Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai to Mahabalipuram
You'll arrive at Chennai Airport where a representative meets you for the drive to Mahabalipuram, a coastal town about 57 km away (roughly 1.5 hours). After checking in at your hotel, you'll have time to settle in and get oriented before dinner.
- 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., 07:00 - 12:00)
- Accommodation
- (Grand Continent Mahabalipuram), (Mammala Heritage Mahabalipuram), (Welcomhotel By ITC Hotel Mahabalipuram)
- Day 2
Mahabalipuram
This morning you head to Kanchipuram, a historic temple city where silk weaving has been central to the economy for centuries. You'll visit several temples and walk through a traditional silk weaving center to see craftspeople at work. Back in Mahabalipuram by evening, you'll explore the rock-cut temples and seafront structures that make this town special.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Grand Continent Mahabalipuram), (Mammala Heritage Mahabalipuram), (Welcomhotel By ITC Hotel Mahabalipuram)
Included Activities
- Visit temples in Kanchipuram
- Explore traditional silk weaving center
- Explore iconic rock-cut architecture in Mahabalipuram
- Visit seafront temples in Mahabalipuram
Landmarks Kanchipuram Temples Mahabalipuram Rock-cut Temples - Day 3
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
The drive south takes you along scenic coastal roads to Pondicherry, about 90 km away (2 hours). Once there, you'll walk the beachfront promenade and wander through the French Quarter with its colonial architecture, cafes, and small boutiques that give the town its distinctive character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Annamalai International), Hotel (Shenbaga Hotel & Convention), Hotel (Hotel Accord)
Included Activities
- Visit beachfront promenade
- Explore French Quarter
- Browse cafes and boutiques
Landmarks Pondicherry Beachfront Promenade French Quarter, Pondicherry - Day 4
Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Gangakondacholapuram - Kumbakonam
You're heading inland into Tamil Nadu's temple region today. You'll stop at the vibrant Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram and the UNESCO-listed Chola temple at Gangaikondacholapuram before continuing to Kumbakonam (roughly 140 km total, 4-5 hours). After checking in, you'll have the evening to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Quality Inn Viha), Hotel (Indeco Hotel), Hotel (Mantra Koodam)
Included Activities
- Visit Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram
- Visit UNESCO-listed Chola temple at Gangaikondacholapuram
Landmarks Nataraja Temple Gangaikondacholapuram Temple 
- Day 5
Kumbakonam
Start with the Darasuram Temple in Kumbakonam, then drive to Tanjore to see the grand Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide explains the intricate history and architectural details of these ancient structures throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Quality Inn Viha), Hotel (Indeco Hotel), Hotel (Mantra Koodam)
Included Activities
- Explore Darasuram Temple
- Visit Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore
Landmarks Darasuram Temple Brihadeeswara Temple - Day 6
Kumbakonam - Trichy - Chettinadu - Madurai
From Kumbakonam, you drive to Trichy (95 km, about 2 hours) to visit the Rock Fort Temple and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. After that, head to Chettinadu (90 km, 2 hours) to see heritage mansions with their unique architecture, then continue on to Madurai (another 90 km, 2 hours) and settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (JC Residency Madurai), Hotel (Fortune Pandiyan Hotel), Hotel (Heritage Madurai), Hotel (Madurai Residency), Hotel (Poppy Hotel), Hotel (Courtyard by Mariott)
Included Activities
- Visit Rock Fort Temple in Trichy
- Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
- Explore heritage mansions in Chettinadu
Landmarks Rock Fort Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - Day 7
Madurai
You'll explore Madurai, starting with the Gandhi Museum and then the famous Meenakshi Temple with its towering gopurams and intricate carvings. Later this evening, you join a guided food tour sampling street food specialties that Madurai does well.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (JC Residency Madurai), Hotel (Fortune Pandiyan Hotel), Hotel (Heritage Madurai), Hotel (Madurai Residency), Hotel (Poppy Hotel), Hotel (Courtyard by Mariott)
Included Activities
- Visit Gandhi Museum
- Visit Meenakshi Temple
- Guided food tour - Madurai street food
Landmarks Gandhi Museum Meenakshi Temple 
- Day 8
Madurai to Periyar (Thekkady)
Before sunrise, you're on a guided walking tour through Madurai's old city to catch the early energy and light. After breakfast, you drive to Thekkady near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (140 km, 4 hours), then spend the afternoon on a spice plantation walk or hiking through the forest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pepper vine Hotel), Hotel (Elephant Court), Hotel (Elephant Route)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Madurai old city at dawn
- Spice plantation walk or forest hike
Landmarks Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 9
Periyar to Munnar
An early boat ride on Periyar Lake gets you out on the water for wildlife spotting. Later you drive through the scenic hills to Munnar (159 km, 4 hours), known for its green tea plantations. You'll have the rest of the day to relax and take in the mountain air.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (Deshadan Mountain Resort), Hotel (The Leaf Munnar), Hotel (Chandy's Woods)
Included Activities
- Boat ride on Periyar Lake
Landmarks Periyar Lake Munnar Tea Plantations 
- Day 10
Munnar
You have flexibility today in Munnar. Options include visiting the Tea Museum to learn about tea production, taking a nature walk through the hills, or heading to Eravikulam National Park where you might spot the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (Deshadan Mountain Resort), Hotel (The Leaf Munnar), Hotel (Chandy's Woods)
Included Activities
- Visit Tea Museum
- Nature walk
- Explore Eravikulam National Park
Landmarks Tea Museum Eravikulam National Park - Day 11
Munnar to Alleppey
After a leisurely morning, you drive to Alleppey (161 km, 5 hours), the gateway to Kerala's backwaters. Once there, you explore on foot, by bicycle, or by boat, checking out local temples and churches while experiencing village life. You'll check into your hotel and get settled.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Deshadan Back water Resort), Hotel (Coconut Lagon), Resort (Punnamada Resort)
Included Activities
- Explore backwaters by foot, bicycle, or boat
- Visit local temples
- Visit local churches
- Experience traditional village life
Landmarks Alleppey Backwaters - Day 12
Alleppey - Houseboat Stay
After breakfast, you board your houseboat for a leisurely cruise through the backwaters. You'll see village life along the banks, lush paddy fields, and traditional fishing techniques as you go. Meals are served onboard throughout the day, and you'll spend the night on the houseboat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Houseboat (Deluxe Houseboat ), Houseboat (Premium Houseboat ), Houseboat (Luxury Houseboat )
Included Activities
- Board houseboat for backwater cruise
- Observe village life from houseboat
- View paddy fields
- Watch traditional fishing
Landmarks Alleppey Backwaters - Day 13
Alleppey to Cochin
You drive to Cochin and take a guided tour of Fort Cochin (52 km, 1.5 hours), visiting the synagogue, Dutch Palace, and St. Francis Church. The Chinese fishing nets are worth seeing in action. In the evening, you either watch a Kathakali dance performance or browse the shops and markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Abad Plaza), Hotel (Casino Hotel ), Hotel (Fragrant Nature)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Fort Cochin
- Visit synagogue
- Visit Dutch Palace
- Visit St. Francis Church
- View Chinese fishing nets
- Watch Kathakali dance performance
Optional Activities
- Shopping
Landmarks Fort Cochin Chinese Fishing Nets Dutch Palace St. Francis Church 
- Day 14
Departure from Cochin
You're transferred to Cochin Airport for your flight out, ending your trip through Tamil Nadu and Kerala's temples, backwaters, and hill stations.
- End point
- Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Aluva, Kerala 683111, 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
