Today, we depart by surface to Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and enjoy the ride up the hills. Get away from the plains and soak –in the beauty of the Blue Mountains. The stunning gardens, rolling hills, pine and eucalyptus forests have earned the name queen of hill stations for this place

• The journey through the Mudumalai jungles will be thrilling as you spot wild elephants by the roadside.
• It gets better as you take the scenic 36 hairpin bends from the plains to the blue mountains or Nilgiris.
• Once at Ooty check-in to the resort and relax for a while.
• Consider visiting the local market and shop around for honey and organic produce harvested by locals. Cottage cheese, spices, home-made chocolates and organic tea are other items to consider (Optional)
• Relax after a quiet dinner in your resort.

The day is at leisure to explore the hill station. Spend your day at the view points, lakes or just sipping tea at your hill resort. For those chasing the atmosphere of the British Raj, it just lingers around the clubs and heritage hotels.

• Visit the famous Botanical garden built in 1847 which features a wide variety of exotic and ornamental plants.
• The iconic, St Thomas church overlooks the lake where boating facilities are available. You can also try horse-back riding around the lake.
• Visit the highest peak – Doddabetta which offers a beautiful vista.
• Relax for the night in your hill resort.

Nowhere else in India can you find such an intriguing mix: a 450-year-old synagogue, colourful street art, iconic fishing nets and gable-roofed victorian structures squeezed together with boho cafes. A tropical port city which sits astride a cluster of little islands, Kochi is far more than your gateway to Kerala.

• On arrival, meet your Indus representative who will drive you to mainland Kochi. Fresh up at your hotel.
• Laze around in the town’s arty cafes or hop on a local ferry to see the city skyline at sunset
• As in important center for arts, Kochi is a standout place to witness an evening Kathakali show (Optional)
• For dinner, try one of the exquisite seafood restaurants around and relax for the night

Your tour really begins today by exploring the heritage sites of Fort Kochi. You can shop around for antiques and spices, learn the history of the land.

• The day is to explore Fort Kochi and dig into Kochi’s colonial past by foot to explore heritage churches, landmarks and the well preserved Dutch Palace.
• Stroll past shops selling antiques and spices to visit the beautiful Jewish synagogue
• Walk by the sea to observe the still-in-use Chinese fishing nets and even try operating one
• For dinner, try one of the cafes around and relax for the night

To glide along backwater canals by day and to sleep under a sky full of stars, a houseboat cruise is pure enchantment! Your private boat, setup as a home on a traditional rice barge, takes you on a journey to discover a water-world brimming with experiences that last a lifetime.

• Morning, take a short drive through vibrant villages to board your ‘Kettuvallom’
• Your cruise will take you through splendid waterways giving you sights of homes on the backwaters, shops, the people and their villages.
• Stop to enjoy a traditional Kerala lunch freshly prepared by the chef on your boat
• Afternoon, drift by canals fringed with endless paddy fields while you socialise with your crew. Watch backwater life unfold from your boat deck.
• Your houseboat will be anchored near a village by early evening, Stroll around to interact with locals, go fishing and witness a spectacular sunset.
• Relax after dinner on the boat experiencing the gentle lapping of water, night sky and balmy breeze.

Sheltered in the tranquil spice hub of Periyar is one of India’s best managed wildlife reserves (home to 40 odd hard-to-spot tigers) and a 25-sq-km artificial lake perfect for a scenic spotting cruise. Dig deeper into the range of activities, perhaps trek with a tribal villager or go rafting to see Periyar’s real jungle magic unravel.

• This morning, drive through a landscape of cardamom plantations, grasslands and tea gardens to the forests of Thekkady
• Halt at a Spice plantation, learn from an expert about cultivation and the healing power of spices (Optional)
• Enjoy a scenic Lake cruise inside the thickly forested Periyar reserve to spot wildlife by the water edge
• Evening, visit a local theatre to see warriors showcase Kalaripayattu, a 3000 year old Keralan martial art (Optional)
• Shop around the spice town tonight, enjoy dinner and relax at your resort

Today you will have some of the best wild life experiences on offer in Periyar. A nature walk by the lake side, an elephant safari, shopping and evening seeing tribal art (if interested)

• Early morning consider a nature walk in the reserve
• Dawn is an excellent time to view exotic wildlife with your trained tribal guide in the periyar reserve. Walk through the safe path and spot wildlife along the way. Head back to your resort for a late breakfast
• Experience Kalaripayattu: One of the oldest fighting systems in existence (optional)
• Unwind at your resort today evening with inhouse activities and dinner.

This morning head to one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Madurai. An ancient centre of Tamil Knowledge, centre of power of many dynasties and the seat of divinity from time immemorial, The main attraction here is Meeakshi temple, the abode of fish eyed Goddess. The imposing 15-acre temple complex ornate by gateway towers with exquisitely multi-coloured images of gods, demons and mythical figures is an architectural marvel.

• Start with the famous Meenakshi temple, which is an architectural marvel.
• Enter through the busy eastern entrance (a lot of craft shops here) and move on to see the 1000 pillar hall (Ayiramkal mandapam) sculpted with life size ornamented figures.
• After Darshan, spend time at the massive temple tank and leave the temple through the hall with magnificently painted ceilings.
• Consider visiting the famous Tirumala Nayak Palace, the 17th century palace of Tirumalai Nayak.
• Also spend time at the Gandhi museum which presents detailed accounts of the Indian freedom struggle and has rare Gandhi memorabilia.
• Relax for the night at your hotel.

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel and by 9 am we begin our journey to Karaikudi/chettinad the land of mansions. Today we visit the biggest temple in our tour and spend time royally in the mansions of Chettinad.

• Arrive at Chettinad and check-in to your mansion.
• Enjoy a Chettinad style lunch and relax for some time. This is where you will hear the fascinating story of the naatukottaichettiars (a business community), how they built their townships and mansions and also the secrets of their famous cuisine.
• Explore the mansions of Chettinad: Relive the ancient glory.
• Every village has a few stately mansions built in the late 19th century with material sourced from around the world.Explore a couple of them to understand the history of Chettinad.
• Completely man-made tiles: Discover the art of tile making at Athangudi.
• The Athangudi design on tiles is of a bygone era but they still grace the floors of most chettiar mansions. You will be surprised by observing tile-making: totally handmade using local soil and natural colour to get geometric patterns.
• Return to your mansion and enjoy the regal life in your mansion for the rest of the day. Live in the charm of a bygone era.
• Explore the Brihadishwara Temple: ‘Big temple’ with the largest temple tower.
• This famous Shiva temple is also part of the great living Chola temples heritage site. The temple houses one of Asia’s largest stone Nandi (bull) statues.
• You could consider a quick shopping tour for Tanjore paintings, dancing dolls and musical instruments. Also consider a visit to the Palace Museum in Tanjore.

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel and by 9 am we begin our journey to the French quartet of Pondicherry. Unmistakably and charmingly distinct European feel of Pondicherry makes for an excellent outing.

• Visit Auroville: A unique experiment in community living
• Auroville township is home to an international community (from 43 nations) dedicated to peace and sustainable living.
• Spend the evening at the French quarter. Walk around and explore
• Enjoy Do-it-yourself heritage walks through the seafront promenade, white mustard buildings, neo-classical governor’s residence (Raj Nivas) and white town.
• You could also visit the Aurobindo ashram and its bookstall.
• Don’t miss French food (hello steak!) and beer.
• Enjoy the good life and relax for the night at your resort.

We start today’s tour at 9 am after a lovely breakfast in your hotel. Mahabalipuram is an enclave of seafood, sun and sand. The town is famous for its ancient rock carvings and still the best place to see artisans chip away at exquisite sculptures in stone.

• Spend Half-a-day enjoying Pallava stone work at the UNESCO Heritage Sites of Mahabalipuram.
• Explore the magnificence of Pallava architecture at the 3 monuments: Shore temple (magnificent ruins of a dual shrine), Arjuna’s Penance (bas relief on the face of a huge rock) and the PanchRathas.

Spend an extra day here by the beach to relax and cool off after your extensive south Indian tour. Relax as you please by exploring the town on a bicycle or on foot. The entire place resonates to the sound of chisel from small workshops producing ornate stone sculptures.

• Relax by the shimmering Indian Ocean at Mahabalipuram
• Sunsets are incredibly beautiful here as fishermen can be seen dragging nets and boats on to sandy beaches in the backdrop of the shore temples.
• Nights are best spent at the traveller’s ghetto where restaurants serve pizzas, pastas and pancakes. Shop around for little souvenirs in stone.

Today is the last day of your tour. Head to Chennai, the largest city in South India. Established in 1639 as one of four divisions of the country under Imperial British rule, it is today is a significant gateway to southern India.

• Check-out after breakfast and head to Chennai.
• You may consider a quick tour of Chennai City.
• Chennai has some old temples and churches known for their architecture.
• Consider spending some time at the famous Marina beach.
• We will drop you at the airport on time for your departure flight with memories to last for a lifetime.