After breakfast, visit Kalakshetra Arts Village founded in 1936, to revive Indian classical dance and music.  Here we spend half a day seeing the Institute and observing classes on South Indian Classical Dance, and others.  Later, drive to Mamallapuram, en-route visiting the Crocodile Bank & Snake Farm where hundreds of reptiles are bred.  Continue on to Mamallapuram, to see with our guide Arjuna’s Penance – a massive relief carving on living rock depicting deities, animals and timeless Hindu fables.  On arrival, check-in at Chariot Beach Resort for an evening at leisure on the beach overlooking the Bay of Bengal.  Dinner & overnight at the resort.

After breakfast, we visit with our guide the Pandavas’ Raths – a series of unique rock-cut temples carved out of a single granite hill. See also the magnificent 6th century Shore Temple sitting in solitary splendor on a promontory jutting into the sea.  Afternoon free to enjoy the beach and/or activities at the resort (on your own).  Lunch, dinner & overnight at the resort.

After breakfast, we check-out and drive to Thanjavur (approx 263 kms / 5½hrs) stopping en route at a midway resort to use the conveniences and for a cup of tea/coffee.  At Thanjavur, check-in at Hotel Sangam.  After lunch, visit with our guide the Brihadeshwara Temple built c.1000AD, Royal Palace built in 1550AD as well as the Art Gallery.  Overnight at the resort.

After breakfast, we drive to Madurai (161 kms / 3½ - 4hrs), visiting the Rock Fort & Ranganathswamy Temples en route at Thiruchirapally.  Upon arrival at Madurai we check-in at Hotel Fortune Pandiyan for dinner and overnight. 

After breakfast, we visit the Mahatma Gandhi Museum –one of the finest in contents, if not in display. After lunch at the hotel, time free to explore the town on own. In the evening, we visit with our guide the Sri Meenakshi Temple + Temple Art Museum – a city within a city - to see its magnificent gateways, painted friezes and outstanding collection of stone and brass images of Hindu deities.  Here we reach in time to witness the Aarti Ceremony performed at dusk with lighted lamps.  Overnight at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, take a Nature Walk in the Periyar Wildlife Reserve with 1 Naturalist to 5 people.  Return to the resort.  After lunch, we check out and visit a Spice Plantation to observe some of India’s exotic spices in their natural elements & then drive to Kumarakom (125 kms approx / 3½hrs) and check in at Backwaters Ripples Resort on the shores of Lake Vembanad.  In the evening one has the option to take an Ayurvedic Oil Massage on one’s own.  Dinner & overnight at the resort.

After breakfast morning at leisure.  Mid-morning we board our chartered boat, to enjoy the fabled Backwaters Cruise, where we see the lifestyle of the local populace on the backwaters, enjoy some bird-watching, drinking fresh coconut water / local brew called Toddy from Coconut trees, some sea food and our own snacks. Return to the resort, and spend the evening in independent activities eg. Ayurvedic Oil Massages, nature walks etc. (on your own) or simply lazing around the pool.  Overnight at the resort.

After breakfast, we check out and visit the Kerala Art & History Museum en route to the airport.  Later we transfer to the airport to connect flight to Mumbai for onward connection to Aurangabad where we would be met and transferred to Hotel Ajanta Aurangabad for dinner & overnight.

After breakfast, an excursion to Ajanta Caves – a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved during 2nd cent. BC to 7th century AD out of the living rock and lovingly decorated with glowing frescoes.  Return to Hotel for late lunch and in the evening we visit Bibi ka Maqbara - the tomb of his wife, built by her son and Pan-Chakki or the water mill that ground grains between two pieces of stone moved by running water.  Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast we take an excursion with our guide, to Ellora Caves carved between the 5th to 8th cent. AD by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains; here we see the 8th century Kailash Temple, the world’s largest monolithic sculpture, created by cutting away 20 million tons of rock out of the hillside.  On the return we stop at Khuldabad to see the simple, open-to-sky Alamgiri Dargah , Tomb of 6th Great Mughal Aurangzeb.  After lunch we checkout and transfer to the airport to connect flight to Mumbai and transfer to Hotel Kohinoor Continental for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we drive by coach to the downtown Mumbai driving by Chowpatty Beach – the city’s favourite hangout, Marine Drive – also known as the Queen’s Necklace, Victoria Terminus – built in the Gothic style, Rajabai Tower and visit the impressive Gateway of India – built to commemorate the visit of Britain’s King George V and his consort.  From here time free to explore the city on your own and to have lunch on  your own.  Return to the coach to proceed to Dhobi Talao - where the city’s laundry is done manually.  Later we transfer to the airport to connect flight home.