South India Itinerary

Day 01

Arrive in Chennai

On arrival, you will be met and assisted by our office representative to the hotel. (Rooms will be available from 1400 Hrs)

Evening we will have an orientation with the photographer followed by a welcome dinner in a local South Indian restaurant.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 02

Chennai – Mahabalipuram

(By surface approx. 65 Kms/ 02 Hrs)

After a late breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram en-route stopping at the villages which have been rehabilitated after the Tsunami of 2004. Afternoon photograph the UNESCO World Heritage Site temples.

Mahabalipuram, famous for its shore temples, is a welcoming old port city. From the 8th to the 11th century, the Pallava dynasty conducted a thriving maritime trade here with the Far East. The magnificent Shore Temple, although ravaged by the elements and the pounding ocean waves, still reflects the glorious past of these intrepid merchants. Also must visit is the Arjuna’s penance and the Ratha temples.

At sunset, we will also go down to the fishing village and photograph the fishing boats as they prepare to leave the land.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 03

Mahabalipuram – Kancheepuram – Mahabalipuram

(By surface approx. 120 Kms/ 04 Hrs)

After breakfast enjoy the photographic excursion to Kancheepuram where we will photograph the devotees in a huge living temple. We will also explore the homes of local weavers and photograph them as they work their trade.

Kancheepuram, the city of thousand temples, is one of the seven most sacred pilgrim centers for the Hindus. The city was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC and a Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th century. The Ekambareswarar Temple here is spread over 20 acres and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Apart from temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. The silk weavers of Kanchi settled more than 400 years ago and have given it an enviable reputation as the producer of the best silk sarees in the country.

Later return to Mahabalipuram for overnight stay.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 04

Mahabalipuram – Chennai – Madurai

(By surface approx. 65 Kms/ 02 Hrs + by flight)

Return drive to Chennai to catch the flight to Madurai. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Early evening photograph the night ceremony at Shree Meenakshi temple. Take your fastest lens for the night photography!

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 05

Madurai

Morning photograph the Meenakshi temple and the pilgrims who come here. Thousands of devotees come to this temple making offerings and praying.

Madurai, built on the banks of the Vaigai River, is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu and was once the capital of the Pandya dynasty (7th to 13th century AD). Known as the Temple City and one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage centres, Madurai was laid out in accordance with an ancient temple custom whereby the Great Temple dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi was placed at its centre.

Considered to be the finest of its kind in Tamil Nadu, this Great Temple’s towering gopurams are covered in a riot of gaily painted, dancing and cavorting gods and goddesses. If you can, make both a morning and an evening visit to experience the pujas, processions, music and singing in its numerous pillared halls.

Afternoon, we will get a chance to photograph the colorful bazaars that surround the temple.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 06

Madurai – Munnar

(By surface approx. 152 Kms/ 04 Hrs)

Morning drive to Munnar.Afternoon photograph the tea factory and tea gardens.

We will get a chance to photograph the tea workers houses.

Munnar is the land of rolling hills and tea gardens. If lucky we may see tea workers plucking tea leaves. Visit the small village where they live as well as see the tea processing plant.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 07

Munnar – Backwaters

(By surface approx. 125 Kms/05 Hrs)

After breakfast drive to the Alleppey Jetty, where we board a traditional boat to cruise the backwaters of Kerala.

The houseboat will have private, air-conditioned sleeping rooms with attached toilets. There will be a common sitting and dining area. The cook will prepare local delicacies procured while you are doing a small walk.

The romantic and unique Backwaters of Kerala are made up of a labyrinth of canals and lakes that stretch between the capital Cochin and Quilon in the south. From the vastness of Lake Vembanad to the quiet streams just large enough for a canoe, the Backwaters form the arteries through which rural daily life calmly flows – children splashing in the water, women washing clothes at the water’s edge, fishermen up to their necks in water digging out fish with their feet, rice barges transporting coconuts and rice (the staples of the Keralan diet) and, above all, an overriding sense of peace and tranquility that permeates every aspect of this stunning region.

We will photograph the village life from the boat as well as get a chance to get off and visit local villages.

Overnight in the Deluxe Houseboat

Day 08

Backwaters – Cochin

(By surface approx. 65 Kms/ 02 Hrs)

After breakfast drive to Cochin. Afternoon explore this ancient city including its Jew town. Sunset boat ride to photograph the chinese fishing nets from the Cochin harbour.

Cochin, documented since Roman times, is the oldest European settlement in India. With its enchanting Jewish quarter, picturesque Chinese fishing nets, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples and bustling spice and antiques bazaars, Cochin has a seamless blend of diverse architectural and religious influences. This ancient port has now split into two main parts: the old town of Fort Cochin on the peninsula, with its winding alleyways lined with merchant houses and spice markets, and the brash, modern industrious city of Ernakulam on the mainland.

Evening visit the home of a local family and learn to cook the Kerala delicacies as well as photograph them.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 09

Cochin

A pre dawn cruise to photograph the fishermen in the harbor.

After breakfast visit the Dutch palace, Chinese fishing nets and the Vasco D’ Gama Church.

We will also photograph the laundry in Fort Cochin.

Afternoon is free to walk around Fort area and experience its various art galleries, coffee shops and designer boutiques.

Late evening visit the Kathakali center and watch artists putting on makeup and then dance the traditional Kathakali dance drama.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 10

Cochin – Palakkad

(By surface approx. 140 Kms/ 03 Hrs)

After breakfast drive to Palakkad. On arrival, check in at the hotel.

In the afternoon, proceed towards the festival ground to witness the Elephant festival .

We will photograph an ancient temple which would be celebrating its centuries old festival with decorated elephants. Drummers and chariots will make this a grand spectacle for us.

Later return back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 11

Palakkad – Kalamandalam – Kannur

(By surface approx. 250 Kms/ 06 Hrs)

Morning photograph the Kalamandalam School.

Founded in 1930, along the banks of the river Nila, Kalamandalam is a respected name in the cultural map of India. Kalamandalam is strictly a residential center of learning. In simple classrooms some of the most amazing performing art form of India are taught in this residential school. We will do a guided tour of various classes to see this amazing university.

After lunch drive to Kannur. Late night drive out to photograph the Theyyam festival.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 12

Kannur

A predawn visit of the Theyyam Festival. Theyyam or Theyyaattam is a pattern of hero worship performed in North Kerala.

It is a ritual and a folk-dance form supported by a vast literature of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam ‘God’. ‘Aattam’ means dance. Thus ‘Theyyaattam’ means the God’s Dance.

The person who plays and personifies the deity is generally called ‘Kolam’. The word Kolam means figure or shape or make-up in Tamil and Malayalam. In Tulunad, north of Kolathunaad, the custom of Kolam dance is widely prevalent as a form of worship of the Bhootas or spirits. There, the dance was conducted before the sthaanams, where the Bhoothas or the spirits used to reside.

Afternoon is at rest. Late evening again we visit the Theyyam Festival. (Photographing the Theyyam in the temple)

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 13

Kannur – Calicut – Mumbai

(By surface approx. 90 Kms/ 03 Hrs + by flight)

Morning drive to Calicut to catch the flight to Mumbai.On arrival transfer to the hotel. Later photograph the streets of this metropolis.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 14

Mumbai

Morning visit of the Dharavi slum and photograph the various people who live here. Afternoon photograph and explore the city streets.

The western state of Maharashtra is home to Bombay, India’s greatest port, financial capital and trend-setting East-West nexus. Perched on the Arabian Sea on an island and separated from the rest of India by a winding creek, Bombay, now known as Mumbai, is a world unto itself, with a unique intensity that hits you the moment you land.

Its culture is contemporary, vibrant and often in your face, reflecting both the affluence and poverty of more than 15 million people crowded onto this island. Restaurants, bars, museums and shops intermingle with shining new skyscrapers, congested streets, bright neon lights, poverty-stricken slums, and the glamorous film industry of Bollywood.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 15

Depart Mumbai

On time transfer to the International airport to connect with flight homeboud.