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Group Tour of South India Heritage and Backwaters

14 days
•
From Chennai (Madras) to Kochi (Cochin)
4.8 (428 reviews)
  • Ancient temple structures with intricate carvings at sunset.
  • Historic temple complex with detailed stone carvings.
  • Chinese fishing nets by the sea at twilight in Kochi, India.
  • A small garden area filled with potted plants arranged around a circular feature.
  • A picturesque street with a yellow building with colonial architecture.
    View all
  • Lush greenery lines a quaint street with colonial-style buildings.
  • A temple with colorful sculptures and intricate designs.
  • Stone carvings depicting mythological scenes at a historical site.
  • Ancient rock-cut structures with intricate designs at a heritage site.
  • Beautifully illuminated temples at sunset with visitors.
    View all
From
US $3,244 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Platinum Operator
MTA Destination Management Company
Ancient Wonders
Walk among ruins, temples, and timeless landmarks
Group Tour
Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Other languages on request: Italian, French, Spanish
Group Size 2 - 15
All Ages Welcome
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Intro

    Introduction

  2. Day 1

    Chennai

    Chennai
    Start point
    Chennai International Airtport, Meenambakkam, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (You will be greeted outside the airport exit gate by a representative holding a personalized name placard. Pick-up can also be arranged from any car-accessible location within Chennai.)
    Meals
    Dinner
    Accommodation
    (The Residency Chennai)
    Itinerary Image 1
  3. Day 2

    Chennai

    Chennai
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    (The Residency Chennai)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Santhome Basilica
    • Stroll along Marina Beach
    • Explore Kapaleeswar Temple
    • Panoramic drive past colonial landmarks
    Landmarks
    Santhome Basilica
    Marina Beach
    Kapaleeswar Temple
  4. Day 3

    Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

    Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    (Accord Puducherry)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Shore Temple
    • See Arjuna's Penance
    • Explore Five Rathas
    • Drive to Pondicherry with stops at Mahabalipuram
    Landmarks
    Shore Temple
    Arjuna's Penance
    Five Rathas
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 4

    Pondicherry

    Pondicherry
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    (Accord Puducherry)

    Included Activities

    • Explore French Quarter
    • Visit Aurobindo Ashram
    • Admire historic churches
    • Relax at Pondicherry Beach
    Landmarks
    French Quarter
    Aurobindo Ashram
    Pondicherry Beach
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  6. Day 5

    Pondicherry - Darasuram - Tanjore/Kumbakonam

    Pondicherry - Darasuram - Tanjore/Kumbakonam
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    (Indeco Hotels Swamimalai)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram
    • Drive to Tanjore/Kumbakonam
    Landmarks
    Airavatesvara Temple
  7. Day 6

    Tanjore

    Tanjore
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    (Indeco Hotels Swamimalai)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Brihadeeswarar Temple
    • Tour Tanjore Palace and Art Gallery
    Landmarks
    Brihadeeswarar Temple
    Tanjore Palace
  8. Day 7

    Tanjore/Kumbakonam - Trichy - Chettinad

    Tanjore/Kumbakonam - Trichy - Chettinad
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel 5* (ChidambaraVilas Chettinad)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam
    • Visit Rockfort Temple
    • Tour tile factory
    • Tour cotton weaving center
    • Guided village walk in Chettinad

    Optional Activities

    • Chettinad Bullock Cart Ride Experience - USD 60 Per Person
    Landmarks
    Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
    Rockfort Temple
    Itinerary Image 1
  9. Day 8

    Chettinad - Madurai

    Chettinad - Madurai
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Poppys Hotel Madurai)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Gandhi Museum
    • Explore Tirumalai Nayakar Palace
    • Rickshaw ride through old city
    • Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple

    Optional Activities

    • Madurai - Heritage Walking Tour - USD 55 per person
    Landmarks
    Gandhi Museum
    Tirumalai Nayakar Palace
    Meenakshi Amman Temple
    Itinerary Image 1
  10. Day 9

    Madurai - Thekkady

    Madurai - Thekkady
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* ( Hotel Peppervine Thekkady)

    Included Activities

    • Visit vibrant flower market
    • Stop at grape plantation
    • Stop at traditional brick-making site
    • Drive to Thekkady
  11. Day 10

    Thekkady

    Thekkady
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* ( Hotel Peppervine Thekkady)

    Included Activities

    • Boat safari on Periyar Lake
    • Spice plantation tour

    Optional Activities

    • Thekkady - Cooking Class and Dinner - USD 35 per person
    • Optional activities or hotel relaxation
    Landmarks
    Periyar Lake
  12. Day 11

    Thekkady - Kumarakom

    Thekkady - Kumarakom
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Abad Whispering Palms)

    Included Activities

    • Stop at Sacred Heart Church
    • Stop at tea plantations
    • Drive to Kumarakom
    Landmarks
    Sacred Heart Church
    Itinerary Image 1
  13. Day 12

    Kumarakom

    Kumarakom
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Kerala lunch), Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Private houseboat cruise through backwaters

    Optional Activities

    • Ayurvedic massage
  14. Day 13

    Kumarakom - Cochin

    Kumarakom - Cochin
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Casino Hotel )

    Included Activities

    • Explore Fort Kochi
    • See Chinese Fishing Nets
    • Visit Jewish Synagogue
    • Tour Mattancherry Palace
    Landmarks
    Chinese Fishing Nets
    Jewish Synagogue
    Mattancherry Palace
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  15. Day 14

    Cochin

    Cochin
    End point
    Kochi, Kerala, India (You will be dropped off at the airport or any car-accessible location within Cochin, ensuring a smooth and comfortable end to your journey.)
    Meals
    Breakfast

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

  • The Residency Chennai

    Days 1, 2
    Upgrade Available

  • Accord Puducherry

    Days 3, 4
    Upgrade Available

  • Indeco Hotels Swamimalai

    Days 5, 6
  • Front

    ChidambaraVilas Chettinad

    Hotel 5*
    day 7
    Upgrade Available
  • Front

    Poppys Hotel Madurai

    Hotel 4*
    day 8
    Upgrade Available

  • Hotel Peppervine Thekkady

    Hotel 4*
    Days 9, 10
    Upgrade Available
  • Bedroom

    Abad Whispering Palms

    Hotel 4*
    day 11
    Upgrade Available

  • Casino Hotel

    Hotel 4*
    day 13
    Upgrade Available

Operated by

MTA Destination Management Company

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.8 (428 reviews)
Response time
12 hours
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy
Learn more

Reviews from other tours by MTA Destination Management Company

  • Marty4.7•September 2026
    Overall an excellent customized tour with MTA. Arranging the tour was efficient through the Tourradar portal and the...
    Show more
  • Tiago5.0•July 2026
    We had an absolutely fantastic experience on our Agra tour. Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish,...
    Show more
  • Marja5.0•July 2026
    I really enjoyed my time in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi. Hotels were very nice, cars were comfortable, guides...
    Show more

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Dates & Prices

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2028

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

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ChildrenUnder 18

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    Brittany

    Asked on December 11th, 2022

    Would there be any snorkeling or scuba diving activities available

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Trip essentials

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Tour ID: 203233

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  • ₹ - Indian Rupee

    You’ll encounter Indian Rupee in India.

  • Plug types C, D, M

    You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in India.

  • Currency

    ₹
    Indian Rupee

    India

  • Plugs & adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types C, D, M. As a traveler from South Africa you will need an adaptor for type C.

    • Type C

      Used in India

    • Type D

      Used in India

    • Type M

      Used in India

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From
US $3,244 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec