Discover the South India by visiting some of the India’s oldest towns, most beautiful medieval temples and backwater cruise in Kerala with the great scenery of lush green and deep blues.
The tour begins with your arrival in Chennai, a coastal city of South India, and driving to Mahabalipurm , a medieval town against the backdrop of blue ocean, and then to Pondicherry , a former French colony, presents an unusual combination of European culture and Indian traditions. Continue further to Chidambaram and Madhurai , famous for its Meenakshi Temple, one of India's biggest Temples. En-route, you will get to see some of the most beautiful temples and architecture.
Drive to Thekkady and visit the Periyar National Park, the hub of wild elephants. Continue to Cochin and finally to House Boat, which cruises along the serene backwater of Kerala.
Day 01 Arrival in Chennai
Upon arrival in Chennai, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure, and go through jet lage.
Overnight in Chennai.
Day 02 Tour of Chennai and later drive to Mahabalipuram
MEAL: Breakfast
Morning tour of Chennai, the fourth largest city in India, and the capital of Tamil Nadu. Chennai has grown from the merging of a number of small villages including its former namesake Madraspatnam. The city sprawls over more than 70 sq km., retains its former regional hubs. The main attractions of Chennai are The Art and Bronze Gallery. (Closed on Fridays and public holidays).
Take a drive through the flowers and fruit market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina beach and Santhome Cathedral.
Later drive to Mahabalipuram (approx. 2 Hrs.).
Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 03 Overland Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry
MEAL: Breakfast
Tour of Mahabalipuram, which is noted for Shore Temple and rock carvings. The tour includes Arjuna’s Penance, Varaha Mandapam, Krishna Mandapam, the Bhagavatham, The Rathas and the shore Temple.
Later drive to Pondicherry (approx. 2-3 Hrs.). Arrive and check-in to hotel.
Overnight in Pondicherry.
Day 04 Drive Pondicherry-Tanjore
MEAL: Breakfast
Early breakfast, followed by the tour of Pondicherry, the capital of French India before independence. Pondicherry traces its origin from Saint Agasthya, the revered sage of the south and excavation near by reveal that a Roman settlement existed here 2000 years ago. Visit Jawahar Toy Museum, Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Drowpathiamman Temple.
Drive to Tanjore (approx. 4-hrs.). Arrive and check-in to hotel.
If time permit (or visit next day), visit Tanjore, the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken of the top with the help of a 6km long ramp, an old technique used by Egyptians for building pyramids.
Overnight in Tanjore.
Day 05 Tanjore-Trichy-Madurai
MEAL: Breakfast
Morning drive to Trichy (approx. 1 Hr.) Visit Trichy, citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy.
Drive further to Madurai (approx. 2 Hrs./135 Kms.). Arrive & check-in to hotel.
Later visit Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with the towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Next is the Tirumala Nayak Palace, a gracious building in the Indosaracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes and arches.
Meenakshi Temple Timings:
Timings: 0500-1230 Hrs. Morning ceremony: 0530-0615 Hrs. / Timings: 1600-2200 Hrs. Evening ceremony- 2115-2200 Hrs.
Overnight in Madhurai.
Day 06 Madurai-Thekkady (Periyar National Park)
MEAL: Breakfast
After breakfast, drive to Periyar (approx. 4-5 hrs). Arrive and check-in to hotel.
Take a boat ride. Visit the earliest sanctuary to be set up in 1934, which extends to 777 square kms. & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while crushing on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Here you find mostly the wild elephants.
Evening is free to walk around, which is known for various Spice and coffee plantations.
Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 07 Drive Thekkady-Cochin
MEAL: Breakfast
After breakfast, drive to Cochin (approx. 4-5 Hrs.). Arrive and check-in to hotel.
Tour of old Cochin visiting The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets, believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders.
Evening Kathakali dance show.
Overnight in Cochin.
Day 08 Drive Cochin-Allepey and House Boat
MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Morning is free.
Drive to Allepey/House Boat (approx. 2-3 Hrs.) Arrive and board houseboat. A private boat cruise along the serene backwaters of Kerela is a highlight of any visit to the South. These converted rice barges or “Kettuvallams” sail along the shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals. You will pass through villages built on narrow spits of land, stopping to visit local markets by bullock-cart, or to marvel at the craftsmen engaged in centuries-old boat-making tradition.
The boat offers one or two cabins with a small sitting room and a crew of 2 staff and a chef. The food is authentic Kerela cuisine. For most of the journey, the boat is poled, sailing only between dawn and dusk. A fascinating experience and a unique way to see the traditional way of life in the Kerala backwaters.
Overnight in House Boat.
Day 09 House Boat-Cochin- U.S. or an extension
MEAL: Breakfast
Disembark from House Boat after breakfast and drive to Cochin (3 hours), and fly back to U.S. or an extend your trip to North India or Sri Lanka.
| Land Cost: US$ |
| Single Supplement: US$ 560 |
- Private airport transfers.
- Accommodation with breakfast.
- Houseboat stay with all meals.
- Guided sightseeing tours.
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Service of English speaking Local guide.
- All transfers using AC Vehicle.
- Boat ride at Lake Periyar (Sharing basis).
- Kathakali dance show (Cochin).
- 2 bottles (500 ML) of mineral water a day
- All application taxes.
| Fairfield by Marriot | |
| Ideal Beach Resort | |
| Sunway GRT Grand | |
| Hotel Sangam | |
| GRT Regency | |
| Elephant Court | |
| Casino Hotel | |
| Deluxe Houseboat |
- Air U.S.-Chennai/Cochin-U.S.
- Visa and Travel Insurance
- Meals except in House Boat
- Laundry, Soda, Telephone, Tips
- Expenses which are not specified above.
- Are the trip and price guaranteed?
The trip is guaranteed even with the sign-up of the minimum of two people. The price shown with departure date is also guaranteed once you send us a trip application form with a deposit of $350.00. Otherwise, it may change until we receive the trip applications form. - Can you arrange my flights from/to U.S.?
Yes, we can arrange your flights from/to U.S. We can match the online airfare, if not lower one. You just need to email us your full name as appears on the passport and departure city in U.S. We will then send you a quote for the flight. To issue the ticket, we just need your credit card details. - How soon do I book the trip?
The sooner you book, the better it is, because getting lower airfare from U.S. is higher when you book well in advance. Also, it is hard to get seats on some of the internal flight if it is closer to departure date. You can usually make the international flight reservation nine months prior to your departure date. - Do I need visa, permit & entrance fees?
Yes, you need a visa for India. We will give you info about how and where to get India visa once the trip is booked. All the other permits and entrance fees are included in the trip. - What about the weather?
The best time to take this trip is in winter. The weather generally stays nice and not hot, and the chance of rain is very low during the period. - When do I need to pay?
At the time of booking, you need to send us $ 350.00 deposit with a trip application form. $ 1000 is due 3 months prior to departure, and balance is due 2 months prior to departure - How big are the groups?
Our groups are usually small, so you get the personalized services from local guides. There must be minimum of 2 people to run the trip and the maximum is 10 people in the group. - How difficult is the trip?
This is an easy trip. However, you have to be physically fit to do the tour. You will be spending from around 8 AM to 4 PM touring around, going from one place to another taking drive and enjoying the nature and world famous monuments/heritage sites, and experiencing the local culture and way of life in India. - Do I need travel insurance & where I purchase it?
We strongly recommend you to purchase the travel insurance which protects you, in case if you had to cancel the trip or other reasons like flight delay, flight cancellation, and medical evacuation. Once you book the trip, we can send you a Travel Insurance Quote. You can either buy through the link we send you or from your choice of other insurance companies. - What about accommodations, meals & upgrade?
You will be staying in nice, comfortable accommodation with attached bath. Your breakfast is always included. Lunch and dinner are not included. A decent meal will cost you about $ 10-15 in tourist class restaurant. If you like to upgrade it to higher end hotels, that is also possible with additional price. - What about guide, drivers and travel during the period?
We provide experienced driver and English speaking local guides during the tour. You will be traveling in comfortable private Car or van or mini bus with driver/guide depending on the number of people in the group. - Can I extend my trip?
Yes, you can extend your trip to Sri Lanka or other parts of India. - Can we make this as a private trip on our own date?
Yes, we can arrange this trip as a private trip on your own date. However, the price will be higher. - What if I have more questions?
If you have more questions, just fill out the form below, and click "SEND". We will get back to you within same working day.