A cultural journey through Tamil Nadu and Kerala, blending temple cities, heritage mansions, lush plantations and tranquil backwaters.
Your journey begins in Chennai, a bustling coastal city where colonial history blends with vibrant temples and lively bazaars. After exploring its cultural highlights, travel south to Pondicherry, where French boulevards, pastel villas and café-lined streets offer a Mediterranean charm. From here, continue to Tanjore to admire the magnificent Chola temples, including the monumental Brihadisvara, and meet local artisans keeping age-old traditions alive.
Next, discover the heritage of Chettinad, staying in a beautifully restored mansion while exploring palatial homes, colourful tile workshops and fiery local cuisine during a private cooking class. Pause in Madurai to marvel at the towering gopurams of the Meenakshi Temple before retreating into the serene hills of Rajakkad, a tranquil estate surrounded by coffee plantations, forests and waterfalls.
From here, journey into Kerala’s lush tea country in Munnar, where you can stroll through emerald-green plantations, visit a working tea factory or trek into the hills. Continue on to Cochin, a historic spice port filled with colonial architecture, art galleries and narrow streets lined with markets, before watching a traditional Kathakali dance performance.
Your trip ends with time to unwind on Kerala’s backwaters, first cruising the tranquil canals aboard a private houseboat, then relaxing in luxury at Kumarakom Lake Resort, with days at leisure to swim, enjoy Ayurvedic treatments and soak up the serenity of this unique landscape.
Trip Highlights
Wander the colonial streets of Pondicherry, with its French Quarter, pastel villas and café culture.
Marvel at the Chola temples of Tanjore, including the monumental Brihadisvara Temple.
Explore the mansions, markets and fiery cuisine of Chettinad, with a hands-on cooking class.
Walk through Munnar’s rolling tea plantations, visiting a working factory or hiking into the hills.
Cruise Kerala’s tranquil backwaters by private houseboat before unwinding at Kumarakom Lake Resort.
When to go
This Southern India itinerary is best enjoyed between October and March, when the weather is cooler, less humid and skies are clearer, ideal for sightseeing, tea garden walks and backwater cruising.
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Day by Day Itinerary
On arrival in Chennai, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll stay one night. Spend the afternoon exploring the city’s colonial history, vibrant culture and rich heritage.
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Drive to Pondicherry with a stop to explore Mahabalipuram’s magnificent 7th-century rock-cut temples and Shore Temple. On arrival, enjoy a cooking session and dinner with a local family.
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Drive to Tanjore via Trichy, visiting Rock Fort Temple and the vast Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Arrive at your hotel for a restful evening, perhaps with a spa treatment before dinner.
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Rise early to visit the monumental Brihadisvara Temple, then continue to Karaikudi, stopping at Ayyanar shrines en route. Settle into your heritage property and enjoy the region’s distinctive Chettinad atmosphere.
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Travel to Madurai to visit the iconic Meenakshi Temple and its lively markets, before continuing into the Western Ghats for a peaceful stay at Rajakkad Estate.
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Drive into Kerala’s tea country and settle into your plantation retreat, joining a plantation walk in the evening.
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Travel to Cochin and settle into your waterfront heritage hotel.
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Drive to Kumarakom to settle into a luxury lakeside resort.
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Where to stay
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