Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Chennai
You'll arrive at Chennai International Airport and get transferred to your hotel in Tamil Nadu's capital. After settling in from your flight, have dinner with crispy dosas and spicy Chettinad curry, then rest for the night.
- Start point
- Chennai International Airtport, Meenambakkam, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (Chennai International Airport Arrival Gate )
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Belstead hotel), Hotel (The Residency - Chennai ), Hotel (Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels )
Optional Activities
- South Indian dinner at hotel (crispy dosas & Chettinad curry)
Landmarks Chennai International Airport 
- Day 2
Chennai to Mahabalipuram
Start with breakfast at the hotel, then head out to explore Chennai's cultural sites. Check out the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple with its 37-meter gopuram, walk through colonial Fort St. George, see San Thome Cathedral's architecture, and stroll Marina Beach. Later, drive to Mahabalipuram (55 km, about 1.5 hours away) to see the UNESCO-listed rock-cut temples and Shore Temple, then relax by the Bay of Bengal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Madras Chronicle Bay Resort), Hotel (Ideal Beach Resort ), Hotel (Kaldan Samudra Palace )
Included Activities
- Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple
- Explore Fort St. George
- Visit San Thome Cathedral
- Stroll along Marina Beach
- Drive to Mahabalipuram
Landmarks Kapaleeshwarar Temple Fort St. George San Thome Cathedral Marina Beach - Day 3
Kanchipuram Day Trip from Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, take a day trip to Kanchipuram (70 km, 1.5 hours), known as the 'City of a Thousand Temples.' Visit the 8th-century Kailasanatha Temple with intricate sandstone carvings, explore the 9th-century Ekambareswarar Temple featuring a 59-meter gopuram and sacred mango tree, and check out the town's famous silk weaving at local looms. Head back to Mahabalipuram for dinner and an evening by the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Madras Chronicle Bay Resort), Hotel (Ideal Beach Resort ), Hotel (Kaldan Samudra Palace )
Included Activities
- Day trip to Kanchipuram
- Visit Kailasanatha Temple
- Explore Ekambareswarar Temple
- Witness silk weaving at a local loom
Landmarks Kailasanatha Temple Ekambareswarar Temple - Day 4
Mahabalipuram Sightseeing
Have breakfast at the hotel, then spend the day exploring Mahabalipuram's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit the 7th-century Shore Temple by the sea, see the monolithic Pancha Rathas carved from single rocks, and look at Arjuna's Penance, a 27-meter-long 7th-century bas-relief. Relax at the beach or shop for stone sculptures before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Madras Chronicle Bay Resort), Hotel (Ideal Beach Resort ), Hotel (Kaldan Samudra Palace )
Included Activities
- Visit Shore Temple
- See monolithic Pancha Rathas
- Marvel at Arjuna's Penance
Optional Activities
- Shop for stone sculptures at Mahabalipuram Beach
Landmarks Shore Temple Pancha Rathas Arjuna's Penance Mahabalipuram Beach - Day 5
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry via Auroville
After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry (2.5 hours), a former French colony blending European and Indian culture. Stop at Auroville along the way and explore Matrimandir, the golden-domed meditation center with tranquil gardens. Once in Pondicherry, visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram for reflection, then take a walk along Rock Beach's promenade to feel the French Riviera atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Annamalai International - Puducherry), Hotel (Shenbaga Hotel & Convention Centre ), Hotel (Accord Puducherry)
Included Activities
- Explore Auroville & Matrimandir
- Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Walk along Rock Beach promenade
- Drive to Pondicherry
Landmarks Auroville Matrimandir Sri Aurobindo Ashram Rock Beach - Day 6
Pondicherry to Kumbakonam via Chidambaram
After breakfast, head toward Kumbakonam, a temple hub with over 180 temples. On the way (65 km, 1.5 hours), stop at the 10th-century Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, a Chola masterpiece. Continue to Kumbakonam (105 km, 2.5 hours total), check in, then visit the 7th-century Adi Kumbeswarar Temple with its 9-story gopuram and sacred tank.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lee Benz Ark Hotel), Hotel (Quality Inn Viha), Hotel (Mantra Koodam Kumbakonam - A CGH Earth Experience)
Included Activities
- Stop at Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
- Explore Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
- Drive to Kumbakonam
Landmarks Nataraja Temple Adi Kumbeswarar Temple 
- Day 7
Kumbakonam to Trichy via Thanjavur
After breakfast, drive to Trichy. En route, visit Thanjavur's 1010-built Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO Chola masterpiece with a 66-meter vimana, and tour the 16th-century Maratha palace museum. Continue to Trichy (60 km, 2 hours), check in, then visit the 10th-century Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple with its 21 gopurams and rituals.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Breeze Residency Trichy), Hotel (Hotel Blossom Trichy), Hotel (Courtyard by Marriott Trichy)
Included Activities
- Visit Brihadeeswara Temple (UNESCO)
- Tour Thanjavur Palace & Museum
- Drive to Trichy
- Evening visit to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Landmarks Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur Palace Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - Day 8
Trichy to Madurai
Start with breakfast, then explore Trichy's Rock Fort Temple, a 7th-century structure atop an 83-meter rock with city views. Visit St. Joseph's Church, a colonial-era church with peaceful surroundings. Later, drive to Madurai (130 km, 3 hours), Tamil Nadu's cultural heart. Check in and visit the 16th-century Meenakshi Amman Temple with its 14 colorful gopurams.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Hotel Madurai), Hotel (JC Residency Madurai), Hotel (Heritage Resort Madurai)
Included Activities
- Climb Rock Fort Temple for city views
- Visit St. Joseph's Church
- Drive to Madurai
- Explore Meenakshi Amman Temple in the evening
Landmarks Rock Fort Temple St. Joseph's Church Meenakshi Amman Temple - Day 9
Madurai Morning Tour to Periyar
Wake early around 6 am for a guided walking tour through Madurai's morning life. Visit the vibrant Madurai Flower Market, one of India's largest, and experience local tea vendors. After breakfast, visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace with its grand pillars. Then drive to Periyar (140 km, 3.5 hours) in Kerala's Western Ghats, a wildlife sanctuary with tiger reserve and spice plantations. Check in and relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Livinns Thekkady ), Hotel (Hotel PepperVine Thekkady), Hotel (The Elephant Court)
Included Activities
- Early morning flower market walk
- Visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace
- Drive to Periyar
Optional Activities
- Sample street-side chai at flower market
Landmarks Madurai Flower Market Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace 
- Day 10
Periyar Wildlife & Culture
After breakfast, explore Periyar's natural wonders. Take a boat ride through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary's lake, watching for elephants, deer, and exotic birds. Walk through spice plantations learning about cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon from local farmers. Visit Kumily's spice markets for souvenirs, check out the Elephant Camp, and watch Kalaripayattu, India's oldest martial art.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Livinns Thekkady ), Hotel (Hotel PepperVine Thekkady), Hotel (The Elephant Court)
Included Activities
- Boat ride in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Spice plantation walk
- Visit Elephant Camp
- Witness Kalaripayattu Martial Arts
Optional Activities
- Explore Kumily's spice markets for souvenirs
Landmarks Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 11
Periyar to Alleppey Houseboat
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey (130 km, 3.5 hours), Kerala's backwater hub known as the 'Venice of the East.' Stop at a rubber plantation to learn traditional latex-harvesting methods. Board your private houseboat with cozy cabins and a chef preparing fresh Keralite meals. Enjoy lunch, cruise past palm-fringed canals and rice paddies, try fishing or relax on deck, and have dinner under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot lunch on houseboat), Dinner (Karimeen fry and coconut curry dinner on houseboat)
- Accommodation
- Houseboat (Super Deluxe Houseboat ), Houseboat (Super Deluxe Houseboat ), Houseboat (Super Deluxe Houseboat )
Included Activities
- Visit a rubber plantation en route
- Board a private houseboat in Alleppey
- Enjoy fresh Keralite meals onboard
- Sunset cruise along serene backwaters
Landmarks Alleppey Backwaters - Day 12
Alleppey to Kumarakom
Enjoy breakfast on the houseboat, then disembark and drive to Kumarakom (35 km, 1 hour), a serene village on Vembanad Lake. Check into your hotel. Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, home to migratory birds like Siberian storks, and explore Bay Island Driftwood Museum with artistic sculptures. See the ancient Thazhathangadi Valiapalli church built by Syrian Christians with intricate wooden carvings. Walk through the village learning about coir-making.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (cocobay resort), Resort (lakesong resort), Hotel (Rhythm Kumarakom resort)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on the houseboat
- Drive to Kumarakom
- Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Explore Bay Island Driftwood Museum
- Visit Thazhathangadi Valiapalli
- Village walk & local coir-making demo
Landmarks Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Bay Island Driftwood Museum Thazhathangadi Valiapalli - Day 13
Kumarakom to Kochi
After breakfast, drive to Kochi (50 km, 1.5 hours), Kerala's multicultural port city. Explore Fort Kochi's historic neighborhood with colorful street art and cafes. See the 14th-century Chinese Fishing Nets, visit St. Francis Church from 1503, tour the 16th-century Mattancherry Palace with Kerala murals, and shop in historic Jew Town. If interested, watch Kathakali Dance, Kerala's classical dance-drama with elaborate costumes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Trios Hotel), Hotel (Luxo Kochi), Hotel (Le Meridien Kochi)
Included Activities
- Drive to Kochi
- Explore Fort Kochi streets & cafes
- See iconic Chinese Fishing Nets
- Visit St. Francis Church
- Tour Mattancherry Palace
- Shop antiques at Jew Town
Optional Activities
- Watch a traditional Kathakali Dance show
Landmarks Fort Kochi Chinese Fishing Nets St. Francis Church Mattancherry Palace Jew Town - Day 14
Departure from Kochi
Have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. You'll have time for last-minute shopping or a final stroll through Kochi before heading to Cochin International Airport for your afternoon departure, taking memories of South India's temples, backwaters, and vibrant culture with you.
- End point
- Kochi, Kerala, India (Cochin International Airport (COK))
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leisurely breakfast
- Transfer to Cochin International Airport
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping or stroll
Landmarks Cochin International Airport
