Deep South: Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Suitable for:
Spiritual, Cultural, Artistic & Gastronomic Interests
Friends & Family Travel
Solo Female Travel
Corporate Travel
Journey Overview
South India It is a land with beautiful temples reflecting how strongly its religion has been interwoven into the life of its people.
Enjoy this Indian dreamscape surrounded with coconut palm trees, beaches, mesmerizing backwaters, and colourful traditions to make you live an unforgettable destination.
Cochin
Bustling commercial port city with a trading history that dates back to at least 600 years. Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. The Influences of Arabs, Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, Chinese and British, are felt.
Alleppey
From houseboat stays in to lazing around on pristine beaches, the range of memorable experiences you can have in the coastal town of Alappuzha is almost overwhelming for first-time visitors.
Surrounded by dense greenery including countless coconut trees that lean over the waters, these backwaters are navigated by all sorts of traditional boats, most famously by the Kerala River boats.
Thekkady
Experience the sight of majestic elephants, spice plantations, and beautiful hills. The Periyar forest is a National treasure, containing the most vivid range of flora and fauna on the planet, including migratory species spotted in these lands.
Munnar
Popular hill-station of Kerala perched at an altitude of 1600 m in the Western Ghats, known as the Kashmir of South India. Situated on the banks of three rivers Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru, Munnar is also blessed with natural bird sanctuaries and the tea plantations.
Madurai
The holy city is famous for its towering Hindu shrines and one of the most iconic pilgrimage destinations in India.
Home to South India’s most fragrant flower, the sambac jasmine sold in Nandan market in hundreds of strings, as well as ylang-ylangs, marjorams, tulsis, roses, tuberose and lotuses.
Thanjavur
Here are the ochre foundation blocks of perhaps the most remarkable civilization of Dravidian history, one of the few kingdoms to expand Hinduism beyond India, a bedrock for aesthetic styles that spread from Madurai to the Mekong.
Every day thousands of people worship at the Cholas’ grand Brihadishwara Temple, and the city’s labyrinthine royal palace preserves memories of other, later powerful dynasties.
Pondicherry
Known as The French Riviera of the East, this former French colony is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture, making it a dreamy escape that offers the best of both worlds. A fairytale charmed city.
Mahabalipuram
Famous for its intricately carved temples and rock-cut caves, Mamallapuram as it is famously known, is a historically location situated on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal, in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The serenity, the alluring atmosphere and the impressive setting with many beautiful white sandy beaches dotted with Casuarina trees, are the reasons to visit this wonderful town.
Mumbai
Mumbai (also known as Bombay) is the most populous place in India, and one of the largest, most vibrant cities in the world. Experience a dynamic, modern city with cosmopolitan lifestyle, a home to breathtaking historical landmarks, famous places, rich culture, and much more.
Journey Highlights
Cochin
Fort Cochin
Fishing Net
Fish Market
Church of Saint Francis
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
Alleppey
Thekkady
Spice Gardens
Periyar Wildlife Lake
Munnar
Madurai
Pondicherry
The White Town
Auroville
Mahabalipuram
French Colony of Pondicherry
Shore Temple
Five Rathas
Mumbai
Journey Day By Day
Day 1 - 3 COCHIN
You will be picked up from Cochin Airport with a signed board under your name, as per your flight details. Early arrivals have the possibility to explore Cochin, depending on your preferences. Some places would be visited according to your time and personal interests.
Nextt Stop: Alleppey
Distance from Cochin to Alleppey: 1h 20min (55 km)
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: Old Courtyard Semi Luxury: Trident Luxury: Grand Hayat
Day 3 - 4 ALLEPPEY
Enjoy a Boat Ride at Vembananad Lake, which offers a fascinating insight into the life of Keralan Backwater. On the narrow strip of land you could appreciate the fishing fishermen, children swimming, and women doing their daily chores. Experience any place you find on the way, loose yourself and unravel the magic of the place.
Next Stop: Thekkady
Distance from Alleppey to Thekkady: 3h 30min (140 km)
Hotel Options Available:
Houseboat in the Backwaters of Kerala
Day 4 – 6 THEKKADY
Boating on the Lake Periyar and witness the fascinating Wildlife and unique animal sanctuaries in India. Visit the fragrant spice plantations of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and coffee. Enjoy the Tea States as well. Shop in the local market for natural seasonings to take home
Next Stop: Munnar
Distance fromThekkady to Munnar: 3h (90 km)
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: Tree Top Semi Luxury:Elephant Court Luxury: Naramaya Retreats
Day 6 – 8 MUNNAR
One of the highest Tea growing lands in the world. Visit Eravikulam National Park, home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex). Experience Mattupetty Dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm and
the Kundala Lake.
Next Stop: Madurai
Distance from Munnar to Madurai: 4h 20min (155km)
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: Cooper Castle Semi Luxury: Tea County Resort Luxury: Panaromic Gateway
Day 8 – 10 MADURAI
Visit and witness one of the architectural dreams of all times created, the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple (The Goddess of Wealth). Experience a walking tour through the flower market in the city’s Mattuthavani district. Enjoy how raw fragrance is being made at Raja Palaniswamy’s facility.
Next Stop: Thanjavur
Distance from Madurai to Thanjavur: 3h (190km)
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: Madurai Residency Semi Luxury: Fortune Pandiyan Luxury: Heritage Madurai
Day 10 – 11 THANJAVUR
Visit the celebrated temple Brihadeshra built by the Chola King during the 11th century. Experience the Saraswati Mahal library, containing a rare collection of books and manuscripts on paper and palm leaves.
Next Stop: Pondicherry
Distance from Thanjavur to Pondicherry: 4h 20min (170km)
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: Hotel Parisutham Semi Luxury: Hotel Sangam Luxury: Hotel Mantra Koodam
Day 11 – 13 PONDICHERRY
Enjoy the serene aura and cuisine of this Union territory of India. Visit the Navagraha Temple where all the nine planets are worshipped and known for their influence in our lives.
Experience Auroville city known as the City of Dawn, is where people from different nationalities, beliefs and traditions live together in harmony.
Next Stop: Mahabalipuram
Distance from Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram: 2h (100km)
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: La Chateau Semi Luxury: Hotel De L’Orient Luxury: La Villa
Day 13 – 15 MAHABALIPURAM
Visit the second pagodas, a wonderful monolithic monuments and stone sculptures to be seen.
Experience the Pallava architecture expressed at Five Rathas, the bas-relief on a huge rock popularly known as Arjuna’s penance; Mahisasura Madapam and the Shore Temple overlooking the sea, surrounded by gardens and ruined courts
Next Stop: Mumbai
Distance from Mahabalipuram to Mumbai: 2h (Flight)
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: Mammala Heritage Semi Luxury: Ideal Beach Resort Luxury: GRT Radisson Temple Bay
Day 15 - 16 MUMBAI
Feel the energy of this impressive city and live the Elephanta Caves. Experience as well Dharavi, the area where Bollywood movie and Oscar Winner, “Slumdog Millionaire” has been shot.
Day 17 DEPARTURE
Relaxed and ready for travelling back home, your driver will take you to the airport as per your flight schedule.
Hotel Options Available:
Affordable: Fort Residency Semi Luxury: Suba Palace Luxury: Taj Mahal Tower
“India shaped my mind, anchored my identity, influenced my beliefs, and made me who I am”.
― Shashi Tharoor
Included in Deep South: Kerala and Tamil Nadu
-Selected 16 night accommodation based on single/double occupancy in mentioned hotels
-Full breakfast daily
-Air Conditional Comfortable Vehicle with WI-FI for your connectivity
-Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
-English-Speaking Local Driver and Private Guide
-Driver expenses, fuel, insurance and all taxes covered
-Entrance Fees and Taxes
-Flight Ticket from Cochin to Mumbai
-All your meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) included during your stay
-Houseboat at Kerala´s Backwaters
– Boat Ride in the Periyar Lake to observe Wildlife
– Live Performance of Kathakaly Dance in Thekaddy
– Live Performance of “Kalari” an Ancient Fighting in Thekaddy
– A Naturologist short lecture in Thekaddy about the Kerala’s Plantation Spice Gardens
-Bottled Water for the whole journey
Excluded Services in this Journey:
-International or Domestic flights
-Gratuities/tips for bellboys and housekeeping staff. This is left to your discretion.
-Indian visa (most people will require an Indian visa – Please note we don’t provide advice on visas and it is your responsibility to obtain the correct information/visa)
-Meals not specified in your journey
– Beverages, unless specified.
-Tips/gratuities for meals not specified in your journey
– Travel insurance. Please be aware that comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory
-Laundry and telephone bills.
-Entrances to monuments
-Movie/video camera fee at monuments
-Medical Insurance
-Baggage Insurance
-Airport Departure Taxes
-Any other service that has not been specified
-Your Game Safaris at any National Park, unless specified in your journey