Lush and tropical, southern India enchants with cultural wondersand local life. From guided city tours and temple visits to cruising backwaters, French Pondicherry, spice-laden Periyar and warm encounters, this journey brims with discovery and charm.
Chennai’s highlights include the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram and the nearby sacred temple city of Kanchipuram
Pondicherry reveals its Gallic influences in the elegant French Quarter, with landmarks such as the Sri Aurobindo Ashram nearby
The great Chola temples of Tanjore and Darasuram showcase towering architecture and intricate stone carvings of exceptional detail
At Madurai’s Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, evening prayers unfold in a vivid displayof ritual, music and movement
A houseboat journey through Kerala’s backwaters offers still waters, village life and meals cooked in the local style
Your journey begins in Chennai, India’s fourth largest city, with a three-night stay at The Leela Palace Chennai. On your first afternoon, explore Chennai’s history with a visit to Fort St. George and the colourful Kapaleshwar Temple. The following day is devoted to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its ancient rock-cut architecture, including the Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal. On Day 3,visit Kanchipuram, the ‘city of a thousand temples’, for an insight into South India’s sacred architecture.
From Chennai, you will be transferred to Pondicherry, once a French settlement, staying at Palais de Mahéfor two nights. With your guide, explore the city’s blend of Indian and European influences, including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Governor’s House, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the atmospheric French Quarter. With its pastel-coloured houses and café culture, Pondicherry offers a slower pace. The rest of your time is free to enjoy activities such as a guided food trail or cycling the boulevards on a vintage bicycle.
Travelling south, you will stop at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, one of India’s most striking temple complexes, before arriving in Kumbakonam to stay at Mantra Koodam for two nights. On Day 7, you will explore nearby Tanjore, home to the magnificent Brahadeeswarar Temple, a masterpiece of Chola architecture, and Darasuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its intricately carved stonework.
En route to Chettinad, visit Tiruchirappalli and the vast Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Chettinad is a cluster of around 75 villages famed for grand mansions, local crafts, and a distinctive cuisine. Stay at Visalam in Kanadukathan, a restored heritage property, offering an authentic experience of rural Tamil Nadu.
A guided morning tour introduces you to Chettinad’s heritage before travelling to Madurai for an overnight stay at Gateway Madurai. In the evening, you will visit the magnificent Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple,one of India’s most spectacular sacred complexes, and witness its vibrant night ceremony.
After exploring Madurai’s fragrant flower market, continue to Periyar in central Kerala for two nights at Spice Village. Perhaps enjoy an optional excursion on Periyar Lake, where wildlife such as elephants, gaur, and sambar gather along the shores.
Set on the tranquil Vembanad Lake, stay for two nights at Kumarakom Lake Resort. A perfect place to simply relax or perhaps venture further into the countryside by bicycle or visit the nearby village.
A Keralan highlight, board an authentic houseboat for an overnight journey through the backwaters. As the boat meanders along palm-lined waterways, enjoy freshly prepared local cuisine and the unhurried rhythm of life on the water.
Your final stop is Cochin, Kerala’s cosmopolitan port city, where you will stay for two nights at Brunton Boatyard. On your first evening, experience a Kathakali dance performance, an iconic art form of Kerala. The next day, explore Cochin’s rich cultural tapestry: marvel at the Chinese fishing nets, visit the historic Jewish Synagogue, and stroll through the streets of Fort Cochin. On Day 17, transfer to the airport for your return flight, concluding this memorable South India journey.