BEST OF SOUTH
Chennai – Covelong – Pondicherry – Tanjore – Chettinad – Madurai – Backwaters -Lake Vembanad – Cochin
A 21 NIGHTS/22 DAYS TOUR
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the marvellous Kalakshetra Foundation, an academy for culture and the arts in Chennai
- Explore bustling Georgetown market
- Day trips to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram
- Enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner with a local family in Pondicherry
- See the artisans responsible for making the famous Athangudi tiles and local weavers
- Pay a visit to the architectural wonders at Tanjore and Madurai temples;
- Spend a day cruising the Keralan Backwaters on a houseboat
- Hike in the tea plantations at Munnar
- Sample a mouth-watering lunch at and cooking interaction with Nimmy Paul at her home in Cochin
Encounter the best of what the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala has to offer in this insightful 3 week itinerary, which allows you to take it slow. Start in the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, with its rich cultural history which excellently balances its heritage with a flourishing contemporary scene. Spend some time on Tamil Nadu’s coastal beaches, and see the shore temple at Mahabalipuram. Take in the beautiful city of Pondicherry, with its unique French colonial architecture and food, Tanjore the rice bowl of the country, Madurai with its world-famous Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple and the Chettinad region with its grand mansion houses and delicious cuisine. Kerala, God’s Own Country, has a varied landscape, from the hill country and tea estates of Munnar, the peaceful backwaters and the charming fort ton of Cochin, with its old cobbled streets, its mix of Portuguese, Dutch and British influences.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Day |
Activity |
City |
Accommodation type |
|
1 |
Arrive at Chennai Airport where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Chennai |
Chennai |
Luxury |
|
2 |
Morning visit St George museum and the Government museum. Not to be missed is the Georgetown bazaar. Afternoon visit to the Kalakshetra Foundation |
Chennai |
Luxury |
|
3 |
Day excursion to Kanchipuram |
Chennai |
Luxury |
|
4 |
Drive to Covelong and check-in. Later in the day visit Mahabalipuram including the 5 Rathas, Shore temples and cave temples. |
Covelong |
Luxury |
|
5 |
Drive to Pondicherry and check into your hotel. Rest of day at leisure. |
Pondicherry |
Heritage |
|
6 |
Sightseeing of Pondicherry followed by cooking demonstration and dinner with a local family in the evening. |
Pondicherry |
Standard / Moderate |
|
7 |
Drive to Tanjore visiting the Chidambaram temple en route. |
Tanjore |
Standard / Moderate |
|
8 |
Today visit Brihadeeswara Temple and the Darasuram temples |
Tanjore |
Standard / Moderate |
|
9 |
Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram |
Tanjore |
Standard / Moderate |
|
10 |
This morning drive to Chettinad en-route visiting Ranganthaswamy Temple & Rock Fort Temple in Trichy. |
Chettinad |
Heritage / Luxury |
|
11 |
Explore this heritage region, with it’s beautiful old mansions as well visiting the famous Athangudi tiles makers and visit the local handloom workshops. |
Chettinad |
Heritage / Luxury |
|
12 |
Drive to Madurai and visit the Shree Meenakshi temple during the day, visit some of the local artisans and textile makers. Early evening return to Shree Meenakshi temple for the evening ceremony. |
Madurai |
Standard / Moderate / Heritage |
|
13 |
Early morning visit to the flower market of Madurai and explore this temple city on foot, visiting the Tirumalai Nayak Palace |
Madurai |
Standard / Moderate / Heritage |
|
14 |
Drive to Munnar. |
Munnar |
Standard / Moderate / Luxury |
|
15 |
Day at leisure to explore or enjoy the facilities of the estate on your own. |
Munnar |
Standard / Moderate / Luxury |
|
16 |
Drive to the Backwaters and board a famous Keralan Houseboat for a day cruise and overnight on board. |
Backwaters |
Houseboat |
|
17 |
After breakfast, drop-off at Philipkutty’s Farm for 2 nights. |
Lake Vembanad |
Philipkutty’s Farm |
|
18 |
Day at leisure; explore the region or just relax at this wonderful backwater homestay |
Lake Vembanad |
Resort |
|
19 |
Drive to Cochin and check-in at your hotel. Evening Kathakali dance performance. |
Cochin |
Luxury / Heritage |
|
20 |
Cooking demonstration and lunch at Nimmy Paul’s residence. |
Cochin |
Luxury / Heritage |
|
21 |
Sightseeing of Cochin including seeing the iconic Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral, Dutch Palace, Synagogue and walk in famous Jew town |
Cochin |
Luxury / Heritage |
|
22 |
Transfer to the Cochin International airport for flight back home |
Cochin departure |
|