Temples and Spices (15 days / 13 nights)
The great and majestic Indian peninsula has that special something that no one can really explain, but which is felt in the soul of this land that conceals the most beautiful mysteries. This part of the country is characterised by its tranquillity and bountiful nature, blended with its heavenly beaches. Here you'll travel in total serenity and encounter all the colours and flavours that are unique to India. On this tour, you'll discover three states in southern India, but you'll really be concentrating on two. Tamil Nadu with its history dating back to ancient times and Kerala with its incredible nature.
Itinerary: Bangalore-Hassan-Sravanablagola-Mysore-Madras-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram-Pondichery-Tanjore-Trichy-Madurai-Periyar
Cochin-Kovalam Beach-Trivendrum
Day 1 France / Bangalore
Flight from France to Bangalore. Arrival at Bangalore International Airport, traditional welcome with flower necklace and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Bangalore / Belur / Halebid / Hassan
After breakfast, departure for Hassan. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. 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.Return to Hassan at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 3 Hassan / Sravanabelagola / Mysore
After breakfast, departure for Mysore. 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 Mysore and check into your hotel at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 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. Afternoon excursion to Srigangapatnam: the fort, temples and summer palace of Sultan Tippu. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 Mysore / Madras (Train)
After breakfast, and depending on the time of your train, transfer to Mysore station to catch your train to Madras. You will discover the Indian countryside and its scenes of daily life. Lunch on the train. Arrive in Madras at the end of the day. Welcome and transfer to your hotel. Picnic dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 Madras / Kanchipuram / Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, 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, Kanchipuram's great speciality. Lunch during the visits. Continuation to Mahabalipuram. Arrive and check into hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 Mahabalipuram / Pondichery
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 Pondicherry, the former French trading post. Arrive in Pondicherry and check into your hotel. Orientation tour of the city: the white city with its villas, churches and colonial buildings, the black city with its picturesque market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 Pondichery / Chidambaram / Tanjore
After breakfast, continue your tour of Pondicherry. Then departure for Tanjore. Lunch en route. Then a stop at Chidambaram, a major Brahmin training centre dedicated to Shiva. Visit to the Nataraja temple. Continuation to Tanjore. Arrive and check into hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 Tanjore / Trichy / Tanjore
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 10 Tanjore / Madurai
After breakfast departure for Maduraï. Arrive and check into hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Madurai and the famous Minakshi-Sundareshvara temple, a veritable city within the city. Stroll through the bazaars. 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 11 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 12 Thekkady / Kumarakom / Allepey / Cochin
After breakfast, drive through the Cardamon Mountains and plantations of tea, spices, cocoa, pepper and cardamom. Lunch en route. At Kumarakom, board a traditional Kettuvalam for a superb trip along the canals of Kerala's famous Backwaters. 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 13 Cochin / Trivendrum (Kovalam Beach)
After breakfast, visit to Cochin, a charming colonial port city. Visit to the Church of St Francis, the Dutch Palace and the Synagogue and stroll through the old quarter of Fort Cochin. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, we head for Trivandrum and Kovalam beach. On the way, you can discover the wonderful, lush nature of Kerala. Arrive in Kovalam and check into your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the beach or Ayurvedic massages. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 Trivendrum (Kovalam Beach)
After breakfast, the day is free for you to relax after your journey. You can take advantage of the hotel's facilities and the surrounding area: beaches, swimming pool, spa, ayurvedic massages. Lunch, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 Trivendrum (Kovalam Beach) / France
After breakfast, and depending on your flight time, transfer to Trivendrum airport for an international flight to France. End of our services. Arrival in France.
