Itinerary Details
Abercrombie & Kent: Southern India: Temples & Traditions
DAY 1 Chennai, India
Arrive in Chennai, where you are met and privately
transferred to your luxurious hotel.
The Leela Palace Chennai
Meals:
DAY 2 ChennaiAfter a morning at leisure, tour the city of Chennai, visiting
the artifact-rich Government Museum; Fort St. George, first
bastion of the British East India Company in southern India;
and Gothic Santhome Cathedral, named after St. Thomas
the Apostle, whose tomb is said to lie beneath the basilica.
Later, walk through Mylapore, a bustling neighborhood that
pre-dates the city by at least 2,000 years, where residents
have kept alive many of Chennai’s traditions and arts. Stroll
with your guide who shares stories of local life, of gods
and demons, of ancient customs and symbolisms, and of
Mylapore and Madras – some amusing and some baffling. This evening, gather for cocktails at the hotel followed by a
welcome dinner.
The Leela Palace Chennai
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3 KanchipuramRise early for a day excursion to Kanchipuram for visits
to seventh-century Kailasanatha Temple as well as the
16th-century Ekambareswarar Temple. Enjoy lunch at a local
restaurant before exploring a different side of Kanchipuram,
visiting a weaver’s village renowned for silk saris, delicate
and delightful garments sought out by people from across
the south. Later return to Chennai with the rest of the
evening at leisure.
The Leela Palace Chennai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 MahabalipuramJourney to Pondicherry, stopping en route at the intricate
Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram, a stunning collection of
rock temples and carvings designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Dating from AD 630 to 668, they include such
carvings as Bhagiratha’s Penance, a bas-relief sculpted over
enormous rocks that depicts animals, gods and saints, all
watching the holy Ganges River flow from the Himalayas.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before proceeding to
Pondicherry. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel, where you
also have dinner.
Palais De Mahe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 PondicherryDrive to Auroville to visit its unique community working
toward realizing the dream of human unity through
diversity. Learn how this internationally endorsed, ongoing
experiment in the transformation of consciousness
was founded and enjoy insider access opportunities
with community members who help you gain a deeper
understanding of their approach to living. This afternoon, visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a
spiritual community dwelling in Pondicherry, and stroll the
city’s French Quarter.
Palais De Mahe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6 Swamimalai/ThanjavurToday, set out for Thanjavur, diverting for various
explorations along the way. Sit down to lunch at
a local restaurant before proceeding to Swamimalai, where
you witness the casting of bronze statues at a local factory.
Discover this age-old art and learn about local families
who have been practicing this artisan trade for centuries.
Afterward, continue to Thanjavur and upon arrival check in
to your hotel. This evening, gather for dinner.
Svatma, Thanjavur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Thanjavur/ChettinadVisit the grandly carved Sri Brihadeshwara Temple, built in
the 10th century by the Chola king Raja Raja Cholan, and
then proceed to explore storied Thanjavur Maratha Palace.
Break for lunch before driving to Chettinad. Upon arrival,
check in to your hotel and later this evening enjoy a mouth-watering
Chef's Table cooking demonstration on site.
Visalam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 ChettinadExperience the diverse highlights of Chettinad, stopping at
a handmade tile-making factory, visiting local villages and
markets, and being welcomed into a private home for snacks
along the way.
Visalam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 MaduraiRise early and journey to Madurai. Upon arrival, make a
brief visit to the famous Shri Meenakshi Temple. Enjoy lunch
at a local restaurant, and then continue to Periyar, where you
check in to your cottage nestled on a spice plantation.
Spice Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10 PeriyarAfter breakfast, visit the plantation with a naturalist, taking
in the delicious scents of the cloves, nutmeg, pepper,
cinnamon, cardamom and other plants growing around
you, and learning firsthand why Periyar is renowned for its
spices. Return to your hotel for lunch, and then proceed to
Kumarakom, where you check in to your amazing resort,
and perhaps enjoy a cooling dip in your villa’s private pool.
Cap off the day with a thirst-quenching Scenic Sundowner.
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11 KumarakomGet an up-close look at daily life in Kumarakom, learning
about the culture, traditions and livelihoods of the people
who populate this region. Board private tuk-tuks for a fun
ride to the embarkation point of a boat cruise that takes you
along the gentle backwaters of a nearby river, and explore
local villages. Learn about the residents’ traditional crafts
and agricultural practices such as toddy tapping, climbing
coconut trees, weaving coconut leaves and fishing. Also
discover how India’s Responsible Tourism initiative seeks
to minimize negative economic, environmental and social
impacts of overtourism. Then, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Bike to Nearby Villages for an up-close look at life as the
locals live it.
Kayak the Tranquil Waters of your resort, paddling past
lush flora and keeping an eye out for wildlife as you go.
Relax and Rejuvenate With a Massage at your resort’s
amazing Ayurveda spa.
Later, enjoy an evening at your leisure.
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12 KumarakomAfter a morning at leisure, step aboard a houseboat for a
leisurely cruise on Vembanad Lake, enjoying a traditional
Kerala lunch on board, and viewing exotic birdlife along the
way. This evening, disembark at Alleppey and drive to Kochi.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. This evening, gather
with fellow guests for cocktails and a farewell dinner on site.
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13 KochiToday, become the honored guest of the Cochin Royal
Family. One of the four major royal dynasties of Kerala, the
Cochin Royal Family played a significant role in shaping
Kerala’s history, past and present. Begin by discovering the
origins of the family, and the rise and fall in their fortunes
under European rule, before their eventual union with
India. Look at their role in developing Kochi and their
contributions in the field of art, language, education and
medicine. Then, sit down to high-tea with present-day
members of the family for an incomparable moment of
insider access, A&K style. After lunch, set out on a city tour
of Kochi, visiting the Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Net,
St. Francis Church and Mattancherry Palace, to get a feel for
the diverse cultures that are part of life here. Tonight, attend
a Kathakali dance show, and go behind the scenes to see how
the dancers’ lavish makeup, costumes and exotic masks are
prepared.
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 14 KochiTransfer to the airport for your departing flight.
Meals: Breakfast
