Arrive ChennaiDestination photograph
DAY 01
Arrive Chennai
Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel. Settle in, recover from the journey and enjoy an easy first evening.
Private & tailor-made · India
South India: Temples, Tea & Waterways
Follow temple towns and coastal streets into Kerala’s hills and waterways, discovering the distinct character of southern India.
Tour overview
South India: Temples, Tea & Waterways
Follow temple towns and coastal streets into Kerala’s hills and waterways, discovering the distinct character of southern India.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Munnar, Alleppey & Kochi
Use this route as a starting point. We can add a night where you want to linger, introduce a special interest or adjust the hotels to suit your style.
What you can experience on this route
- Chennai — Discover Chennai’s neighbourhoods, coastal setting and cultural traditions with a local guide, at a pace suited to your arrival.
- Munnar — Enjoy tea-country views and gentle walks through the hills. Visit a tea experience and keep the afternoon unhurried.
- Alleppey — Spend time on Kerala’s backwaters, passing waterside villages and coconut groves. Your chosen boat and meals shape the day.
- Kochi — Explore Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, from waterfront streets to historic trading quarters. Enjoy the city’s layered food culture.
Make the journey your own
This 15-day outline brings together Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Munnar, Alleppey & Kochi. The number of nights, daily activities and choice of hotels can change to suit your priorities. Tell us which experiences you would like to spend more time on, and whether you prefer early starts, relaxed afternoons or a balance of both.
We discuss the transfers between stops alongside the sightseeing, so that you can judge the pace of the whole trip. Your proposal will set out the agreed route and selected arrangements before you book.
Your day-by-day journey
Drive to MahabalipuramDestination photograph
DAY 02
Drive to Mahabalipuram
Continue to the next chapter of your journey, with transfers and breaks planned for comfort. Settle into your hotel before exploring locally.
In MahabalipuramDestination photograph
DAY 03
In Mahabalipuram
Explore the shore temples and sculpted stone monuments, then enjoy time by the coast.
Drive to PondicherryDestination photograph
DAY 04
Drive to Pondicherry
Continue to the next chapter of your journey, with transfers and breaks planned for comfort. Settle into your hotel before exploring locally.
Drive to KumbakonamDestination photograph
DAY 05
Drive to Kumbakonam
Continue to the next chapter of your journey, with transfers and breaks planned for comfort. Settle into your hotel before exploring locally.
Drive to TanjoreDestination photograph
DAY 06
Drive to Tanjore
Continue to the next chapter of your journey, with transfers and breaks planned for comfort. Settle into your hotel before exploring locally.
In TanjoreDestination photograph
DAY 07
In Tanjore
Explore Thanjavur’s great temple and artistic traditions, taking time to understand the stories behind its architecture.
Drive to MaduraiDestination photograph
DAY 08
Drive to Madurai
Continue to the next chapter of your journey, with transfers and breaks planned for comfort. Settle into your hotel before exploring locally.
In MaduraiDestination photograph
DAY 09
In Madurai
Experience the streets around Meenakshi Temple with a guide, then explore the city’s markets and regional cuisine.
DAY 10
Drive to Munnar
Continue to the next chapter of your journey, with transfers and breaks planned for comfort. Settle into your hotel before exploring locally.
DAY 11
In Munnar
Enjoy tea-country views and gentle walks through the hills. Visit a tea experience and keep the afternoon unhurried.
DAY 12
Drive to Alleppey
Continue to the next chapter of your journey, with transfers and breaks planned for comfort. Settle into your hotel before exploring locally.
DAY 13
Arrive Cochin
Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel. Settle in, recover from the journey and enjoy an easy first evening.
DAY 14
In Cochin
Explore Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, from waterfront streets to historic trading quarters. Enjoy the city’s layered food culture.
DepartureDestination photograph
DAY 15
Departure
Your private transfer is arranged around your departure. Allow a comfortable connection, or extend the journey with another Indian region.
The sequence is a suggested plan. Flights, permits, opening days, weather and local conditions may require adjustments; your final itinerary will confirm arrangements.
Selected places to stay
Hotel ideas for your journey
Hotel inspiration across different budgets. Your quotation will specify the property and room category included.
Madurai
Heritage Madurai
Mid Range
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Cochin
Brunton Boatyard
First Class, Heritage
Discover this stay
Tanjore
The Svatma
First Class, Heritage
Discover this stay
Munnar
Windermere Estate
First Class, Heritage, Tea Estate
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Alleppey
Spice Coast Cruises
First Class, Houseboat
Discover this stay
Pondicherry
Palais De Mahe
Mid Range, Boutique, Heritage
Discover this stay
Cochin
Fragrant Nature
First Class, Heritage
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Mahabalipuram
Radisson Blu Temple Bay
First Class
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Chennai
ITC Grand Chola
First Class
Discover this stay
Pondicherry
Villa Shanti
Mid Range, Heritage
Discover this stayA different pace? A favourite hotel?
Tell us what you would change. These journeys are designed to be adapted to your interests, time and style.
Start planning your journey