Day 2 Chennai (Madras)
Arrive Chennai this morning and transfer to the Taj Coromandel for a 2-night stay (Superior Room & Breakfast). Afternoon city tour of Chennai - the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. Set on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, bustling Chennai has a long and fascinating history and initially grew up around the British settlement of Fort St George. Its traditional Tamil roots - and a special interest in music, dance and other classical art forms of South India - blend with an increasingly modern and cosmopolitan character. The 8-mile-long Marina Beach is one of the world's longest metropolitan beaches.
Day 3 Chennai
Full-day excursion to Kanchipuram - 'the City of a Thousand Temples'. Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas during the 7th - 9th centuries and is today one of the seven sacred cities of India. Famous for their hand-woven silk fabrics and saris, its weavers use the highest quality silk and pure gold thread.

Day 4 Chennai/Mysore
Early-morning transfer to Chennai railway station for 0600 hrs departure of the Shatabadi Express for Mysore (6 hours). On arrival transfer to the Lalitha Mahal Palace for a 2-night stay (Standard Room & Breakfast). Remainder of day at leisure.

Day 5 Mysore
Morning sightseeing tour of Mysore - an historic 'City of Palaces' that was the one-time capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, patrons of art and culture whose legacy can still be seen in Mysore's architectural heritage, with its many former royal buildings - while 18th century monuments and ancient Hindu temples add another dimension of interest. The city is also a major craft centre, especially renowned for its sandalwood products.

Day 6 Mysore/Ootacamund
Leave by road this morning for the drive to Ootacamund (99 miles/4 hours ad 30 minutes. ('Ooty'), former hill-station of the British Raj. Taj Savoy Hotel (Standard Room & Breakfast). In the afternoon a sight-seeing tour of Ooty

Day 7 Ootacamund/Kochi (Cochin)
Leave this morning by road on the drive down to Cochin (175 miles/6 hours). On arrival check-in at Hotel Taj Malabar for a 2-night stay (Heritage Wing Room & Breakfast).

Day 8 Kochi (Cochin)
A day to enjoy the many sights and experiences awaiting in Kerala's most colourful and historic city - with a boat ride in the morning to see the famous traditional Chinese fishing nets, followed in the afternoon by sightseeing of this ancient trading port with its splendid legacy of architectural and religious influences from Europe and elsewhere.

Day 9 Cochin/Kumarakom
A short drive this morning to the pretty resort village of Kumarakom (55 miles/2,5 hours). On arrival check-in at The Taj Garden Retreat (Cottage accommodation & Breakfast). Remainder of day at leisure). The resort lies on the shore of peaceful Vembanad lake, in a setting where a former lakeside rubber plantation has been developed into a bird sanctuary (a path leads through the swamp to the main nesting area, and an island in the lake can be reached by boat).

Day 10 Kumarakom/Periyar
This morning drive up to Periyar (80 miles/3 hours), visiting a spice plantation en route. On arrival check-in at the The Taj Garden Retreat -Thekkady, your base for the next two nights (Cottage accommodation & Breakfast). Rest of day at leisure. Periyar is South India's most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 300 square miles and situated around this attractive man-made lake. It was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973 - but today it is better known for its many elephant.

Day 11 Periyar
Morning boat ride on Lake Periyar to see the wildlife that frequents the banks of the lake. As well as elephant, you can normally expect to see bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, otters and flying squirrels. There are also no less than 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterfly to look out for!

Day 12 Periyar/Madurai
Morning departure for to Madurai (88 miles/3 hours). On arrival check-in at the Taj Garden Retreat for overnight (Superior Room & Breakfast). Afternoon city tour of Madurai. South India's 'City of Festivals and Temples' is Tamil Nadu's second-largest city and one of the country's oldest heritage sites, enriched by a cultural legacy passed on from the great Tamil era. It's home to the awesome Meenakshi Temple complex - dominated by four great towers (gopurams).

Day 13 Madurai/Trichy/Tanjore
Drive to Tanjore this morning (98 miles/3 hours), pausing en route at Trichy - notable for its fine temples and historical monuments - most important of which is the Rock Fort Temple, perched spectacularly on a massive rock outcrop that towers over the old city. On arrival at Tanjore check-in at The Parisutham for a 2-night stay (Standard Room & Breakfast).

Day 14 Tanjore
Morning sightseeing tour of this ancient city - the 'Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu' famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple - built over 1,000 years ago by the King Rajarajan - and its bronze sculpture and painting. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 15 Tanjore/Swami Malai
A short drive (24 miles/40 minutes) brings you to Swami Malai, with visits en route to the temples at Kumbhakonam & Dharasuram. On arrival check-in at Hotel Sterling Swamimalai (Standard Room & Breakfast) for overnight. Remainder of day at leisure in this major pilgrimage village, setting of the beautiful Swami Malai Temple and an interesting handicraft and brasswork centre.

Day 16 Swami Malai/Pondicherry
Depart this morning on the drive to Pondicherry (102 miles/4 hours) and check-in at the Hotel Promenade (Deluxe Room & Breakfast). Afternoon sightseeing tour of this fascinating old coastal town that was long the capital of French Colonial India and still preserves French names, a wide promenade and handsome churches and public buildings of an unique bygone era.

Day 17 Pondicherry/Chennai
Drive to Chennai this morning (104 miles/4 hours) and check-in on arrival at the Taj Coromandel (Superior Room & Breakfast). Rest of day at leisure.

Day 18 Chennai/London
Transfer to the Airport for departure flight for London

Day 19 London
Arrive London Heathrow.

INCLUSIVE PRICES from £2594 per person (sharing twin room)

Single supplements on request
Supplements apply for July/August and December departures - details on request

Price Includes: Economy Class round-trip flights from London to Chennai • 16 nights shared twin accommodation as detailed • Daily buffet breakfast • Private air-conditioned car transfers, road travel and sightseeing as detailed • Rail travel Chennai/Mysore 1st class air-conditioned carriage • Current Airport Departure Tax, Airline Insurance and Fuel Surcharges • Entrance fees at monuments described in itinerary, road taxes, parking fees, fuel charges, interstate taxes and porterage at all airports • Local English-speaking guide for sightseeing and excursions (except where shown) • Assistance of our local representatives.

Price Excludes: Personal insurance and any special insurance for activity sports • Government taxes • Tips and expenses of a personal nature. A valid passport (minimum validity 6 months from return date) is required. Clients must be fully insured from the time of booking.

Note: Hotel Check-In/Check-out time is 12 noon. Prices are subject to change. Holders of British Passports require a visa for entry to India - details on request.