The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu

Duration12 days

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Embark on an enchanting journey through "The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu." Begin in Cochin, where you'll witness the captivating Kathakali dance. Explore the historic streets of Fort Cochin, adorned with St. Frances Church and Jewish Synagogue. Cruise along the serene backwaters of Alleppey on a traditional houseboat, immersing yourself in Kerala's lush countryside. Traverse the rugged landscapes of Thekkady and encounter wildlife at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Discover the picturesque hill station of Munnar, famed for its tea gardens and natural beauty. In Tamilnadu, marvel at the architectural wonders of Madurai's Meenakshi Temple and Thanjavur's Brihadeshwara Temple. Conclude your odyssey in Chennai, where you'll uncover the city's rich cultural heritage before bidding farewell to this unforgettable voyage.

Options

Price using 3 star hotels

Stay in 3 star hotels: + Private Car with Driver + Private Guides + Entrance & activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

Tour Price Without Hotels

Includes: Private Car with Driver + Private Guides + Entrance & activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

Price with 5 Star Hotel

Stay in mix 5 & 4 star hotels: + Private Car with Driver + Private Guides + Entrance & activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

Price with 4 Star Hotel

Stay in 4 star hotels: + Private Car with Driver + Private Guides + Entrance & activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
Pickup included

What's included

Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
11 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
Lunch
Government taxes.
Bottled drinking water in the car.
Dinner
Breakfast
Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
Assistance on arrival at the airport.

Any flight ticket.
Camera charges at monuments if any.
Meals other than mentioned in inclusions.
Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
Gratuities and optional activities.
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.

What to expect

Day 1: Arrive Cochin

Kochi (Cochin)
Pass by

On arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel, check in. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc.

Day 2: Cochin - Alleppey (60kms)

Kochi (Cochin)
3h

Breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour visiting Fort Cochin St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutchs Palace & Chinese fishing nets.
Alleppey Backwaters
Pass by

Later transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver.

Day 3: Alleppey - Thekkady (160kms)

Thekkady
Pass by

Breakfast at hotel. Disembark from houseboat and drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show.

Day 4: Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
6h · Admission ticket included

Breakfast at hotel. Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee etc.

Day 5: Thekkady - Munnar (100kms)

Ramakkalmedu
2h

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Munnar via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi.
Munnar
Pass by

Continue drive to Munnar check in at hotel.

Day 6: Munnar

Munnar
8h

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum.

Day 7: Munnar - Madurai (160kms)

Madurai
4h

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.

Day 8: Madurai - Trichy - Thanjavur (190kms)

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
3h · Admission ticket included

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Thanjavur, via visiting Trichy Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rock Fort Temple & Jambukeshwara temple. On arrival check in at hotel.
Thanjavur
3h

Later visit Brihadeshwara Temple built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Also visit Thanjavur Palace & Museum.

Day 9: Thanjavur - Darasuram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Chidambaram - Pondicherry (180kms)

8h

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram, Airavateshwarar Temple a storehouse of art and architecture and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple complex which includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Also visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple dedicated to the dancing posture of Lord Shiva.

Day 10: Pondicherry

Pondicherry
6h

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools. Rest time free and easy to rtelax on the beach.

Day 11: Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai (240kms)

Mahabalipuram
3h

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Chennai enroute visit Mahabalipuram Monolithic Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.
Kanchipuram
2h

Next visit Kanchipuram Kailasanathar temple, Ekambareswarar temple, Varadharaja temple, Vaikundhaperumal temple & Kamakshiamman temple.
Chennai (Madras)
Pass by

Continue drive to Chennai check in and o/n at hotel.

Day 12: Chennai - Departure (Flight)

Chennai (Madras)
4h

Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Chennai visit Fort St. George, St Mary's Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.
Chennai (Madras)
Pass by

Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

A private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle will be provided for the entire tour. Pickup is available from Cochin International Airport (Kochi Airport) and all hotels, residences, and other accommodations in Kochi (Cochin). Travelers arriving at the airport will be welcomed and assisted by our office executive. Please provide your hotel or flight details at least 3 days before the tour. Office executive and driver contact details will be shared one day prior to the tour.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.