Day 7 Swamimalai (Thanjavur)

Swamimalai is a small town near Thanjavur located on the banks of river Cauvery. The name of the town means 'God's mountain'. The town has one of the six sacred temples of Lord Karthikeya. Start the sightseeing today visiting the Brihadishwara Temple that reflects the architectural prowess of Chola builders. In the afternoon visit Raja Raja Museum in Thanjavur Palace that houses the largest collection of Chola sculptures in bronze and granite. Also visit Royal Museum and Saraswati Mahal Library that has a superb collection of over 40,000 rare books and more than 8,000 palm leaf manuscripts. (Sterling Swamimalai)

Day 8 Thanjavur / Tiruchirapalli / Karaikudi

Early morning drive to Tiruchirapalli, more commonly known as Trichy, a small town provides a perfect blend of history, tradition and religion. Visit the Ranganathaswamy Temple located at Srirangam. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu this temple is noted for its beautiful sculpture, the 21 impressive gopuram towers and its rich collection of temple jewellery. After sightseeing and lunch at Hotel Sangam, drive to Karaikudi in the heart of Chettinad country. Arrive Karaikudi and check-in to the Bangala. (The Bangala)

Day 9 Karaikudi / Madurai

In the morning visit the Chettinad houses and the Chettinad Museum. These houses are built on a rectangular, traversal plot that stretches across two streets with the front door opening into the first street and the back into the second. One of the specialties of these houses is the quality of their woodcarvings on the doors. The museum houses traditional jewellery and clothing, huge copper water vats and grain bins and everyday items that reflect the Chettiar's way of life. In the afternoon drive 55 miles to Madurai. (Taj Garden Retreat Madurai)

Day 10 Madurai

Start the sightseeing today visiting the Meenakshi-Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures life of the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostrations of countless devotees and glittering market stalls. In the afternoon visit the Indo-Saracenic style Thirumalai Nayaka Palace which was built by the Nayak rulers of Madurai in 1636. In the evening you may wish to re-visit Meenakshi-Sundareshwar temple to witness the Aarti ceremony, the festival of lights, and the colourful procession in which Lord Sundareshwar is carried to the Goddess Meenakshi to sleep by her side. (Taj Garden Retreat Madurai)

Day 11 Madurai / Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)

Early morning drive 85 miles in 4 hours to Thekkady. Arrive Thekkady and check-in to Taj Garden Retreat located close to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in a 3.5acre retreat perched on a hill, nestling within thick woods strewn with flowering shrubs, bountiful fruit trees and coffee plants. Afternoon is at leisure to relax or to go for a Spice Plantation tour. (Taj Garden Retreat Thekkady)

Day 12 Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary) / Kumarakom

Set on an attractive lakeside Periyar is one of India’s finest wildlife sanctuaries and home to herds of wild tuskers, bison and spotted deer. Early morning enjoy a boat safari in the beautiful Periyar Lake for game viewing. Later drive 85 miles in 4 hours to the backwaters region of Kumarakom. Arrive Kumarakom and check-in to Taj Garden Retreat. Surrounded by Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is formed by the 40 odd rivers that flow down into the Arabian Sea from the cardamom hills in the west. (Taj Garden Retreat Kumarakom)

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