The best package to relive the ancient aura of Tamil Nadu and Kerala dominated by the Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, and Cheras
From museums, heritage walks, purchasing the best sarees in India, visiting 4-5 UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, drinking the best tea in India, to capturing the vibes of Europe in Alleppey, this three-week trip will be an intriguing itinerary for all Nature, temple, heritage, tea, and silence lovers. Begin your tour with spirituality and end with tranquillity. You’ll cover superlatives and traverse the happening tourist zones in South India to pack memories that will last for a lifetime.
Arrival Chennai - Mahabalipuram
On arrival at Chennai, our Tour Executive will be there to receive you and then drive straight to Mahabalipuram, the most frequented South Indian Coastal Town.
Overnight stay at Mahablipuram Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay/ Chalet Garden View
Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
This day, you will be on a day tour to Kanchipuram, the Land of Temples in Tamil Nadu. Visit the popular Kamakshi Amman temple, where Goddess Kamakshi is in a unique Padmasana Posture. Next, you will be visiting Ekambareswarar temple, one of the FIVE Pancha Bootha Sthalas, representing the cosmic element Earth.
Kanchipuram is equally famous for the Handwoven silk sarees. If you are interested, visit the weaving yard and witness how a silk saree is made, you can opt for shopping few silk sarees as souvenirs as well. After all your activities, return to Mahabalipuram.
Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay/ Chalet Garden View
Mahabalipuram- Dakshina Chitra - Mahabalipuram
Today have a day trip to Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum (Closed on Tuesdays), an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. The main mission is to exhibit, promote and preserve aspects of the broader, more inclusive cultures of the states and to bring these arts to the public in a participative, enjoyable and engaging way.
Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram/Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay/ Chalet Garden View
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Commence your drive to Pondicherry which strongly holds the French culture in South India for several centuries and retains an obvious Gallic feel to this day. Here you can visit Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville meditation centre.
Overnight stay at Pondicherry/ Villa Shanthi/ Terrace Suite
Pondicherry - Gangaikondacholapuram- Darasuram- Kumbakonam
Today drive to Kumbakonam, Enroute visit Gangaikonda cholapuram and Darasuram where both are UNESCO monuments listed as Great Living Chola Temples. On arrival at Kumbakonam visit Swamimalai temple which is one of the 6 abodes of Lord Muruga. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight stay at Kumbakonam Mantra Koodam/Mantra Cottage
Kumbakonam
This day is for experiencing the village culture and some unique practices. Enjoy the oil massage and have a bath in the gushing water from the pumpset set in the open air, an experience for life time. Rest of the day, you can go around on your own pace and interact with the natives and know about their lifestyles.
Overnight stay at Kumbakonam/Mantra Koodam/ Mantra Cottage
Kumbakonam - Tanjore - Trichy- Chettinad
Start your drive to Chettinad, Enroute visit Tanjore Brihadeshwara temple,an UNESCO monument and one of the Three Great Living Chola Temples. Also visit Palace and Art Gallery. Later visit an artisan’s workshop and see the making of bronze statues for which Tanjore is famous.
Resume your drive to Trichy where you will be visiting Sri Rangam Renganathaswamy temple, world’s largest functioning Hindu temple and Rock fort temple from where you can have the panoramic view of Trichy. Then on arrival at Chettinad, check in at the hotel and relax for rest of the day.
Overnight stay at Chettinad Visalam / Chettinad room
Chettinad
Chettinad, home for the business community called Chettiars, palatial residences and delectable cuisines. The grand houses of Chettiars where the intermingling of influences like dizzying- Burmese teak, Italian marble, British steel and a myriad of architectural styles are used. You can explore some of these buildings and you would stay in the residences turned heritage properties as well. Enjoy a cooking demo where you will get to know about how the spicy Chettinad cuisines are made ready and relish them. Go for a Bullock Cart ride to explore the region better.
Overnight stay at Chettinad Visalam / Chettinad room
Chettinad - Madurai
Post breakfast, check out and proceed to Madurai, world’s one of the oldest cities with the longest surviving civilization. Once you reach Madurai, plan to visit the flower market, a signature spot in the city with the hundreds of colourful flowers, spreading the aroma. Have your lunch and proceed to hotel. Rest of the day is free and you can explore the city at your own pace.
Overnight stay at Madurai Gateway Hotel Pasumalai/ Executive
Madurai (Early Morning Walking Tour)
Wake up early in the morning and proceed for the walking tour where you can witness the routine life of Madurai people. Then come back to hotel and refresh yourself and proceed for the sightseeing. Today you will be visiting the grandest Meenakshi Amman temple, Tirumalai Nayakkar Palace and Gandhi Museum. Relax for rest of the day.
Overnight stay at Madurai Gateway Hotel Pasumalai / Executive
Madurai – Munnar
Post breakfast, proceed to the Villacherry village where you can witness doll making and weaving and then after lunch at Madurai, drive to Munnar, the most romantic destination of Kerala. On arrival check in at the hotel and relax for rest of the day and enjoy the cool climate.
Overnight stay at Munnar Fragrant Nature / Tropic Green.
Munnar (Soft Trekking)
Today you have a soft trekking (3 to 4 hours) to enjoy the beauty of sprawling hills and strolling through the lush green tea plantations. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight stay at Munnar Fragrant Nature / Tropic Green
Munnar (Chinnar Wild Life Trek)
Chinnar Wild Life Trek – we recommend morning session where you can enjoy the pleasant climate and it will not be that difficult to trek. If you wish you can start by 6:00am or 07:00 AM. Hotels will provide you packed breakfast. You will reach Chinnar around 09:30 AM. The Trek lasts till 1:00 PM. You can reach back hotel around 4:00 PM.
Overnight stay at Munnar Fragrant Nature / Tropic Green
Munnar - Periyar
Commence your drive to Periyar which is famous for spice plantation. On arrival have your lunch and then proceed for the spice tour. You can also have a boat ride at Periyar Lake. Later in the evening, witness Kalaripayattu show (Martial Art.). Rest of the day is for you to relax.
Overnight stay at Periyar Cardamom County/ County Cottage
Periyar - Kanjirapally (Nature Walk at Periyar)
Today you will have Nature Walk in the morning. After refreshment and breakfast drive to Kanjirapally. Rest of the day free to explore the Estate and learn a little about the history of the area and the crops grown around here, including rubber and various spices. Farm house stay at Kerala can really be a refreshing experience.
Overnight at Kalaketty Estate/ Standard Non AC
Kanjirapally - Kumarakom
Today drive to Kumarakom which is famous for backwaters and here if you wish you can opt for Ayurvedic massage (direct payment). Kumarakom is a heaven for wetland birds some of which are migratory and come all the way from Siberia.
Go for a sunset cruise, enjoy the sun descending into the Vembanad Lake, an alluring moment to remember. Return to hotel to relax for rest of the day.
Overnight at Kumarakom Coconut Lagoon / Heritage Mansion
Kumarakom - Alleppey
Today drive to Alleppey which is also famous as Venice of the East. Embark the houseboat by 12:30pm and your crew members will be there to receive you and provide you with delicious dishes. Enroute you can stop to visit ancient temples, churches and can watch the daily life of the local people who live close to these canals. Your crew will look after you and shall serve you with delicious Kerala food on board. In the evening by 6pm, the boat will be anchored in a village where you can go for walk and mingle with the local people. Again it will start by next day morning by 6:00am
Overnight stay at the Air conditioned Houseboat
Alleppey - Cochin
Disembark the houseboat and proceed to Cochin. On arrival check in at the hotel and refresh yourself. Later in the evening, you can enjoy the ancient dance form of Kerala - Kathakkali dance show. The dance drama enacts the interesting scenes from the great Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha.
Overnight stay at Cochin Eighth Bastion/ Bastion room
Cochin
This morning proceed to the sightseeing places. Here you can visit Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays) Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays). The other main attractions here are the astonishingly preserved Hindu murals depicting the Ramayana, Mahabharata. Chinese fishing net and St. Francis church which was constructed by Portuguese.
Overnight stay at Cochin Eighth Bastion / Bastion room
Cochin Departure
Today you will be transferred to the airport as per your departure schedule.
Tour Ends with wonderful memories!
