The other face of India. The exuberant religious life in the temple cities of Tamil Nadu, the lush and tropical nature of Kerala, the splendor of Dravidian architecture in the temples of Karnataka. An encounter with the most authentic India which, far from the influences of the Islamic world, preserves the richest and most ancient Hindu traditions intact. The journey will allow you to come into direct contact with local customs and traditions.

DAY 01: ITALY – CHENNAI ( MADRAS )

Departure from Italy with scheduled flight. Upon arrival customs formalities, meeting with our representative and transfer to hotel for overnight.

DAY 02: CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – CHENNAI

After breakfast visit of the city: the church of San Tommaso and the Bronze Museum. In the afternoon excursion to Kanchipuram (70 km. Approximately 1 hour) and in particular to the ancient temples of Kailashanatha and Ekanbaranathar. Visit to a silk processing center. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: CHENNAI – MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY (220 km. 5 hours approx)

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Pondicherry by private car, along the way stop in Mahabalipuram (90 km. 1, about 30 minutes), to visit the famous temples on the beach, the first example of Hindu temple art. Continuation to Pondicherry. Afternoon visit of the community of Sri Aurobindo, founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French woman called “The Mother”. Inside you can visit their tombs. We continue with a visit to the French School of the Far East. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04: PONDICHERRY – SWAMIMALAI – DARASURAM – TANJORE (210 km. 5 hours approx)

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Tanjore with 01st stop in Swamimalai to learn about different types of traditional activities of the Dravidian community, 02nd stop to visit the grandiose Chola temple of Darasuram. Arrive Tanjore and check into hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 05 : TANJORE – TRICHY – TANJORE

Breakfast at the hotel and visit the Brihadeshwara temple dedicated to the god Shiva and the museum which houses the precious collection of bronzes of the Chola dynasty. Afternoon excursion to Trichy to visit the temple-city of Srirangam, where pilgrims celebrate ancient rituals on the banks of the Kaveri River, return to Tanjore for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: TANJORE – MADURAI (160 km. 5 hours approx)

After breakfast departure for Madurai, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the double temple dedicated to Shiva and his local consort, the goddess Meenakshi. This temple is the hub of the whole journey, because the spectacle of pilgrim life is fascinating. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07: MADURAI – PERIYAR (145 km. 4 hours approx)

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Periyar. Upon arrival accommodation in hotel, afternoon possibility of boat excursion in the lake located in the heart of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (subject if it is operated), to observe the animals that go to water. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08 : PERIYAR – KUMARAKOM (100 km. 3 hours approx)

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kumarakom, in the heart of the backwaters. Along the way, boat excursion in the backwaters, the series of artificial canals, rivers and natural lakes that crosses the region of Kerala like a spider’s web. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09 : KUMARAKOM – COCHIN (65 km. 1:30 minutes approx)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure for relaxation or Ayurvedic treatments. Departure by motor boat for the transfer to Alleppey “Kerala Backwaters”, disembarkation and continuation to Cochin. Upon arrival accommodation in hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: COCHIN

After breakfast in the morning visit of the most cosmopolitan city in South India: the Chinese networks, the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry, the church of San Francesco which houses the tombstone of Vasco de Gama, the synagogue with the Jewish quarter and the street of the antique dealers . In the afternoon dance show – Kathakali theatre. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11: COCHIN – BANGALORE – MYSORE

Breakfast at the hotel and departure on the flight to Bangalore. Upon arrival, continuation to Mysore (140 km. About 3 hours) with a stop and visit of the famous temple of Somnathpur, a masterpiece of stone inlay. Afternoon at Mysore Palace, residence of the maharajas. The current building, in Indo-Saracenic style, was built following the destruction of the previous building following a devastating fire. The interiors are beautifully decorated with mirrors, paintings and polychrome glass, the floors are mosaic and the doors are finely carved. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12 : MYSORE – HASSAN (120 km. 3 hours approx)

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Hassan. Upon arrival, hotel accommodation, afternoon excursion to visit the temples of Belur and Halebid, splendid examples of the “star” architecture of the Hoysala dynasty. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13 : HASSAN – SRAVANABELGOLA – HASSAN

After breakfast, excursion to Sravanabelgola to visit the Jain temple located on an imposing hill which houses the gigantic monolithic statue of Bahubali. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14 : HASSAN – BANGALORE (120 km. 3 hours approx)

Transfer to Bangalore. Short afternoon tour of the city. Dinner in a restaurant located in the hotel near the airport. No overnight stays. Transfer to the international airport.

DAY 15: BANGALORE – ITALY

Departure with scheduled flight to Italy and overnight on board. In the early morning arrival in Italy.

End of our services!

We inform you that all our trips can be modified, on request, according to your needs!