Jewels Of South India

Welcome to India! Arrive in Chennai, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the Residency Towers, your comfortable base for the night.

Set on India’s eastern coast, Chennai - formerly Madras - is the country’s fourth largest city and a vibrant mix of past and present. Once a key post of the British East India Company, today it blends colonial heritage with lively urban energy.

Expect a city of ancient temples, golden beaches, and a deep-rooted love for classical music and dance - all set against the hum of modern life.

🥘 Dinner
🛏️ The Residency Towers

Nestled in the heart of the city, The Residency Towers, Chennai is a grand sanctuary for travellers and offers a blend of modern luxury with traditional South Indian hospitality. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of dining options, and the hotel also boasts a wellness spa, indoor swimming pool and fitness centre. It's ideally located for a brief introduction to the city and commencement of the tour.

We start the day with a guided walking tour through Chennai’s Mylapore - one of the city’s oldest and most storied neighbourhoods. Older than Chennai itself, Mylapore has drawn visitors for centuries, from Ptolemy to Marco Polo. As we wander its vibrant lanes, we’ll uncover tales of gods and demons, rituals and festivals, and the everyday rhythm of local life - bringing to light the traditions that still shape Chennai today.

Later, we set off on a scenic drive to Pondicherry (approximately 4 hours), stopping en route to explore the coastal town of Mahabalipuram. Once a thriving port of the Pallava dynasty in the 7th century, Mahabalipuram is where South Indian stone architecture first flourished. We’ll visit its crown jewel - the UNESCO-listed Shore Temple - perched dramatically on the water’s edge.

We end the day in Pondicherry, a town with a distinctly French flair. Once a colonial outpost, its leafy boulevards, grid-like layout, and colonial architecture are still steeped in French heritage. This unique fusion of cultures sets the tone for the next chapter of our journey.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Grand Hotel D’Europe
📸 Mylapore Walking Tour, Mahabalipuram Shore Temple

Grand Hotel D’Europe, established in 1891 by Mr. E. Magry, embodies the elegant French cultural ethos and values harmony with nature and community. It has welcomed notable guests like French Spiritual Guru Mirra Alfassa and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and film actor M G Ramachandiran. This heritage property boasts of spacious, elegantly appointed rooms, featuring a blend of classic design and modern amenities. Indulge in delectable meals at the on-site restaurant, or take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool.

Pondicherry is a small, laid-back coastal town that’s best explored on foot. Its unique grid layout divides the town into two distinct areas - the French Quarter on the east side of the canal and the Tamil Quarter on the west. The town's dual personality is one of its most fascinating features, offering a vivid contrast between two very different cultural worlds.

Your walking tour begins in the serene French Quarter, where broad, tree-lined boulevards are framed by colonial-era villas draped in bougainvillea. These quiet, elegant streets with their pastel façades and shady courtyards evoke a calm, European charm. As you stroll along, take in the relaxed atmosphere and the architectural echoes of Pondicherry’s colonial past.

Crossing the now-dry ‘Grand Canal’, you’ll find yourself immersed in the bustling life of the Tamil Quarter. This area presents a completely different scene - lively and chaotic, filled with narrow lanes, colourful shops, traditional houses, and the constant hum of traffic and daily activity. The contrast between the two quarters offers an engaging window into the town’s layered history and diverse communities.

In the afternoon, we drive about 30 minutes to Auroville - the experimental township known as the ‘City of Dawn’. Founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as “The Mother”), Auroville was envisioned as a place where people from all over the world could live in peace and harmony, transcending nationality, politics, and religion. Today, it continues to attract residents from across the globe.

You’ll visit the central area of Auroville and view the Matrimandir, a striking golden sphere used for meditation, surrounded by manicured gardens. While access to the interior is restricted, the structure is impressive from the outside and is the spiritual heart of the community. Take some time to explore the nearby visitor centre, browse the interesting shops selling handmade crafts and eco-friendly products, or relax at the café offering organic snacks and refreshments.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Grand Hotel D’Europe
📸 Pondicherry Walking Tour, Half Day Excursion to Auroville

Grand Hotel D’Europe, established in 1891 by Mr. E. Magry, embodies the elegant French cultural ethos and values harmony with nature and community. It has welcomed notable guests like French Spiritual Guru Mirra Alfassa and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and film actor M G Ramachandiran. This heritage property boasts of spacious, elegantly appointed rooms, featuring a blend of classic design and modern amenities. Indulge in delectable meals at the on-site restaurant, or take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool.

This morning we head to Kumbakonam (approximately 3 hours) and check into our hotel on arrival. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore at your own pace.

Kumbakonam, one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest towns, flourished as the capital of the Medieval Cholas between the 7th and 9th centuries AD. Known as a prominent ‘temple town’, its skyline is dotted with vibrant gopurams and over a dozen temples, most dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Highlights include the Sarangapani Temple, the town’s largest Vishnu shrine; the Kumbareswara Temple, home to a sacred Shiva lingam; and the Nageshwara Temple, adorned with exquisite 9th-10th century Chola stone carvings. The town also serves as a great base for visiting more of the region’s remarkable Chola temples.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Mantra Koodam CGH Earth Hotel Veppathur
📸 Kumbakonam Chola Temples

Located 10 kms from Kumbakonam, the town of 5,000 temples, Mantra Koodam is situated in the village of Veppathur. Set amongst lush green coconut groves and temple shrines, the property is designed like an agraharam, translating to ‘a garland of houses’ - a characteristically Brahmin street lined with illams or homes. The property's living spaces echo the spirit and culture of the region with lavish courtyards at each entrance, a thinnai (raised veranda), mutram (central open courtyard), koodam (living hall), and samayal (kitchen). The cottages, designed like traditional Chettiar homes, feature Athangudi tiled floors, ornate Burmese teak doors and open-air bathrooms. A highlight of a stay here is the opportunity to experience the distinctive taste of Cholanadu cuisine. All meals are carefully prepared, keeping in mind the delicate balance of the four primary flavours: sweet, spicy, bitter and sour. Every dish on the menu carries years of tradition handed down over generations, perfected over time.

This morning, we travel to Chettinad with a stop en route in Tanjore for a guided exploration of this culturally rich city. Once the capital of the powerful Chola dynasty, Tanjore (also known as Thanjavur) flourished between the 10th and 14th centuries as a hub of Tamil learning, art, and architecture. Among its many historic landmarks, the UNESCO-listed Brihadishwara Temple stands out - a grand monument to Chola temple architecture.

Continuing onward, we arrive in Chettinad, a region known for its opulent mansions, built by the wealthy Nattukottai Chettiar merchant community. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, they amassed fortunes through overseas trade and banking, especially in Burma and Ceylon, and channelled their wealth into constructing palatial homes using imported materials from across the globe - Italian marble, Burmese teak, Belgian mirrors, and European chandeliers.

Chettinad is also renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage, temple architecture, and bold, aromatic cuisine - some of the spiciest in India. Upon arrival, we check into our heritage hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure to soak in the atmosphere of this distinctive region.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Visalam CGH Earth Hotel Chettinad
📸 Brihadishwara Temple

A 1930s mansion, Visalam, has been sensitively and lavishly restored. The interiors are cool and serene with their high-raftered teak ceilings, traditional egg plaster walls, handmade tiled floors, shuttered windows and Art Deco furniture. A feature of a stay here is the opportunity to enjoy Chettinad cuisine, which is famous in India, but still relatively unknown outside it. This is one of the country's spiciest and most aromatic cuisines. An interactive kitchen allows visitors to try their hand at cooking. Time at leisure can be spent relaxing by the swimming pool, on the veranda or under the bougainvillea.

Today we explore the Chettinad region, home to charming small towns and a rich cultural heritage. Your hotel staff and driver can tailor suggestions based on your interests, whether that be architecture, temples, or local crafts.

Begin in Karaikudi, the region’s commercial hub, known for its bustling antique market. Here, you’ll find treasures salvaged from old mansions - lacquerware from Burma, intricately carved wood panels, and enamelware once part of Chettiar dowries.

In nearby Kottaiyur, visit a beautifully preserved Chettiar mansion. You’ll learn about its architectural elements like the Natai, Patalea, various Tinnais, and the grand Bhojana hall adorned with Belgian mirrors and carved ceilings. This home is set to become a Chettiar lifestyle museum.

Next, head to Athangudi, famed for its handmade decorative cement tiles. Watch artisans at work creating vibrant, patterned tiles that are a hallmark of Chettiar homes.

In Kanadukathan, the Raja’s village, visit a handloom workshop where Chettinad cotton saris and dupattas are woven. You can observe the weaving process and shop for textiles.

Finally, consider visiting one of the region’s nine clan temples. The temple at Neman, dedicated to Lord Shiva, features elegant Dravidian stone carvings and a serene atmosphere - an ideal way to experience Chettinad’s spiritual heritage.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Visalam CGH Earth Hotel Chettinad
📸 Karaikudi Antique Market, Kottaiyur Mansions, Athangudi Tile Workshops, Kanadukathan Textile Workshops

A 1930s mansion, Visalam, has been sensitively and lavishly restored. The interiors are cool and serene with their high-raftered teak ceilings, traditional egg plaster walls, handmade tiled floors, shuttered windows and Art Deco furniture. A feature of a stay here is the opportunity to enjoy Chettinad cuisine, which is famous in India, but still relatively unknown outside it. This is one of the country's spiciest and most aromatic cuisines. An interactive kitchen allows visitors to try their hand at cooking. Time at leisure can be spent relaxing by the swimming pool, on the veranda or under the bougainvillea.

This morning, we drive to Madurai (2.5 hrs) and check into our hotel. Later, we dive into the city’s vibrant spirit with a guided walking tour, ending at the awe-inspiring Meenakshi Amman Temple to witness the evening ceremony.

Madurai, nestled on the banks of the Vaigai River, is one of South India's oldest and most storied cities. Once the seat of the great Pandya kings, it boasts over 2,500 years of history and was an important trading hub with links to ancient Rome and Greece. Today, it remains a vital centre of Tamil culture and pilgrimage.

Our walk through Madurai’s streets and lanes uncovers the city’s living history - from bustling markets to hidden temples, all narrated through engaging stories and legends. The evening culminates at the Meenakshi Temple, where we join the nightly ritual: a lively and deeply spiritual procession where Lord Shiva’s image is ceremoniously brought to his consort Meenakshi's shrine, accompanied by music, chanting, and vibrant temple traditions.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Regency Madurai by GRT Hotels
📸 Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai Walking Tour

Regency Madurai by GRT Hotels is centrally located, providing easy access to the city’s business districts and shopping hubs, and is a mere 10-minute drive away from the Meenakshi Temple. Catering to both business and leisure travellers, this recently refurbished hotel has a new look and a fleet of modern amenities. The lobby takes centre stage at its heart and has an old-world charm. Spacious, air-conditioned rooms include TVs and minibars. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a restaurant that features Indian and Chinese cuisine, and a bar.

We begin the day with a guided visit to the local flower market, where you'll experience the vibrant colours and fragrances that fill the early morning air. Afterwards, we set off on a scenic drive to Munnar (approximately 4.5 hours), arriving in the afternoon to check into our hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and soak in the surroundings.

Nestled at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala - Munnar sits at 1,600 metres above sea level. Once the summer retreat of the British in South India, this charming hill station is known for its rolling tea plantations, misty hills, and tranquil atmosphere, making it one of Kerala’s most popular getaways.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Tall Trees
📸 Madurai Flower Market

Set amidst stunningly verdant woodlands and extensive cardamom plantations, Tall Trees is a quintessential nature resort. The property offers a serene and peaceful environment, with beautiful views of the forest and surrounding hills. Guests can indulge in a range of activities, from guided treks through the cardamom plantations and shola forests to birdwatching and nature walks. The resort also offers a spa with Ayurvedic treatments, an all-season swimming pool with a jacuzzi, and an amphitheatre for cultural performances.

Today, you have two enriching options to choose from:

Option 1: Tea Plantation Walk through Top Valley
Begin with a scenic drive through Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Kundala Dam, with a chance of spotting wild elephants en route. The walk starts in Yellapetty village and winds through tea fields and workers' homes before entering the dense Shola Forest. The trail climbs to a high viewpoint with sweeping vistas of the valleys below. On your return, a different route leads you through tea plantations, with chances to spot endemic birds.

Option 2: Visit to Srishti Charitable Trust & Cooking Class
Spend the morning visiting the inspiring Srishti Charitable Trust, a Tata-supported initiative that empowers differently-abled young people through education, arts, and sustainable crafts. Learn how they transform local materials into handmade goods and support inclusive livelihoods. Afterwards, take part in a cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare authentic Keralan dishes using regional ingredients and techniques.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Tall Trees
📸 Tea Plantation Walk or Srishti Charitable Trust & Cooking Class

Set amidst stunningly verdant woodlands and extensive cardamom plantations, Tall Trees is a quintessential nature resort. The property offers a serene and peaceful environment, with beautiful views of the forest and surrounding hills. Guests can indulge in a range of activities, from guided treks through the cardamom plantations and shola forests to birdwatching and nature walks. The resort also offers a spa with Ayurvedic treatments, an all-season swimming pool with a jacuzzi, and an amphitheatre for cultural performances.

This morning, we head to Kumarakom with a scenic 4.5-hour drive, checking into our hotel upon arrival. The rest of the day is at leisure to unwind.

Set in the heart of Kerala’s famous backwaters, Kumarakom offers a peaceful glimpse into life along its canals and lagoons. These waterways form a vast network used for irrigation, trade, and daily transport. In this unique world, villages thrive in quiet isolation, entirely connected by boat rather than road, giving visitors a rare insight into a slower, water-bound way of life.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Coconut Lagoon CGH Earth

A 12-hectare eco-friendly property and a highlight of this South India itinerary, Coconut Lagoon is set in a coconut grove on the shore of Vembanad Lake, surrounded by palms, fruit trees, flowering shrubs and organic rice paddies. Rare-breed Vechur cows, the prettiest cows in India, grazing tethered between the bungalows, complete the idyllic picture. A river resort, it is accessible only by boat. Your driver will drop you at a jetty from where you take a short boat ride through a channel, into a narrow flower-fringed canal, disembarking at the reception desk!

Accommodation is in distinctive heritage bungalows that have been crafted from the remnants of Keralan palaces - some are over 150 years old, and transplanted here, beam by beam, from their original locations. They feature wooden carvings of fine detail and brass work. Cool and spacious, with red-tiled floors, they are simply decorated with dark timber furniture - sourced from traditional homes and local craftsmen - and plain cotton bed throws.

There are a number of relaxing options at Coconut Lagoon. Explore the resort area with a naturalist who will explain the profusion of flora and fauna on display or take a stroll to the nearby village - the path to the village runs alongside paddy fields and waterways, providing glimpses of local life. Spend some time in the enchanting butterfly garden, go canoeing or fishing with one of the local fishermen. If cooking is of interest, learn some of the secrets of traditional Kerala vegetarian and seafood cooking with one of the resort’s chefs. And, of course, there’s always the option to indulge in a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage.

This morning, set off on a peaceful backwater village tour by traditional houseboat or canoe. Glide through narrow canals fringed with lush greenery and swaying coconut palms, and catch a glimpse of everyday life along the water.

Watch locals fish, weave coir, and tend to their farms, and enjoy the chance to interact with villagers to learn about their customs, cuisine, and way of life. This immersive experience offers a unique window into the rural rhythms of Kumarakom, blending natural beauty with cultural connection.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Coconut Lagoon CGH Earth
📸 Kerala Backwaters Canal Cruise

A 12-hectare eco-friendly property and a highlight of this South India itinerary, Coconut Lagoon is set in a coconut grove on the shore of Vembanad Lake, surrounded by palms, fruit trees, flowering shrubs and organic rice paddies. Rare-breed Vechur cows, the prettiest cows in India, grazing tethered between the bungalows, complete the idyllic picture. A river resort, it is accessible only by boat. Your driver will drop you at a jetty from where you take a short boat ride through a channel, into a narrow flower-fringed canal, disembarking at the reception desk!

Accommodation is in distinctive heritage bungalows that have been crafted from the remnants of Keralan palaces - some are over 150 years old, and transplanted here, beam by beam, from their original locations. They feature wooden carvings of fine detail and brass work. Cool and spacious, with red-tiled floors, they are simply decorated with dark timber furniture - sourced from traditional homes and local craftsmen - and plain cotton bed throws.

There are a number of relaxing options at Coconut Lagoon. Explore the resort area with a naturalist who will explain the profusion of flora and fauna on display or take a stroll to the nearby village - the path to the village runs alongside paddy fields and waterways, providing glimpses of local life. Spend some time in the enchanting butterfly garden, go canoeing or fishing with one of the local fishermen. If cooking is of interest, learn some of the secrets of traditional Kerala vegetarian and seafood cooking with one of the resort’s chefs. And, of course, there’s always the option to indulge in a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage.

After a morning drive to Cochin (2 hours), we check into our hotel and later set out to explore Fort Kochi and Mattancherry on a guided tuk tuk tour.

Often called the jewel of Kerala, Cochin has been at the crossroads of trade and empire for centuries. The city became the seat of the Kingdom of Cochin in the 12th century, later evolving into the first European colonial settlement in India under the Portuguese in 1503.

Our tuk tuk ride takes us through atmospheric streets lined with colonial-era mansions and historic landmarks. Your guide will share stories behind the Portuguese homes, Dutch bastions, and British-era buildings. We pass by the Dutch Cemetery, the Maritime Museum, and the Indo-Portuguese Museum, and make a stop at the bustling Dhobi Ghat - an open-air laundry run by Tamil washer families, who still wash clothes by hand for local homes and hotels.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Malabar House
📸 Fort Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour

Malabar House is a documented part of Fort Kochi’s history. Purchased by Dutchman Jan Herman Clausing in 1755, the property was subsequently owned by spice traders, tea traders and bankers, until in 1996 it became a boutique heritage hotel. Located on the old parade ground in the centre of the heritage zone, the hotel is surrounded by historical buildings and faces St Francis Church. Set in a garden with large trees and tropical vegetation, it comprises just seventeen luxury rooms and suites furnished in a mix of distinctive contemporary and antique colonial pieces, art works and locally woven textiles. Original artefacts, including temple sculptures, and bold splashes of vivid colours create an eclectic ambience that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Malabar coast.

This morning, we step into local life and head out to explore Ernakulam using public transport. Board a ferry alongside commuters heading into town, crossing over to the mainland part of Kochi — once the capital of the Kingdom of Cochin, and now a vibrant commercial and judicial hub of Kerala.

On arrival, explore Broadway, a narrow yet bustling street filled with sloping-roofed shops and a maze of alleys, echoing the charm of old-world Cochin. From spices and textiles to electronics and handcrafted goods, this area offers a little bit of everything. Don’t miss the colourful Ernakulam Market at Broadway’s northern end, packed with local flavour and lively exchanges.

After soaking in the sights, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Cochin. The rest of the day is at leisure.

🥘 Breakfast, Dinner
🛏️ Malabar House
📸 Ernakulam Public Transport Tour

Malabar House is a documented part of Fort Kochi’s history. Purchased by Dutchman Jan Herman Clausing in 1755, the property was subsequently owned by spice traders, tea traders and bankers, until in 1996 it became a boutique heritage hotel. Located on the old parade ground in the centre of the heritage zone, the hotel is surrounded by historical buildings and faces St Francis Church. Set in a garden with large trees and tropical vegetation, it comprises just seventeen luxury rooms and suites furnished in a mix of distinctive contemporary and antique colonial pieces, art works and locally woven textiles. Original artefacts, including temple sculptures, and bold splashes of vivid colours create an eclectic ambience that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Malabar coast.

Our tour of South India concludes. Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to your onward destination. Safe travels, and thank you for joining us!

🥘 Breakfast