11 Days Best of South

Price from $3113 per person on twin sharing basis + Domestic flights from $182 per person

Cochin – Alleppey – Munnar – Madurai – Chennai/Mahabalipuram – Chennai

This tour introduces to the best of South India, with a mix of diversified experiences. Begin tour on the backwaters in Alleppey influencing the daily lives of people, visit the tea gardens in Munnar, the most amazing architectural wonders in temples to age-old monuments with statues in Chennai, tour Mahabalipuram ending with a tour of Pondicherry.

Itinerary

Day 1

Cochin (B)

Arrive in Cochin. Transfer to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2

Cochin (B)

Full day tour of Cochin, visiting Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Dutch Palace and Spice Market. In the evening, enjoy the famous dance drama of Kerala, “Kathakali”, characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and extensive make-up.

Day 3

Cochin – Alleppey (Houseboat) (B/L/D)

Board your houseboat for an exhilarating experience. As you sail down a maze of canals, you see villages, paddy fields, coconut palms, fishermen and local life. Meals and overnight are on board.

Day 4

Alleppey - Munnar (B)

Late morning, disembark at Alleppey, also known as “Venice of the East” for its narrow canals. You  drive to Munnar, the highest town of Kerala with a cool, bracing climate exuding old-world charm and popular for extensive tea and cardamom plantations.

Day 5

Munnar (B)

This morning, take a walk through the tea plantation and to the nearby factory as well to see the process of picking and packing process of tea. Trek through cardamom forests and landscaped tea shrubs.

Day 6

Munnar – Madurai (B)

Drive to Madurai. Arrive Madurai and relax at the hotel.

Day 7

Madurai (B)

Today you will do the tour of Madurai visiting the Gandhi museum, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal and the temple tank Vaniyur Mariamman Teppakulam. Evening visit to Meenakshi Temple and take part in the prayer ceremony.

Day 8

Madurai – Chennai – Mahabalipuram (B)

Transfer to Madurai airport to connect flight to Chennai. On arrival, transfer to Mahabalipuram.

Day 9

Mahabalipuram (B)

Start your day with a tour of Kancheepuram – the ancient capital of the Pallavas, famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines, built in the 7th and 8th centuries and has paintings on the walls. Continue to Mahabalipuram to visit the city famous for the seven pagodas, Shore Temple and the Rathas.

Day 10

Mahabalipuram (B)

Today you will drive to Pondicherry, a charming coastal town. Formerly a French colony still has a few touches of French culture. Tour the French, Tamil quarter and the world famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual centre founded on modern sciences and yoga before returning to Mahabalipuram.

Day 11

Mahabalipuram – Chennai (B)

Transfer to Chennai airport to connect onward flight.

Included: Accommodation for 10 nights, private car/driver for the round-trip, sightseeing as indicated, local guides and entrance fees

Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.

Private program - can start any day of the week and can be customised

Note: Contact us if you require more options on Hotel categories.

Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotel, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes

Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2025. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exotic.net.nz for more information.