Guided tour of Chennai
Visit Fort St George and Kapaleshwarar Hindu temple
This morning, your immersion in one of the world’s oldest cultures
commences with a tour through Chennai’s bustling streets. We’ll pass a number of Victorian-era buildings and the famous Marine Beach, see the incredible fish market and multi-coloured long wooden fishing boats drawn up on the sand, before arriving at the very centre of colonial Madras, Fort St George.

This was one of the most vital outposts of the British Empire – its first in India, the home of Clive of India for many years, and the military base for numerous wars against the French.

We’ll tour the fort and visit St Mary’s Church – not only is it the earliest Anglican church in India but it also claims to be the first east of Suez, built in 1680. Afterwards we proceed to Mahabalipuram.

In the afternoon, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.

Visit Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram

This morning, we’ll tour Mahabalipuram a port which
with Rome in ancient times. Its huge 7th century temples have
been intricately carved from vast granite monoliths and are now UNESCO World Heritage sites. We’ll also enjoy lunch at a local
restaurant.

after checking out from the hotel in Mahabalipuram, we head to Pondicherry. there we will visit Auroville area, a settlement established according to the principles of Guru Aurobindro, also in Auroville we will see the temple of the universal mother Matrimandir and vistors centre.

later, we start a walking tour of the beautiful old French colonial centre of ‘Pondy’. Both its architecture and ambience are very different from any other Indian town.

There’s a sleepy, almost Mediterranean air here, with bougainvillea-clad walls and mustard-yellow-coloured neo-classical villas. We’ll see the impressive Governor’s residence, the former site of the French fort designed by the French military architect, Vauban – there is even a Hotel de Ville!

we will also visit Guru Aurobindro ashram and the nearby Ganesh temple.

then we'll go to the hotel and spend the night in Pondicherry.

Tanjore
We continue our journey south to Tanjore, on the way we'll stop Chidambaram to see the temple of Shiva Nataraj Lord of universal dance, then continue to Tanjore.

Visit the Brihadeeswara Temple
Tanjore was the capital of the ancient Chola Empire and is mainly known for its extraordinary Brihadeeswara Temple, the template for all in southern India. Standing over 200ft tall, its main tower is covered with an intricately carved ochre-coloured facade which glows in the morning light.
A working temple for over a thousand years, surrounded by colonnaded halls and a fortified wall, it is a testament to the power and wealth of the Chola Empire, which at sunset seems to give off a red hue.

we'll spend the night in Tanjore.

Tanjore is also noted for its fine metalwork; after checking out we will visit the nearby Royal Palace’s art gallery houses a fascinating array of bronze sculptures, afterwards we will head to Madurai.

Visit Chettinad
We drive to the nearby Chettinad region, which you are sure to love.
Undiscovered, it’s a revelation, the real rural India of small farming communities and palaces built by wealth local merchants. we’ll explore this undiscovered region, visiting other remarkable mansions, seeing the local Maharaja’s palace, plus local handicrafts. A fascinating visit is to a tile workshop, where each piece is delicately handmade and decorated, whilst saris are still woven to age-old local designs on traditional wooden handlooms. we will eat a traditional Chettinad lunch served on a banana leaf.

after lunch we will continue to Madurai, the heartland of Tamil Nadu, we will spend the night there.

After breakfast, we drive to the Royal palace of Nayak Dynasty of Madurai, an impressive Mogul style palace. later we will board rickshaw tricycle towards Meenakshi Amman Temple the real highlight of Madurai. This is southern India’s Taj Mahal, a complex shrine of courtyards, vast pillared halls, a sacred lake, and no less than twelve gateway towers completely covered with thousands of brightly painted stucco carvings. Madurai was already an ancient city well before Chennai was even founded, trading spices with the ancient Romans. It is considered to be Tamil Nadu’s spiritual and cultural heart.

This afternoon we explore busy traditional markets around the temple.

we well go back to rest at the hotel, after dinner we take tuk-tuk to Meenakshi temple to watch the night ceremony in which god Shiva is taken to join his wife Meenakshi.

After breakfast we drive west towards the distant outlines of the Western Ghats, the mountain range and border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The road zig-zags through lush forest with fleeting glimpses of verdant valleys below, then crossing the border, we arrive at Kumily, surrounded by spice plantations and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kumily is well known for its spice's farms, we will visit one of them, then we can enjoy at the spices and souvenirs shops in the centre of Kumily.

this afternoon we will watch Kaleri Payatu show, its Kerala traditional marshal art.

after the show we will go to the hotel and spend the night in Kumily.

Rising early, with a tropical dawn chorus ringing in our ears we enter the wildlife sanctuary for a boat ride on the lake surrounded by tall stands of teak, bamboo, wild fig and beautiful jacaranda trees.

The reserve has a small population of rarely seen tigers, however, as the reserve’s core surrounds a large lake, the birdlife is absolutely
excellent, with over 260 species recorded, including hornbills, parakeets, kingfishers, eagles, kites and flycatchers. You may also be
lucky enough to spot a Malabar giant squirrel or a lion-tailed macaque, elephants, wild bores and sambar deer.

After returning to the hotel for a late breakfast, we check out and continue driving towards Kumarakom.

The road is winding through a breathtaking landscape of spices and tea plantations, small towns, rubber and coconut plantations, all the way down to the Back waters of lowland Kerala, an amazing system of lakes, lagoons and canals. We will arrive at our lake side resort to watch the beautiful sunset on the lake.

Today, we will spend the entire day at the resort, participating in its various activities. You can enjoy the pool, join a yoga session, indulge in a traditional Ayurvedic massage, embark on a village tour, take part in a cooking class, and much more.

After breakfast, we will proceed to Alleppey to board a scenic Kerala houseboat cruise for an overnight stay. This journey will lead us to the serene backwaters of Kerala, where we will enjoy a unique overnight experience on a traditional houseboat.

Departing from Alleppey, each houseboat accommodates six to eight guests, along with a three-member crew who prepare delicious traditional Keralan meals on board. This serene journey offers a captivating glimpse of rural life as you glide past lush paddy fields, swaying coconut palms, and vibrant village homes. Keep an eye out for abundant birdlife, children returning from school—some by rowboat—and locals going about their daily routines along the waterways.

As dusk falls, the houseboat will anchor in a peaceful canal, offering the perfect setting for a delightful dinner followed by a restful night on the water.

Explore Historic Cochin

This morning, we embark on a scenic drive to Cochin, the legendary port city of the Malabar Coast. Steeped in maritime history, Cochin served as the gateway for India’s prized spices, which were traded with Europe for centuries.

Our exploration begins in Fort Cochin, the city’s atmospheric old quarter, where colonial-era merchant houses and narrow, winding lanes evoke a bygone era. Nearby, the bustling Mattancherry district beckons with its vibrant bazaars, the storied Dutch Palace (notable for its exquisite murals), and the Paradesi Synagogue—the oldest active synagogue in the Indian subcontinent, adorned with hand-painted tiles and antique treasures.

No visit to Cochin is complete without witnessing its iconic Chinese fishing nets. These towering, cantilevered structures—introduced by traders centuries ago—still dot the waterfront, where local fishermen demonstrate their timeless techniques.

Discover Cochin’s Vibrant Waterfront & Culture

We will embark on a scenic boat cruise around Cochin’s historic harbor and bustling port, offering panoramic views of the city’s maritime activity. From there, we continue to Ernakulam, the modern downtown of Cochin, where the energy of urban Kerala comes alive.

Our visit includes a stop at the lively Broadway Market, a sensory delight where vendors display fresh spices, handcrafted goods, and local delicacies—perfect for immersing yourself in the city’s daily rhythms. Nearby, we’ll explore the largest Shiva temple in the city, an architectural marvel and spiritual hub that reflects Kerala’s rich religious heritage.

To complete our cultural journey, one evening will be dedicated to experiencing Kathakali, Kerala’s classical dance-drama. This mesmerizing performance combines intricate costumes, expressive masks, and rhythmic storytelling to bring ancient myths to life—a truly unforgettable glimpse into the region’s artistic traditions.