Itinerary
- Day 1
Kochi
You'll land at Cochin Airport and get picked up for the drive to your hotel. After you check in, spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing at your accommodation. It's a straightforward arrival day to get your bearings and shake off travel fatigue.
Landmarks Kochi (Cochin) - Day 2
Kochi
Following breakfast, a guide takes you through Fort Kochi's colonial architecture, including St. Francis Church and the Jewish Synagogue. You'll see the distinctive Chinese Fishing Nets and have some free time to walk around the historic quarter. Later in the evening, there's a traditional Kathakali dance performance, which is quite a sight with the elaborate costumes and dramatic movements.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Fort Kochi
- Visit St. Francis Church
- Visit Jewish Synagogue
- View Chinese Fishing Nets
- Traditional Kathakali dance performance
Landmarks Fort Kochi St. Francis Church Jewish Synagogue Chinese Fishing Nets - Day 3
Kochi to Alleppey
You'll drive to Alleppey and board a private houseboat for the day cruising through the backwaters. The boat passes through calm waters, coconut groves, and quiet villages as you have meals prepared right there on board. Lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner are all included, so you're eating fresh food while taking in the scenery. By evening, the boat anchors near a village for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Freshly prepared meal on houseboat), Snack (Evening snacks on houseboat), Dinner (Freshly prepared meal on houseboat)
Included Activities
- Private houseboat cruise on backwaters
- Traditional welcome drink
- Scenic passage through villages and coconut groves
Landmarks Alleppey (Alappuzha) - Day 4
Alleppey to Periyar
After eating breakfast on the houseboat, you'll head to Periyar and check into your hotel. From there, a guided tour takes you through the wildlife sanctuary where you can spot elephants, gaur, and various birds on a boat ride across Periyar Lake. Later, visit a working spice plantation to see cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg growing and learn how they're harvested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Boat ride on Periyar Lake
- Spice plantation visit
Landmarks Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Periyar Lake - Day 5
Periyar to Madurai
The drive to Madurai takes you to one of India's oldest continuously occupied cities. You'll check in at your hotel and have the evening to yourself, so it's a good time to rest or grab dinner at a local spot and explore the area on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Madurai - Day 6
Madurai
Start at the Meenakshi Amman Temple with its massive gopurams rising above the city. Then walk through Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam tank. Head back to the Meenakshi Temple later to watch the Aarti ceremony, a spiritual ritual performed each evening that's quite moving with the bells, chanting, and lights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Explore Thirumalai Nayak Palace
- Visit Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
- Witness Aarti ceremony at Meenakshi Temple
Landmarks Meenakshi Amman Temple Thirumalai Nayak Palace Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam - Day 7
Madurai to Trichy
Drive to Trichy and climb up to the Rock Fort Temple, which sits on top of a hill. The 400 barefoot steps are challenging but the views across the city and down to the River Cauvery are worth it. After that, spend time in the Grand Bazaar and surrounding streets where you'll find traditional crafts and textiles if you want to pick up something local.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rock Fort Temple
- Climb to temple summit for panoramic city views
- Explore Grand Bazaar and traditional crafts
Landmarks Rock Fort Temple Grand Bazaar River Cauvery - Day 8
Trichy to Thanjavur
Head to Thanjavur to see the Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built completely from granite back in 1010 AD. The temple's scale and construction are remarkable for its age. Later, check out Thanjavur Palace, where Maratha rulers once lived, with its courtyards, Durbar Hall, and the Royal Palace Museum inside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Brihadeeswara Temple
- Explore Thanjavur Palace and Royal Palace Museum
Landmarks Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur Palace - Day 9
Thanjavur to Pondicherry
The drive brings you to Pondicherry, a former French colony that still has that colonial feel with tree-lined streets, old buildings, and seafront promenades. You'll check into your hotel, and the town's mixture of French and Indian influences comes through in its architecture and atmosphere right away.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Pondicherry - Day 10
Pondicherry
Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, which is an international community built around ideas of harmony and peace. Then stop by the Sri Ganesha Temple and Manakula Vinayagar Temple to see local religious sites. In the evening, wander through Pondicherry's French Quarter where there are cafes, boutiques, and a nice seaside promenade to walk along.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Visit Auroville
- Visit Sri Ganesha Temple
- Visit Manakula Vinayagar Temple
- Explore French Quarter
Landmarks Sri Aurobindo Ashram Auroville Sri Ganesha Temple Manakula Vinayagar Temple - Day 11
Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram
Drive to Mahabalipuram on the Bay of Bengal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient stone temples and monuments from the Pallava dynasty. You'll check in at your hotel and have time to get oriented before exploring the next day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Mahabalipuram - Day 12
Mahabalipuram
Start with the Panch Rathas, five monolithic temples carved to look like chariots out of a single rock. Continue to Arjuna's Penance, a massive rock carving showing Hindu mythology scenes, then finish with the Shore Temple built in the 7th century right by the ocean. These three sites represent the town's most important archaeological landmarks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Panch Rathas
- View Arjuna's Penance
- Visit Shore Temple
Landmarks Panch Rathas Arjuna's Penance Shore Temple - Day 13
Mahabalipuram to Chennai
After breakfast, you'll drive to Chennai International Airport for your flight onward. It's a straightforward morning departure to wrap up your trip through South India.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Chennai International Airport
