Kerala & Madurai Temple Tour
13 nights / 14 days
Starting from : USD 1476 / person
Experience the beauty of nature and marvelous architecture of Meenakshi Temple with our Kerala & Madurai Temple Tour. Journey through breathtaking landscapes and discover hidden gems along the way. Explore off the beaten path to immerse yourself in local culture and traditions of South India. From hiking through lush tea plantation to relaxing of sun-soaked beaches, this tour offers something for every nature & culture lover.
Day 1 – Cochin: – Arrival in Cochin
Morning: Arriving in the morning or the evening at Cochin International Airport. You will be greeted at the Cochin airport by our local representative and then transferred to the hotel for rest.
Day 2 – Cochin: Cochin Tour
Morning: After breakfast in the morning, set off to discover the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace. Built in 1555 by the Portuguese, the first Europeans to settle in the region, as a gift to the King of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma. This alternative name actually comes from the renovations carried out by the Dutch in 1663. Although of European origin, the palace is a magnificent example of an Indo-Keralan architectural style, characterized by finely carved frameworks, splendid decorated compartment ceilings, and roofs resembling Chinese pagodas.
Late Afternoon: In the late afternoon, attend a Kathakali dance show, a form of dance-theatre originating from the state of Kerala, known for its elaborate costumes, distinctive makeup, and complex facial expressions.
The evening is free for you to wander around the neighborhoods of Fort Kochi.
Day 3 – Cochin / Munnar :
Morning: In the morning, depart for Munnar, a hill station known for its tea plantations.
Afternoon: Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and take some time to rest. Then, visit the tea museum in Munnar to delve into the history and culture of tea in India. Discover the tea-making process, from leaf to cup, through interactive demonstrations. Late afternoon: Free time to stroll through the markets of Munnar.
Day 4 – Munnar:
Morning: After breakfast, embark on a jeep ride to Pothamedu Waterfalls for a panoramic view of the Western Ghats. Then, return to Munnar and visit the tea museum. Afternoon: Return to Munnar and free time for relaxation.
Day 5 – Munnar / Madurai :
Morning: After breakfast in the morning, leave for Madurai, often called the “city of temples.” It is a historic city in Tamil Nadu, famous for its intricately carved Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Afternoon: Check-in and relax at the hotel in Madurai. The afternoon is dedicated to a cultural visit, including a tour of the magnificent Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Museum, which offers a fascinating insight into the history of India.
Late afternoon: Free time to explore the markets of the old city of Madurai.
Day 6 – Madurai:
Morning: After breakfast in the morning, embark on an immersive walking tour through Madurai’s flower market with a French-speaking guide. Discover the flower vendors, tea shops, and local artisans that form the vibrant fabric of the community. You will also have the opportunity to taste local specialties and enjoy a masala chai (milk tea with spices).
Afternoon: In the late morning, visit the Meenakshi Temple, an architectural marvel dedicated to the deities Shiva and his consort Minakshi (fish-eyed goddess). In the afternoon, continue your exploration by strolling through the local markets located around the temple.
Late afternoon: Don’t miss the solemn experience of witnessing the evening ceremony of the deity and goddess at the temple, a spiritual event filled with reverence.
Evening free at your hotel.
Day 7 – Madurai / Periyar :
Morning: After breakfast, depart for Periyar National Park, an ecological gem in the heart of the Kerala mountains.
Afternoon: Check-in at your hotel and visit a spice garden. Explore a spice garden in Periyar for a unique sensory experience. Learn about local spices while exploring this lush garden.
Late afternoon: Witness a captivating Kalaripayattu martial arts performance, a traditional art form of Kerala, for a dive into local culture and traditions. Experience an impressive display of martial skills, acrobatics, and athleticism.
Day 8 – Periyar:
Morning: After breakfast, embark on a Periyar lake rafting adventure. This ride offers a unique opportunity to observe the flora and fauna of Periyar National Park, through waters lined with lush forests.
Afternoon: Return to your hotel for a relaxing time. Free time for an Ayurvedic massage offered by the agency. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate.
Evening: Free time at your hotel.
Day 9 – Periyar / Alleppey : Backwaters
Day’s program: After breakfast, depart for Alleppey. Upon arrival, board a houseboat for a backwater exploration. Enjoy authentic local meals, explore riverside villages, and witness a magical sunset before spending a peaceful night on board with dinner.
Day 10 – Alleppey / Mararikulam:
Morning: After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat in Alleppey and transfer to Mararikulam Beach. The day is for relaxation on sun-soaked beaches of Mararikulam.
Day 11 – Mararikulam:
Free day at the beach.
Day 12 – Mararikulam:
Free day at the beach.
Day 13 – Mararikulam / Cochin Airport:
Free day at the beach. In the late afternoon, transfer to a hotel near Cochin Airport. Check-in at the hotel and free evening.
Day 14 – Cochin Airport:
Early morning transfer to Cochin International Airport according to your international flight departure time.
End of our services
Your hotels or similar
• Cochin – Dutch Bungalow (Heritage)
• Munnar – Deepwoods Resort***
• Madurai – GRT Regency***
• Periyar – Tree Top***
• Alleppey – House Boat
• Mararikulam – Mararikulam Beach Resort***
The price includes:
• An A/C comfortable vehicle according to the number of participants with a private driver (including parking fees, fuel, road taxes, and tolls).
• Experienced English-speaking driver (including his accommodations, meals, and salary).
• Accommodation in a “double” room, including taxes and breakfast.
• Explore Madurai with a local English-speaking guide.
• Night in a houseboat in Alleppey with full board.
• Jeep ride to Pothamedu viewpoint in Munnar.
• Kathakali show at the Kerala Cultural Center in Cochin.
• Kalaripayattu show (Kerala martial art) in Periyar.
Not included:
• International flights.
• Lunches and dinners (unless specified in the price includes section).
• Entrance fees to monuments and sites to visit.
• Visa fees.
• Drinks.
• Tips.
Good to know:
• A visa is mandatory for traveling to India. We offer visa services for India, please consult us for the procedures.
• The tea museum in Munnar is closed on Mondays.
• Access to temples is allowed for foreigners but not to the inside of sacred chapels.
• A video equipment fee may be requested at the entrance of certain monuments.
• The Indian road network is of average quality, and travel times may be longer than expected, but the quality of discoveries at every moment compensates for this slight discomfort.
• The synagogue in Kochi is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The baggage weight limit on domestic flights is 15kg checked baggage and 7kg hand luggage. An additional charge of 5 euros per kilo will be requested at check-in for domestic flights.
• This itinerary may be subject to minor changes depending on changes in airline and train schedules, hotel availability, and entrance hours to monuments.
• We would also like to point out that our drivers are chosen for their seriousness, sense of service, availability, and competence, but unfortunately, not all of them are fluent in English. When they speak it, they become guides! Nevertheless, communication is always possible and generally sufficient. If you wish, you can occasionally request the services of a local English-speaking or French-speaking guide (depending on the sites) during your visits.
