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Your Holiday Proposal

PROPOSAL ID: AM-20250120

This tailor-made itinerary takes you across some of the most fascinating and colourful locations in Southern India.

The tour starts in Chennai on the East coast, proceeding across Tamil Nadu and Kerala to Cochin on the West coast.

Marvel at the best of Hindu architecture at the World Heritage sites of Mahabalipuram, the ‘Great Living Chola Temples’ and Madurai’s famed Meenakshi temple.

Be amazed at Chettinad’s mansions and cuisine. Created by the local Chettiar community of money-lenders and businessmen on the back of fortunes made by importing teak wood from Burma, Chettinad’s mansions are richly decorated with a mix of European and local adornments and styles.

Cross into Kerala, ‘God’s own country’ with its spice and tea plantations, lush rainforests and the famed backwaters.

Enjoy boat safaris in the Periyar Tiger Reserve to spot Tigers, herds of Elephants, Gaur among other mammals and a rich variety of birdlife. Get close to the jungle on naturalist escorted walks in the pristine forests.

The tea estates and spice plantations of Munnar offer cooler temperatures and great hiking territory, with many a trail available to choose from and explore the natural beauty and endemic wildlife including the endangered Nilgiri Tahr at the Eravikulam National Park.

The backwaters are a vast network of canals, used by traditional rice boats made of bamboo and coconut coir to transport produce to Cochin, the world trading centre for spices since Roman times. You’ll take an overnight cruise on a restored rice boat, serenely sailing past colourful villages and tropical landscapes of rice paddies and coconut trees.

Cochin is a fascinating and picturesque city where glimpses of Jewish, Christian and European Colonial influences are still seen.

This grand tour takes in some of southern India’s best UNESCO World Heritage Sites, diverse cultures, captivating wildlife and welcoming communities.

All throughout, you’ll stay at some of the most sumptuous and characterful luxury boutique hotels and restored heritage properties known for their hospitality and warmth.

Created/Updated: January 20, 2025
Route:
Chennai > Mahabalipuram > Pondicherry > Thanjavur > Chettinad > Madurai > Periyar National Park > Munnar > Cochin > Kumarakom (Lake Vembanad and Backwaters) > Marari Beach
Themes:
Activity Levels
Leisurely Active
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • Activities and excursions as specified in itineraries
  • Entrance fees/tickets for all monuments, safaris etc
  • All in-destination transfers & transport in A/C vehicles with safe and experienced driver
  • Accommodation & Meals as specified
  • English speaking experienced guides and naturalists
  • 24/7 support throughout your holiday

Your itinerary in detail

Day 1
Arrive early morning in Chennai on BA035 arriving at 0545. You’ll be received at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Your hotel room has been booked from the previous night, so you can check in on arrival early morning and relax for rest of the day
Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton (Deluxe Room)

Day 2
Explore Chennai full day tour with your local English-speaking guide
Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton (Deluxe Room)

Day 3
Visit World Heritage site of Mahabalipuram with a local guide, who will help interpret the architecture and religious mythology of this site.
Drive south to the city of Pondicherry to check into your hotel in the French Quarter of Pondicherry City.
Hotel: Shenbaga Hotel (Count Suite)

Day 4
Explore Pondicherry independently.
Hotel: Shenbaga Hotel (Count Suite)

Day 5
An early morning start (around 0900), driving south to Thanjavur, stopping at World Heritage Chola Temples enroute. These grand temples were built in the 11-12th centuries by the great Chola kings. The temples testify to the brilliant achievements of the Cholas in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.
The first stop will be Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the ‘City of the Chola who conquered the Ganges’ where you’ll visit the 1000 yr old Brihadishvara Temple (with local guide).

The nearby small town of Kumbakonam has several Chola temples including the Nageshvara Temple which has some of the finest early Chola sculptures.
A little further south at Darasuram, the Airavateshvara temple, a late Chola masterpiece is the second World Heritage Site. (A local guide will accompany you here)

Check in to your hotel at Thanjavur to relax and enjoy dinner.
Hotel: Sangam Hotel Tanjore (Deluxe Room)

Day 6
Full day guided city tour of Thanjavur including temples and monuments

The city of Thanjavur is dominated by the Brihadishvara temple of Thanjavur, not to be confused with the equally grand temple of the same name visited the day before. This is the third of the ‘Great Living Chola Temples’ World Heritage Sites.

The vast compound is entered via one of South India’ earliest monumental tower gates (gopurams).

Visit a local workshop to observe bronze making and glass painting.

If you have time, you can visit the museum in the Thanjavur Palace, which houses a fine collection of Chola sculpture, including bronzes.
Hotel: Sangam Hotel Tanjore (Deluxe Room)

Day 7
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Chettinad, a region famous for its aromatic and spicy cuisine, and its unique architectural style.

Enroute, visit The Bangala, a heritage hotel renowned for its food and cooking classes, where you will enjoy a cooking demonstration and a delicious lunch. The Bangala was rated the 7th Best Restaurant in India by Condé Nast Traveller in 2019.

After checking into your 120yr old heritage hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps take a evening walk near the hotel.
Hotel: Chettinad – Chidambaram Vilas (Heritage Luxury Room)

Day 8
This morning, along with your guide, you will visit some of the famed mansions of the region, including Athangudi Palace, an ornately built mansion house with lavish interiors.

One of the specialities of the Chettinad region is the art of making tiles. The process is totally manual, and having lost ground to factory made tiles for a while, the traditional tiles are making a comeback with eco-conscious designers.

Visit the Athangudi Tile Factory where you can see local artisans use traditional techniques and tools to create tiles.
Hotel: Chettinad – Chidambaram Vilas (Heritage Luxury Room)

Day 9
After breakfast, drive to Madurai, considered by many to be the archetypal South Indian Temple town. A local guide will give you a tour of the city today.

The vast 17th century Meenakshi Temple complex has towering gateways covered with religious figures in spectacular colours. Although non-Hindus are not allowed within the sanctum, there is plenty to admire from the outer areas.

Your next stop is hardly a stone’s throw away from the Meenakshi temple, the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a mix of architectural styles – Italian, Indo-Saracenic and Gothic.

If time permits, Madurai is a good place to shop for handicrafts including wood, brass and stone curios. The Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium is especially recommended.
Enjoy the dusk/night prayer ceremony at Meenakshi temple with your guide to end your day and return to the hotel to relax.
Hotel: Madurai -Courtyard by Mariott (Superior Room)

Day 10
After breakfast, drive from Madurai to Periyar Tiger Reserve (4 hrs), which is surrounded by lush rolling hills, where the British introduced tea and spice plantations.

Check in at your hotel and enjoy lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to explore locally or relax.
At night, embark on a night patrol with a forest guide from the local community for a safe and unique way to explore the forests. Gaur and deer are often spotted resting, smaller mammals and birds can be seen – the guides will carry torches.
Hotel: The Elephant Court (Patio Room)

Day 11
This morning, embark on a very special half-day expedition into the wilds of Periyar – a combination of walking and bamboo rafting will immerse you in the pristine rain forest at close quarters. The rain forests at Periyar are some of the densest in India. Gaur, sloth bear and elephants are often sighted apart from birds and butterflies. You’ll be accompanied by guides and forest guards to ensure safety and comfort.

The rest of the day is at leisure. If interested, you can do a boat safari in the evening on the Periyar lake.
Hotel: The Elephant Court (Patio Room)

Day 12
Start early for a dawn boat ride in Periyar Tiger Reserve. The lake looks ethereally beautiful in the morning mist, and you’ll have a chance to spot wildlife from the comfort of your boat.

Back at the hotel, after breakfast, check out and drive to Munnar (3 hrs). Check into your hotel.

Explore the surround hills and tea estates on short walks/hikes independently
Hotel: Eastend Munnar (Suite Room)

Day 13
Explore Munnar – the nearby Eravikulam National Park is an excellent place to go for hikes, looking for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and other wildlife.
Hotel: Eastend Munnar (Suite Room)

Day 14
Explore Munnar independently – there are opportunities to hike through tea estates, visit the tea factory/museum, spice plantations and the local market to shop for tea/spices to bring home.
Hotel: Eastend Munnar (Suite Room)

Day 15
After breakfast, drive to Cochin (4 hrs). Check into your heritage hotel, situated right at the heart of the historic Fort Cochin.
Rest of the day is at leisure to explore or relax
Hotel: The Old Court House by Abad (Boutique Room or Heritage Classic Room)

Day 16
Explore Cochin full day guided tour.
Hotel: The Old Court House by Abad (Boutique Room or Heritage Classic Room)

Day 17
Muziris tour
Hotel: The Old Court House by Abad (Boutique Room or Heritage Classic Room)

Day 18
After a leisurely breakfast, around 1000 drive to Allepey (1.5 hrs) – embark on your one-bedroom luxury Rice boat for an overnight cruise on the famed Kerala backwaters of Lake Vembanad.

The cruise takes you through narrow canals where you can watch life of the backwater people go by women pound their washing, families work in the fields, ducks being reared, men collecting shells for making local ‘cement’ or linger at the local ‘chai’ shop, and canoes and ferry boats.
Hotel: One Bed Room Deluxe House Boat

Day 19
After breakfast on your boat, upon disembarking, your vehicle will drop you to Marari Beach (0.5 hr). Check into your beachfront resort and enjoy the beach for the rest of the day.
Hotel: Abad Turtle Beach Marari (Beach Villa)

Day 20
Marari Beach at leisure all day.

Hotel: Abad Turtle Beach Marari (Beach Villa)

Day 21
Depart for your return flight to UK from Cochin airport.

Please let us know how you feel about this itinerary, remember we'll be more than happy perfecting it to your satisfaction.

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

The above given cost includes

Accommodation in the above-mentioned hotels / resort as per mentioned meal plan
Air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers as per the above-mentioned itinerary
All sightseeing, experiential tours as mentioned in the above itinerary
Night Patrolling in Periyar National Park with Forest Guards
Bamboo Rafting and Walking safari in Periyar
Shared Boat ride at Lake Periyar
Entrances to the monuments visited as per the above itinerary
Meals as mentioned in the above itinerary
All currently applicable taxes

Quote does not include

Any International airfare to/from India including international airport tax.
Meals not specified.
Camera fee wherever levied.
Any increase in airfares by the airlines in future.
Any increase in entrances and rail fares as per Government notifications in future.
Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future.
Any expenses of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
Any item not mentioned in the quote includes section.
Any increase in the entrance fee to the National Park. The quote is based on the presently applicable entrance fee.

Hotels Included, room category and number of nights
Chennai Four Points by Sheraton (Deluxe Room) 02
Pondicherry Shenbaga Hotel (Count Suite) 02
Tanjore Sangam Hotel Tanjore (Deluxe Room) 02
Chettinad Chidambaram Vilas (Heritage Luxury Room) 02
Madurai Courtyard by Mariott Madurai (Premium Room) 01
Periyar The Elephant Court (Patio Room) 02
Munnar Eastend Munnar (Suite Room) 02
Kochi The Old Court House by Abad (Boutique Room or Heritage Classic Room) 03
Kumarakom AC Deluxe Houseboat (Deluxe Houseboat) 01
Marari Beach Abad Turtle Beach Marari (Beach Villa) 02

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Our Accommodation Ratings

Opulent: Exceptional, unashamedly the best of sheer luxury. (£££££)

Luxury: Outstanding levels of 5* comfort, hospitality and facilities. (££££)

Premium: Excellent levels of comfort and hospitality and a wide range of facilities. (£££)

Mid-Range: Good levels of comfort and hospitality, with a reasonable range of facilities. (££)

Simple: Clean and simple, no frills. Often in areas of natural beauty or near wildlife reserves. (£)