18 Days Tamilnadu & Kerala Tour
18 Days Tour
Chennai Airport Arrival & Mamallapuram & Kanchipuram / Pondicherry / Tanjore - en route covers Chidambaram, Gangai - Konda-Cholapuram & Darasuram) / Trichy & Chettinad / Madurai / Thekkady / Munnar / Cochin, Alleppey backwater, Varkala beach, Kovalam and Trivandrum airport departure (Kerala)
- Day 01: Chennai Airport to Mamallapuram (01h30minutes drive)
Arrival at Chennai Airport and drive to Mamallapuram. After refreshment and relaxation from the long travel, visit Mamallapuram Sea Shore temple, Five Rathas (Stone Chariots), Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Ganesha Ratha, Krishna Butter Ball, Mahisasura Madhini Cave, Old Lighthouse & Beach. Overnight stay.
- Day 02: Mamallapuram to Kanchipuram (70 km / 2 hrs)
Proceed to Kanchipuram and visit Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambareshwarar Temple, Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, and Varadaraja Perumal Temple. After lunch, return to Mamallapuram. Overnight stay.
- Day 03: Mamallapuram to Pondicherry (100 km / 2 hrs)
Drive to Pondicherry, stopping en route at Salt Farm to see salt production and Auroville (Mandri Mandir). In the evening, take a walk along the French Colonial Street and Seaside Promenade (Rock Beach) & Nehru Street. Overnight stay.
- Day 04: Pondicherry Full Day
Visit Aurobindo Ahsramam, Managula Vinayagar Temple, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Paradise White Sand Beach (accessible by boat), Cycling (Need to hire) and Musuem. Overnight stay.
- Day 05: Pondicherry to Tanjore (220 km / 5 hrs)
After breakfast, depart around 8:00 AM to visit Chidambaram (Dancing Shiva Temple, open until 12:30 noon), Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Darasuram, Tanjore Palace, Darbar Hall, Saraswathy manuscript library and Bronze Museum. Overnight stay in Tanjore.
- Day 06: Tanjore to Chettinad via Trichy (150 km / 3 hrs)
Morning visit Tanjore Big Temple, then drive to Chettinad via Trichy, visiting Sri Renganathaswamy Temple, Sri Rangam, Jalagandeshwarar temple at Thiruvanaikkaval, and Amma Mandapam (Holy River Cauvery). On the way, visit Thirumaya Fort. Check-in at your hotel, and enjoy an evening walk through the heritage village. Overnight stay.
- Day 07: Chettinad to Madurai (170 km / 4 hrs)
Visit Chettinad Bungalow (Like Palace), Athankudi village old heritage Palace, Hand-made floor tiles Factory. After reaching at Madurai, visits Flower Market, and Gandhi Museum. In the evening, visit the famous Sree Meenakshi Amman Temple. Overnight stay.
- Day 08: Madurai Village Tour
An exclusive village tour for our guests, village tour including climbing rock formations, walking through rice fields, visiting local homes, Lotus Pond, Iyyanar village guard temple and trekking in herbal forests at Alagar Hill. Return to hotel for overnight stay.
- Day 09: Madurai to Thekkady (Periyar) (150 km / 4 hrs)
Drive to Thekkady, en route visiting Keezha Quil Kudi Village (Village Guard Temple with Lotus Pond). Activities are available for boat rides on Periyar Lake (Need to Book in advance by online), elephant rides, spice plantation visits, Ayurveda massages, and martial arts show (Kalaripayattu). (Optional for trekking, Bamboo rafting, Border hiking, Tiger trail and Gavi visits: stay an extra night). Overnight stay
- Day 10: Thekkady to Munnar (130 km / 4 hrs)
Depart for Munnar, stopping at Tea valley viewpoints & photo points along the way. Check into your hotel and enjoy an evening walk in Munnar town. Overnight stay.
- Day 11: Munnar Full Day Tour
Visit Rajamalai (Eravikulam National Park, home to Nilgiri Tahr closed from February 1 to March 31 annually for breeding), Top Station, Echo Point (watch for wild elephants), Mattuppatty Dam & Tea Museum. Optional: You can opt for either half-day or full-day trekking in the tea valley. Overnight stay.
- Day 12: Munnar to Cochin (150 km / 5 hrs)
Drive to Cochin, visiting en route Cheeyapara and Valara water falls, Hill Museum along the way. Upon arrival, explore Dutch Palace (Mattancherry), Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets, Vasco da Gama Square, St. Francis Church, Indo-Portuguese Museum and Water metro. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali dance performance (Ticket available in the avenue). Overnight stay.
- Day 13: Cochin to Alleppey Backwater (150 km / 5 hrs)
Check in to your houseboat at Alleppey by 12:30 PM for a traditional Kerala backwater cruise. All meals are included onboard (Need to Book in advance). Overnight stay on the houseboat.
- Day 14: Alleppey to Varkala Cliff & Beach (120 km / 3h30 min drive)
At09:00AM disembark from the houseboat after breakfast and drive to Varkala Beach, famous for its cliffs and serene beaches. Relax and enjoy the beach activities. Overnight stay.
- Day 15: Varkala cliff & Beach
Relax at Varkala Beach, enjoying sunbathing, sea bathing, and leisurely walks. Overnight stay.
- Day 16: Varkala to Kovalam (50 km / 1.5 hrs)
Drive to Kovalam via shore road en route visit Anjengo fort & Light house. Kovalam is also known for its beautiful beaches and ayurvedic massages. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight stay.
- Day 17: Kovalam & Trivandrum Sightseeing
Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Poovar Island (boat ride through mangroves), and Vizhinjam Fishermen’s Port & Azhimala Siva Temple. Return to Kovalam for leisure and relaxation on the beach. Overnight stay.
- Day 18: Departure transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for onward journey (approx. 18 kms/45minutes from Kovalam).
