This amazing itinerary includes a private 13-day South India tour with car and driver from the coastal plains through Tamil Nadu's inlands to Kerala, God's own country, which includes the Western Ghats, tranquil backwaters, and the colonial port town of Cochin. This unforgettable journey includes world heritage sites, breathtaking architecture, historic towns, vibrant temple ceremonies, bustling bazaars, enchanting wildlife, and palm-fringed backwaters, to name a few highlights.
Day 01: Chennai (Arrival)
Our agent will welcome you on arrival at Chennai International Airport and bring you to a pre-booked accommodation. At the hotel, relax & refresh. The Ashtalakshmi temple, the Shri Parthasarathy Temple, established by Pallavas around the 8th century AD, and the Kapaleeswarar Temple, which is located in Mylapore belong to the Temple of Chennai (Eighth century PallavaTemple dedicated to Lord Shiva). It's time to stroll and unwind in your afternoon. Stay at the hotel in Chennai for an overnight stay.
Day 02: Chennai Sightseeing
Be ready to discover a lovely palace after breakfast, such as the Kapaleeshwar Temple at Fort St. George (the oldest fort in Chennai). Head immediately to Santhome Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, Anna Zoological Park, BirLa Planetarium and People's Park. Head straight to Santhome. Stop at Theosophical Society and Kalakshetra. Visit the renowned Marina Beach at night (the second largest in the world). Hotel check. Check in. Stay in Chennai overnight. People’s Park. Make a brief halt at Kalakshetra and Theosophical Society. Later at evening visit the famous Marina Beach (the second largest in the world). Check into hotel. Overnight stay at Chennai.
Day 03: Chennai –Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (200 km/ 3-4 hrs)
After breakfast, depart for Mahabalipuram. En route, stop in Kanchipuram to see Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, VaikundaPerumal Temple, and Kailasanathar Temple.
Travel to Mahabalipuram later. Check into the hotel upon arrival. Afterward, explore the relics of the city's ancient-moat port and ruins, as well as the monumental remains of an ancient Pallavas temples with sculptural panels, caves, rock-cut temples and Rathas (Chariots), KrishnaMandapam (open space enclosed within high walls) with the world's largest bas relief measuring 27m x 9m, whale-back shaped rock with cut-out figures of gods, demi-gods, men.
Shore Temple, one of the oldest in the south, dates from the 8th century AD and represents an earlier phase of temple architecture in Dravidian style. Spend the night at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.
Day 04: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (120 km/ 3½ hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Pondicherry; upon arrival, check-in at the hotel; after refreshment, get ready to enjoy the sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram, The Pondicherry Botanical Garden, Pondicherry Temples, The Pondicherry Museum, and so on; after the sightseeing tour is completed, return to the hotel in the evening. Stay at the hotel overnight
Day 05: Pondicherry –Tanjore (170 km/ 4 – 5 hrs)
Following breakfast, drive to Tanjore and visit the Temple of Brihadeshwara. Stay in a hotel in Tanjore overnight.
Tanjore, Tamil Nadu is an Indian city. Southern Indian religion, arts and architecture is a major centre of Thanjavur. In and around Thanjavur, most of the Great Living Chola Temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Day 06: Tanjore–Trichy– Madurai (250 km/ 4-5 hrs)
After breakfast, we proceed to Madurai, where you can explore the temples and rock fort of Sri Ranganathaswamy. From Trichy, it's a 5-kilometer trip to the island of Srirangam. There is a temple as well as a fort. This temple features 22 gopurams (ports with pyramids, the biggest of which is) and is housed within the seven walls (72 m high 13 storied). In the evening, check into the hotel. Stay for the night.
Day 07: Madurai Temple Visit
After breakfast, set out to tour Madurai, stopping by Shri Meenakshi Temple and Thiruparankundram Temple. Madurai, known as the "Athens of the East," is a temple-filled city that dates back 2500 years. The city was named after the nectar (Mathuram) that dropped from Shiva's locks when he arrived to bless the people for building a shrine for him. Temple of Meenakshi-Sundareswara with 12 gopurams (gateways to the temple with pyramid-like structures). Four of the temple's tallest gopurams stand on the temple's exterior walls. Over 1500 sculptures may be found on the 48.8 m high gopuram in the temple's southern wing. The sculpted pillars at the Ashta Shakthi Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple tell the storey of the Madurai princess and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Stay overnight in a hotel at Madurai.
Day 08: Madurai – Munnar (170 km/ 4 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Munnar, popularly known as the "Kashmir of South India." On the journey to Munnar, you'll pass through tea plantations that stretch for hundreds of kilometres, surrounded by lush green hills. Arrive at Munnar and settle into your hotel. Spend the night at the hotel and unwind.
Day 09: Munnar Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit Rajamalai (Eravikulam National Park), Munnar's highest peak where you may witness Neel Thar (mountain goats), Tea Museum, Mattupetty Da, and Eco Point. Explore the expansive tea and coffee estates, winding alleyways, and rugged terrain. Visit Munnar's spice plantations. Cinnamon, coffee, tea, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, garlic, vanilla, black pepper, white pepper, and other spices are grown at Munnar. Boating is also available on the Lake. Stay at the hotel in Munnar for the night.
Day 10: Munnar – Thekkady (90 km/ 2½ hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Thekkady, check into a hotel, and then visit Periyar Lake and the Periyar Wildlife Century to see wildlife before returning to the hotel. The evening is free for you to explore the spice bazaar. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Thekkady – Alleppey Houseboat (140 km/ 3½ hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Alleppey. Arrive there, check in to your houseboat, also known as a Kettuvallom (the boat will be ready at 1200 hrs), and begin your cruise through Kerala's scenic backwaters and small lakes. Your houseboat contains a bedroom with a connected toilet, as well as a dining space and a sitting area. The boat will be accompanied by three members of personnel. There is one driver, one helper, and one cook. The accompanying cook will prepare and serve lunch, evening tea, snacks, and dinner on board. Overnight stay on the houseboat.
Day 12: Alleppey – Cochin (60 km/ 02 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Cochin and check into your accommodation. Later, enjoy sightseeing in Cochin, which includes St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Jewish synagogue and Jew town of Mattanchery, Chinese fishing nets, beach walk, marine drive, and Bolgatty Palace. Stay at the hotel for the night.
Day 13: Cochin departure
Today, after breakfast, check out of the hotel. Drive to Cochin International Airport to board your journey back to your hometown with wonderful memories of India.
