DAY 1

Arrive at Chennai airport / railway station and check-in at the Taj Connemara or Fisherman's Cove. On arrival you are treated to a sumptuous breakfast.You also get a meal credit of Rs per day / per couple for lunch and dinner. At Fisherman's Cove make your evening truly delightful with a catamaran ride*. If you are at Taj Connemara, you can set out on a shopping spree in the city.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the ancient port of Mahabalipuram . En route, visit Dakshin Chitra, Crocodile Bank and the famed sculpture houses of Mamallapuram. Return to the hotel for lunch and spend the afternoon, relaxing, swimming or at the unique spa* for couples at Fisherman's Cove. You can also go on a guided tour of Chennai if you choose to. End the day with an early dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, head for Pondicherry . Visit Auroville, the Pondicherry Museum , Aayi Mandapam, the French War Memorial, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and enjoy lunch at Pondicherry .

After lunch, proceed to Chidambaram and visit the 2000-year-old Nataraja Temple . Alternatively, you could enjoy boating among the hundreds of canals in South India 's only mangrove forest, Pichavaram. Arrive at Tanjore for dinner and stay at the Ideal River View Resort or an equivalent hotel

After breakfast, visit the 10th Century Brihadeshwar Temple . The Rajaraja Museum and Art Gallery , the Royal Palace and go souvenir shopping at the famed Art Village .

Arrive at Karaikudi for lunch, and relish the famous Chettinad fare at the Chettiar Mansion . After lunch, visit the famous Chettinad palaces and souvenir shops in the Antique Lane . Arrive at Taj Garden Retreat Madurai for dinner, and halt for the night.

After breakfast at the hotel , you can from two options:

Option 1: Visit the famous 12th Century Rameshwaram Temple *, and lunch at TTDC, (or opt for a packed lunch). After lunch, leave for Dhanushkodi*, explore the remains of the lost city. Return to Taj Garden Retreat Madurai for dinner.

Option 2: After breakfast, enjoy 62 acres of sprawling landscaped gardens and a panoramic view from the hotel, or you could also relax with a traditional Ayurvedic massage*. After lunch at the hotel, spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or visit the health centre that creates exotic potions for the international markets. As the evening sets in, visit the famous Meenakshi Temple .
Later in the evening, drop in at the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace which was built in 1636 A.D., for a striking sound and light show. Enjoy the evening shopping, and wind up an interesting day with dinner at the hotel.

DAY 6
Departure from Madurai to Taj Garden Retreat Coonoor, which offers a panoramic view of terraced tea gardens, blue hills and puffy white clouds

DAY 7
Choose between sightseeing at Ooty/Coonoor and the wildlife sanctuary at Mudhumalai.

Option 1: Ooty/Coonoor sight seeing
After breakfast, visit Lamb's Rock, Sim's Park and the Dolphin's Nose. After lunch at Taj Garden Retreat Coonoor, leave for the Ooty Lake , Doddabetta Peak and the Botanical Gardens. Check-in at the Savoy , Ooty for dinner and a night halt, and wake up to an *Ayurvedic massage or an exhilarating trek amidst the hills the next morning.

Option 1: Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
After breakfast, leave for the Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary-truly a wildlife enthusiast's paradise! Lunch at jungle resort in Masinagudi, where you can also trek, cycle, or go on a *jeep safari. Spend your evening going on safari on an *elephant back, and tuck into a hearty dinner at the Savoy.

*- at an extra cost

DAY 6
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Taj Garden Retreat Thekkady. After lunch, go for a Spice Plantation tour.

DAY 7
Wake up to a misty boat safari on the scenic Periyar Lake, followed by breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, depart for Ernakulam.
Check-in at the Taj Residency Ernakulam in time for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing. In the evening, watch a captivating performance of Kathakali, a ritualistic dance-drama. Return to the hotel for dinner.