Spices, Temples & Backwaters: Ultimate 10-Day South India Tour

Day 01: Arrive Chennai 

You will arrive at Chennai Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you exit the arrival terminal after which you would be transferred to your hotel. Check in to your hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.  

Day 02: Chennai

Full day sightseeing tour of Chennai. Founded in 1639, Chennai was the site of the first settlement of the East India Company. Sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Museum and Art Gallery ( closed on Friday). Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market; visit the Fort St. George (closed on Friday), which once served as the very first bastion of the East India Company. Within the Fort complex, is also the oldest Anglican Church in India, St Mary's Church, built in 1678-1680. Drive along the Marina Beach, one of the longest beaches in the world. Also visit Kapaleeswarar Temple   (temple remain closed from 1230 -1600 hours) & San Thome Cathedral, which is said to contain the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas) and drive past the Marina Beach. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Chennai – Madurai (Flight) 

Breakfast at hotel. In -time transfer to airport to connect  flight to Madurai. 

Arrive Madurai – Meeting and assistance on arrival at airport and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and magnificent Shree Meenakshi temple - an excellent example of Dravidian architecture.   Evening witness aarti ceremony at Meenakshi Temple. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Madurai – Periyar (Surface Drive) 

Drive to Thekkady. Arrive Periyar and check-in at hotel.    Afternoon proceed for Elephant activities – Elephant ride, bathing, washing, feeding, commanding and timber dragging.   

Day 05: Periyar 

Early morning proceed for the boat ride in the Park for wild life viewing. Return for the breakfast at hotel. In the afternoon enjoy jeep safari to Ottakathalemedu Cross hills (approx 1500 meters above sea level). Drive through cardamom coffee, pepper plantation to chellarcovil mettu  (1200 meters high from sea level). A small walk though the area (Black Tea/ cardamom tea & local snack served on the hill). En-route visiting the spice plantations cardamom, pepper, coffee, cinnamon, vanilla  and different spices. Visit Tribal village during the Jeep Safari. Stay overnight at hotel/ resort. 

Day 06: Periyar – Kumarakom (Surface Drive)

After breakfast, proceed to Kumarakom – the spectacular and inviting backwater destination. Arrive at Kumarakom by noon. Check-in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the beauty of the natural surrounding and serenity of the beaches. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Kumarakom – Alleppey (HouseBoat)

Breakfast at Hotel. By noon board Houseboat from resort jetty (check-in time is around 1230 hours). Lunch on board, cruise through the canals, witness the  serenity of the surroundings and the local lifestyle. Dinner on board.  *Important : The boats will be moving in canals, lakes and rivers only till 1700 hours only. Afterwards it will be anchored. Air conditioner is operational only when the boat is stationary during night from 2130 hours till 0630/0700 hours in the morning.

Day 08: Alleppey – Cochin (Surface Drive) 

Awake early to experience a magical backwater morning. Breakfast on board Houseboat.   Disembark Houseboat (around 0930 hours) at Alleppey, where you will be met and transferred to Cochin, a short drive away. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon is free for individual activities. Cochin is a fascinating blend of medieval Portugal, Holland, an English country village and the local tropical Malabar culture. Here you see the India's oldest church, old fashioned Chinese fishing nets, a classical Indian dance performance and five hundred year old Portuguese houses as you tour Cochin, a quiet seaside city in Kerala found here. Evening witness Kathakali Dance performance in refular theartre.Stay overnight at hotel. 

Day 09: Cochin 

Post breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays), Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays). Also visit the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel coloured interior and carved wooden panels. 

Also witness the traditional martial of South India –Kalaripayattu.  Kalaripayattu is the oldest martial art form of Kerala in South India, is formed by the combination of two words Kalari means school, gymnasium and Payattu means to fight or exercise. This unique martial art form is said to be more than 2000 years old. Stay overnight at hotel. 

Day 10: Cochin 

In-time transfer from hotel to airport to board onward flight

• The Dravidian Legacy: Stand in awe beneath the towering, technicolor gopurams (gateways) of the legendary Meenakshi Temple in Madurai during a mystical evening Aarti ceremony.

• The Wilderness of Periyar: Track wildlife by boat and immerse your senses in an aromatic South India spice plantation tour, learning the origins of vanilla, cardamom, and cinnamon.

• Luxury Living on the Waters: Spend a private night aboard an authentic, premium Kerala backwaters houseboat cruise, drifting past sleepy villages and swaying coconut groves.

• The Melting Pot of Old Malabar: Explore Cochin, a seaside city blending medieval Portuguese churches, Dutch palaces, and centuries-old Chinese fishing nets.

• Living Art Forms: Witness private performances of Kathakali (classical dance-drama) and Kalaripayattu—the ancient, breathtaking 2,000-year-old martial art.

INCLUSIONS

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis
• Daily breakfast included
• Meeting and assistance on arrival and departures
• Chauffeured air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers, excursions and sightseeing tours
• English speaking guide will be provided for sightseeing and excursion tours
• All currently applicable taxes

EXCLUSIONS

• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone, fax, internet, beverages, camera / video camera fee at  monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc.
• Local payments in domestic currency, such as entry fees to monuments, tips and gratuities
• Any ride, monument entry fees
• Domestic / International air fare
• Indian Visa Fees
• Any other services not mentioned in Price Inclusions above

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For Tours

• 7 days before Start of the tour No Charge
• 3 Days before start of the tour 50 % of the amount will be refunded. 
• Cancellation 48 hours or lesser no refund. 
• For Refund thru Credit Card 5% Bank charges Applicable 

For Transfers

• 24 Hours  before Start of the transfer.  
• For Refund thru Credit Card 5% Bank charges Applicable