Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai to Mahabalipuram
You'll arrive at Chennai Airport where your tour representative will be waiting for you. The drive to Mahabalipuram takes about an hour and a half along the coast. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to settle in, freshen up, and get oriented to this heritage town by the sea.
- Start point
- Chennai International Airtport, Meenambakkam, Chennai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (You will be picked up from Chennai International Airport, 06:00 - 12:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mahallaa Heritage ), Resort (Ideal Beach Resort), Hotel (Radisson Blu Plaza )
- Day 2
Mahabalipuram
Following breakfast, head out to explore Mahabalipuram's ancient structures. You'll see the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, and Arjuna's Penance, which is an impressive rock carving. The day also includes stops at Ganesh Ratha, Krishna's Butter Ball, and various rock-cut Mandapas. After lunch, you can either relax on the beach, take a walk around town, or check out the local craft shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mahallaa Heritage ), Resort (Ideal Beach Resort), Hotel (Radisson Blu Plaza )
Included Activities
- Visit Shore Temple
- Visit Five Rathas (chariot-shaped temples)
- View Arjuna's Penance (rock carving)
- Visit Ganesh Ratha
- View Krishna's Butter Ball
- Explore rock-cut Mandapas
Optional Activities
- Beach walk
- Local craft shop exploration
Landmarks Shore Temple Five Rathas Arjuna's Penance Ganesh Ratha Krishna's Butter Ball - Day 3
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
The drive to Pondicherry takes about two hours from Mahabalipuram. This charming town has a distinct French atmosphere that you'll notice right away. Once you check in, visit the Aurobindo Ashram and walk through the French Quarter with its colonial architecture. By evening, spend time at the beach promenade and watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (Hotel Annamalai Pondicherry), Hotel (Shenbaga Hotel & Convention), Hotel (The Residency Tower)
Included Activities
- Visit Aurobindo Ashram
- Stroll through French Quarter
Landmarks Aurobindo Ashram French Quarter 
- Day 4
Pondicherry to Tanjore
Your morning starts early with a guided cycling tour through Pondicherry between 7 and 9 AM, giving you a local perspective on the town. After that, you'll drive toward Tanjore, stopping at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram to see UNESCO World Heritage temples. On the way, check out a silk weaving village and bronze statue workshop. By evening, you'll reach Tanjore and visit the Brihadeeswara Temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (HOTEL Gnanam), Hotel (Great Trails Riverview ), Resort ( Svatma Luxury Heritage Resort)
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour of Pondicherry
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage temples at Darasuram
- Explore local silk weaving village
- Visit bronze statue workshop
- Visit Brihadeeswara Temple
Landmarks Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple Darasuram Temple Brihadeeswara Temple 
- Day 5
Tanjore to Chettinad
Depart for Trichy and stop at Amma Mandapam on the Cauvery River, where you can see Rock Fort Temple and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple from across the water. You'll have a mehndi hand art session before heading toward Chettinad. En route, stop at a unique village temple known for its terracotta animal offerings, then explore Chettinad's grand mansions and local crafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Chettinadu Court Heritage View), Hotel (Chettinadu Mansion – An Authentic Heritage Palace), Hotel (Chidambara Vilas )
Included Activities
- Visit Amma Mandapam on Cauvery River
- View Rock Fort Temple
- View Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
- Try Mehndi hand art
- Visit village temple with terracotta animal offerings
- Explore Chettinad grand mansions
- Explore local Chettinad crafts
Landmarks Rock Fort Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - Day 6
Chettinad
Spend the day in Chettinad checking out its markets and temples while visiting traditional craft workshops. You'll see Athangudi tile making units and wood carving in action. Later, head to Karaikudi to explore Kandangi saree weaving centers. The afternoon includes a bullock cart ride through the village, which gives you an authentic feel for local life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Chettinadu Court Heritage View), Hotel (Chettinadu Mansion – An Authentic Heritage Palace), Hotel (Chidambara Vilas )
Included Activities
- Visit Athangudi tile making units
- Visit wood carving workshops
- Visit Kandangi saree weaving centers in Karaikudi
- Bullock cart ride through village
Optional Activities
- Explore Chettinad markets
- Visit Chettinad temples
- Day 7
Chettinad to Madurai
The drive to Madurai gives you time to see more of Tamil Nadu's landscape. Start by visiting the Gandhi Museum and the Nayak Palace. In the evening, go on a food safari, sampling local dishes at different eateries and restaurants around the city using various local transport options to move between stops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (JC Residency Madurai), Hotel (Fortune Pandiyan Hotel), Hotel (Heritage Madurai)
Included Activities
- Visit Gandhi Museum
- Visit Nayak Palace
- Madurai food safari
Landmarks Gandhi Museum Nayak Palace - Day 8
Madurai
Join the Vanakkam Madurai walking tour that runs from 6 to 8 AM, where you'll discover how locals go about their daily life and culture. Later, try on a traditional saree and shop for bangles. You'll visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple in the morning or early afternoon, then head to Vilachery to see traditional doll-making and weaving.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (JC Residency Madurai), Hotel (Fortune Pandiyan Hotel), Hotel (Heritage Madurai)
Included Activities
- Vanakkam Madurai early morning walking tour
- Experience traditional saree draping
- Shop for bangles
- Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Visit Vilachery for traditional doll-making
- View traditional weaving in Vilachery
Landmarks Meenakshi Amman Temple - Day 9
Madurai to Periyar
Cross into Kerala and drive to Periyar, a region famous for its spice plantations. During a guided tour of a local spice garden, you'll learn about the various spices grown here. In the evening, there's a tribal dance or martial arts performance (Kalaripayattu) to watch, giving you a taste of Kerala's cultural traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ELEPHANT ROUTE), Hotel (Elephant Court), Hotel ( Hotel Peppervine Thekkady)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of local spice garden
- Tribal dance or Kalaripayattu martial arts performance
Landmarks Periyar Spice Garden - Day 10
Periyar to Alleppey
The drive to Alleppey takes you to Kerala's tranquil backwaters. Check into your waterside resort and have the afternoon and evening to yourself. If you're interested, optional Ayurveda treatments or yoga sessions are available to help you unwind after several days of traveling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (Deshadan Backwater Resort), Hotel (Coconut Lagoon), Hotel (Cocobay Resort)
Optional Activities
- Ayurveda treatments
- Yoga sessions
Landmarks Kerala Backwaters - Day 11
Alleppey
After breakfast, you'll check out and board a traditional houseboat for a cruise through the backwaters. Gliding along the scenic waterways, you'll see beautiful landscapes and get glimpses of how people live in the villages along the water. This is a more relaxed day where you can take in the surroundings and watch daily life unfold.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Resort (Deshadan Backwater Resort), Hotel (Coconut Lagoon), Hotel (Cocobay Resort)
Included Activities
- Traditional houseboat cruise through backwaters
Landmarks Kerala Backwaters - Day 12
Alleppey to Cochin
On the way to Cochin, stop at a local school, coir mat unit, matchstick workshop, church, and tea shop. You'll also pass through scenic paddy fields. After lunch, arrive in Cochin and settle in. The evening features a Kathakali dance performance with a behind-the-scenes look at how the performers prepare their makeup and costumes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Casino Fort Kochi), Hotel (Eight Bastion ), Hotel (Hotel Abad Plaza)
Included Activities
- Visit local school
- Visit coir mat unit
- Visit matchstick workshop
- Visit church
- Visit tea shop
- View scenic paddy fields
- Kathakali dance performance with makeup and preparation tour
- Day 13
Cochin
Explore Fort Cochin on foot and by auto-rickshaw, visiting the Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, the Jewish Synagogue, and the Dutch Palace. Walk through the local spice markets where you can smell the various spices sold there. Check out some art galleries to see local and contemporary work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Casino Fort Kochi), Hotel (Eight Bastion ), Hotel (Hotel Abad Plaza)
Included Activities
- Discover Fort Cochin by walking and auto-rickshaw
- Visit Chinese Fishing Nets
- Visit St. Francis Church
- Visit Santa Cruz Basilica
- Visit Jewish Synagogue
- Visit Dutch Palace
- Explore local spice markets
- Explore art galleries
Landmarks Chinese Fishing Nets St. Francis Church Santa Cruz Basilica Jewish Synagogue Dutch Palace - Day 14
Cochin Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Cochin International Airport for your flight. Your tour concludes with assistance at the airport to ensure your departure runs smoothly.
- End point
- Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Aluva, Kerala 683111, India (You will be dropped outside the Cochin International Airport, 12:00 - 16:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
