Tamil Nadu & Kerala
Overview
Dravidian temple towns and French Pondicherry, Chettinad mansions, tea-covered Munnar, Periyar's jungles and a houseboat through Kerala's backwaters.
Route
Chennai → Madurai → Munnar → Alleppey → Cochin
Trip highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 01
Arrive Chennai & drive to Mahabalipuram
Airport pick-up and orientation tour of Chennai en route to Mahabalipuram.
Day 02
In Mahabalipuram
Morning tour of the magnificent rock temples and carvings.
Day 03
Drive Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
En route visit Auroville, the experimental international township.
Day 04
In Pondicherry
Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, the City of Dawn.
Day 05
Drive to Tanjore
En route visit the Thillai Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram.
Day 06
Drive to Chettinad via Trichy
Visit Srirangam Temple at Trichy, then continue to Chettinad.
Day 07
Drive to Madurai
Chettinad Palace and mansions, then drive to Madurai; evening temple ceremony.
Day 08
In Madurai
Meenakshi Temple and Thirumalai Nayak Palace city tour.
Day 09
Drive Madurai – Munnar
Drive to Munnar, the hill station at the meeting of three mountain streams.
Day 10
Drive Munnar – Periyar
Afternoon private boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot wildlife.
Day 11
In Periyar
Nature walk through the jungle with an English-speaking naturalist.
Day 12
Drive Periyar – Kumarakom
Afternoon responsible-tourism village experience (approx. 3 hrs).
Day 13
Kumarakom – Alleppey
Board a traditional houseboat on the backwaters.
Day 14
Alleppey – Cochin
Disembark and drive to Cochin for a tour of Fort Cochin.
Day 15
Fly out from Cochin
Transfer to the international airport.
