Tours

South India Leisure Tour – Tamil Nadu Heritage, Kerala Nature & Beaches

Your Journey at a Glance

Overview

A relaxed journey through two of South India’s most rewarding regions, combining the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu with the natural beauty of Kerala. Explore UNESCO-listed monuments, historic towns, traditional architecture and local cuisine before travelling into the Western Ghats for tea country, wildlife, backwaters and a peaceful beach stay.

Designed for couples, families and leisure travellers, the itinerary balances sightseeing with slower days and meaningful local experiences.

Tour Highlights

Day & Route	Details
Day 1 Chennai Airport	Hotel: Coral Beach Resort Meals: Breakfast & Dinner as applicable Arrive at Chennai Airport and drive to Mahabalipuram, approximately 40 km / 1–1.5 hours. After check-in and some time to relax, explore Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO World Heritage monuments depending on arrival time. Visit the Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, Five Rathas and other remarkable examples of Pallava architecture.
Day 2 Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry	Hotel: Les Hibiscus Meals: Breakfast & Dinner After breakfast, continue along the scenic East Coast Road to Pondicherry. Check in and spend the afternoon discovering the atmospheric French Quarter, colonial streets, heritage buildings and seafront promenade. The evening is free to enjoy Pondicherry at a relaxed pace.
Day 3 Pondicherry to Thanjavur	Hotel: Svatma , Thanjavur Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Leave Pondicherry and travel south towards Thanjavur. En route, stop around Chidambaram and Kumbakonam, depending on timing and guest interest. Visit traditional centres associated with temples, palm-leaf manuscripts or local crafts before continuing to Thanjavur. Check into Svatma, a heritage property that reflects the cultural character of the region.
Day 4 Thanjavur	Hotel: Svatma, Thanjavur Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple, one of Tamil Nadu’s finest Chola monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, explore traditional bronze casting and local handicrafts. The afternoon is kept relaxed, followed by a local cooking experience and dinner with a host, offering an introduction to Tamil cuisine and family traditions.
Day 5 Thanjavur to Chettinad	Hotel: Tranquility Stay Meals: Breakfast & Dinner After breakfast, drive towards Chettinad. Explore the region’s distinctive mansions, quiet village streets, traditional architecture and local craft traditions. Chettinad is also famous for its cuisine, making this a good day to enjoy a traditional lunch or dinner. The slower pace of the day provides a pleasant contrast to the temple-focused sightseeing of the previous days.
Day 6 Chettinad to Madurai	Hotel: Heritage Madurai Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Travel to Madurai and check into the hotel. Later, explore the historic city, including Meenakshi Amman Temple and the colourful local market area. Depending on timing and interest, guests can also enjoy a short walk through the old streets or sample local food specialties.
Day 7 Madurai to Munnar	Hotel: Olive Brook Resort Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Leave Tamil Nadu and travel west towards Kerala, climbing gradually into the Western Ghats. The scenery changes from dry plains to forested hills, spice gardens and tea plantations. Arrive in Munnar and check into Olive Brook. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the cooler mountain climate and peaceful surroundings
Day 8 Munnar	Hotel: Olive Brook Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Spend a relaxed day in Munnar’s tea country. Enjoy a gentle walk through tea plantations and learn about tea cultivation and processing. Visit a tea factory or museum where suitable. The programme can be adapted to the family’s interest and energy level, leaving enough time to relax at the property and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Day 9 Munnar to Thekkady	Hotel: Green Forest Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Drive through the Western Ghats to Thekkady, approximately 100 km / 3 hours. On arrival, check into the hotel and visit a spice plantation to learn about pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and other crops grown in the region. The evening is free, with optional cultural activities available locally.
Day 10 Thekkady / Periyar	Hotel: Houseboat / Backwater Area Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Begin the day with a nature-oriented experience in and around Periyar Tiger Reserve. Depending on availability and guest preference, this may include a guided nature walk or boating on Periyar Lake. Later, leave the hills and travel towards the Kerala backwaters. Board the houseboat or check into the selected backwater accommodation and enjoy a peaceful evening on the waterways.
Day 11 Alleppey Backwaters → Marari	Hotel: Turtle Beach Resort Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Experience the quieter side of Alleppey with a guided kayaking excursion of approximately 2–3 hours through narrow canals and village waterways. Afterwards, enjoy an included homely Kerala lunch hosted by Shilpa, with an introduction to local cuisine and everyday life. Continue to Marari and check into Turtle Beach Resort. The evening is free to relax near the beach.
Day 12 Marari	Hotel: Turtle Beach Resort Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Guests can relax by the beach or pool, enjoy the resort facilities, take a village walk or simply spend the day unwinding. This slower day is an important part of the itinerary, especially for families and travellers looking for a balanced holiday.
Day 13 Marari to Fort Kochi	Hotel: Dutch Bungalow Meals: Breakfast & Dinner After a relaxed morning, drive to Fort Kochi. Explore the historic quarter, including colonial-era streets, waterfront areas, Chinese fishing nets and other heritage landmarks. The final evening offers time to enjoy Fort Kochi’s cafés, shops and relaxed atmosphere.
Day 14 Fort Kochi to Kochi Airport	Meals: Breakfast After breakfast, the tour concludes with a private transfer to Kochi International Airport, approximately 40 km / 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic.

Route Map

Approximate mapped route: 1,006 km. This measures the full published Google map route and may include road transfers. Cycling, trekking and paddling distances are listed separately in the itinerary.

Inclusions

Exclusions

Essential Information

Best Time to Travel

October to March offers pleasant weather for the scheduled outdoor activities. Daily plans depend on local weather and conditions.

Arrival & Departure

This journey starts with arrival at Chennai Airport and ends with departure from Cochin International Airport. Airport pickup and drop-off are included.

Accommodation

Stay in carefully selected hotels, homestays, heritage properties, and eco-resorts with local character.

Transport & Essentials

Ground transport and luggage transfers are provided as listed. Bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a refillable water bottle and personal essentials.

Fitness & Difficulty

Travel is by vehicle between destinations, with sightseeing and walks at a relaxed pace. Discuss any mobility needs and the difficulty of optional hikes or paddling before booking.

Support & Safety

Semi-supported travel includes the listed ground transfers, luggage transport and local coordination. Follow local guidance during walks and excursions.