+44 (0)20 8741 7390 Often overlooked, Tamil Nadu is the cultural heartland of South India, where European grace and Tamil colour come together in a magnificent clash of architecture and ideologies. This remarkable private journey encompasses some of the country s most authentic cultural experiences, providing a richly contrasting insight into the traditions, heritage and flavour of one of India s most fascinating regions. Following the Coromandel coast south, you ll begin amongst the stunning World Heritage ruins at Mahabalipuram and the French colonial charms of Pondicherry, before turning west, towards the majestic architectural glories of the Chola kings. After taking in the ancient splendours of Trichy, you then venture into the homelands of the Nattukottai Chettiars. The journey then heads into the lush landscapes of the Western Ghats, where you will enjoy the splendours of one of the hill stations of the British Raj, before swapping colonial grace for the tiger habitat of Periyar, where you will enjoy a boat safari. Continue to the elegance of Alleppey, home to the world-renowned Kerala Backwaters, and the beaches and waters of the Arabian Sea coast in Mararikulam. HIGHLIGHTS: Learn to cook traditional dishes in Shyama s kitchen with her family Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites at Mahabalipuram and Tanjore Spot wildlife on a boat cruise through Periyar Tiger Reserve Cruise the captivating Kerala Backwaters and enjoy the beaches of Mararikulam Enjoy the colonial grace of Pondicherry and Cochin TOUR INCLUDES: 3 nights traditional hotel, 7 nights Heritage hotel, 3 nights beach resort, 1 night five star hotel 1 night Keralan Houseboat 15 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners Private driver and vehicle Private guided sightseeing including all entrance fees Shared boat cruise on Lake Periyar in Thekkady and shared Kathakali show in Cochin Private transports to and from all airports *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
ITINERARY DAY 1: CHENNAI Upon arrival, check into your hotel before enjoying a tour of Chennai, offering a chance to visit some of its cultural highlights, including, St. Mary's Church, St. Thomas Mount, the ancient Shiva temple of Kapaleeshwarar and the 17th century Fort St. George. The fort was built by the East India Company and represents one of the best examples of British military construction left in India today. DAY 2: CHENNAI MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERRY Following an early breakfast, you will be driven (approx. 3hrs) to the former French colonial town of Pondicherry. Stop en route at the relaxed seaside town of Mahabalipuram and visit the famous UNESCO heritage monument site. Modern day stone carvers, tourists and local fishermen mingle amongst the ancient ruins and stone carvings, some of which date back as far as the 7th century. Arrive in Pondicherry for a free afternoon. (B) DAY 3: PONDICHERRY This morning's activity is a cooking class in Shyama's kitchen before sitting down to enjoy your lovely meal with her family. In the afternoon, discover the colonial elegance of Pondicherry on a guided walking tour. See the 17th century church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded by one of the most influential ashrams in all India. Visit the city's fascinating museum, which contains a number of remarkable statues, as well as archaeological finds that link Pondicherry with ancient Rome and Greece. (B) DAY 4: PONDICHERRY - TANJORE Today you will be driven south along coastal roads to the ancient capital of Tanjore, stopping en route to visit the mythical site of Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, one of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu. Arrive in Tanjore, one of the ancient cities of India with a long and varied history dating back to the Sangam period, now World Heritage Site. Spend the afternoon visiting the impressive Brihadeshwara Temple and Fort and the majestic Tanjore Palace of the Marathas and the Nayaks. (B) DAY 5: TANJORE - TRICHY - CHETTINAD Depart Tanjore after breakfast and head towards Chettinad, stopping at one of the oldest inhabited city's in Tamil Nadu - Trichy. Famed for its spectacular Rock Fort and its Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Trichy is blessed with a rich ancestry that includes Chola, Pallava and Nayak influences. Also see the unusual architecture of the 19th century Georgian church of St. John. Continue to Chettinad, where you will check into your hotel and visit the Kanadukathan village with a local guide. (B,D)
DAY 6: CHETTINAD - DINDIGUL The morning is yours to explore Chettinad independently. Why not visit the famous mansions left by the Chettiars, a prosperous community of bankers and merchants who migrated across southern Asia during the 19th and early 20th centuries? Continue to Dindigul (approx. 3.5hrs) to your hotel within the cooler climes of the Palami Hills. (B,L,D) DAY 7: DINDIGUL This 18th century property, 1000m above sea level and within an estate, has changed very little over the last century and so has the lifestyle. Spend your free day visiting the farm and nearby village, looking for birdlife along an estate path or snoozing in the hammock under the shade of the trees. There are also guided excursions from the estate such as nature walks and visits to the hill station of Kodaikanal. (B,L,D) DAY 8: DINDIGUL - THEKKADY After breakfast you will travel to Thekkady, home of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a community based ecotourism project which aims to protect the rare flora and fauna of the region as well as providing a living for the residents of the area. Following lunch, enjoy exploring Lake Periyar on a shared boat cruise. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake. (B) DAY 9: THEKKADY - ALLEPPEY Heading back towards the alluvial plains that lie between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean, this morning you will journey by road to the town of Alleppey. Here you will join your private cruise for an exploration of the remarkable Keralan Backwaters, the ideal way to observe life amongst the channels and waterways of the west coast. (B,L,D) DAY 10: ALLEPPEY - COCHIN Upon returning to Alleppey, you will be driven to Cochin (approx. 1 hr), the glittering 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' and oldest European settlement in India. With origins in the 17th century, Kathakali is a highly stylised classical dance or drama show, characterised by its bright costumes and the highly painted faces of the performers. This evening enjoy a performance of this tradition unique to Kerala. (B)
DAY 11: COCHIN Long considered the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is a fascinating stop for a half day tour. Uncover its colonial treasures including the beautiful Portuguese church of St. Francis and the remarkable 16th century Synagogue. Additionally, the city boasts a famous Dutch Palace, home to the Maharajahs of Cochin, whilst the unique 14th century cantilevered Chinese fishing nets remain a surviving legacy of some of the first visitors to arrive on these shores. (B) DAY 12: COCHIN - MARARIKULAM Today you will be swapping the colonial wonders of Cochin for the golden beaches of the Arabian coast for some much needed relaxation. You will be collected from your hotel in Cochin by your driver and driven to Mararikulam (approx. 2 hrs). On arrival, the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. (B) DAY 13: MARARIKULAM You'll spend the next few days enjoying the pristine sands and warm waters of Marari Beach at Mararikulam. Nestling close to a small, sleepy fishing village, the beach offers the perfect unspoiled conclusion to your romantic Keralan adventure. (B) DAY 14: MARARIKULAM The next days offer a wealth of relaxation and activities to suit yourself. Choices include Ayurvedic massage, a spa and pool and a chance to enjoy the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, all of which you can book directly with the hotel. (B) DAY 15: MARARIKULAM Another free day in Mararikulam. (B) DAY 16: MARARIKULAM - COCHIN Transfer back to the airport in Cochin today (approx. 2 hrs), where your tour ends. (B)
ACCOMMODATION ALLEPPEY XANDARI HOUSEBOAT Built by local craftsman, the fleet of houseboats or 'kettuvallams' by Xandari Riverscapes are designed with great care and attention to provide you with the ultimate Kerala backwaters experience, removing you from all stressers. Choose from a spacious room on the lower or upper deck, complete with an en suite bathroom and large windows for admiring those picturesque views. The experience is incomplete without an authentic and refreshing meal of local cuisine, cooked on board and resourced from local rice paddy and duck farmers, as well as local fishermen. From your houseboat, enjoy an excursion to Alleppey villages via an old wooden canoe or embark on a village walk. CHENNAI TAJ COROMANDEL Taj Coromandel is a luxurious five star hotel situated in Chennai that offers a rich fusion of classic elegance with traditional South Indian design. The hotel is made up of 212 spacious and luxurious rooms and suites, each fitted with posturepedic mattresses, complimentary toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, hair dryers and complimentary Wi-Fi. Taj Coromandel has numerous fine-dining restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines, ranging from delicious Italian, flavourful South Indian to the layered spices of authentic Chinese as well as a 24 hour multi-cuisine diner and bar tea lounge. The hotel also has a wellness spa, large outdoor pool and 24 hour fitness centre for guests to enjoy at their own leisure. CHETTINAD VISALAM Visalam is a real gem in the heart of Tamil Nadu where a warm and friendly staff will go out of their way to make your stay an unforgettable experience. This Artdeco mansion, with a central courtyard surrounded by colonnades, has been converted into a lovely boutique hotel comprising of 15 spacious rooms, simply furnished yet with a warm and elegant character. Here you can savour the flavours and aromas of Southern India and even try your hand at cooking by attending the hotel s culinary programme, join a sari wearing class, lounge by the swimming pool or relax under the veranda. Visalam is the ideal place to enjoy the pace and culture of the south and experience the authentic Chettiar lifestyle. COCHIN OLD HARBOUR HOTEL Carefully built inside a restored 300 year-old building in the historic heart of Kerela, this boutique hotel contains thirteen unique rooms, each named after the surrounding streets. Crafted with Portuguese and Dutch influences, the high ceilings, four poster beds and art on the walls make this an exquisite place to stay. Guests can enjoy the swimming pool, gardens and Ayurvedic spa who's products are purely organic, as are the soap and shampoos in the bathroom and delicacies in the restaurant.
DINDIGUL RAJAKKAD ESTATE Set in the Palami Hills of Tamil Nadu, amidst forest and coffee plantations, the Rajakkad Estate is a small garden hotel that offers peace and tranquillity and is also a paradise for bird lovers. Seven spacious bedrooms with en- suite bathrooms have their own entrance connecting to the surrounding garden, courtyard pools and covered walkways. Delicious South Indian food and freshly ground coffee are served with ingredients fresh from the local farm. MARARIKULAM MARARI BEACH RESORT Marari Beach Resort is a traditional hotel, tranquil beachside haven located in the south of Kerala. Surrounded by coconut groves, near empty beaches and wildflower gardens, the resort attracts almost 80 varieties of birds. Sway in a hammock surrounded by wild birds and flowers or enjoy a cocktail at the beach bar. Villas are basic, yet clean, comfortable and most have French windows opening out into their own private garden or veranda. There are no TV s and so this truly is a place to relax and unwind with only the sounds of the sea to keep you company. Facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court, yoga lessons, and a restaurant that serves fresh fish straight from the sea. PONDICHERRY PALAIS DE MAHE Palais de Mahe is a stunning boutique hotel located in the French quarter of Pondicherry with French colonial styled architecture keeping in line with the style of the region. The hotel consists of eighteen luxurious suites and each suite is fitted with air conditioning, mini bar, tea and coffee making station, hairdryer, complimentary Wi-Fi and en suite bathroom facilities. The hotel also has a beautiful and tranquil courtyard with a spacious, outdoor swimming pool, aryuveda spa, poolside café and a restaurant and bar that offers an extensive selection of delicious Indian and Continental dishes. Palais de Mahe is also only a three minute walk from the beach and short walk away from the markets and elephant temple. TANJORE SVATMA The new heritage hotel Svatma in Tanjore is a very welcome new addition to the somewhat scarce accommodation options in Tanjore. Built using local materials and with traditional architecture, part of the Svatma hotel was once a family home that has now been restored to its original beauty. The Tamil art and curated antiques create a romantic atmosphere which is continues in the gardens and beautiful pool. Many details of the hotel are gathered from a begone era including the 220 year old porch rescued from a Chettinad home, now hanging over the bar. The thirty eight en suite rooms are all bright and spacious and have all been uniquely designed to reflect various aspects of the local Tamilian culture and styles. The hotel restaurant serves only vegetarian dishes, and guests can enjoy these either in the formal dining room or on the rooftop.
THEKKADY SPICE VILLAGE Spice village is set in fourteen acres of forest covered hills on the border of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Influenced by the native people of the region who have lived in harmony with their surroundings for generations, the roof of the forty seven cottages are thatched using elephant grass, in the unique way of Mannan tribes of Periyar. Surrounded by fruit trees and spice plantations, the Eco village has comfortable clean rooms with en suite bathrooms and a veranda outside, where you can sit and relax in the evening before sampling local cuisine in the Wood House Bar and Restaurant. The outdoor 50 mile restaurant only resource its ingredients within 50 miles of the resort to reduce the carbon footprint. For a more intimate outdoor dining experience, a romantic candle-lit dinner can be arranged in the middle of the wilderness. Hidden within the spice garden is a basketball, badminton and tennis court for the more active guests whilst the Tiger Club exhibition is a haven for any wildlife enthusiast. The swimming pool is found at the front of the building surrounded by swaying palms providing a sense of tranquillity and calm, especially when paired with the Ayurveda massage centre. Venture outside the village into the tiger reserve on a nature walk, cycle through the hills of Thekkady, take part in a paper making workshop using paper waste from the village or discover the many spices used in the art form that is Keralan cooking in a culinary workshop. The Spice village is dedicated to protecting the environment and is a chemical free zone. The village has its own vermicomposting plant where the majority of daily waste is recycled. Also, almost all of their energy needs are met by solar power and the village has won Wild Asia s Responsible Tourism award. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel +44 (0)20 8741 7390 Email info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com