Trails of Southern India

On arrival at Chennai International Airport, you will be greeted and assisted by our representative, then transferred to Mahabalipuram. Check in at your hotel and spend the evening relaxing on the beach. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, set out to discover the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, once a bustling port for the Pallava dynasty between the 5th and 8th centuries. Along the shoreline, you’ll find an impressive collection of temples and sculptures, masterfully carved from solid rock over a millennium ago. Unlike typical Hindu temples, many of these carvings depict scenes from daily life. Check in to your hotel, then join your guide to visit the iconic Shore Temple, a prime example of Pallava architecture and a symbol of their seafaring legacy. Continue your exploration with the remarkable rock-cut caves of Mahabalipuram, which illustrate stories from Hindu mythology, and conclude your tour at the Five Rathas, each named after a Pandava brother from the Mahabharata. Spend your afternoon at leisure, and in the evening, sample fresh seafood at local restaurants. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

After breakfast and check-out, proceed to Pondicherry, a serene town shaped by French settlers in the 18th century, still showcasing its colonial charm and French-inspired architecture. On the way, visit Auroville, a spiritual community on the town’s outskirts, established in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and ‘the Mother’, a French-born collaborator. The tour includes the visitor’s center and several Auroville units known for their creative work in paper, textiles, bamboo, and stone. You’ll pass by the Matrimandir, the central meditation space, and interact with residents to understand their distinctive way of life. Lunch will be served at Solar Kitchen, the community dining hall, offering insight into Auroville’s philosophy of universal harmony. The evening is free for you to explore Pondicherry at your own pace. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, set out on a guided walk through Pondicherry’s streets, exploring the French, Tamil, and Ashram quarters. The city’s unique cultural blend is evident everywhere, deeply woven into its stories, elegant architecture, and the warm nature of its residents. This diversity is reflected in Pondicherry’s vibrant and eclectic cuisine, which still preserves traditional elements. Visit the Ganesha temple or find inspiration at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram bookshop. After checking out from your hotel, board your afternoon train from Villupuram railway station to Madurai.

Upon arrival at Madurai railway station, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, take an auto-rickshaw to visit the temple and witness the night ceremony, where the bronze idol of Lord Shiva is carried to Parvati’s chamber. Enjoy dinner on a rooftop overlooking the Gopurams of the Meenakshi temple before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, begin your day with a guided walking tour that immerses you in the authentic daily life of this ancient Tamil city. Wander through narrow lanes lined with vibrant flower and banana stalls, engage with locals, observe traditional cow milking, and explore the lively bazaars. As you sip on meter tea from a street vendor, your guide will share 5,000-year-old stories about this bustling city. Along the way, pass through the largest flower market in South India, where up to 10 tons of blooms, especially the renowned Madurai jasmine, are traded daily. Next, visit the expansive Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, a 17th-century palace showcasing a blend of Dravidian and Islamic architecture. Afterwards, enjoy a hearty meal at Kumar Mess, sampling their signature spicy biryani. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, then return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel and checking out, set off on a scenic drive to Thekkady, passing through the lush Nilgiri hills and vast stretches of rubber, coffee, and cardamom plantations. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. In the late afternoon, embark on a guided tour of a spice plantation, followed by an elephant ride through the estate. The plantation visit is truly unforgettable, whether it’s the delicate beauty of tiny cardamom flowers blooming at the base of the plants, the enticing scent of cinnamon and cloves, or the refreshing breeze that sweeps across the vibrant greenery. Spend the night at your hotel.

After breakfast, set out on a scenic boat safari in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, where the likelihood of spotting wildlife increases as animals frequently visit the lake to drink. Keep an eye out for groups of Gaur, Sambar deer, and wild boars grazing in the grasslands bordering the water. The lake’s protruding tree trunks often serve as resting spots for birds like darters, egrets, and kingfishers. In the afternoon, embark on a guided bicycle tour through the nearby villages and plantations of Thekkady. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel, then check out and head to Alleppey. By midday, board your private houseboat for a memorable journey through the tranquil backwaters. These houseboats are modern adaptations of the traditional kettuvallams, which were once used to transport large quantities of rice and spices but are now transformed into comfortable floating homes. As you cruise along the palm-lined canals, take in the picturesque scenes of village life and the lush, green landscape. Enjoy a delicious Keralan lunch served on board as the boat glides past vibrant rural scenery. Later, tea and local snacks are offered. The evening continues with dinner and an overnight stay on the houseboat, surrounded by the serene beauty of Kerala’s backwaters.

After breakfast on board, check out and travel to Cochin. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in authentic local culture with an ethnic tour of Cochin. Begin by visiting the renowned Chinese Fishing Nets, whose massive cantilevered structures have become an iconic symbol of Fort Kochi, often featured on postcards. Continue to St. Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India, built in 1503, and the original burial place of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Pass by the impressive Santa Cruz Basilica.

Hop into a tuk tuk, the locals’ favorite way to get around, and proceed to the Dhobi Khana, a traditional laundry area that now stands as a reminder of a fading way of life. Navigate the narrow lanes of Mattanchery and reach the bustling fruit market on Palace Road, where residents shop for fresh, organic produce at competitive prices. Make sure to visit the Spice Market, where the air is filled with the rich aromas of ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, and pepper from the nearby warehouses.

Explore the Jewish Synagogue at the center of Jew Town, then head to the Dutch Palace, known for its stunning 17th-century murals. In the evening, witness Kerala’s celebrated dance drama, Kathakali, distinguished by its elaborate gestures, striking costumes, and dramatic makeup, with stories drawn from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Spend the night at your hotel.

Time to bid farewell. After breakfast, proceed to Cochin International Airport for your return flight home.