PRIVATE JOURNEY
Dravidian Temples & Backwaters
Chennai • Mahabalipuram • Pondicherry • Thanjavur • Madurai • Periyar • Alleppey • Kochi
DURATION
11 Nights / 12 Days
REGION
South India
TRAVEL STYLE
Private Journey
FLEXIBILITY
Tailor-Made
Your Journey At A Glance
Chennai → Mamallapuram → Pondicherry → Thanjavur → Madurai → Periyar → Allepey → Kochi
ABOUT THE JOURNEY
Temples, Culture & Kerala Backwaters
Experience a Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour through the cultural heart of South India, combining ancient temple cities, colonial heritage, spice-covered hills and the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey.
Begin in Chennai before travelling through the sacred city of Kanchipuram to UNESCO-listed Mahabalipuram, where remarkable rock-cut monuments overlook the Bay of Bengal. Continue through the French-influenced streets of Pondicherry to Thanjavur and Madurai, home to some of South India’s most extraordinary living temples.
Cross the Western Ghats into Kerala for the spice plantations and natural landscapes of Periyar before slowing down aboard a traditional private houseboat through the Alleppey backwaters. The journey concludes in historic Kochi, where Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences come together along the Arabian Sea.
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
Temples, Culture & Kerala Backwaters
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 → Thanjavur
After breakfast, leave Pondicherry and drive towards Thanjavur, one of the great centers of the historic Chola dynasty. On arrival, check in at your hotel.
Later, visit the magnificent UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple, one of the finest achievements of Chola architecture and among South India’s most impressive temple complexes. Return to your hotel after the visit.
Overnight: Thanjavur
Day 06 : Thanjavur → Madurai
After breakfast, check out and drive towards Madurai, one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and an important centre of Tamil culture. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure or take an evening walk through the lively streets and markets surrounding the temple district.
Overnight: Madurai
Day 07 : Madurai Sightseeing
After breakfast, explore Madurai’s most important landmarks. Visit the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, a vibrant living temple renowned for its colourful gopurams, sculptures and devotional atmosphere.
Continue to the impressive Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace and explore the traditional markets and streets around the old city. Later in the evening, return to Meenakshi Temple to experience 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. Return to your hotel after the experience.
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. The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the evening, you may experience a traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.
Overnight: Periyar
Day 10 : Periyar → Alleppey | Houseboat Cruise
After breakfast, drive towards Alleppey (Alappuzha), the heart of Kerala’s famous backwaters. Board your private traditional kettuvallam houseboat and begin a relaxing cruise through palm-fringed canals, paddy fields and peaceful villages.
Spend the afternoon watching everyday life unfold along the waterways while freshly prepared Kerala-style meals are served on board. The houseboat anchors in the evening for a peaceful night on the backwaters. Lunch, evening tea and dinner served on board.
Overnight: Houseboat
Day 11 : Alleppey → Kochi
After breakfast on board, disembark from your houseboat and drive to Kochi. On arrival, check in at your hotel before exploring historic Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Visit Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church, the old Jewish quarter and the iconic Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront.
Later, walk through Fort Kochi’s atmospheric streets and experience the multicultural heritage that has shaped this historic port city. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Kochi
Day 12 : 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 Dravidian Temples & 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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