Simply South India: Heritage, Landscapes and Beach

Welcome to South India. You will be picked up from Chennai Airport and driven to your hotel in Mamallapuram. The duration of travel is around one hour.

Begin your journey to the southern states of India with a trip to the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Mamallapuram. Pause at the rock carvings, dating back to the seventh and eighth centuries, that depict Hindu gods and goddesses and scenes from the Mahabharatha. Explore the rock-cut cave temples and the stunning Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Head from Mamallapuram to Pondicherry in a private, chauffeur-driven car. The duration of the journey is around two and a half hours. 

Explore the town’s French quarters, pausing to click pictures against colourful doorways and bougainvillaea-framed windows. Browse through charming boutiques and shop for handmade products while taking breaks at some of the city’s quaint cafes. In the Tamil part of Pondicherry, you can visit the Manakula Vinayagar Temple. Spend time at the peaceful Aurobindo Ashram, the resting place of Mother, the organisation’s spiritual guru. Later, head to Auroville, an experimental township based on the principles of unity, irrespective of nationalities and religious beliefs.

Drive from Pondicherry to Thanjavur via Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram. The travel duration, without stops, is five hours. 

Marvel at the incredible skill of India's artisans on enlightening excursions to the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram and the spectacular Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple. Built during the rule of the Cholas, the temple's carvings, sculptures, and architecture highlight the vision of its rulers and their love for the arts.

Visit the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brihadeeswarar Temple, a thousand-year-old temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. After visiting the Pancha Nandeeshwara Temple, head to an artisan's home and watch him create beautiful brass sculptures for which the city is known. You will also get the chance to watch the process of creating the famous gold foil Tanjore painting.

Leave Thanjavur for Chettinad in your private, chauffeur-driven car. The duration of travel is approximately one and a half hours. 

Your next stop is the small town of Chettinad, known for its stunning mansions built over a hundred years back. Visit some painstakingly restored ancestral homes with central courtyards, beautifully carved pillars, floors with exquisitely patterned tiles, and more. Marvel at the vibrantly coloured handmade Athangudi tiles at a nearby factory and find out about the steps involved in producing a Chettinadu check patterned sari at a handloom workshop. 

Leave for Madurai in your private, chauffeur-driven vehicle. The travel time is around two hours. 

Explore this vibrant town known for its spectacular temples, bustling markets, and arts and crafts. Start your day with a visit to its most iconic symbol, the thousand-pillared Meenakshi Amman Temple, a 17th-century temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Shiva. Next, head to the Koodal Alagar Temple, a Dravidian-style temple built in honour of Lord Vishnu, one of the Trinity Gods. Lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of Madurai’s flower and vegetable markets, a cacophony of sounds, smells, and sights.

Travel from Madurai to Munnar in a private, chauffeur-driven car. The travel duration is around six hours. 

Welcome to the southern state of Kerala, often dubbed God’s Own Country for its scenic beauty. Revel in the green landscape of Munnar, a popular hill station known for its rolling hills, tea and spice plantations, and mist-laden valleys. 

Tour the main attractions of Munnar accompanied by an expert local guide. Feel the crisp mountain air and enjoy the twists and turns of Munnar’s winding roads on the way to Mattupetty Dam. Head to Echo Point, known for its natural echo phenomenon and drink in views of the lush Western Ghats. Relax with a boat ride in Kundala Lake before making your way to Top Station, Munnar’s highest point. Later, take a tour of a working tea factory at the Lockhart Tea Museum in Devikulam, a charming hill station on the outskirts of Munnar. Join the in-house tea expert and learn about the various stages of tea making. 

Leave for Cochin in a private, chauffeur-driven car. The travel time is around five and a half hours.

Delve into the city’s fascinating past, with Portuguese, Dutch and British influences.

Revel in the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and South India. Experience centuries-old dance forms of the southern states, including Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, and Bharatanatyam, at the Greenix Village in Cochin. 

Visit the Fort Kochi harbour and spend time at the iconic Chinese nets, best experienced during dawn and dusk. Explore the charming Mattancherry neighbourhood, home to the Dutch Palace and Cemetery. Stroll through the Jewish quarters and visit the 400-year-old Parsi Synagogue. Make a stop at the original grave of Vasco da Gama at the St.Francis Church, which was his resting place before his remains were returned to Portugal. Browse through Hill Palace, Kerala’s largest archaeological museum in the beautiful suburbs of Tripunithura.

Drive from Cochin to Kerala’s backwaters in a private, chauffeur-driven vehicle. The duration of travel is around one and a half hours. 

Experience the quaint beauty of Kerala’s backwaters aboard a traditional kettuvallam or houseboat, undoubtedly, a quintessential Kerala experience. Float down placid green waters that reflect the lush greenery of the surroundings. Spot a variety of flora and fauna as you cruise around the Vembanad Lake and the Ashtamudi Lake. Relish fresh, local Kerala cuisine, including regional seafood, meat preparations, and palm wine.

Take a private, chauffeur-driven car from the backwaters to Mararikulam. The travel duration is around 30 minutes. 

It’s time to relax those muscles and get a healthy dose of Vitamin Sea. Welcome to Mararikulam, a charming beachside destination. Unwind on its soft sandy beaches, rated as one of the world’s best hammock beaches by National Geographic. Bask under a warm sun, spend time with your favourite books, or let the sounds of the ocean lull you to sleep.

You will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off at Cochin Airport. The travel duration will be around two hours.