PRIVATE JOURNEY
South India Heritage & Kerala Backwaters Tour
Chennai • Mahabalipuram • Pondicherry • Trichy • Thanjavur • Madurai • Periyar • Kumarakom • Alleppey • Kochi
DURATION
12 Nights / 13 Days
REGION
South India
TRAVEL STYLE
Private Journey
FLEXIBILITY
Tailor-Made
Your Journey At A Glance
Chennai → Mahabalipuram → Pondicherry → Trichy → Thanjavur → Madurai → Periyar → Kumarakom → Alleppey → Kochi
ABOUT THE JOURNEY
Discover The Heritage Landscapes of South India
Experience a South India heritage tour through the cultural heart of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where ancient temples, colonial towns, spice-covered hills and peaceful backwaters reveal the remarkable diversity of southern India.
Begin in Chennai before travelling through Kanchipuram and UNESCO-listed Mamallapuram, continuing to the French-influenced streets of Pondicherry and the great temple cities of Trichy, Thanjavur and Madurai. Discover extraordinary Dravidian architecture, living temples, colourful markets and centuries-old traditions along the way.
Cross into Kerala for the forests and spice plantations of Periyar, the tranquil surroundings of Kumarakom and an unforgettable overnight houseboat cruise through the Alleppey backwaters. Conclude in historic Kochi with its multicultural heritage and a traditional Kathakali performance. Designed as a private journey, the itinerary can be tailored around your preferred pace, hotel category and interests.
AT A GLANCE
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore Chennai’s landmarks including Fort St. George, San Thome Basilica, Kapaleeshwarar Temple and Marina Beach.
- Discover the temple heritage and traditional silk-weaving culture of Kanchipuram.
- Explore UNESCO-listed Mamallapuram, including the Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas and remarkable rock-cut monuments.
- Experience the French and Tamil character of Pondicherry, including Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.
- Visit the historic Rockfort Temple in Trichy and the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjore.
- Experience Madurai’s vibrant Meenakshi Amman Temple and its traditional evening ceremony.
- Discover Kerala’s spice country and wildlife around Periyar with a plantation walk and lake experience.
- Relax amid the backwaters of Kumarakom and enjoy an overnight cruise aboard a traditional Kerala houseboat.
- Explore historic Cochin and experience a colourful Kathakali dance performance.
- Travel throughout with private transportation, experienced local guides and carefully planned transfers
YOUR DAY-BY-DAY JOURNEY
Discover The Natural Beauty Of Kerala
Day 01 : Arrival In Chennai
Welcome to Chennai! On arrival at Chennai International Airport, meet your Yatu Travel representative and transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax after your journey.
Overnight: Chennai
Day 02 : Chennai Sightseeing
After breakfast, begin exploring Chennai with a visit to the Government Museum at Egmore, home to an important collection of art, archaeology and South Indian bronzes.
Continue to historic Fort St. George and San Thome Basilica, before driving along the famous Marina Beach.
Later, visit the colourful Kapaleeshwarar Temple, one of Chennai’s most important places of worship and a fine example of Dravidian temple architecture. Return to your hotel after sightseeing.
Overnight: Chennai
Day 03 : Chennai → Kanchipuram → Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, check out and drive to Kanchipuram, one of Tamil Nadu’s great temple cities. Discover some of the city’s historic temple architecture and learn about its celebrated silk-weaving tradition, for which Kanchipuram has been renowned for generations.
Continue to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) and check in at your hotel. Later, explore this UNESCO World Heritage destination, visiting the seaside Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas and impressive rock-cut monuments and reliefs created during the Pallava period.
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Day 04 : Mahabalipuram → PONDICHERRY
After breakfast, drive along the coast towards Pondicherry, the former French settlement now known for its distinctive blend of European and Tamil influences. Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram and explore Auroville, before spending time walking through Pondicherry’s atmospheric French Quarter and Tamil Quarter. Enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Pondicherry
Day 05 : Pondicherry → Trichy
After breakfast, check out and drive to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli). On arrival, check in at your hotel before beginning your sightseeing. Visit the impressive Rockfort Temple complex, dramatically positioned on an ancient rocky outcrop and offering panoramic views across the city.
Time permitting, explore the lively local bazaar and experience the everyday atmosphere of this historic South Indian city.
Overnight: Trichy
Day 06 : Trichy → Thanjavur
After breakfast, drive to Tanjore (Thanjavur), historically one of the great centres of the Chola dynasty.
Visit the magnificent UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple, an extraordinary achievement of Chola architecture renowned for its monumental scale, sculptural details and towering temple structure. Spend some time discovering Tanjore’s artistic heritage before transferring to your hotel.
Overnight: Thanjavur
Day 07 : Thanjavur → Madurai
After breakfast, drive towards Madurai, one of South India’s oldest and most vibrant temple cities. On arrival, begin sightseeing with the magnifice nt Meenakshi Amman Temple, an extraordinary living temple complex filled with colourful towers, sculptures and devotional activity.
Continue to Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace and explore the bustling streets and markets surrounding the temple district. Later in the evening, return to the Meenakshi Temple to witness the traditional nightly ceremony.
Overnight: Madurai
Day 08 : Madurai → Periyar
After breakfast, leave Madurai and drive through the changing landscapes of the Western Ghats towards Periyar (Thekkady). On arrival, check in at your hotel.
Later, enjoy a guided spice plantation walk, learning about crops such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coffee and other spices cultivated in the region. You may also visit the local spice market before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Periyar
Day 09 : Periyar Wildlife & Cultural Experience
After breakfast, visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake. As you travel through the peaceful reservoir, look for wildlife and birdlife along the forested shoreline. Depending on season and luck, sightings may include elephants, deer, wild boar and a variety of birds.
Later, enjoy an interactive Kerala cooking experience, learning about the flavours and spices used in local cuisine. In the evening, watch an energetic Kalaripayattu performance, Kerala’s traditional martial art.
Overnight: Periyar
Day 10 : Periyar → Kumarakom
After breakfast, drive through Kerala’s lush countryside towards Kumarakom, situated beside the beautiful Vembanad Lake. On arrival, visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, known for its peaceful wetland setting and variety of resident and migratory bird species.
Later, check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Optional spa or Ayurveda treatments can be arranged.
Overnight: Kumarakom
Day 11 : Kumarakom → Alleppey | Houseboat Cruise
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey (Alappuzha) and board your private traditional Kerala houseboat. Spend the day cruising slowly through the region’s peaceful backwaters, passing palm-fringed canals, villages, paddy fields and scenes of everyday life along the waterways.
Relax on board while freshly prepared meals are served by the houseboat crew. The boat anchors in the evening for a tranquil night on the water. All meals served on board.
Overnight: Houseboat
Day 12 : Alleppey → Kochi
After breakfast on board, disembark from your houseboat and drive to Cochin (Kochi). Later, explore historic Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Visit Mattancherry Palace, the historic Jewish quarter and synagogue, St. Francis Church and the waterfront’s famous Chinese fishing nets.
Walk through the atmospheric lanes of Fort Kochi, where centuries of Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences have shaped the city. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Cochin
Day 13 : Departure From Kochi
After breakfast, check out from your hotel. At the appropriate time, meet your Yatu Travel representative and transfer to Cochin International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your South India Heritage & Backwaters journey.
Tour Ends
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
What Your Journey Covers
What's Included
- Accommodation in your selected hotel category.
- Daily breakfast at the listed hotels.
- Monument entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
- Experiences and activities mentioned in the itinerary.
- Private transportation throughout the journey.
- Local guides in each city visited.
- Arrival and departure assistance at the airport.
- Applicable government taxes.
Not Included
- International flights and airport taxes.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and telephone calls.
- Any services not specifically mentioned under inclusions.
Make This Journey Your Own
This journey can be tailored around your travel dates, interests, hotel category and pace, giving you the freedom to travel your way.
TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE
Why Travel With Yatu?
PRIVATE & TAILOR-MADE
Journeys designed around your dates, interests, travel style and preferred pace.
LOCAL EXPERTISE
First-hand destination knowledge supported by trusted local partners across India.
SAFE TRAVEL
Carefully planned travel with reliable assistance and support throughout your journey.
PERSONAL SUPPORT
Direct assistance from our India-based team before and throughout your journey.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
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