Arrive in Chennai, the vibrant capital of Tamil Nadu, where our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, take an orientation drive along Marina Beach, the world’s second longest urban beach. Pass colonial-era architecture such as the Madras University and the stately Senate House, before heading into the bustling markets filled with the aroma of jasmine and spices. The evening is free to relax at the hotel or enjoy a stroll along the waterfront.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Chennai

Begin your day at dawn in the Koyambedu Flower Market, one of Asia’s largest, where piles of marigold, jasmine, and roses create a riot of colour and fragrance. Continue to Fort St. George, the first English fortress in India, built in 1644. Inside, explore the Fort Museum with colonial artefacts and St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in Asia. Later, visit the iconic Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a Dravidian masterpiece with colourful gopurams covered in sculptures. Conclude with a walk through Georgetown Bazaar, a maze of alleys selling everything from spices to silk saris, a great place for photography and street food.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Chennai

This morning, drive along the scenic Coromandel Coast. Stop at the Kalakshetra Foundation, a cultural centre preserving South India’s classical dance, music, and handloom traditions. Continue to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance rock relief, and the Five Rathas, monolithic temples carved from single stones in the 7th century. The area buzzes with modern-day stone carvers still carrying on this ancient tradition. By afternoon, reach Pondicherry, a seaside town with a blend of French colonial architecture, wide boulevards, and Tamil heritage. Evening at leisure to explore the Promenade Beach or sip coffee in a French café.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Pondicherry

This morning, join a cooking class in a traditional Tamil kitchen, where you’ll learn to prepare authentic dishes like sambar, dosas, and chutneys, followed by a shared meal. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided heritage walk through the French and Tamil Quarters. Wander tree-lined boulevards with pastel-coloured villas, visit the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, explore the Sri Aurobindo Ashram — a spiritual community founded in 1926 — and browse the small but insightful Pondicherry Museum. End your day with a storytelling tour, where local guides share folklore and everyday rituals of Pondicherry’s diverse communities.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Pondicherry

Travel south along coastal roads to Chidambaram, home to the sacred Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer. This ancient temple complex, with its towering gopurams and intricately carved halls, is a masterpiece of Tamil architecture. Continue to Thanjavur, once the capital of the Chola dynasty. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO site, known for its enormous granite vimana (tower) and exquisite frescoes. The temple, built over 1,000 years ago, stands as a symbol of Tamil power and devotion.

🛏️ Overnight stay in Thanjavur

Spend the day exploring the artistic heritage of Thanjavur. Visit workshops of bronze sculptors, who use the lost-wax casting technique unchanged for centuries. See artisans painting the famous Tanjore glass paintings, adorned with gold leaf. Participate in culinary workshops to understand the region’s unique cuisine. You may also join discussions with local priests to learn about temple traditions. Alternatively, relax at your heritage resort and enjoy its serene gardens and cultural programs.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Thanjavur

After breakfast, head to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli). Climb up to the Rock Fort Temple, offering sweeping views of the city, and explore the sprawling Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest functioning temple complexes in the world. Also visit St. John’s Church, a fine example of colonial architecture. Later, continue to Chettinad, a region famed for its grand merchant mansions built by wealthy Chettiar traders. In the evening, stroll through Kanadukathan village to admire its opulent architecture and sample traditional Chettinad cuisine, known for its fiery flavours.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Chettinad

Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring Chettinad’s mansions or visiting antique markets. Later, drive to Madurai, one of India’s oldest cities, steeped in 2,500 years of history. In the evening, experience the Sri Meenakshi Temple’s closing ceremony — an atmospheric ritual with drumming, chanting, and a colourful procession of deities. The temple, with its twelve towering gopurams, is one of South India’s architectural wonders.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Madurai

Explore the Thirumala Nayak Palace, built in the 17th century, featuring majestic arches and vast courtyards. Visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which narrates India’s independence struggle with rare artefacts and personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, head to the Vilacherry Potters’ Village, where nearly 200 families create clay idols of Hindu deities, an age-old craft that sustains the community.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Madurai

Cross into Kerala and drive to Thekkady, home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. Stay at a resort nestled among spice plantations. In the afternoon, join a guided spice plantation walk, cycle through local villages, or indulge in an Ayurvedic massage. Evening free to enjoy cultural performances such as Kalaripayattu martial arts or Kerala’s folk dance shows.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Thekkady

Enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake, surrounded by lush forests where elephants, wild boar, and sambar deer often gather along the water’s edge. Birdwatchers can spot kingfishers, herons, and hornbills. Optional activities include bamboo rafting, guided treks in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, or further spice tours to learn about Kerala’s “green gold” — cardamom and pepper.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Thekkady

Drive through scenic plantations and winding mountain roads to Munnar, a hill station once favoured by the British. On arrival, check into your resort with views of rolling tea estates. In the evening, visit the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate (optional), the highest tea plantation in the world, where you can sample fresh brews while enjoying sweeping valley views.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Munnar

Explore Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and famous for its carpet of blue Neelakurinji flowers (that bloom once every 12 years). Continue to the Mattupetty Dam and lake, where boating is optional. Visit the Tea Museum to trace Munnar’s tea-growing legacy. Evening free to browse Munnar’s spice and handicraft markets.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Munnar

Descend from the hills to the vibrant port city of Cochin (Kochi), known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea.” After check-in, attend a traditional Kathakali performance, one of Kerala’s classical dance forms. Arrive early to watch the fascinating make-up process, followed by the expressive performance combining dance, music, and storytelling.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Cochin

Take a guided tour of Cochin’s historic quarters. Visit Fort Kochi Beach, the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, the Jewish Synagogue, and St. Francis Church, India’s oldest European church. Watch fishermen manoeuvre the iconic Chinese fishing nets at sunset. Optional excursions: a day trip to Athirapally Falls, Kerala’s most famous waterfall, or the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre.

• 🛏️ Overnight stay in Cochin

Spend your final morning exploring Cochin’s spice markets or shopping for souvenirs. Later, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

• 🛏️ Tour Ends in Cochin