DAY 1: Depart UK.
Overnight flight to Chennai.

DAY 2: Arrive Chennai.
Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. The capital of the south eastern state of Tamil Nadu, this beautiful city on the Bay of Bengal was formerly known as Madras, and has grown from a small fishing village into India's fourth largest metropolis.

DAY 3: Chennai - Mahabalipuram.
This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Chennai, visiting its imposing Fort George, St Mary's Church, National Art Gallery and Government Museum before driving along the elegant 12-kilometre long Marina to the atmospheric district of Mylapore to see its original Portuguese Basilica and Hindu Temple. This afternoon, we head south for the coastal town of Mahabalipuram for a two night stay. (B)

DAY 4: Mahabalipuram.
This morning, visit Kanchipuran, among the most famous of Tamil Nadu's temple towns and a centre for hand-woven silk sarees. A popular destination for pilgrims, its multitude of temples more than merits slots in your photo album and include the soaring Ekambaranatha Temple, dedicated to Shiva and featuring a remarkable pillared hallway, as well as the stunning Kailasanatha, Sri Varadaraja, and Sri Vaikuntaperumal Temples. In the afternoon, admire the legendary Shore Temples at Mahabalipuram - beautiful domed edifices to Vishnu and Shiva, which overlook the Bay of Bengal and have stood for twelve centuries. (B)

DAY 5: Mahabalipuram - Tanjore.
Depart from Mahabalipuram this morning for Tanjore, visiting the temple town of Chidambaram and the Nataraja Temple en-route, before arriving at our destination late afternoon for an overnight stay. Known as the 'rice bowl of Tamil Nadu', Tanjore is best known for its Brihadeshwara Temple, built over a thousand years ago. (B)

DAY 6: Tanjore - Madurai.
Today begins with a fascinating look at Tanjore's sights, including the iconic Brihadeshwara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, built by King Rajaraja Chola. Enclosed in two courts, this towered temple houses an exquisitely decorated shrine. You'll also visit the Tanjore Royal Palace and museum, with its fascinating collections of 19th century royal artefacts including the King's slippers, headdresses and hunting weapons. This afternoon, travel to Madurai, calling in at Trichi to view its 3,800 year old high rock fort. Arrive in the modern city of Madurai, on the banks of the River Vaigai, for a two night stay. One of south India's oldest towns, Madurai was a centre of religious pilgrimage for centuries and is famed for its temples. This evening, get a glimpse of its devout religious culture on a visit to the Meenakshi Temple at prayer time. (B)

DAY 7: Madurai.
This morning, enjoy a day trip to Rameshwaram, an island town in the Gulf of Mannar connected to the mainland by the majestic Indira Gandhi Bridge, a wonder of modern Indian engineering. One of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage, Rameshwaram boasts the spectacular Ramanthar temple, complete with grandiose pillared corridors, shrines and bathing pools. (B)

DAY 8: Madurai - Periyar National Park.
This morning, revisit Madurai's Meenakshi Temple and stunning Tirumalai Nuyak palace remains, before driving to our hotel in Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve for an overnight stay. Set high in Kerala's Western Ghats this magnificent reserve boasts lushly wooded hills, a picturesque lake and a cool, comfortable climate, creating perfect conditions for the exotic animals and birdlife that make it their home, including elephants, deer, boar, kingfishers and the elusive tiger, of which there are thought to be around 40 living in the Park. (B)

DAY 9: Periyar National Park - Kumarakom.
An exciting morning enjoying a thrilling game drive by boat through the Park on the lookout for the wildlife that abounds here, and if you're incredibly lucky, a rare sighting of one of its tigers. Next, after visiting one of the area's spice plantations, we arrive at Kumarakom for a lazy afternoon boat cruise along Kerala's green backwaters, before returning to your hotel for overnight. (B)

DAY 10: Kumarakom - Backwater Houseboat Cruise.
A highlight awaits as you board your houseboat for a delicious full day's cruise and overnight stay on the water. Gliding along the still backwaters, you'll pass an incredible mosaic of palm plantations, picturesque towns, ancient trading ports and locals swimming and washing their laundry on the riverbanks, giving you an enthralling insight into hidden Kerala. Relax on deck as your boat cruises gently through squadrons of quacking ducks as well as little rowing boats and sailing craft laden with herbs, spices, coconuts and shells, all in a magnificent tropical setting. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Backwater Houseboat Cruise - Cochin.
Say goodbye to your houseboat this morning at Aleppy for our drive to Cochin. A hugely important spice trading port in olden times and now a cosmopolitan business centre, Cochin is synonymous with the underwater mud banks of Malabar and an intriguing blend of Indian, Portuguese and British influences. This afternoon, admire the city's Portuguese-built Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue and St Francis Church, which holds the palm-leafed title deed that the Raja handed to the occupying Portuguese in 1503. Also, marvel at the intricate beauty and rhythm of Cochin's legendary Chinese Fishing Nets, unique to this part of Kerala and testament to the Oriental influences that infuse this spice-trading coastline. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular show of Keralan classic dance. Overnight stay in Cochin. (B)

DAY 12: Cochin - Ooty.
Today, head for Coonoor, where you'll board a miniature, narrow gauge 'toy' train for a wonderfully evocative journey meandering through green hills to Ooty for an overnight stay. Nestled in the slopes of the picturesque Nilgiri mountains and encircled by lush vegetation and valleys, Ooty is considered the 'Queen' of India's southern hill stations. (B)

DAY 13: Ooty - Mysore.
This morning, soak up the delights of Ooty's famous Botanical Gardens, marvelling at their exotic flora and fauna, and the 20 million year old fossilized tree trunk that stands in their grounds. Later, continue to the traditional town of Mysore for a two night stay. Charming and peaceful, this historic town is hardly touched by modernity and overflows with magnificent palaces, decorative gardens and sacred temples. (B)

DAY 14: Mysore.
Enjoy a fascinating full day's excursion to the nearby villages of Hassan, Belur and Halebid to admire their string of 12th century Hoysala temples with their intricate facades and friezes. One of the temples still in daily use is Belur's stunning Channekeshava Temple, which took almost a century to build and commemorates a Hoysala battle victory over the Cholas. Another highlight is our visit to the massive statue of Lord Bahubali at Sravanbelgola, the tallest of its kind in the world at 17 metres high. (B)

DAY 15: Mysore - Chennai.
Admire the sights of Mysore this morning on a tour of its grandiose Maharajah's Palace, a beautiful synthesis of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. From there, on to Chamundi Hill, the site of a summer palace complex housing an ancient temple and the Nandi, a giant depiction of a sacred bull carved from a single boulder. In the afternoon, transfer to Mysore's railway station to board the Shatabdi Express to Chennai for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 16: Chennai - UK.
After breakfast, transfer to Chennai Airport for your return flight back to the UK. (B)