Bus transfer to Frankfurt. Flight with Emirates via Dubai to Chennai.

Excursion to the nearby sculptor and stonemason town of Mahabalipuram. The world’s largest stone relief, the five Rathas (five temple chariots carved out of solid granite), and the Sea Shore Temple are the highlights of this tour. The whole city seems to be made up of sculptors and stonemasons. Continue to Pondicherry.

Excursion to the former French enclave, Pondicherry, French city flair in the middle of India. The “WorldAshram AUROVILLE” is also on the program.

You drive to Trichy and make a stop en route in Thanjavur, the former capital of the Chola dynasty. First you visit the impressive Brihadeeshwara Temple, an architectural masterpiece built over 1000 years ago by Raja Raja Chola. The temple is a testimony to the artistic creation of the Cholas and impresses with huge sculptures and detailed murals. We then head to Thanjavur Palace, which was built by the Nayaks and later the Marathas. The palace offers fascinating insights into the history and architecture of the region. Not to be forgotten is the Saraswathi Mahal Library, which is a treasure trove of knowledge with more than 30,000 manuscripts and ancient writings.

City tour in Trichy. This historic town in the Cauvery Delta was once a Chola fortress. The Rock Fort is particularly impressive, perched on an 84-metre-high rock. 437 steps lead to the Vinayaka Temple, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view. Further down is the Shiva temple Tayumanaswamy. The temple town of Srirangam, situated on an island in the Cauvery River, is another highlight. The huge Ranganathaswamy temple with its 21 gopurams and elaborate sculptures is a true masterpiece. After the visit, drive to Madurai.

After breakfast, visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, built in 1635, an impressive blend of Dravidian and Islamic architecture. The palace was designed by an Italian architect and later renovated between 1866 and 1872. In the afternoon, we head to the Meenakshi Temple. The temple complex impresses with its colorful gopurams and artistic sculptures. The “Hall of a Thousand Pillars” with the Madurai Museum is particularly worth seeing.

Drive to Periyar. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the Periyar Lake. The Periyar Tiger Reserve, 777 km² in size, lies in a dense mixed forest and offers a fascinating landscape with open grasslands. The man-made Periyar Lake is a haven for birds like the darter, gray heron, egret and kingfisher. Asian elephants and sambar deer can also be spotted here. After the boat trip, you will experience a Kalaripayattu show, a traditional martial art. Then return to the hotel.

Check in at noon on your houseboat. Alleppey, also known as the “Venice of the East”, is a city with an extensive canal system spanned by bridges. The city is famous for its water festivals. You sail almost silently through the romantic backwaters, through narrow and wide canals, large and small lakes, through palm groves and rice fields.

Drive to Cochin. The palm-green trading town is known for its natural harbor and its historical significance as the gateway to Kerala. Visit the Jewish synagogue dating back to 1568 with its ancient scrolls and Chinese tiles.

In the afternoon, a city tour: the Dutch palace from 1555 shows paintings from the Ramayana. St. Francis Church, built in 1510, is considered the first European church in India and the Chinese fishing nets at the harbor are a fascinating highlight. In the evening, you will experience a Kathakali dance performance.

Flight with Emirates via Dubai to Frankfurt. Coach transfer to Luxembourg.