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A two-week journey from Chennai to Kochi, exploring southern India. Experience the religious fervor in the temples of Tamil Nadu, explore Kerala, the garden of India, with its tea and spice plantations, and cruise along the peaceful backwaters. A deep dive into authentic and traditional India.
Request a quoteThis classic tour between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, connecting Chennai to Cochin, offers an exceptional journey through two of South India's most iconic regions. From Tamil Nadu, the land of great Dravidian temples, to the garden of India, Kerala with its tea and spice plantations and backwaters, discover an authentic India rich in traditions and contrasts.
Warm welcome at Chennai airport, former Madras and capital of Tamil Nadu. Drive to Pondicherry, a former French colony that has retained a unique colonial charm in India. Free time for a first exploration of this charming city where Indian and French influences blend.
Discover the historic heart of the city, by bicycle if you wish. Your route will lead you to the Manakula Vinayagar temple and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which played a major role in the local development in the 20th century. At the end of the day, visit the market with your guide. Together, you will prepare a delicious local meal at her home. Overnight in Pondicherry.
Head to Swamimalai, stopping at the Chidambaram temple, dedicated to Shiva Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. This major temple of Shaivism is renowned for its ancient rituals and architecture. Visit the site of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the former capital of the Cholas with its grand temple, a testament to the golden age of this dynasty.
Explore the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram, a jewel of Chola art known for its delicate sculptures. Visit the traditional silk weaving workshops. In Thanjavur, explore the majestic "Big Temple" (Brihadishvara), a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the palace housing the prestigious Saraswathi Mahal library. In the afternoon, head to the Chettinad region. Overnight in a former Chettiar palace.
Today, explore some of the villages of Chettinad, a unique region renowned for its magnificent palaces built by the Chettiars, wealthy 19th-century merchants. Visit temples dedicated to Ayyanar, the local protective deity. The region is also famous for its spicy and refined cuisine, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch or dinner in a beautiful setting, a palace restored by French architects living in the area.
Drive to Madurai, a major holy city in South India. Visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a splendid example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Explore the Meenakshi temple, a true city within a city, with its colorful gopurams and its famous hall of a thousand pillars. Stroll through the traditional Puthu Mandapam market. Overnight in Madurai.
Morning visit to Madurai's flower market, a visual and olfactory delight. Visit the Gandhi Museum. Drive to Munnar, a hill station nestled in the Western Ghats mountains. On the way, visit a brick-making workshop and a tea museum, the most interesting in the region. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali performance, a traditional Kerala art combining dance, theater, and music.
Guided hike through the plantations. Your guide will share his knowledge of the local flora. Stroll through Munnar and visit a spice garden showcasing medicinal plants used in Ayurveda.
Head to Fort Kochi, an ancient spice trade port famous since antiquity. This cosmopolitan city, with its rich cultural heritage, is also known for its vibrant arts scene. In the evening, attend a Bharatanatyam performance, one of the oldest classical dances in India.
Explore the unique heritage of Fort Kochi: the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, the Indo-Portuguese Museum, the Dutch Palace with its remarkable frescoes, and the famous Chinese fishing nets, remnants of ancient maritime exchanges. Visit the Paradesi synagogue in the Jewish Quarter and the picturesque laundry district.
Head to Alleppey, the gateway to Kerala's backwaters. At noon, embark on a traditional houseboat, an old rice transport boat converted into a comfortable floating home. Cruise on Lake Vembanad and the canals, observing the traditional life of lakeside villages. Overnight aboard, full board.
Disembark around 9:30 AM. Indulge in an Ayurvedic massage at a clinic in Alleppey before departing for Mararikulam, a preserved beach resort in Kerala.
Relaxation day on the beach of Mararikulam, fringed with coconut trees. This traditional fishing village offers a peaceful and authentic setting, far from mass tourism.
Last free morning to enjoy the beach. Transfer to Cochin airport for your return flight. End of this initiatory journey between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
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