The hidden treasures of the peninsula (15 days / 14 nights)
Treat yourself to an original getaway in South India and discover its greatest cultural and artistic treasures, its flora and fauna, its temples and its cities... as close as possible to a population that will welcome you with open arms. An incredible experience awaits you in the heart of these three great regions of colourful riches...
Itinerary: Madras–Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram–Darasuram-Kumbakonam-Tanjore-Trichy-Srirangam-Chettinad–Madurai
Thekkady (Lake Periyar)-Kumarakom-Allepey-Cochin–Mysore–Somnathpur-Belur-Halebid–Chikmangalur
Sravanabelagola–Bangalore
Day 1 France / Madras
Flight from France to Madras. Typical welcome with a flower necklace and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Madras / Kanchipuram / Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, a quick tour of Madras and departure for Kanchipuram, one of the seven holy cities of Hinduism, where you will visit the temples of Kailashnatha and Ekambareshvara. You will also discover the art of silk weaving, a great speciality of Kanchipuram. Lunch during the visits. Continuation to Mahabalipuram. Arrive and check into hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Mahabalipuram / Darasuram / Kumbakonam
After breakfast, the morning will be devoted to discovering Mahabalipuram, ancient port and capital of the Pallava dynasty (8th century). You can admire the magnificent group of monolithic temples on the seafront and the famous bas-relief depicting the descent of the Ganges. Then lunch. Then on to Darasuram, where you will visit the magnificent temple built in the 12th century for Raja Chola II. You will also visit the temple of Airavateshwara, whose magnificently ornate sculptures illuminate the temple. Lunch during the visits. Arrive in Kumbakonam at the end of the day and visit the famous Mahamakan pilgrimage complex. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Kumbakonam / Tanjore / Trichy
After breakfast, departure for a tour of Tanjore, including the Brihadeshvara temple and the splendid collection of Chol bronzes in the Saraswati Mahal palace. Continue on to Trichy. Lunch en route. In the afternoon, visit the religious citadel of Ranganatha on the island of Srirangam. This is one of the largest and most accomplished religious complexes in South India. Return to Tanjore at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 Tanjore / Srirangam / Chettinad / Madurai
After breakfast, departure for Maduraï. On the way, visit the Srirangam temple, considered to be one of the most important in the whole of India. It alone covers more than 60 hectares. We then continue on our way, stopping again to discover the picturesque trading town of Chettinad, renowned for its gastronomy, architecture, art and traditions. Lunch before returning to Madurai. Arrive and check into hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 Madurai
After breakfast, this day will be devoted to a visit to Maduraï and the famous Minakshi-Sundareshvara temple, a veritable city within the city. Discover the Palace of Thirumalai Nayak and the Thiruparangundram temple before a stroll through the bazaars. Lunch on the way. In the evening, return to the temple to attend the ceremony presiding over the setting of Shiva in the sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 Madurai / Thekkady (Lake Periyar)
After breakfast, head for Lake Periyar through mountains, forests and plantations. Here you are in the heart of the Periyar tropical jungle, at the gateway to the state of Kerala. Lunch en route. Check-in at your hotel. Afternoon walks, exploration of the spice gardens and boat safari on the lake (not included) to discover the local flora and fauna, with the chance of spotting elephants. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 Thekkady (Lake Periyar) / Kumarakom
After breakfast, drive through the Cardamon Mountains and plantations of tea, spices, cocoa, pepper and cardamom to reach the small paradise of Kamarakom. Lunch en route. Arrive and check into your hotel in the heart of a lush natural setting. In the late afternoon, take a boat trip on the lake to admire the magnificent sunset. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 Kumarakom / Allepey / Cochin
After breakfast, board a traditional Kettuvalam for a superb trip along the canals of Kerala's famous Backwaters. Lunch en route. Arrive in Cochin in the afternoon and check into your hotel. In the evening, traditional Kathakali dance performance. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Cochin
After breakfast you will discover the historic city, the gateway to the West in South India, founded in the 16th century by Vasco da Gama, and long a hub of the spice trade. You will also visit the colonial quarters by the sea, the fishermen's houses with their strange Chinese nets, and the San Francisco church. In the evening, you will be treated to a performance of traditional Kerala Kathakali dances. Seafood dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Cochin / Bangalore / Mysore
After breakfast, and depending on your flight time, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Bangalore, the great technological capital of Karnataka. On arrival, welcome and departure for Mysore. On the way you will discover Srirangapatnam, former winter palace of Sultan Tipu. Arrive in Mysore at the end of the day and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 Mysore / Somnathpur / Mysore
After breakfast, the morning will be devoted to visiting Mysore. You will discover one of the most extraordinary markets in South India and visit the palace of the Maharadja of Mysore, built in the early 20th century. Lunch during the visits. In the afternoon, excursion to Somnathpur to discover the temple dedicated to Vishnu, built in the 12th century. Return to Mysore at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 Mysore / Belur / Halebid / Chikmangalur
After breakfast you will drive to Chikmangalur. Lunch en route. Afternoon exploring Belur and Halebid. The former capital of the Hoysalas, Belur is a bustling market town. You will visit the Chennakeshava temple, built in the 12th century. Continue to Halebid to visit the Hoysaleshwara temple, which succeeded Belur as the capital of the Hoysalas before being razed to the ground by Muslim troops in the 14th century. Arrive in Chikmangalur in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 Chikmangalur / Sravanabelagola / Bangalore
After breakfast, we head for Bangalore. On the way, stop at Sravanabelagola, a Jain pilgrimage town dominated by one of India's most spectacular monuments, the 18-metre-high statue of Gomeateshwara. Lunch en route. Continue to Bangalore and check into your hotel at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 Bangalore / France
After breakfast, and depending on your flight time, transfer to Bangalore airport for an international flight to France. End of our services. Arrival in France.
