5 daysThe Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu
New12 daysKochiPrivate tour
Length
12 days
Itinerary
12 days planned
Group
Private
Guides
English
Overview
Embark on an enchanting journey through "The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu." Begin in Cochin, where you'll witness the captivating Kathakali dance. Explore the historic streets of Fort Cochin, adorned with St. Frances Church and Jewish Synagogue. Cruise along the serene backwaters of Alleppey on a traditional houseboat, immersing yourself in Kerala's lush countryside. Traverse the rugged landscapes of Thekkady and encounter wildlife at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Discover the picturesque hill station of Munnar, famed for its tea gardens and natural beauty. In Tamilnadu, marvel at the architectural wonders of Madurai's Meenakshi Temple and Thanjavur's Brihadeshwara Temple. Conclude your odyssey in Chennai, where you'll uncover the city's rich cultural heritage before bidding farewell to this unforgettable voyage.
Day by day itinerary
1Arrive Cochin⌄
On arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel, check in. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc.
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
2Cochin - Alleppey (60kms)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour visiting Fort Cochin St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutchs Palace & Chinese fishing nets.
Later transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Overnight: Overnight in Houseboat.
3Alleppey - Thekkady (160kms)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Disembark from houseboat and drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
4Thekkady⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee etc.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
5Thekkady - Munnar (100kms)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Munnar via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi.
Continue drive to Munnar check in at hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
6Munnar⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
7Munnar - Madurai (160kms)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
8Madurai - Trichy - Thanjavur (190kms)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Thanjavur, via visiting Trichy Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rock Fort Temple & Jambukeshwara temple. On arrival check in at hotel.
Later visit Brihadeshwara Temple built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Also visit Thanjavur Palace & Museum.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
9Thanjavur - Darasuram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Chidambaram - Pondicherry (180kms)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram, Airavateshwarar Temple a storehouse of art and architecture and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple complex which includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Also visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple dedicated to the dancing posture of Lord Shiva.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
10Pondicherry⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools. Rest time free and easy to rtelax on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
11Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai (240kms)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Chennai enroute visit Mahabalipuram Monolithic Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.
Next visit Kanchipuram Kailasanathar temple, Ekambareswarar temple, Varadharaja temple, Vaikundhaperumal temple & Kamakshiamman temple.
Continue drive to Chennai check in and o/n at hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at hotel.
12Chennai - Departure (Flight)⌄
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Chennai visit Fort St. George, St Mary's Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.
Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
- ✓Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
- ✓11 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
- ✓Lunch
- ✓Government taxes.
- ✓Bottled drinking water in the car.
- ✓Dinner
- ✓Breakfast
- ✓Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
- ✓English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
- ✓Assistance on arrival at the airport.
Not included
- ✕Any flight ticket.
- ✕Camera charges at monuments if any.
- ✕Meals other than mentioned in inclusions.
- ✕Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
- ✕Gratuities and optional activities.
- ✕Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Good to know
Cancellation: If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
From
$1,688
