Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai
Your airport transfer gets you to your Chennai hotel, where check-in opens at 2 pm. That gives you the rest of the day to either kick back at the hotel or venture out and see what the city has to offer. Since it's arrival day, you might want to grab some dinner and get settled in.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 2
Chennai to Pondicherry
You'll head out at 8 am for an orientation tour of Chennai to get your bearings. Then it's a drive down to Mahabalipuram where you'll check out the ancient rock temples carved right out of the granite. After that, you continue on to Pondicherry, a former French colonial city with European-style architecture and nice beaches. You'll reach your hotel and check in for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Chennai
- Visit rock temples in Mahabalipuram
- View the largest relief in the world depicting Hindu paradise
Landmarks Mahabalipuram Rock Temples 
- Day 3
Pondicherry
Following breakfast, you'll spend the morning in Pondicherry visiting the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community that started back in 1926. The afternoon is yours to walk around the French Quarter and Tamil neighborhoods at whatever pace feels right. There's no set schedule, so you can linger where things interest you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Optional Activities
- Explore French neighborhoods of Pondicherry
- Explore Tamil neighborhoods of Pondicherry
Landmarks Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Day 4
Pondicherry to Kumbakonam
You'll drive to Chidambaram this morning to see the Nataraja Temple, one of southern India's oldest and most revered Hindu temples. After spending time there, you continue driving to Kumbakonam for an overnight stay. It's a good day to experience some significant temple architecture and learn about the region's religious history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram
Landmarks Nataraja Temple 
- Day 5
Kumbakonam to Madurai
The morning takes you to Tanjore, historically the capital of the Chola dynasty, where you'll visit the Brihadeswara Temple. Later you drive to Trichy to see the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest Vishnu sanctuaries around. By evening you'll be in Madurai where you'll settle in for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Brihadeswara Temple in Tanjore
- Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy
Landmarks Brihadeswara Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple 
- Day 6
Madurai
This morning you'll check out the flower market before heading to the colorful Minakshi Temple with its ornate gopurams decorated with gods and mythical figures. Then you'll tour the Thirumalai Naicker Palace, which blends Italian, Dravidian, and Islamic design. That evening, you'll take a tuk-tuk ride back to the Minakshi Temple to watch one of the ceremonies.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Madurai flower market
- Visit Minakshi Temple
- Visit Thirumalai Naicker Palace
- Attend ceremony at Minakshi Temple (observed at distance)
Landmarks Minakshi Temple Thirumalai Naicker Palace - Day 7
Madurai to Kumily
You'll head toward Kumily and spend your afternoon walking through spice plantations where you'll smell cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom growing. Later you'll take a boat trip on Periyar Lake to look for monkeys and exotic birds. The night is spent at a resort in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Walk through spice plantations in Kumily
- Boat trip on Periyar Lake
Landmarks Periyar Lake - Day 8
Kumily to Kumarakom
After driving to Kumarakom, you'll check into your resort and relax. From a hammock overlooking Lake Vembanad, you can take in the water views and unwind. It's a lighter day designed for you to recharge before continuing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks Lake Vembanad 
- Day 9
Kumarakom to Kochi
Today you explore the Kerala backwaters by boarding a traditional kettuvallam houseboat in Alleppey. You'll sail through the canals, have lunch on board, and continue by land to Kochi. That evening, you'll watch a Kathakali dance show, which showcases South India's most artistic dance form and traditional movements.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board the houseboat), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Houseboat trip on Kerala backwaters
- Kathakali dance show
Landmarks Kerala Backwaters 
- Day 10
Kochi
You'll take a city tour of Kochi starting with the oldest Jewish synagogue in India at Mattancherry, built in 1568. Next you'll see the Dutch Palace from 1555 with its coronation hall and murals. From there, you'll view the Chinese fishing nets at the harbor, then visit the Church of St. Francis, also built in 1555. Around midday you'll transfer to the airport for your departure.
Included Activities
- City tour of Kochi
- Visit oldest Jewish synagogue in India
- Visit Dutch Palace
- View Chinese fishing nets
Optional Activities
- Visit Church of St. Francis
Landmarks Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutch Palace Chinese Fishing Nets Church of St. Francis
