Day 2 Thanjavore
Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance
After breakfast we’ll make an early start for Thanjore, making a stop at Mahabalipuram. We begin with the incredible 8th-century Shore Temple and its mandapams (carved pillars) to pay our respects to the deity Shiva. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must see. This will be followed by a visit to Arjuna’s Penance – a relief carved out of stones depicting a story from the Mahabharata. Then we’ll continue south to our goal of Thanjore. Tonight’s dinner is the local specialty: biryani.

Day 3 Thanjavore
Brihadeeswara Temple
Today’s highlight is the World Heritage-listed Brihadeeswara Temple, an awesome, thousand-year-old Hindu marvel. Also dedicated to Shiva, it is one of the largest temples in India and was completed 1000 years ago. We will have a relaxing, free morning before visiting the temple in the afternoon.

Day 4 Thanjavore
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Hazarath Thable Dargah
This morning we’ll journey to nearby Trichy and a visit to Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, one of the most important Vishnu temples in India. The architecture is a classic example of the Dravidian style, boasting huge granite walls with carvings of deities and enormous pillared halls. Next up, the Hazarath Thable Alam Badhusa Nathervali Dargah, an important Shrine.

Hotel: Svatma (3 nights)

Day 5 Thakkady
Travel Day
After breakfast we hit the road again, heading west to the state of Kerala. We’ll break up the drive with lunch and a visit of our tour manager Chetan’s choice. In the afternoon we’ll settle into our accommodation.

Day 6 Thakkady
Periyer National Park
Today’s explorations are of Periyer National Park, a wildlife preserve which is home to tigers, elephants, leopards, sambar deer, macaques, and Indian bison. We will have classic safari excursions, seeking the elusive tiger.

WGH Poetree (2 nights)

Day 7 Aleppey/Houseboat
Spice Plantation/Houseboat sailing
Our destination today is green Kerala and its storied Backwaters. A morning’s drive will take us to our goal of Aleppey. Enroute we’ll stop at a plantation to see the production of one of India’s most popular exports: spices. Upon arrival in the afternoon we’ll board our houseboats which will ply the backwater canals and channels as well as provide our accommodations tonight.

Lakes & Lagoons (1 night)

Day 8 Kochi
Village Walk Backwaters Canoes
This morning we’ll continue our explorations of the Backwaters in small, easily maneuvered boats. Then we’ll partake in a village walk, a great cultural connection opportunity to meet and talk with the locals. After our waterbourne forays we’ll drive the short route to Kochi.

Day 9 Kochi
Fishing Nets, Kathakali Performance
Today we will explore the former Portuguese colony of Kochi. Possible site stops include Fort Kochin, Mattencherry Palace, or the Indo-Portuguese Museum. We will certainly have a carefully timed photo stop for the picturesque Chinese Fishing Nets, lining the Indian Ocean shore with their unique cantilevered frames. In the evening we’ll indulge in Kerala’s most famous and fascinating art form: Kathakali dance - a classical Indian dance-drama known for its dramatic storytelling and elaborate makeup and costumes. It combines dance, music, and acting to narrate stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Fragrant Nature (2 nights)

Day 10 Mysore
Keshava Temple, Dasara
A morning flight (included) whisks us north to Mysore in Karnaktaka. Upon our arrival we will drive directly to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somnathpur outside Mysore. This 13th century temple is the best preserved Hoysala temple in the region. Built in the form of a 16-pointed star, the exterior walls are carved with lines of elephants, floral scrolls and geese, as well as episodes from Indian epics. Upon our arrival in Mysore, we’ll seek out the day’s Dasara activites - the 10-day Hindu festival. Although celebrated all over the south of India, Mysore is the epicenter.

Day 11 Mysore (10/8)
Mysore Palace, Dasara
Today greets us with a sightseeing tour of fascinating and elegant Mysore. We’ll begin with the Palace of the Maharaja, built in 1897. One of the largest palaces in the country and beautifully restored, it houses many art treasures, wall paintings and ivory inlaid doors. The palace is a harmonious synthesis of Hindu and Saracenic styles with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures. Your afternoon is free to further explore, seek out Dasara festivities, or do some shopping, as Mysore is famous for its bazaars.

Day 12 Mysore
Dussehra
Today is easily the most spectacular day of the tour. We have planned the entire excursion to be here in Mysore for the culminating day of the Dussehra Festival. Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good over evil. The festival commemorates Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (irreligion). We’ll be front-row observers and participants in this time-honored pageantry. Today features a majestic procession (Jamboo Savari), lead by a dozen magnificently caparisoned elephants. In the evening, we’ll attend a torchlight parade. Photos will be spectacular and memories will be rich and indelible. 

Day 13 Mysore/Bangalore
Our tour ends today. We’ll transport our travelers to Bangalore or Bangalore Airport, arriving by noon.

Fortune JP Palace Hotel (3 nights)