Day 01: Arrive Chennai
Upon your arrival at Chennai airport, you will be met and welcomed by our Tour executive and your driver. Later, you will be transferred to the hotel, where you can check in and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 2: Chennai
After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, embark on a leisurely walk (08:30–11:30) through Mylapore, uncovering intriguing stories woven into the rituals of daily life. Stories behind every sight, of Gods and demons, of ancient customs and symbolisms, and of Mylapore and Madras. And why is it called the Peacock Trail? Well, of course, there is a story in there, too. Return to the hotel and relax. Evening (03.30 pm – 06.30pm): Explore Chennai's Sowcarpet Market with a street food tasting walking tour: Take a walk through Sowcarpet – with your appetites leading the way. Taste the street food and get street–smart about the communities that have contributed to Chennai’s culinary scene. And as you go, chew upon a bit of history and nibble on some stories. This is one tongue-tickling trail that will leave you satiated. Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 03: Chennai - Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (4 hrs)
After a delicious breakfast, check out of the hotel and explore Mahabalipuram, which is one of the destinations that holds the UNESCO monuments: explore Arjuna’s Penance, which is a group of monuments that were shaped onto two huge boulders and joined together, depicting a hundred figures of birds, animals, and gods on it. The sculptures and carvings are approximately 27 meters long and 9 meters high. Then, the Shore Temple, Five Rathas, depicting the Dravidian culture and style, and the epic Mahabharata, Krishna’s Butterball, a massive granite boulder, and Varaha Cave temple, a unique rock-cut cave temple carved directly into the side of a natural hill. Later, proceed with your drive to Pondicherry. Check in at the hotel and relax. Evening, stroll around the Jew town of Pondicherry with a Rickshaw ride and try some authentic dishes of the place. Enjoy leisure time on the beach and later return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Day 04: Pondicherry Post breakfast, Cycling is one of the most enriching ways to explore Pondicherry, offering a more immersive and intimate experience than travelling by car. This two- hour guided cycling tour takes you through the quaint and picturesque French Quarter, allowing you to soak in the colonial charm and vibrant street life at a relaxed pace. Begin your ride from the French Consulate, guided by our expert storyteller who will bring Pondicherry's colonial past to life. As you cycle through the charming lanes of the French Quarter, discover the stories behind its iconic landmarks and heritage buildings from the French colonial era. The tour covers key sites including the Aurobindo International Institute, Foyer du Soldat, Governor’s Palace, Bharathi Park, and Cercle de Pondicherry, among others. By the end of this immersive experience, you will gain a deeper understanding of Pondicherry’s unique identity as the “French Capital of India.” The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Day 5: Pondicherry – Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Darasuram – Kumbakonam (5 hrs)
Depart for Thanjavur after breakfast. En route, visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gangaikonda Cholapuram means “The city of the Chola who took the Ganges.” The Brihadeeshvara Temple here is a replica of Thanjavur’s Brihadishvara Temple, though its towered sanctum is slightly shorter. The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram is an outstanding architectural marvel and one of the oldest temples in the region. Its sculptures depict scenes from the Chola period. Upon arrival in Kumbakonam, check in at the hotel and relax. In the evening, you have the option to witness Kalamkari work - a traditional Indian art form involving hand-painting or block-printing on fabric using natural dyes. Later, take a short drive to Swamimalai to visit a bronze casting workshop and learn how artisans create intricate bronze idols using age-old techniques. Overnight stay in Kumbakonam.
Day 06: Kumbakonam – Tanjore - Madurai (4 hrs)
After breakfast, an Option to experience a bullock cart ride. Afterwards, head to Thanjavur to visit the impressive Brihadeeswara Temple, the royal palace, and the art gallery. Then to Saraswathi Mahal Library - One of Asia’s oldest libraries, housing over 49,000 rare palm-leaf and paper manuscripts in multiple languages. Then head straight to Madurai to visit the Famous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with Gopurams carved from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of multi-coloured images of Gods. Check in at the hotel and refresh. Evening, attend the Night ceremony prayer in Meenakshi Amman temple. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 07: Madurai- Periyar (4 hrs)
Early morning, experience Madurai’s vibrant culture through the Vanakkam Madurai program, wandering its bustling streets and exploring local traditions. After a healthy and energizing breakfast, drive to Periyar, renowned for its spectacular wildlife sanctuary, home to a wide variety of species. Here, enjoy thrilling jungle activities, including a Spice Plantation tour and a scenic boat ride on Periyar Lake. In the evening, enjoy a performance of Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala, renowned for its weapons, choreography, and impressive skill. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel in Periyar.
Day 08: Periyar
Enjoy a full-day jungle jeep safari to Gavi (05:30–16:00), a picturesque off-the-beaten-path destination ideal for a wilderness retreat, offering trekking, birdwatching, canoeing, and comfortable boarding facilities. This biological garden, set amid hills, valleys, tropical forests, grasslands, sholas, cascading waterfalls, and cardamom plantations, is home to several endangered species, including the lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri tarsier. After breakfast, enjoy a guided trek through the forest. Return by 12:30 PM for a South Indian vegetarian lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy boating on Gavi Lake (rowboat), visit the cardamom plantations and curing house, and stop at the Sabarimala viewpoint. Return by 3:30 PM for evening tea. Overnight stay in Periyar.
Day 09: Periyar
This day, a dawn-to-afternoon range hiking and rafting program through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve, a mosaic of habitats, will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboo. By rafting, you will get a panoramic view of forest-clad hills. Animals such as elephants, gaur, and sambar deer can often be seen near the edges of the lake. Return to the hotel afterward. After lunch, enjoy an exciting, 2-hour elephant program at Periyar, offering a rare opportunity to get close to these magnificent mammals. Play with them, get wet during an Elephant bathing and shower session. Hop onto its back and enjoy a thrilling ride through the thick woods of Periyar. Witness these majestic giants dragging timber, and don’t forget to capture a photo to share your experience with friends and family. You will also enjoy an elephant feeding session, where you can feed them their favourite treats. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Periyar.
Day 10: Periyar – Munnar (4 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Munnar, the heart of South India’s tea-growing region, known for its pleasant climate and scenic viewpoints. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. After lunch, enjoy a day of sightseeing, including the tea plantations, the Tea Museum (closed on Mondays), displaying vintage photographs, machinery, and artefacts, the Flower Garden, Mattupetty Dam, and Echo Point. Explore the natural beauty and lush tea landscapes. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Day 11: Munnar After an early breakfast, enjoy a trek in Lakshmi Hills through the grasslands along the ridge, offering stunning views with rocky mountain slopes on one side and tea plantations interspersed with patches of Shola forest. Return to the hotel after the trek and relax. In the evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of authentic Kerala dishes, followed by dinner. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Day 12: Munnar – Alleppey (5 hrs) After your sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Alleppey. Check into the houseboat at 12 noon and start your cruise in the narrow canals. During the journey, you can visit ancient temples, churches, and paddy fields, and watch the day-to-day activities of the local people who live nearby. Your crew members will serve delicious Kerala food on board and will take good care of you. In the evening, around 5:00 PM, the houseboat will be anchored at a safe village area. And at night, there will not be any cruise. Overnight stay in a houseboat in Alleppey.
Day 13: Alleppey- Cochin (2 hrs)
After a relaxed breakfast, proceed with your drive to Cochin. Visit the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Friday & Saturday), the Dutch Palace (closed on Friday), St. Francis Church, Marine Drive, and the Chinese Fishing Nets in Fort Cochin. Check in at the hotel and relax for some time. In the evening, watch the Kathakali dance performance (5:00 PM–7:00 PM), with an hour for makeup and one hour for the show. Afterwards, stroll through the markets and streets of Kochi, soaking in the city’s vibrant sights and daily life. Overnight stay at a hotel in Cochin.
Day 14: Cochin departure Today, enjoy leisure time for shopping and packing. As per your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Cochin airport to board your flight back home, taking with you fond memories of Incredible India.
