Temples of Tamil Nadu & Nature of Kerala Tour
14 days / 13 nights

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Itinerary: Chennai / Mahabalipuram / Pondichery / Tanjore / Chettinadu / Madurai / Munnar / Alleppey / Cochin

Day 1: Chennai / Mahabalipuram:

Arrival at the Chennai international airport. Welcome by our local representative & drive to Mahabalipuram. Check-in at a hotel in Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram is a seashore city, about 60 km from Chennai, famous for its Shore temples. It is a small excursion from Chennai, and one can easily take a break from the busy metro life of Chennai, to seek a break in some best leisure resorts of Mahabalipuram.

Day 2: Mahabalipuram:

In the early morning observe the fishermen returning from fishing. Visit the shore temple, of the five “rathas” chariots of Pandavas “The heroes of the Maha Bharat epic”. Afternoon free to stroll around the city of Mahäbalipuram. In the afternoon, departure for a bike ride to discover the city of Mahäbalipuram. Evening free time to explore the markets of Mahabalipuram.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry:

Departure for Pondicherry. Check in to a hotel in Pondicherry. Visit Auroville and Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram. Church Sacred Heart of Jesus and Notre-Dame-des-Anges. In the evening walk on the seashore and visit the white town.

Pondicherry is the first French settlement in India, which is also a major attraction of Tamilnadu. The city is divided into two parts, which are a French colony, and another Tamil colony. Some major attractions include the Church of Notre dame de Angers and Sacred Heart Cathedral. The beaches of Pondicherry are also very famous and attract a large number of tourists from all over the world.

Day 5: Pondicherry / Chidambaram / Gangaikondacholapuram / Darasuram / Tanjore:

Drive to Tanjore. On the way visit the temples of Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram Darasuram. Check-in at a hotel in Tanjore. In the evening, explore the city of Tanjore.

Tanjore is the major temple town of Tamilnadu, which is known for its mighty Brihadeshwara temple, enlisted in Unesco’s world heritage monuments. Tanjore is known for its art and culture and its numerous boutiques selling brass and bronze wares and statues.

Day 6: Tanjore / Trichy / Chettinadu :

Visit the Temple of Brihideshwara, The Marata Palace Museum. Then drive to Chettinadu. En-route visit the temple of Srirangam and the Rock fort of Trichy. Check-in at the hotel in Chettinadu. Then visit the village and Chettinadu houses.
Chettinad is a small town, mainly of Nattukotai Chettiars which is a prosperous banking and business community of South India, thus we find extraordinarily beautiful houses with some finest painting art in south India. Chettinadu Cuisine is also very famous for its finest delicacies including sambhar, payasam, and paniyaram.

Day 7: Chettinad / Madurai:

Drive to Madurai. Check in to a hotel in Madurai. Visit the Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the ancient city of Madurai.
Madurai is the second largest city of Tamilnadu, famous for its Meenakshi temple. This is one of the ancient cities of India. The city is visited by numerous visitors from all around the world, to witness this city of ancient culture and civilization. The evening ceremony at Meenakshi temple is worth watching and leaves an undying impression on the heart of visitors.

Day 8: Madurai:

In the morning, depart with an English-speaking guide to discover the local life of the city of Madurai. A walking tour through the ancient city of Madurai to discover flower markets, tea shops, local breakfast vendors, and local artisans. During this walk, you can taste some local specialties of the city of Madurai. In the late morning visit Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. The Meenakshi temple is divided into two buildings, each dedicated to one of the two spouses, Shiva and Meenakshi. Although it is not the largest temple in the country, it was for a long time the highest in Asia, thanks to its tower of almost 60 meters high. Then in the afternoon a stroll to discover the local markets around the Madurai temple. Then depart to visit the temple of Pazamudhir located on a hill near Madurai. At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel and have free time.

Day 9: Madurai / Munnar :

Depart for Munnar. Check-in Munnar. Free day to walk around the town of Munnar.

Day 10 – Munnar:

Depart with your guide for your half-day hike through the tea plantations and mountains of the Western Ghats. Arrive at the top to have a panoramic view of the mountainous and green landscape. Return to the hotel and have the late afternoon free time at your hotel.

Day 11 – Munnar / Alleppey

Morning departure for Alleppey. Check in to the houseboat and discover the backwaters of Kerala: navigation on the canals and visiting the surrounding villages.

Day 12 – Alleppey / Cochin:

In the morning, a tour in the canals of backwaters after breakfast transfer by road departs for Cochin. Check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Kochi Synagogue the oldest synagogue in all Commonwealth countries, and the Jewish quarter, then visit the Spice Market. In the evening, the Kathakali dance shows. Evening walk around the vibrant markets of Fort Kochi.
(The synagogue is closed on Friday and Saturday)

Day 13 – Cochin:

Visit the Mattanchéry Palace also called the Dutch Palace. Built-in 1555 by the Portuguese, the first Westerners to arrive in the region, as a gift for the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma. Its nickname is in fact due to the restoration assumed by the Dutch in 1663. Despite these Western origins, the palace is built in the Indo-Keral style, with its beautiful worked frames, magnificent painted ceilings and its roofs resemble to Chinese pagodas. Free time to explore the colonial houses of fort Cochin and the Chinese fishing nets.

Day 14 – Cochin:

Your driver will drive you to Cochin international airport for your onward flight.