Chennai to Kochi - 9 days

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9 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

24 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Chennai, India

Ends

Chennai, India

Highlights

Mahabalipuram – Discover the striking Shore Temple which sits on the beautiful Bay of Bengal

Chettinad - Sample traditional life in the quaint village of Chettinad, renowned for its flavourful cuisine

Madurai – Light candles and sing songs as you enjoy a lively Aarti prayer ceremony and explore the city on a guided tour

Tanjore – Tour the hotspots of the city and gaze admiringly at the towering Brihadishwara Temple

Munnar - Spend a night in the rolling hills of the former hill station. Enjoy a guided walk through the tea plantations and visit a local market

Pondicherry – Stroll along the beach in this French colonial city and visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Kochi – Enjoy free time to explore independently and perhaps enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show

Pondicherry – Stroll along the beach in this French colonial city and visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Kochi – Enjoy free time to explore independently and perhaps enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show

Itinerary

Let the colors and flavors of South India enchant you on the "Chennai to Kochi - 9 days" tour, crafted for experienced travelers and seniors who appreciate culture at an easy pace. Beginning in Chennai, the journey unfolds through Madurai and Pondicherry, revealing exquisite UNESCO-listed temples and the colonial charm of Pondicherry. Discover the highland tea plantations of Munnar and savor the tranquil atmosphere and rich history of coastal Kochi.

This group tour features comfortable hotel stays, reliable transport, and delicious meals, allowing you to focus on the sights and experiences. The unique selling point of this trip is its seamless blend of spiritual, colonial, and natural highlights, offering a comprehensive yet relaxed immersion into southern India’s diversity. Ideal for those seeking depth without demanding activity, this tour package captures the essence of the region’s heritage and hospitality.

day 1 - Welcome to Chennai

Sunday. Welcome to South India! On arrival in Chennai you are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free to explore the city at leisure before meeting the group and guide at the hotel at 18:00 for a Welcome meeting.

OverNight:Chennai

day 2 - Mahabalipuram sightseeing

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry. This morning we depart Chennai and travel south to the French colonial city of Pondicherry. French rule lasted here until 1954 and the influence is still clear in the city's architecture.

En-route we will visit Mahabalipuram, the beautiful 7th century Shore Temple, so-named because of its location on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. We continue to the magnificent bas-relief carving, Arjuna's Penance and the incredible Five Ratha's. This UNESCO-listed site is made up of five different temples, all carved individually from separate rocks. The temples lay hidden under sand until the British rediscovered them 200 years ago. We continue on to Pondicehrry where we will spend the next two nights.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Pondicherry

day 3 - Pondicherry

Pondicherry. Today we explore the highlights of Pondicherry including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram spiritual community and Pondicherry Beach, with it's beautiful golden sand and lapping waves. Finally, we explore the striking Sacred Heart Basilica, a famous Christian pilgrimage site. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Pondicherry

day 4 - Temples & Tanjore

Pondicherry - Tanjore. After breakfast we head away from the coastal Pondicherry to an important centre of South Indian religion, art and architecture - Tanjore (Thanjavur). We discover the ancient, fortified town of Tanjore, with a guided tour exploring the glorious history dating back more than 1,500 years. Take in the enormous Brihadishwara Temple. This temple is over 1000 years old and the dome on top is thought to have been hauled up in a similar way to the construction of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Tanjore

day 5 - Chettinad

Tanjore - Chettinad. Today we travel to Chettinad which is renowned across India for its unique and spectacular combination of flavourful cuisine, yet few venture to this sleepy, tranquil village. Explore the crumbling Chettinad Palace and the famous tile factory in Athangudi, where your guide will explain how the renowned handmade terracotta tiles of Chettinad are crafted and readied.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Chettinad

day 6 - Madurai sightseeing & Evening Aarti Ceremony

Chettinad – Madurai. Departing Chettinad we continue onwards to Madurai, where we enjoy a half day guided tour taking in the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal. This grand palace is known for the giant circular pillars in its courtyard and dates back to the 17th century. We continue to the famous rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan. According to a famous Hindu legend, this is where Murugan slayed the demon Surapadman. Finally, we join an Aarti prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple. The ceremony involves the lighting of candles and songs being sung in praise of the gods.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Madurai

day 7 - Munnar Tea Plantations

Madurai - Munnar. Leave Madurai today we travel to the picturesque former hill station of Munnar, surrounded by sprawling tea plantations. We take a guided stroll through a local tea plantation and visit a local market, before the rest of the day is free to relax as you please. You may wish to visit the nearby Blossom Park and enjoy cycling or boating in the stunning surrounds.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Munnar

day 8 - Free day in Kochi

Munnar - Kochi. Today we continue on to Kochi, our final destination in South India. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is free to explore the city at your own leisure. This evening you can opt for an optional tour to watch an entertaining and traditional Kathakali dance show. Kathakali performers are known for their elaborate costumes and make up and they always put on a fantastic show.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kochi

day 9 - Kochi

Monday. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today. A departure transfer can be booked for an additional supplement if required.

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

8 nights 3-4 star hotels

Meals

8 breakfasts

Transport

Airport arrival transfer on day 1All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

Guide

Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 4 or more)

Others

Guided sightseeing - Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai and MunnarServices of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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