Coastal Charm & Culture

Price Starts at ₹ 12,13,000

Duration

05D / 04N

Temperature

20–32°C

Region

South India

Best Time

Oct – Mar

Currency

INR (Indian Rupee)

Capital

Trivandrum

Language

Malayalam, English

Code

+91

Top Activity

Backwater Houseboat Cruise

Arrival

Kochi

Departure

Trivandrum

Day-Wise Itinerary

Option 1 – Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry

Day 1: Kochi → Munnar

  • Pickup from Kochi (airport/railway station).
  • Drive to Munnar (approx. 4–5 hours), enjoying the scenic hill roads.
  • En route, visit Cheeyappara & Valara Waterfalls, tea plantations, and viewpoints.
  • Check-in at the hotel/resort in Munnar.
  • Evening free for leisure and exploring the local market.
  • Overnight stay in Munnar.

Day 2: Munnar Sightseeing

  • After breakfast, proceed for a full-day Munnar tour:
    • Eravikulam National Park (home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr).
    • Tea Museum to learn about tea processing.
    • Mattupetty Dam & boating (optional).
    • Echo Point & Kundala Lake.
    • Blossom Park and photo points along the way.
  • Evening free to relax.
  • Overnight stay in Munnar.

Day 3: Munnar → Thekkady

  • After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (approx. 3–4 hours).
  • Check-in at hotel/resort.
  • Visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake (spot elephants, bison, and bird species).
  • Explore spice plantations and shop for authentic Kerala spices.
  • Optional activities: Kalaripayattu martial arts show or Kathakali dance performance.
  • Overnight stay in Thekkady.

Day 4: Thekkady → Kovalam

  • Early breakfast and drive to Kovalam (approx. 7–8 hours).
  • Check-in at beachside hotel/resort.
  • Evening at leisure to enjoy Kovalam Beach sunset views.
  • Overnight stay in Kovalam.

Day 5: Kovalam Sightseeing

  • After breakfast, visit:
    • Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach & Samudra Beach.
    • Optional boat ride at Poovar Backwaters.
  • Relax at the beach or enjoy Ayurvedic massages (optional).
  • Evening free for shopping and leisure.
  • Overnight stay in Kovalam.

Day 6: Kovalam → Trivandrum Departure

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Depending on departure time, short visit to Padmanabhaswamy Temple or Trivandrum city highlights.
  • Drop-off at Trivandrum Airport/Railway Station.

Option 2 – South Temple Trail: Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, Thanjavur & Trichy

Day 1: Arrive Chennai – Local City Tour

  • Pickup from Chennai Airport/Railway Station.
  • Explore Chennai’s cultural and historical landmarks:
    • Marina Beach – the second-longest urban beach in the world.
    • Kapaleeshwarar Temple – iconic Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
    • San Thome Basilica – beautiful neo-gothic church built over the tomb of St. Thomas.
    • Fort St. George – India’s first British fortress, now housing a museum.
  • Evening free for shopping or tasting authentic South Indian cuisine.
  • Overnight stay in Chennai.

Day 2: Chennai → Kanchipuram → Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

  • Breakfast at hotel and drive to Kanchipuram (approx. 2 hours), famous as the “City of Thousand Temples” and a hub for silk sarees.
  • Visit Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, and Varadharaja Perumal Temple.
  • Explore local silk weaving units (optional).
  • Continue to Mahabalipuram (approx. 1.5 hours).
  • Visit:
    • Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
    • Five Rathas – monolithic rock-cut chariots.
    • Arjuna’s Penance – massive rock carving depicting Hindu legends.
    • Krishna’s Butterball – giant balancing boulder.
  • Evening free to enjoy the beach or local seafood.
  • Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram or Pondicherry.

Day 3: Pondicherry Sightseeing

  • Breakfast and explore Pondicherry’s French charm and spiritual sites:
    • Auroville – unique township dedicated to human unity.
    • Sri Aurobindo Ashram – peaceful spiritual center.
    • French Quarter – colorful streets, heritage buildings, and charming cafés.
    • Promenade Beach for a relaxing evening walk.
    • Optional: Shopping for handicrafts and handmade paper products.
  • Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

Day 4: Day Trip to Chidambaram & Pichavaram Mangroves

  • Early breakfast and drive to Chidambaram (approx. 2.5 hours).
  • Visit Nataraja Temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva in his dancing form.
  • Proceed to Pichavaram Mangrove Forests – the world’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem. Enjoy a boat ride through narrow water channels flanked by lush greenery.
  • Return to Pondicherry by evening for leisure time.
  • Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

Day 5: Pondicherry → Chennai Departure

  • Breakfast at hotel.
  • Drive back to Chennai (approx. 3–4 hours).
  • If time permits, short shopping stop or quick sightseeing in Chennai.
  • Drop-off at Chennai Airport/Railway Station for onward journey.

Option 3 – Ooty, Coonoor & Kodaikanal

Day 1: Arrive Coimbatore → Ooty

  • Pickup from Coimbatore Airport/Railway Station.
  • Scenic drive to Ooty (approx. 3–4 hours) through lush tea estates and winding Nilgiri hills.
  • En route, stop at Ketti Valley View Point or Pykara Lake & Falls (time permitting).
  • Check-in at the hotel/resort in Ooty.
  • Evening at leisure – enjoy a walk through Ooty town or shop for tea, chocolates, and handicrafts.
  • Overnight stay in Ooty.

Day 2: Ooty Sightseeing

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Full-day sightseeing in Ooty:
    • Government Botanical Garden – home to rare plant species and floral displays.
    • Ooty Lake – enjoy boating or cycling around the lake.
    • Doddabetta Peak – the highest point in the Nilgiris with panoramic views.
    • Optional: Rose Garden or Tea Museum & Factory for a tea-tasting experience.
  • Evening free for leisure or a local market visit.
  • Overnight stay in Ooty.

Day 3: Ooty → Coonoor Tour → Kodaikanal

  • Early breakfast and drive to Coonoor (approx. 1 hour).
  • Visit:
    • Sim’s Park – a well-maintained botanical garden.
    • Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint – spectacular views of Catherine Falls and valleys.
    • Lamb’s Rock – another panoramic viewpoint over tea plantations.
    • Optional short Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train) ride between Ooty & Coonoor.
  • Continue the journey to Kodaikanal (approx. 6–7 hours).
  • Check-in at hotel/resort in Kodaikanal.
  • Evening free to stroll around Kodaikanal Lake.
  • Overnight stay in Kodaikanal.

Day 4: Kodaikanal Sightseeing

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Explore Kodaikanal’s scenic attractions:
    • Coaker’s Walk – a paved pathway with valley views.
    • Pillar Rocks – three giant rock pillars surrounded by mist.
    • Guna Cave – mysterious and scenic cave area (view from outside).
    • Bryant Park – botanical garden with seasonal blooms.
    • Silver Cascade Falls – cascading waterfall en route.
  • Evening leisure time or boating at Kodaikanal Lake.
  • Overnight stay in Kodaikanal.

Day 5: Departure from Madurai / Coimbatore

  • Breakfast at hotel.
  • Drive to either Madurai (approx. 4–5 hours) or Coimbatore (approx. 5–6 hours) for onward travel.
  • Drop-off at airport/railway station.
Inclusions
  • All Sightseeing Tours
  • Accommodation
  • Daily Breakfast & Dinner
  • Arrival & Departure transfer
  • Basic English Speaking Driver
  • All Tours & Transfers on Private Basis as per the program
  • Travel Insurance
Exclusions
  • 5% GST
  • Any other transport mentioned other than above.
  • Any meals except breakfast from the Hotel
  • Any services not included in the above itinerary.
  • Any Increase in the airfare charged by the airlines.
  • 5% TCS
  • Any optional tour and all items of personal nature
  • Tips and gratis.
  • Late checkout Charges if any. Any Gala Dinner.
  • Hard Liquor/Beer/ Mineral water, Soft Drinks, Juices, Mini-bar in the rooms, Local/STD/ISD telephone call, rooms service, Porterage etc. in rooms are all chargeable and would have to be paid at the time of check-out by the clients.
  • Please note that anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions is excluded from the package.