Tour of the splendid India

Welcome to India! Upon arrival at Chennai airport, we will be greeted and escorted to the hotel for check-in (please book a flight with an expected arrival time at noon). Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu, is situated along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, and was founded in 1639 when the British East India Company established a fortress and a trading post there. The city developed around the Fort St. George. Many buildings still retain the legacy of the colonial era. The rest of the day is at leisure.

We start the day with breakfast at the hotel before heading out for an excursion to Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of ancient India and once the capital of the Pallava dynasty kingdom. The towering gopurams of the temples are visible from afar, as if they were the peaks of a great sacred forest. The Kailashnath, dedicated to Shiva, is one of the oldest shrines of the Pallava dynasty in the country and dates back to the 8th century. In the afternoon, let's enjoy a sightseeing tour that includes a visit to the Government Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the famous 16th-century Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Shiva, a deity sacred to Tamil Shaivites. Non-Hindus are only allowed in the outer courtyard. Subsequently, we visit the Santhome Basilica, where St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus Christ, lived and preached Christianity. We conclude this tour by skirting Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world.

Our tour of India continues to Pondicherry. On the way, we visit the Hindu temples of Mahabalipuram, located on a rocky promontory between the beach and the lagoon. Built by the Pallava dynasty that ruled the country in the 17th century, the complex includes 14 cave temples, nine monolithic "rathas," three stone temples, and two of the world's largest rock bas-reliefs, depicting Arjuna in penance praying to Shiva. Of particular interest is the Shore Temple, named for its coastal location. It features an altar facing east, designed to capture the rising sun, and has recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After the tour, we proceed to Pondicherry, now known as Puducherry, a spiritual beach destination. The city's old French atmosphere is evident in its well-kept gardens, magnificent churches, historical monuments, palaces, and wide, clean streets that still retain French names. Upon arrival, we check into the hotel and, in the afternoon, visit the Aurobindo Ashram, an ashram for peace and harmonious living founded by the saint-philosopher Sir Aurobindo. This is followed by a visit to the museum and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. The day concludes with a transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a journey to Kumbakonam. Along the way, we stop at Chidambaram, an important pilgrimage center for Shaivites (followers of the god Shiva) known for the famous Nataraja Temple, an excellent example of Dravidian architecture from Tamil Nadu. We continue our journey to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva with a towering gopuram visible for miles around. It is a replica of the Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur and was built to commemorate a victorious battle near the Ganges river. Upon arrival in Kumbakonam, we check into the hotel before visiting the Darasuram Temple and the Airavatesvara Temple, the latter built by the Chola king Raja Rajan-II and dedicated to Shiva. It is an excellent example of Chola architecture and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This temple is significant both artistically and architecturally. Later, a visit to Kumbakonam, a bustling place situated along the Cauvery River; the Sarangapani Temple, the largest temple dedicated to the god Vishnu; and the Kumbeshwar Temple, the largest temple dedicated to Shiva. It is believed that every 12 years, the waters of the Ganges that converge in the Mahamaham tank (a reservoir built as part of the temple complex) have the power to purify sins, an occasion celebrated with a festival.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a transfer to Tanjore, formerly known as Thanjavur, the ancient capital of the Chola Empire from the 10th to the 14th century AD. The city was conquered by the Vijayanagar kingdom and later fell into the hands of the Maratha empire before finally becoming a British colony. For many centuries, it was a renowned center of cultural, political, literary, and religious significance. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and, in the afternoon, visit to the Brihadeshwara Temple. In front of the sanctuary stands a Nandi ('bull'), the favored animal of the god Shiva. The corridors around the sanctuary are filled with sculptures and frescoes from the Chola reign, only recently discovered. The palace and the remains of the fort that surround the temple are still visible. Members of the former royal family of the Tanjore dynasty still inhabit some apartments within the palace, however, it is currently and primarily used as an art gallery.

The journey in India continues with an excursion that will take us to discover Trichy and Srirangam. Tiruchirappalli, commonly known as Trichy or Tiruchi, is a vibrant city, rich in history with ancient temples and shrines dedicated to Ganapathi and Shiva, which will surely amaze you. 434 steps carved into the rock lead to the Ganapathi temple, while another ramp leads to the temple of the god Shiva. The climb is rewarded with a magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri River. We continue our excursion and visit Sri Ranganathaswamy, an imposing Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, containing a bazaar within its walls. Located on an island called Srirangam, on the Cauvery River, the temple is part of a fascinating complex built in the 10th century. The temple is well-preserved and covers an area of over 60 hectares. It is characterized by seven concentric walls and 21 gopurams; it is among the largest temples in India. In the evening we return to Tanjore.

After breakfast, a morning journey awaits us to Madurai. This is one of the oldest cities in southern India. It has been a center of Hindu teaching and pilgrimage for centuries. The city's history begins before the advent of Christ. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and, in the afternoon, a guided tour of the city of Madurai: Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, and Gandhi Museum. In the evening, we participate in the Sri Meenakshi temple ceremony for a moving spiritual experience.

After breakfast, we depart for Periyar, where we will check in around noon. After lunch, get ready to explore this land of elephants, endless hills, and fragrant spice plantations. The flora and fauna of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary are absolutely thrilling, and Periyar Lake is a paradise for nature lovers: you can see herds of elephants coming down to play in its waters. Enjoy an afternoon boat trip on Periyar Lake and watch the wildlife (depending on the water level). Look out for Indian sambar, bison, spotted deer, tigers, leopards, Malabar giant squirrels, striped-neck mongooses, and many others. In the evening, you will attend a performance of a Kerala martial art called Kalaripayattu, at a theatre in Periyar. Known to be the mother of all martial arts, Kalaripayattu originated in South India and is one of the oldest fighting systems in existence. It includes strikes, kicks, grappling sequences, weaponry, and healing techniques. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Our adventure in India continues towards Alleppey where we will have the opportunity to board a houseboat. The Kettuvallams are huge, traditional, tapered vessels originally used for collecting rice and other goods throughout Kerala. A section of them is covered with bamboo and coconut fibers, serving as a kitchen and sanitary facilities for the crew. These boats are built entirely without the use of nails. The wooden planks are held together by coconut ropes and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew nuts. Modern Kettuvallams feature finished bedrooms, modern sanitary facilities, cozy living rooms, kitchens, and even balconies where tourists can relax on soft cushions. Most of the boats are propelled by local oarsmen, while some are powered by engines. Gliding over the calm backwaters, visitors can witness a side of Kerala untouched by time. Let's enjoy the day at our leisure to better discover the activities of the local people and spend the night aboard the houseboat.

The journey in India continues towards Kochi, where we will check in at our new hotel. Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is one of the most culturally diverse cities in India with ancient Christian and Jewish communities, as well as traditional Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist ones. The city's colonial past has also left a legacy of heritage characterized by Portuguese, Dutch, and British culture and architecture. In the afternoon, explore the city's historic districts. The walking tour will lead us to the Mattancherry Palace, locally known as the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays), to the Jewish Town, where we can admire the Pardesi Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays), and will allow us to explore the streets and European-style houses. In the evening, let's enjoy a Kathakali dance performance - a fascinating form of ancient dance typical of Kerala, which tells stories from the classic Hindu epic poems (Ramayana and Mahabharata). The dancers narrate these stories through facial expressions and intricate gestures, sudden jumps, spins and balancing acts, each wearing fanciful costumes and elaborate makeup.

Our journey to discover India ends here. See you on the next tour!