Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai
After landing at Chennai airport, you'll transfer to your hotel and check in around noon. From there, the afternoon opens up for exploring the city. Head to Kapaleeswarar Temple to see the intricate carvings and architecture, then walk through Fort St. George to get a feel for the colonial history. Marina Beach is a good spot to grab lunch and spend some time by the water. If you've got energy left, the Government Museum has some interesting artifacts and sculptures, so you could swing by there before heading back to rest.
- Start point
- Chennai International Airport (MAA), Great Southern Trunk Rd, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (As per flight schedule arrival transfer from airport to hotel., 00:00 - 23:55)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Chennai
- Visit Kapaleeswarar Temple
- Explore Fort St. George
- Visit Marina Beach
- Tour Government Museum
Landmarks Kapaleeswarar Temple Fort St. George Marina Beach Government Museum - Day 2
Chennai to Mahabalipuram
The drive to Mahabalipuram takes most of the day, but you'll stop in Kanchipuram along the way. This ancient city is famous for its temples and local silk sarees, so if you're interested in picking up some textiles, there's time to browse. Once you reach Mahabalipuram, you'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage site with its rock-cut temples and stone carvings. These ancient temples carved directly into the rock face are what make this place special, so plan on spending a few hours walking around and taking photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kanchipuram temples
- Explore Mahabalipuram UNESCO World Heritage site
- View ancient rock-cut temples
- See stone carvings
Landmarks Kanchipuram Temples Mahabalipuram Rock-cut Temples 
- Day 3
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
Driving to Pondicherry takes about four hours from Mahabalipuram. After checking into your hotel, you'll have time to explore the French Quarter where colonial-era buildings line the streets and you'll find cafes and shops with European influences. The Aurobindo Ashram is a quiet, reflective space worth spending an hour in. Later in the afternoon or early evening, take a walk along Promenade Beach where locals often gather for the cooler air and water views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore French Quarter
- Visit Aurobindo Ashram
- Stroll along Promenade Beach
Landmarks Aurobindo Ashram Promenade Beach 
- Day 4
Pondicherry to Thanjavur
Today's drive to Thanjavur is long, but you'll make stops at key temples along the way. The Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram is a major site, and then you'll see Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, which show different periods of temple architecture. These stops break up the journey and give you a sense of the region's religious importance. By evening, you'll arrive in Thanjavur, which has been a cultural and artistic center for centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram
- Explore Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Visit Darasuram
- Tour Thanjavur temples and artistic expressions
Landmarks Nataraja Temple Gangaikonda Cholapuram Darasuram 
- Day 5
Thanjavur to Trichy
Start by walking through Thanjavur to see some of its artistic heritage and temples before heading toward Trichy. The Rock Fort Temple is your main stop, and climbing up to the top takes some effort but gives you good views of the city. From there, visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India. The Dravidian architecture here is detailed and complex, so you'll want time to walk around and take it in. Both temples are significant pilgrimage sites, so expect crowds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour Thanjavur's artistic legacy
- Visit Rock Fort Temple
- Explore Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Landmarks Rock Fort Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple 
- Day 6
Trichy to Madurai
After driving to Madurai, you'll check into your hotel and then head straight to Meenakshi Amman Temple, the main reason people come here. Plan to be there for the evening Aarti ceremony, which is a spiritual ritual with music and incense. After that, walk through the bazaars surrounding the temple where vendors sell flowers, oil lamps, and food. The energy is intense and colorful, so grab some local snacks and just wander around to soak in the atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Witness evening Aarti ceremony
- Tour vibrant bazaars
Landmarks Meenakshi Amman Temple 
- Day 7
Madurai to Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is a couple of hours from Madurai and sits on an island connected by a bridge. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is the main attraction here, known for its long corridors and detailed carvings. This is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, especially those connected to the Ramayana story. Spend time exploring the temple and learning about the various legends tied to the site. The island setting gives the whole place a different feel from the other cities on your route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple
- Explore Ramayana-related landmarks
Landmarks Ramanathaswamy Temple 
- Day 8
Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is where three bodies of water meet, and reaching the southernmost tip of India is what makes this stop unique. The beaches here are quiet and peaceful, and the sunset is something people specifically travel here to see. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial sits on an island just offshore, accessible by boat. Kumari Amman Temple is the other main temple in the area. Both have spiritual significance, and the combination of temples and natural scenery makes this a distinctive stop on your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial
- Explore Kumari Amman Temple
- View sunset at ocean convergence point
Landmarks Vivekananda Rock Memorial Kumari Amman Temple 
- Day 9
Kanyakumari to Kovalam
Back in Kanyakumari this morning, take a boat out to Vivekananda Rock Memorial if you didn't get there yesterday. Kumari Amman Temple is just a short walk from the shore, so you can visit both in a couple of hours. From there, you'll head to Kovalam, which is about two hours away. Once you check into your hotel in Kovalam, you'll have the rest of the day to settle in and start relaxing. Kovalam is a beach town, so the pace slows down from here on.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial
- Explore Kumari Amman Temple
Landmarks Vivekananda Rock Memorial Kumari Amman Temple 
- Day 10
Trivandrum
The city tour of Trivandrum covers several important sites. Start with Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the oldest temples in Kerala. Then move to Attukal Temple and the Napier Museum, which has art and artifacts from Kerala's history. Kuthira Malika is a carved wooden palace worth seeing for its unique architecture. The Sri Chitra Art Gallery displays paintings from classical to modern artists. After that, drive along the beaches including Shankumugham Beach and Light House Beach Road. It's a full day but gives you a sense of what the capital city has to offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Trivandrum
- Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Explore Attukal Temple
- Tour Napier Museum
- View Kuthira Malika
- Visit Sri Chitra Art Gallery
- Drive along Shankumugham Beach
- Visit Light House Beach Road
Landmarks Padmanabhaswamy Temple Attukal Temple Napier Museum Kuthira Malika Sri Chitra Art Gallery Shankumugham Beach Light House Beach Road 
- Day 11
Kovalam
This day is yours to do as much or as little as you want. Kovalam's beaches are the main reason to be here, so spending hours on the sand is a perfectly valid option. You could also explore the nearby fishing villages, get a massage, eat at beachside restaurants, or just read and relax. Some travelers use this day to grab souvenirs or try local food they missed earlier. It's a break day in the journey, so pace yourself and enjoy the tropical setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Kovalam beaches
- Personal activities
- Day 12
Kovalam to Alleppey
Traveling to Alleppey takes about an hour from Kovalam. Once you arrive, you'll board a traditional houseboat for a cruise through the backwaters. These are lagoons and canals that wind through coconut groves and small villages. The boat moves slowly, so you'll have time to watch the landscape change and see local life along the water. It's calm and quiet compared to the temples and bustling cities. Most boats include meals, and you'll likely spend the whole afternoon and early evening on the water before heading to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Houseboat meal), Dinner (Houseboat meal)
Included Activities
- Traditional houseboat cruise through Alleppey backwaters
Landmarks Alleppey Backwaters 
- Day 13
Alleppey to Cochin
Cochin is the final stop, and you'll have the afternoon to explore after checking into your hotel. Fort Kochi has layers of history from Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule, so walking around gives you a sense of the different periods. The Chinese Fishing Nets are an iconic sight, and watching people work them in the early morning or late afternoon is the best time. Mattancherry Palace has paintings and artifacts, and the Jewish Synagogue is the oldest active one in the Commonwealth. These sites are all within walking distance of each other, so you can spend several hours on foot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Fort Kochi
- View Chinese Fishing Nets
- Tour Mattancherry Palace
- Visit Jewish Synagogue
Landmarks Fort Kochi Chinese Fishing Nets Mattancherry Palace Jewish Synagogue 
- Day 14
Cochin Departure
On your last day, you'll depart Cochin with memories of the journey from Chennai through temples, beaches, and backwaters. The route covered multiple regions of South India, each with its own culture and history. Depending on your flight time, you might have a few morning hours to grab coffee or pick up last-minute souvenirs before heading to the airport.
- End point
- Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Alwaye, Kerala, India (As per flight schedule departure transfer to airport., 00:00 - 23:55)
- Meals
- Breakfast
