Essence of South India

Arrival at Chennai airport. Welcome by our local representative and departure for Mahabalipuram. This coastal city is renowned for its magnificent temples of Dravidian architecture dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and some important figures of the Mahabharata. There is also the largest bas-relief in the world, nicknamed "the descent of the Ganges", depicting a passage from Hindu mythological texts, featuring Shiva and various animals. Visit the most notable religious sites in the city.

Early departure for one of the great holy cities: Kanchipuram. This city has about a hundred temples, most of them dedicated to Shiva, his wife Parvati and his son Murugan, as well as to Vishnu. Some of these buildings, such as the Temple of Ekambareswarar, date back to 600 BC. and are among the oldest temples in the country. The Temple of Ekambareswarar is also the largest temple in the city (93,000 m2) and is of great sacred importance, with legend that Parvati herself meditated there to worship her husband Shiva. Other, more recent temples, such as the Kumarakottam Temple rebuilt in the twentieth century, are dedicated to Murugan and complete an architectural ensemble with the Temple of Kamakshi Amman (dedicated to Parvati) and the Temple of Ekambareswarar (dedicated to Shiva), thus representing a divine family. Visit the most remarkable temples of the city, then return to Mahabalipuram to visit the sumptuous "Temple of the Shore".

Departure for the most famous French trading post in India: Pondicherry. We will start by visiting the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, then we will walk through the colonial part of the city and along the sea to admire the lighthouse and the local markets.

Departure for Madurai by train (travel time: 5h30). Madurai is one of the great sacred and cultural cities of Tamil Nadu. One of the most beautiful temples in the country is home to Meenakshi Temple, a richly decorated and colorful masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, surrounded by huge gopurams (tall triangular towers that serve as a portal to the temple). A unique and mesmerizing atmosphere reigns in the temple, punctuated by prayers, Hindu chants and sacred rituals performed daily.

Visit to the Minaskshi-Sundareshvara temple, an extraordinary experience. Then, walk around the city and visit the sumptuous palace of Thirumalai Nayak, king to whom we owe many architectural feats in Madurai. Finally, we will attend a religious ceremony in the evening at Minakshi Temple.

Departure for the Kerala region to spend a night in one of the most magical climatic resorts in the country: Munnar, a magical place surrounded by tea plantations and spice gardens. Along the way, excursion to Eravikulam Park, one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country, which is home to 26 species of mammals, 132 species of birds, as well as about twenty species of amphibians.

Departure for the former Dutch trading post Cochin, a quiet little town with pretty colorful villas with a bay lined with Chinese nets. Cochin was once a Portuguese trading post and is also home to charming pastel-hued churches. In the evening, you will attend a performance of kathakali, a form of theater mixed with dance typical of the Kerala region.

Stroll through the city: visit the Church of St. Francis and the Dutch Palace of Cochin, then walk through Jew Town, the Jewish quarter of the city with charming stalls of Indian crafts, followed by a visit to the Paradesi Synagogue. You can also walk along the bay to admire the Chinese nets.

House-boat excursion in the backwaters in Cochin. Houseboats are the Indian equivalent of a houseboat, as clean as they are modern, and offer traditional meals as well as toilets, a bathroom and a kitchen. The boat will sail through the peninsulas bordered by dense forests and coconut palms. Here you can observe the daily life of the inhabitants who live in harmony with nature. Day and night on board the house-boat.

Departure by road to Varkala to enjoy the beach and the sea air. Free day.

Free day at the beach.

Free day at the beach, then transfer to Trivandrum airport.

Flight to Paris. International flight arranged by you