Trip Description
This journey moves from the Coromandel Coast to the Malabar Coast at an unhurried, balanced, and richly varied pace. Along the way, you travel past palm-lined shores, historic trading towns, and temple cities where Dravidian architecture rises in bold colors and intricate detail. The rhythm slows in the tea-covered hills of Munnar, before drifting through Kerala’s backwaters aboard a traditional houseboat, and finally arriving in coastal Cochin, where centuries of global trade have shaped a distinctive blend of cultures. Designed for travelers who seek culture and history alongside nature, local encounters, and time to breathe, this route reveals a distinctly southern, tropical India—full of contrast and markedly different in spirit from the north.
DAY 1 – Arrive in Chennai
Arrive at Chennai International Airport, gateway to Tamil Nadu and one of South India’s great historic coastal cities. After a warm welcome, you are transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your flight and ease into the pace of the journey. Overnight in Chennai.
DAY 2 – Chennai to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram
After breakfast, you begin your drive toward the coast. On the way, you stop in Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism and once the heart of the Pallava dynasty. Temples, rituals, and everyday devotion remain deeply woven into the town’s rhythm. You also enjoy a close look at local handloom weaving, a tradition that continues with remarkable skill and patience. Later, you continue to Mahabalipuram, a seaside town known for its ancient stone monuments and its long history as a trading port. Check in and settle in for the evening. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
DAY 3 – Mahabalipuram, UNESCO monuments and coastal temples
Today is devoted to exploring Mahabalipuram, one of South India’s most important centres of early stone architecture. You visit the Shore Temple, beautifully positioned near the sea, and discover the extraordinary bas relief often linked to the legend of the descent of the Ganges. You also explore the Five Rathas, monolithic shrines carved from rock, each shaped like a ceremonial chariot and decorated with figures from the Hindu pantheon. The setting feels both sacred and cinematic, especially with the sea breeze and changing light. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
DAY 4 – Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
After breakfast, you travel south to Pondicherry, a former French trading post with a calm, elegant atmosphere. After checking in, you visit the Government Museum, then continue to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a place of quiet reflection that draws visitors from around the world. Later, enjoy a relaxed ride through the town by cycle rickshaw, drifting past colonial streets and leafy corners that still carry traces of another era. Overnight in Pondicherry.
DAY 5 – Pondicherry to Thanjavur, temples and sacred learning
This morning, you leave for Thanjavur, travelling through some of Tamil Nadu’s most historically layered landscapes. En route, you stop in Chidambaram to visit the Nataraja Temple, an important centre of devotion where the idea of Shiva as the cosmic dancer is brought to life through ritual and architecture. You also pass through Gangaikondacholapuram, created by Chola power and ambition, and stop near Kumbakonam for a meaningful cultural encounter at a traditional school where students study ancient texts and disciplined daily practice. By evening, you arrive in Thanjavur, once one of the great capitals of South Indian dynasties. Overnight in Thanjavur.
DAY 6 – Thanjavur, the Chola legacy and living craftsmanship
After breakfast, you visit the Brihadeeshwara Temple, a UNESCO masterpiece and one of India’s most awe-inspiring expressions of Chola architecture. Its scale, symmetry, and stonework are unforgettable. Later, you discover a different kind of heritage through a visit linked to the making of the veena, a classical instrument deeply rooted in South Indian musical tradition. The day can also include an excursion toward Trichy and Sri Ranganathaswamy, a vast temple sanctuary set on an island, where devotion and daily life merge in a powerful, living space. Return to Thanjavur for the night.
DAY 7 – Thanjavur to Madurai, temple city rituals
After breakfast, you drive to Madurai. On arrival, you check in and begin exploring one of South India’s oldest sacred cities. The Meenakshi Temple dominates the heart of Madurai, rising through towering gopurams covered in sculpted figures and colour. Inside, courtyards, halls, and shrines create a world of devotion and architecture. You also visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, known for its grand arches and open spaces. In the evening, you experience the temple’s night ritual, a moving ceremony that brings the city’s spiritual rhythm into focus. Overnight in Madurai.
DAY 8 – Madurai to Munnar, into the tea hills
Begin the day at Madurai’s flower market, where garlands and blossoms fill the air with scent and colour. After breakfast, you travel into Kerala, climbing toward the green highlands of Munnar. The road is scenic and fresh, framed by forests, lakes, and hills blanketed with tea. After arrival and check-in, the rest of the day is yours to rest, breathe, and enjoy the calm of the mountains. Overnight in Munnar.
DAY 9 – Munnar, tea experience and plantation life
After breakfast, you enjoy a hands-on tea experience at the Lockhart Tea Factory. This is a chance to understand tea beyond the cup, from picking leaves to working with the process that transforms them. You end by tasting the tea you helped create, a simple moment that feels personal and memorable. The remainder of the day is free for quiet walks, views, and relaxed time in the hills. Overnight in Munnar.
DAY 10 – Munnar to Alleppey, overnight houseboat on the backwaters
After breakfast, you drive to Alleppey, often called the Venice of the East, and board a traditional houseboat for an overnight cruise. As you glide through Kerala’s backwaters, you pass village homes, coconut palms, small boats, and waterside life that moves at its own pace. Meals are served on board, and the experience feels peaceful and intimate, especially as evening settles over the canals. Lunch, dinner, and overnight on the houseboat.
DAY 11 – Alleppey to Cochin, heritage walk and local encounters
After breakfast on board, you disembark and continue to Cochin. This coastal city has been shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange, leaving behind a rare blend of Portuguese, Dutch, British, Jewish, and Indian heritage. After check-in, you have time to relax, then spend the evening discovering Fort Cochin and Mattancherry through local encounters. Later, enjoy a Kathakali dance performance. Overnight in Cochin.
DAY 12 – Cochin, historic landmarks and the old harbour
After breakfast, you explore the city’s most important sites. Visit the Mattancherry Palace, known for its murals and royal collections, then continue to the Paradesi Synagogue, one of the most striking reminders of Cochin’s Jewish heritage. You also see the Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront and visit St. Francis Church, one of the oldest European-built churches in India, historically linked to Vasco da Gama. Overnight in Cochin.
DAY 13 – Departure from Cochin
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, leaving with the layered impressions of South India’s coasts, temples, tea hills, and waterways.
Start Planning Your Journey
Departure Month
January 2026
Duration
13 Days / 12 Nights
Group Size
According To Need
Location
Kanchipuram, South India
€0/-
Per PersonIncluded in Your Trip:
- All necessary arrangements
- Support throughout your journey
- Essential travel services
- Assistance for smooth planning
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