Day 2 Chennai (Madras)
On arrival 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 (Madras)
Full-day excursion to Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram. The former is a spectacular World Heritage Site set on a superb beach and with an array of sculpture and cave temples. Kanchipuram - 'the City of a Thousand Temples' - 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 (Madras)/Madurai
Transfer to the airport for your midday flight for Madurai. On arrival transfer to the Taj Garden Retreat (Superior Room & Breakfast). Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai, a pilgrimage city famed for its many festivals and temples, the most famous of the latter being the huge and instantly recognisable Meenakshi Temple.

Day 5 Madurai/Periyar
Drive from Madurai to Periyar (88 miles/3 hours) and check-in at the Taj Garden Retreat (Cottage Accommodation & Breakfast) for overnight. Afternoon boat ride on Lake Periyar. South India's most popular wildlife sanctuary, Periyar is home to many elephant and you can also 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 6 Periyar/Kochi (Cochin)
Drive down to Cochin (120 miles/4 hours) to check-in at the Taj Malabar for a 2-night stay (Superior Heritage Wing Room & Breakfast). Afternoon boat ride to see the famous traditional Chinese fishing nets.

Day 7 Kochi (Cochin)
Morning sightseeing tour to discover the many sights and experiences awaiting in Kerala's most colourful and historic city - an ancient trading port with a splendid legacy of architectural and religious influences from Europe and elsewhere. Later in the afternoon visit a Kathakali Dance Show.

Day 8 Kochi (Cochin)/Ootacamund
Drive up to the historic hill station of Ootacamund or 'Ooty' (180 miles/7 hours) and check-in at the Fortune Sullivan Court (Deluxe Room & Breakfast).

Day 9 Ootacamund/Bandipur
Drive to Bandipur (48 miles/2 hours) and check-in at the Tushkar Trail Hotel, your base for the next two nights (Standard Room & Breakfast). Remainder of day at leisure.

Day 10 Bandipur National Park
A day for wildlife-spotting, with morning and afternoon game-drives. Bandipur National Park lies in Karnataka where the Deccan Plateau rises to meet the Western Ghat mountains. One of India's best-known wildlife reserves, it supports a rich variety of flora and fauna, most easily seen in the April/October period. The backwaters of the Kabini Reservoir in the north western corner of the park host numerous large mammals, especially elephant and gaur.

Day 11 Bandipur/Mysore
Depart for Mysore (50 miles/2 hours) and check-in at the Lalitha Mahal Palace hotel for a 2-night stay (Standard Room & Breakfast). Afternoon 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 12 Mysore
Full-day excursion to Ranganathitoo Bird Sanctuary and to Srirangapatnam, the former capital of Mysore state and Somnathpur Temple, built by the Hoysala kings in the 11th - 13th centuries.

Day 13 Mysore/Hassan
Drive to Hassan (71 miles/3 hours). On arrival check-in at the Hoysala Village Resort (Deluxe Cottage Accommodation & Breakfast. Afternoon visit to the Hoysala temples at Belur (notable for its exquisite 15th century soapstone sculptures and pillars) and Halebid (rich in delightful carvings of gods, animals and danseuses).

Day 14 Hassan/Bangalore
Drive to Bangalore (120 miles/5 hours) and check-in at the Taj Residency (Superior Room & Breakfast). Cosmopolitan and bustling, Bangalore is the state capital of Karnataka and combines gardens, parks, historical sites, architectural landmarks, modern shopping malls and a host of restaurants.

Day 15 Bangalore/London
At leisure. Transfer later in the day to the airport for your overnight scheduled Emirates flight via Dubai to London.

Day 19 London
Arrive London Heathrow.

INCLUSIVE PRICES from £2360 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 and Bangalore to London, with internal flight Chennai to Madurai o 13 nights shared twin accommodation as detailed o Daily buffet breakfast o Private air-conditioned car transfers, road travel and sightseeing as detailed o Entrance fees at monuments described in itinerary, road taxes, parking fees, fuel charges, interstate taxes and porterage at all airports o Current Airport Departure Tax, Airline Insurance and Fuel Surcharges o Entrance fees at monuments described in itinerary o Local English-speaking guide for sightseeing and excursions (except where shown) o Assistance of our local representatives.

Price Excludes: Personal insurance and any special insurance for activity sports o Government taxes o 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.