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The journey
Discover the cultural richness and natural beauty of South India on this 12-day journey through Kerala and Tamil Nadu. From historic Cochin and the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey to the wildlife of Thekkady and the tea-covered hills of Munnar, the tour blends heritage, landscapes, and local traditions.
Continue into Tamil Nadu to explore some of the region’s most celebrated temples, palaces, and colonial-era towns. Highlights include Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, the Great Living Chola Temples, the French Quarter of Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, and Chennai. With accommodation, transport, guided sightseeing, monument entrances, and meals included as per the itinerary, this is a well-rounded introduction to two of India’s most fascinating states.
Discover the cultural richness and natural beauty of South India on this 12-day journey through Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Arrive CochinOn arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel, check in. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc.Overnight at hotel.
Cochin - Alleppey (60kms)Breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour visiting Fort Cochin St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutchs Palace & Chinese fishing nets.Later transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver.Overnight in Houseboat.
Alleppey - Thekkady (160kms)Breakfast at hotel. Disembark from houseboat and drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show.Overnight at hotel.
ThekkadyBreakfast at hotel. Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee etc.Overnight at hotel.
Thekkady - Munnar (100kms)Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Munnar via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi.Continue drive to Munnar check in at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
MunnarBreakfast at hotel. Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum.Overnight at hotel.
Munnar - Madurai (160kms)Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.Overnight at hotel.
Madurai - Trichy - Thanjavur (190kms)Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Thanjavur, via visiting Trichy Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rock Fort Temple & Jambukeshwara temple. On arrival check in at hotel.Later visit Brihadeshwara Temple built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Also visit Thanjavur Palace & Museum.Overnight at hotel.
Thanjavur - Darasuram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Chidambaram - Pondicherry (180kms)Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram, Airavateshwarar Temple a storehouse of art and architecture and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple complex which includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Also visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple dedicated to the dancing posture of Lord Shiva.Overnight at hotel.
PondicherryBreakfast at hotel. Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools. Rest time free and easy to rtelax on the beach.Overnight at hotel.
Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai (240kms)Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Chennai enroute visit Mahabalipuram Monolithic Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.Next visit Kanchipuram Kailasanathar temple, Ekambareswarar temple, Varadharaja temple, Vaikundhaperumal temple & Kamakshiamman temple.Continue drive to Chennai check in and o/n at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
Chennai - Departure (Flight)Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Chennai visit Fort St. George, St Mary's Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
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