The full sweep of the south — rock temples at Mahabalipuram, Dravidian gopurams at Madurai, wildlife in Nagarhole, and Kerala's backwaters.
Tour Highlights
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Day by Day Itinerary
The joining point is at Chennai International Airport. We drive south along the shores of the Indian Ocean to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. The once great port city of the Pallava dynasty, Mahabalipuram can trace its ancestry back to the 7th century and is home to some 40 different monuments and temples including the magnificent Shore Temple, one of India's oldest stone buildings.
A full day exploring Mahabalipuram's extraordinary UNESCO heritage — the Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance (one of the largest rock-cut reliefs in the world), the Five Rathas (five monolithic temples each carved from a single granite boulder), and the numerous cave temples.
Drive north via the remarkable Gingee Fort — one of South India's most impressive fortified complexes, with temples, granaries and reservoirs spread across three rocky hills. Continue to Pondicherry, the former French colony with its distinctive Gallic quarter.
Morning exploring Pondicherry's charming French Quarter with its yellow-painted colonial buildings, quiet streets and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Drive to Kumbakonam, the 'City of Temples', en route visiting a traditional weaving village.
Visit the extraordinary Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Chola architecture whose 66-metre tower was completed in 1010 CE. Continue to Karaikudi in the heart of Chettinadu.
Explore the extraordinary Chettinadu palace mansions — the homes of the Nattukotai Chettiars, prosperous merchants who created some of India's most remarkable domestic architecture using materials from across Southeast Asia.
Drive to Madurai, one of South India's oldest cities, for a full afternoon exploring the extraordinary Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple — its 14 towering gopurams covered in thousands of brightly painted sculptures, one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture.
Morning exploration of the Meenakshi Temple before an afternoon departure by train from Madurai. We travel overnight through the South Indian countryside, arriving in Mysore in the morning.
Arrive in Mysore and freshen up at our hotel. Morning excursion to the magnificent Hoysala temples at Somanathapura, Belur and Halebid — covered in extraordinarily detailed 12th-century carvings that remain among the finest examples of medieval Hindu sculpture.
A full day exploring Mysore — the magnificent Mysore Palace (four times the size of Buckingham Palace), the Chamundi Hill temple, the fragrant Devaraja market with its mounds of jasmine and spices, and the Government Silk Weaving Factory.
Drive to the edge of Nagarhole National Park for an afternoon wildlife safari through the forests, searching for tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur and the enormous array of birdlife.
Dawn safari before crossing into Kerala. Visit a traditional Kalarippayattu gymnasium to watch — and try — Kerala's ancient martial art form.
Explore Calicut's remarkable Halwa Bazaar and beach, then drive to Cheruthuruthy, home of the Kerala Kalamandalam performing arts academy.
Visit the Kerala Kalamandalam to watch students practising the ancient Kathakali and Mohiniyattam dance forms. Drive to Kumarakom on the shores of Vembanad Lake.
Two extraordinary days on the Kerala backwaters, cruising gently through palm-fringed canals on a traditional houseboat. Watch village life unfold from the deck — children heading to school by boat, fishermen casting nets, women washing clothes on the ghats.
Disembark and drive to Kochi — one of India's most fascinating and cosmopolitan port cities. Fort Kochi's remarkable heritage includes the iconic Chinese fishing nets, the oldest European-built church in India, the Dutch Palace, and the Paradesi Synagogue.
A final day exploring Kochi independently — perhaps visiting the remarkable Kathakali dance performance centre, exploring the characterful Jew Town spice market, or simply wandering the colonial streets of Fort Kochi.
After breakfast the tour concludes. Transfers to Kochi International Airport can be arranged.
About This Journey
Travel from Tamil Nadu to Kerala taking in Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Madurai, Nagarhole National Park, an overnight train and Kochi. This 19-day journey covers the full breadth of South India’s extraordinary heritage — from the rock-cut Pallava temples at Mahabalipuram and the Chola bronze masterpieces at Thanjavur, through the Chettinadu palace mansions, to the wildlife of Nagarhole and the backwaters of Kerala.
Highlights
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, one of India’s oldest stone temples. Explore the extraordinary 18th-century Chettinadu palace mansions with their unique architectural heritage. Experience wildlife safaris in Nagarhole National Park. Ride an overnight train through the night from Madurai to Mysore. Two nights on a traditional Kerala houseboat on the backwaters.
Accommodation Used On This Tour
Kabini River Lodge
The original safari lodge of South India, Kabini River Lodge occupies the former hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore on the banks of the Kabini reservoir. Run by Jungle Lodges & Resorts, its colonial bungalows, boat safaris and expert naturalists have made it a legend among Indian wildlife destinations.
Coconut Lagoon
A CGH Earth heritage resort on Vembanad Lake accessible only by boat, Coconut Lagoon is built from transplanted tharavads — traditional Kerala mansions rescued from demolition. Its canals, Ayurvedic centre and lakeside pool make it the definitive Kumarakom backwater address.
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.
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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