Tamil Nadu To Kerala Tour

Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Chettinad – Madurai – Munnar – Thekkady – Backwaters – Houseboat – Mararikulam – Kochi

Discover the beauty of South India with our Tamil Nadu to Kerala tour package, covering two incredible regions.

Tamil Nadu is renowned for its magnificent architectural temples, remnants of French colonial heritage, and the Gandhi Museum in Madurai. Experience the rich diversity of Hindu culture and tradition with our Tamil Nadu tourism packages.

Kerala, a land of natural beauty, offers lush national parks, serene backwater cruises, and the historic Portuguese colonies of Kochi. Witness the captivating Kathakali performances and relax amidst the tranquil mountains.

Unwind in Kerala’s tea gardens, rejuvenate with Ayurvedic massages, hike scenic trails, and bask on Marari’s pristine beaches. Engage with friendly locals and shop for unique souvenirs at vibrant markets, making this your perfect South India getaway.

Inclusions -

Reception at the airport by travel guide representative and driver from India Bound Tour
The telephone briefing by the travel advisor (a personal meeting if you arrive in New Delhi)
The assistance of IBT travel adviser 24/7
Accommodation in hotels selected by an expert from “India Bound Tour”
Land transfers and transport by private vehicle (swift dezire / toyota etios) with an English-speaking driver
Meals: all breakfasts (except the day of arrival)
Internal flights / trains, if any
Services of local travel guides
One bottle of water per day per person

Exclusions -

International flights
International airport taxes
Visa fees
Entrances to museums, temples and monuments planned in the program
All lunches and dinners
Drinks and personal expenses
Tips
Assistance insurance – repatriation
travel guide service
All that is not written above in the price includes

Day 1 :- Arrival in Chennai - Mahabalipuram

Welcome at Chennai Airport by our local representative or your driver. Delivery of your travel documents (hotel reservation, domestic plane ticket, train ticket, etc.). Take the road to Mahabalipuram, a village 50 km south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, which houses an archaeological site and temples of primary importance built under the Pallava dynasty between the 7th and 8th centuries. Visit the magnificent Temple of the Shore, built from 700 to 728 in the Pallava dynasty and which owes its name to the fact that it is built by the sea, on a promontory jutting out into the Bay of Bengal. It has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984. Then visit the Panch Rathas (or five Chariots).

Day 2 :- Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

Stroll on the beach of Mahabalipuram, then continue to Pondicherry, a French colony until 1954, which has now become a small town in Tamil Nadu. Transfer to the hotel, free evening for, for example, a walk by the sea.

Day 3 :- Puducherry

Day in Pondicherry to admire the architecture and charm of the former French colony, with its tree-lined streets, its mustard-colored colonial villas and its upscale shops. Visit the famous churches and the museum on French culture at the time of the colonies. Then drive to Auroville where you will see the famous temple dedicated to meditation: the Matrimandir. It consists of a huge golden sphere 36 meters in diameter. Its construction, undertaken in 1972, without any work equipment, is certainly the one that required the most labor (Aurovillian and Indian). Return to Pondicherry with the visit of the markets and the discovery of the city on foot. Meal in a good little restaurant located by the sea. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 :- Pondicherry - Thanjavur

Early riser and departure for Thanjavur. On the way, visit the Hindu temple of Chidambaram dedicated to the god Shiva. You will admire many sculptures from the Chola period, a very old dynasty from South India. On the way, stop at Gangaikondacholapuram to visit the masterpiece of the Chola dynasty: the Brihadisvara temple (12th century) known for its large statue of “Nandi” and its exceptional architectural quality. Then drive to Chidambra, a medium-sized city known throughout India for its sanctuary of Natarāja, the “cosmic dancer”, one of the most famous representations of the god Shiva performing his “blessed dance”. Continue to Thanjavur and transfer to the hotel.

Day 5 :- Thanjavur - Chettinad

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Brihadeshwara temple built by Rajaraja Chola, an important ruler of the Tamil Chola dynasty, from 985 to 1014. This temple, a masterpiece of religious architecture, in Dravidian style and listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, is dedicated to Shiva. Then drive to the small town of Chettinad, well known for its cuisine, its beautiful mansions and its temples. Visit the museum on the history of the region, discover sumptuous palaces and old forgotten residences of the Chettiars, a rich Tamil shopping community. Today, many still belong to the descendants but most are emptied to be simply kept, without furniture. Insofar as their maintenance is expensive, some are dismantled in order to sell the building materials which compose them. Two French architects, Bernard Dragon and Michel Adment, created an NGO in the early 2000s to defend their conservation with the government of Tamil Nadu. They finally obtained the registration of three villages in a UNESCO protection list. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 :- Chettinad - Madurai

Road to Madurai, the second most important city and the cultural capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, known to shelter many temples and to be a sacred city and a high place of Hindu pilgrimage. Visit the famous Hindu temple Meenakshi, dedicated to Shiva and his wife the goddess Pârvatî. This temple is known to be one of the masterpieces of Dravidian architecture and one of the most important working temples in India. Then visit the Gandhi museum and the Nayaks palace (dating from 1636). This palace has been largely destroyed and all that remains is the courtyard and its portico, the imposing 12-meter high pillars, the theatre and many statues. The whole is well worth a visit. In the evening, walk to the market where you can buy your souvenirs. Return to the hotel.

Day 7 :- Madurai - Munnar

Morning survey. After breakfast, free time to, if you wish, return to the temple to appreciate the serenity that emerges, its history and its unique architecture. Drive to Munnar and arrive at the hotel, free time. Then choose a meal in an excellent market restaurant or return for dinner at the hotel.

Day 8 :- Munnar

Early in the morning, you can take a short hike organized by the hotel, in the tea plantations on the surrounding hills. The rest of the day is spent exploring the city of Munnar with a visit to the tea museum where you will attend the tea preparation ceremony. Visit the large Mattupetty dam with the possibility of a boat trip. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 :- Munnar - Thekkady

After breakfast, drive to Periyar, a national park south of Kerala. On the road, you will discover superb landscapes of tea and coffee plantations. This region is also known for its varieties of local spices that grow there. Visit the spice garden with a guide who will explain the spices in detail. Arrival and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 :- Thekkady – Backwaters

Early in the morning, continue to the national park for a boat trip on Lake Periyar. True sanctuary for a remarkable fauna, you can admire many animals (elephants, buffaloes, antelopes,) and many birds. Return to the hotel. After a good breakfast, drive to the Backwaters, a huge network of lagoons and canals with several large lakes like the Ashtamudi and the Vembanad, bordered by lush nature and small authentic villages. Visit to villages in the Backwaters. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 :- Backwaters - Houseboat

Breakfast at the hotel, then you embark on a traditional “house-boat”, greeted by the crew, composed of the captain, the cook. Lunch on board, and Navigate the canals, lagoons and Vembanad Lake. You enjoy the serene atmosphere that reigns over these calm waters. Dinner on board.

Day 12 :- Houseboat – Marari

Near breakfast, take the road to Marari, a place where you will find beautiful beaches. It is a less touristy region, meeting and eating with fishermen. Rest on the beaches and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 :- Marari – Kochi

Drive to Kochi, a major city in Kerala. Transfer to the hotel, then visit the historic Fort Cochin district. In the late afternoon, walk by the sea to discover the Chinese plaice, these large fishing nets installed by local fishermen. It will also be time to enjoy a majestic sunset. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 :- Kochi

Visit Cochin with your driver in a private vehicle with a visit to the Paradesi synagogue (one of the seven largest synagogues in the region) located in the old town. Then visit the Palace of Mattancherry, built by the Portuguese and which tells the story of the Cochin peninsula by itself. To change the atmosphere, walk to the small colorful market to buy souvenirs. In the evening, traditional Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 :- Kochi - departure

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Kochi airport for your return flight.

Useful information -

The official time of taking rooms in the hotels is 2 p.m. check-in at the hotel and 12 p.m. check-out from the hotel, the hotels will always try to give you your room on your arrival according to availability.
The vehicle varies according to the many travelers.,
It is mandatory to have a valid passport and visa to visit India, our team will help you with a link to get a visa.
The itinerary recommended in the program is just for your reference, and we can always modify it.
The price displayed is per person calculated on the basis of two people in low season, the price of the season will be higher than offered.
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