. The houseboats are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and private bathrooms. You can sunbathe on the deck or watch the palm-fringed scenery from your cabins. Aside from the fascinating surroundings, it’s the everyday lives of the people who live along the shores that add a touch of the exotic to this experience. The locals themselves travel in canoes and work from there as vegetable vendors, fishermen, and other traders bringing household goods from door to door in the small wooden boats. As you travel along the backwaters we stop along the way at villages, rice paddies. You can also buy fresh fish, which will then be prepared to your liking by the cook on the houseboat.

After breakfast on the houseboat, check out again and your driver will take you to the picturesque fishing village of Mararikulam. Tucked away in tranquil and lush coconut groves, the resort on the pristine white sandy beaches of the Marari offer you a wonderful setting to relax.

After breakfast, explore the area and it’s fishing villages nearby on a bicycle or take a dip in the sea. The beach usually being nearly empty except for a few other guests and the odd local fishermen. Afternoon, it will be a great idea to visit our organic farm, which ensures that the vegetables and fruits we serve are the freshest you can get. The whole day is at your free disposal. Very recommendable is also an Ayurveda massage. You can get more information at the reception.

In the morning after breakfast and check out, drive to Cochin, a port city since early centuries. The city is also known as the Spice Coast of India as it attracted many traders and conquerors from all over the world. In the afternoon, take a walk on the Cochin Royal Heritage Trail and explore the stories of a dynasty. On this trail you will explore the origins of the royal family of Cochin and the rise and fall of their fortunes under the Europeans before their eventual union with India. We look at their role in the development of the modern city of Kochi and their contributions in the fields of art, language, education and medicine. Starting from Hill Palace, the last seat of power of the Rajahs, we continue into the residential area that showcases the best of traditional and colonial architecture. The trail will end with a traditional high tea where, with luck, one or two family members of the former Rajas will be present.

At midnight transfer to the airport and return flight with Qatar Airways via Doha to Zurich. The trip can also be extended individually, e.g. to North India where you can Explore the “Golden Triangle” Jaipur, Dehli, Agra (Taj Mahal) or a beach extension in Kerala or Goa.