Spectacular South India

Once you have arrived in Chennai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, we will meet our guide and fellow travellers in the hotel reception for a welcome briefing and drinks.

Please note: it is common for international flights to arrive in Chennai late at night, so your tour briefing may take place tomorrow.

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry. Today, we begin with a short orientation tour of Chennai. We visit the vibrant fish market along Marina Beach, where early-morning life is alive with fishermen trading their fresh catch. We then explore the impressive Kapaleeswara Temple, Chennai’s largest, a fine example of Dravidian architecture dedicated to Lord Shiva, with origins dating back to the 13th century.

We then journey south to Pondicherry, pausing at Mahabalipuram en route. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its remarkable 7th to 9th century rock-cut monuments, including the Five Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance and the Shore Temple, all superbly illustrating Dravidian craftsmanship. We then continue to Pondicherry, a coastal town with a distinct French colonial legacy, and once we have arrived, we will transfer to our hotel.

Pondicherry - Auroville - Pondicherry. This morning we set out to discover Pondicherry, beginning with a visit to Auroville, an experimental township founded to promote harmony and diversity, often called the "City of Tomorrow". We then continue into the atmospheric French Quarter, where quiet streets are lined with colonial-era villas and we pause at key landmarks including the Gandhi Memorial and Aayi Mandapam.

Later we take a leisurely walk along the seafront promenade, passing historic sites such as Our Lady of Angels Church and Raj Nivas, the former governor's residence. We finish the day at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a prominent spiritual centre known for its cultural and charitable contributions. We return to our hotel for the night.

Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Gangaikonda CHolapuram - Kumbakonam. After breakfast we drive to Kumbakonam, making a stop along the way to visit the remarkable Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, famed for its distinctive architecture and notable features including the Chitsabha, Nritha Sabha and an impressive thousand-pillar hall.

We then continue to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, once the capital of the Chola dynasty, where we explore the grand Shiva temple, a striking counterpart to the Brihadeshwara temple at Thanjavur. On arrival in Kumbakonam, an ancient temple town set between the Cauvery and Arasalar rivers, we appreciate its rich temple heritage and its connection to the celebrated Mahamaham festival before transferring to our hotel for the night.

Kumbakonam - Darasuram - Kumbakonam. After breakfast, we visit Mr Ramamohan’s house in Kumbakonam to see Kalamkari, a traditional hand-painted textile art passed down through generations. Here he explains its history and techniques, giving us an insight into a craft that has long been rooted in South Indian culture.

We then explore the Dharasuram Airavateshwara Temple, a 12th-century Chola masterpiece known for its musical pillars, chariot-shaped mandapam, and finely carved sculptures that reflect the precision and artistry of the period.

In the afternoon, we take part in a local village visit, observing daily rural life set among lush surroundings. We end the day with a gentle bullock cart ride through paddy fields, passing the ancient Chathurkala Bhairavar and Karkadeshwar temples that offer a glimpse of centuries-old heritage in a peaceful countryside setting.

Kumbakonam - Thanjavur - Chettinad. This morning, we drive to Chettinad, pausing en route at Thanjavur to visit the UNESCO-listed Brihadeswara Temple, an extraordinary example of 10th-century Chola architecture, crowned by a 63-metre-high dome carved from a single block of granite.

We then continue to Chettinad, a region known for its rich cultural traditions, grand mansions blending Indian and international influences, and distinctive temples. Here we explore highlights such as the Chettinad Palace, ornate local temples and bustling antique markets, while discovering the opulent homes of the Chettiar merchant community. In the evening we take a tour through Chettinad’s striking architecture and vibrant surroundings.

Chettinad - Madurai. We start the day with a drive to Madurai. On arrival, we visit the superb Meenakshi Temple, believed to be around 2,000 years old and set in the heart of the old town. It is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture, known for its towering gopurams and intricate carvings that reflect centuries of artistic tradition.

We then visit Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, built by Thirumalai Naicker, the most celebrated of the Nayakkar kings of Madurai. The palace showcases impressive Indo-Saracenic design, with grand arches and soaring pillars that speak to the era's architectural ambition.

In the late evening, we return to the Meenakshi Temple to witness the 'Bedtime of the God' ceremony. This colourful procession sees the image of Shiva carried from his shrine, accompanied by musicians, temple singers, and priests, to join Parvati (Meenakshi) in her sanctum for the night.

Madurai - Munnar. This morning we will depart for Munnar, known as the queen of the hill stations, home to Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, rising to 2695 metres. On arrival we take in the scenic beauty of Munnar’s endless tea plantations, pristine valleys, rolling hills and cool, spice-scented air. The region is also known for its rich biodiversity, with exotic flora and fauna thriving in its forests and wildlife sanctuaries.

Early this morning, we set out on a walking tour through Munnar’s lush tea plantations, taking time to enjoy the natural beauty of this verdant landscape. Munnar is a charming hill station, set among dramatic hills where neat rows of tea bushes cling to steep slopes. The prominence of the tea industry and the quality of the leaves produced here have made Munnar one of the most important centres for tea in South India. We visit the Srishti Welfare Centre, an organisation supporting local communities.

Later we tour a tea factory to observe the tea-making process first-hand, with the chance to sample a variety of blends and leaves. There are several tea factories in and around Munnar, offering insight into this important local tradition.

Munnar - Mundackal - Kumarakom. Today, we will journey to Kumarakom, a tranquil village set along the shores of Vembanad Lake, where much of the land has been reclaimed from the water. The area is rich with natural beauty, its canals and lagoons framed by swaying coconut palms, mangroves, and vibrant plant life. Kumarakom’s peaceful setting and lush scenery make it an ideal place to pause and enjoy the calm rhythms of life on Kerala’s backwaters. Along the way, we will be making a stop for lunch at Mundackal homestay, where we will explore the spice and rubber plantation on foot.

After breakfast, we spend the day enjoying this beautiful setting, taking in the views and atmosphere of Kerala’s backwaters. We enjoy a day cruise along the waterways, with a traditional lunch served on board a houseboat.

In the afternoon, we join a short cooking demonstration led by one of the hotel’s chefs, showcasing the fresh, spiced flavours of Keralan cuisine — perhaps learning to prepare a simple beetroot curry or a shrimp stir-fry. Later, we gather in the lakeside gardens for sundowners with a local twist, a perfect way to end the day in this superb location.

Kumarakom - Kochi. This morning is at leisure, giving you time to relax before we set off for Kochi. The journey takes us through Kerala’s scenic countryside, passing villages, waterways, and green landscapes as we travel towards the coast.

Cochin, now known as Kochi, is a captivating port city spread across a series of islands linked by water. Often referred to as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', it reflects a rich blend of cultural influences, including Portuguese, Syrian, Chinese, Islamic, and Jewish heritage. The city’s highlights include elegant colonial buildings, the iconic Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront, and the atmospheric Jewish Quarter. With most sights centred around Fort Cochin, this is a delightful place for walking, browsing shops, and enjoying Kerala’s distinctive cuisine.

In the evening, we visit a cultural centre for an introduction to Kerala’s classical performing arts, with a demonstration of thevam and kathakali dances, known for their elaborate costumes, graceful movements and expressive storytelling.

Today we set out on a walking tour of Fort Cochin, uncovering its rich past shaped by Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish influences. We visit St Francis Church, the burial place of Vasco da Gama, the impressive Santa Cruz Basilica with its decorative painted ceilings, and the Dutch Cemetery. We then wander along the seafront promenade to view the famous Chinese fishing nets, a distinctive feature of Kochi’s harbourfront.

In the evening we enjoy a 90-minute motorboat cruise around Cochin Harbour, passing quiet backwaters, small islands and watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea. We conclude the day with a farewell dinner at Brunton Boatyard, enjoying wine or beer as we reflect on our journey through Kerala. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

After your final breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to explore a little more of Kochi, pick up some last-minute souvenirs or simply relax before your transfer to Kochi Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!