East coast to west coast — great Chola temples at Thanjavur, Meenakshi Amman at Madurai, Fort Kochi's colonial quarter, and Alleppey's backwaters.
Tour Highlights
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Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive into Chennai where you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Later in the afternoon enjoy a short orientation tour of Chennai.
The flower market in Chennai is worth waking up early for, and the perfect way to start your colourful journey of Southern India. From here you will be taken to some of the city's cultural highlights, including the 17th century Fort St. George, the ancient Shiva temple of Kapaleeshwarar and the streets of the bustling Georgetown Bazaar.
One of the largest cities in India, Chennai and the surrounding area is a cultural melting pot, and the area is a centre for classic music and dance, art and the location of the Tamil film industry. Following an early breakfast you will set off south to the former French colonial town of Pondicherry, stopping en route to discover more of the cultural heritage of this region. Visit a performing arts school and weaving centre established by the Kalakshetra Foundation, before continuing on to the relaxed seaside town of Mahabalipuram where you can visit the famous UNESCO heritage site. Modern day stone carvers, tourists and local fishermen mingle amongst the ancient ruins and stone carvings, some of which date back as far as the 7th century. Arrive in Pondicherry late afternoon.
This morning's activity is a cooking class in Shyama's kitchen before sitting down to enjoy your lovely meal with her family. In the afternoon, discover the historic Tamil and French quarters of Pondicherry on a guided walking tour visiting the 17th century Fort visiting 17th century Fort...
Drive to the remarkable Chola temple heartland of Kumbakonam, visiting the extraordinary Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur en route — the greatest achievement of Chola architecture, completed in 1010 CE.
Drive to Madurai and visit the extraordinary Meenakshi Temple in the afternoon — first impressions of this extraordinary complex of 14 towers covered in thousands of painted sculptures.
Full day with the Meenakshi Temple — morning for the dawn ceremony, afternoon for the thousand-pillared hall and the remarkable daily rituals.
Drive to Periyar National Park — crossing into Kerala's Western Ghats. Afternoon boat safari on Periyar Lake.
Full day at Periyar — morning boat safari and afternoon jungle walk or bamboo rafting with tribal guides.
Drive to Munnar through the extraordinary Western Ghats spice and tea country.
Tea museum, tea estate walk, and Eravikulam National Park for Nilgiri tahr.
Drive down to Alleppey for the houseboat embarkation.
Full day on the backwaters aboard the traditional houseboat.
Disembark and drive to Kochi — Chinese fishing nets, Dutch Palace, Synagogue, and Kathakali performance.
Final full day in Kochi exploring independently.
Morning at leisure before departure transfer.
After breakfast the tour concludes. Kochi airport connects internationally.
About This Journey
A refined tailor-made journey connecting Tamil Nadu’s great Chola temple cities with Kerala’s backwaters and colonial Kochi — from Chennai east coast to west coast via extraordinary temple architecture, Pondicherry’s French colonial quarter, the Chola capital of Thanjavur, and the bustling devotional energy of Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple. This 17-day private journey traces the cultural heartland of Dravidian civilisation.
Highlights
Chennai’s extraordinary 17th-century Fort St. George and the Kapaleeshwara temple. Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO Pallava rock temples and Shore Temple. Pondicherry — India’s French colonial enclave with remarkable cuisine. Thanjavur’s Brihadeeswarar Temple — the greatest achievement of Chola architecture. Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple — one of the grandest temples in India. Kerala backwaters houseboat cruise.
Accommodation Used On This Tour
Malabar House
Kochi's first boutique heritage hotel, Malabar House occupies a 1755 colonial residence beside the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. Its rooms blend period architecture with contemporary South Indian art, its restaurant is one of Kerala's most celebrated, and the location is unmatched for exploring the old town on foot.
Windermere Hotel
A planter's retreat in the hills of Munnar, Windermere Estate sits amid cardamom and coffee plantations at 1,600 metres. Its cottages overlook the valleys of the Western Ghats and its garden paths lead directly into the surrounding plantations.
Spice Village CGH Earth
An eco-resort at Thekkady built within a working spice garden, Spice Village's thatched cottages are modelled on tribal dwellings of the Periyar forest. The resort grows its own spices and vegetables, its naturalists lead garden walks and the adjacent Periyar sanctuary brings wildlife to the property boundary.
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. Please refer to the detailed itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
Where You Stay
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
October to March offers the most comfortable weather — warm days, low humidity and minimal rainfall. April and May are hot; June to September is the southwest monsoon, which brings lush green landscapes but heavy rain on the Kerala coast.
Traditional Kerala houseboats (kettuvallams) are converted rice barges with private bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, a dining area and sun deck. A dedicated crew of two or three — including a cook preparing fresh Keralan meals — accompanies each boat as you cruise the palm-fringed backwater canals.
Kerala cuisine is generally milder than North Indian food, with coconut, curry leaves and seafood at its heart. Hotels and houseboats readily adjust spice levels, and vegetarian options are outstanding throughout the region.
Yes — beach extensions, additional wildlife parks, Ayurvedic retreats and different hotels can all be woven in. Contact us to shape the perfect South India journey.
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