Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai
You'll arrive at Chennai airport where your representative meets you for the transfer to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey. It's a good time to rest up before the trips ahead.
- Start point
- Chennai International Airport (MAA), Great Southern Trunk Rd, Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu, India (Chennai International Airport (MAA), Great Southern Trunk Rd, Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu, India)
- Day 2
Chennai to Mahabalipuram
Head out to Mahabalipuram, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with rock-cut temples and stone-carved monuments from the Pallava Dynasty. You'll see the monolithic Panch Rathas temples and walk through Arjuna's Penance bas-relief carved into the rock. The Shore Temple sits right on the coast, offering nice views of the water and landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram
- Visit Panch Rathas temples
- Explore Arjuna's Penance
- Visit Shore Temple
Landmarks Panch Rathas Arjuna's Penance Shore Temple - Day 3
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
The drive takes you to Pondicherry, a charming former French colony with colonial architecture throughout. You'll walk the tree-lined streets with mustard-yellow colonial houses, then visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville township. Stop by Sri Ganesha Temple and Manakula Vinayagar Temple to see the local religious sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Pondicherry
- Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Explore Auroville township
- Visit Sri Ganesha Temple
- Visit Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Landmarks Sri Aurobindo Ashram Auroville Sri Ganesha Temple Manakula Vinayagar Temple - Day 4
Pondicherry to Thanjavur
Drive to Thanjavur, which was once the capital of the Chola dynasty. Check out the Brihadeeshwara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1010 AD that's known for casting no shadow at noon. Later, explore Thanjavur Palace with its Durbar Hall and Royal Palace Museum to see the region's royal history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Thanjavur
- Visit Brihadeeshwara Temple
- Explore Thanjavur Palace
- Visit Durbar Hall
- Visit Royal Palace Museum
Landmarks Brihadeeshwara Temple Thanjavur Palace - Day 5
Thanjavur to Trichy
Head to Trichy, one of Tamil Nadu's oldest cities from around the 3rd century BC. Climb about 400 barefoot steps up to the Rock Fort Temple perched on a rocky hill, where you'll get panoramic views of the city and River Cauvery. After that, wander through Chinnar Bazaar and Gandhi Bazaar to browse silk sarees, wooden crafts, and jewelry.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rock Fort Temple
- Explore Chinnar Bazaar
- Explore Gandhi Bazaar
Landmarks Rock Fort Temple Chinnar Bazaar Gandhi Bazaar - Day 6
Trichy to Chettinad
Drive to Chettinad, where you'll see opulent heritage mansions built by the wealthy Chettiar community with Burma teak and Italian marble throughout. Tour the majestic mansions and the Chettinad Museum which has regional artifacts and antiques. During lunch or later, try the local Chettinad cuisine known for its bold spices and strong flavors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chettinad mansions
- Visit Chettinad Museum
Optional Activities
- Dine on Chettinad cuisine
Landmarks Chettinad Museum - Day 7
Chettinad to Madurai
Head to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world from over 2,500 years ago. Explore the Meenakshi Amman Temple with its colorfully-sculpted gopurams that rise high above the city. Visit the 17th-century Thirumalai Nayak Palace which blends Dravidian and Rajput architecture, and see the temple tank at Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Madurai
- Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace
- Visit Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
Landmarks Meenakshi Amman Temple Thirumalai Nayak Palace Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam - Day 8
Madurai to Periyar
Drive to Periyar in the lush Western Ghats of Kerala. You'll check in to your hotel and have the evening free to relax. Take in the cool climate and natural surroundings, with spice plantations and forested hills surrounding the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Periyar
Spend the day at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's major tiger reserves. Look for elephants, tigers, leopards, wild boars, and bird species around Periyar Lake where animals come to drink and bathe. You can also visit the nearby tea, coffee, and spice plantations in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Spice Plantation tour
- Boat ride in Periyar with entrance fee
Optional Activities
- Additional boat ride at Periyar Lake
Landmarks Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Periyar Lake - Day 10
Periyar to Munnar
Drive to Munnar, a hill station where three rivers meet, with rolling tea plantations and mist-covered hills. Walk through the lush tea estates and visit the Tea Museum to learn how tea gets made. Stop by Eravikulam National Park to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and check out Mattupetty Dam surrounded by tea gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through tea estates
- Visit Tea Museum
- Visit Eravikulam National Park
- Visit Mattupetty Dam
Landmarks Tea Museum Eravikulam National Park Mattupetty Dam - Day 11
Munnar to Kumarakom
Head to Kumarakom, a tranquil village on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The rest of the day is free for you to soak in the serene backwaters and take in the natural beauty of the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Vembanad Lake - Day 12
Kumarakom to Alleppey
Drive to Alleppey, known as the 'Venice of the East'. Board a traditional houseboat for an overnight cruise through Kerala's backwaters. You'll see village life, lush paddy fields, and coconut groves as the boat glides along the canals. Enjoy a welcome drink, freshly prepared meals, snacks, and dinner onboard before anchoring near a village for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Freshly prepared meal onboard), Dinner (Dinner served onboard)
Included Activities
- Houseboat overnight cruise through backwaters
Landmarks Kerala Backwaters - Day 13
Alleppey to Kochi
After breakfast on the houseboat, you'll disembark and drive to Kochi. The journey takes you through the Kerala landscape as you head toward your next stop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 14
Kochi
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Cochin International Airport for your onward flight, wrapping up your South India journey.
- End point
- Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Aluva, Kerala, India (Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Aluva, Kerala, India)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kathakkali Dance show
