Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY 2025 – FLY UK TO CHENNAI
We meet at Heathrow Terminal 3 to board Emirates flight EK0002 from Heathrow (14:20) to Dubai (00:20). Change at Dubai to board connecting Emirates flight EK0544 from Dubai (02:45) to Chennai (08:25) the next morning.
Overnight on flight
Overnight on flight
DAY 2: THURSDAY 31ST JULY 2025 – CHENNAI
On arrival in Chennai, we transfer to the The Accord Metropolitan Hotel. After freshening up, we head out for our first encounter with the city, visiting two of Chennai’s most interesting places of worship. First, we make our way to St Mary’s Anglican Church, the oldest British building in India (fondly known to locals as the ‘Westminster Abbey of the East’), before visiting the Hindu temple of Kapaleeshwarar, a grand and impressive example of Tamil temple architecture with thousands of trademark colorful carvings.
(Chennai is an old port that retains a distinct atmosphere that combines Tamil traditions with a long and still visible British legacy. Chennai grew to become a key commercial city of colonial days, generously endowed with striking Indo-Saracenic public buildings. It is the gateway to the sunny south and is the seat of ancient Civilization where one can still enjoy the Old-World charm. Splendid strains of classical music and India's living traditions are savoured from Madras).
Overnight in The Accord Metropolitan Hotel, Chennai
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(Chennai is an old port that retains a distinct atmosphere that combines Tamil traditions with a long and still visible British legacy. Chennai grew to become a key commercial city of colonial days, generously endowed with striking Indo-Saracenic public buildings. It is the gateway to the sunny south and is the seat of ancient Civilization where one can still enjoy the Old-World charm. Splendid strains of classical music and India's living traditions are savoured from Madras).
Overnight in The Accord Metropolitan Hotel, Chennai
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DAY 3: FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2025 – CHENNAI
Today we ascend St Thomas’ Mount, where it is believed that the apostle was martyred, and later visit his tomb in the Roman Catholic Basilica of San Thome.
Overnight in Accord Metropolitan, Chennai
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Overnight in Accord Metropolitan, Chennai
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DAY 4: SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST 2025 – PONDICHERRY
This morning we leave Chennai and drive south along the Coromandal Coast to Mahabalipuram, the ancient and stunning ‘temple by the sea’.
After lunch we continue south on the coastal road down to the French colonial seaside town of Pondicherry. There will be an opportunity to take an evening stroll along the famous beachfront promenade.
(Pondicherry is an interesting coastal city and a former French colony. The town has a grid layout, split north-south by a canal that once divided the French quarter (edging the sea) from the Indian quarter inland. The French quarter has interesting historic buildings including ornate Catholic churches. For the philosophically or spiritually inclined, there is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram where the inmates practice an integral Yoga. Also nearby is the beautifully landscaped international township of Auroville).
Overnight in Hotel Le Pondy Hotel, Pondicherry
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After lunch we continue south on the coastal road down to the French colonial seaside town of Pondicherry. There will be an opportunity to take an evening stroll along the famous beachfront promenade.
(Pondicherry is an interesting coastal city and a former French colony. The town has a grid layout, split north-south by a canal that once divided the French quarter (edging the sea) from the Indian quarter inland. The French quarter has interesting historic buildings including ornate Catholic churches. For the philosophically or spiritually inclined, there is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram where the inmates practice an integral Yoga. Also nearby is the beautifully landscaped international township of Auroville).
Overnight in Hotel Le Pondy Hotel, Pondicherry
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Punducherry
DAY 5: SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST 2025 – PONDICHERRY
Full day guided sightseeing of Pondicherry visiting the French & Tamil part of the city, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the international township of Auroville. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Le Pondy Hotel, Pondicherry
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Overnight in Le Pondy Hotel, Pondicherry
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DAY 6: MONDAY 4TH AUGUST 2025 –DRIVE TO TIRUCHCHIRAPALI
Morning drive from Pondicherry to Tiruchchirapali about 4 to 5 hours driving time.
At Trichy we check into the Hotel Breeze Residency. Rest of the day at leisure.
(Trichy, short for Tiruchirappalli, is a bustling city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and strategic location, Trichy holds a significant place in the region. The city is renowned for its iconic landmarks, including the Rock Fort Temple, perched atop a massive rock formation, offering panoramic views of the cityscape. Trichy's historical significance dates back centuries, with influences from various dynasties like the Cholas, Nayaks, and Marathas evident in its architecture and culture.)
Overnight in Hotel Breeze Residency, Tiruchchirappali
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At Trichy we check into the Hotel Breeze Residency. Rest of the day at leisure.
(Trichy, short for Tiruchirappalli, is a bustling city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and strategic location, Trichy holds a significant place in the region. The city is renowned for its iconic landmarks, including the Rock Fort Temple, perched atop a massive rock formation, offering panoramic views of the cityscape. Trichy's historical significance dates back centuries, with influences from various dynasties like the Cholas, Nayaks, and Marathas evident in its architecture and culture.)
Overnight in Hotel Breeze Residency, Tiruchchirappali
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DAY 7: TUESDAY 5TH AUGUST 2025 – TRICHY TO DINDIGUL
This morning we will visit some of the famous Hindu temples of Trichy, including the magnificent Rock Fort and the colorful Ranganathaswamy temple. After lunch we will set off for our 100kms to Dindigul to check into the Vivera Grande.
(Dindigul, nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its craftsmanship and scenic beauty. Famous for its high-quality locks, the city is affectionately known as the "Lock City of India." Its crowning jewel, the ancient Dindigul Fort, stands as a testament to its rich historical legacy. Dindigul's bustling markets, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality make it a delightful destination for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in Tamil Nadu's rural charm.)
Overnight in Hotel Vivera Grande, Dindigul
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(Dindigul, nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its craftsmanship and scenic beauty. Famous for its high-quality locks, the city is affectionately known as the "Lock City of India." Its crowning jewel, the ancient Dindigul Fort, stands as a testament to its rich historical legacy. Dindigul's bustling markets, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality make it a delightful destination for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in Tamil Nadu's rural charm.)
Overnight in Hotel Vivera Grande, Dindigul
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Trichy, Tamil Nadu
DAY 8: WEDNESDAY 6TH 2025 – DINDIGUL
Today we will meet with the Building Better Futures International formerly known as Friends of the Poor to learn more about their work.
Overnight in Vivera Grande, Dindigul
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Overnight in Vivera Grande, Dindigul
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DAY 9: THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST 2025 – DINDIGUL TO MADURAI
After breakfast we will set off to drive 70km to the ancient city of Madurai to explore its famous temples. The Shri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is arguably the finest and most fascinating temple complex in India, and is a major pilgrimage centre in the south. Dedicated to “the fish-eyed goddess” Meenakshi, the site houses several shrines surrounded by 14 large colourful gateway towers.
Just a mile down the road, we also stop to visit the impressive 17th century king’s palace of Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. The afternoon is at leisure.
(Madurai is one of the oldest cities of south India and had originally been designed in a lotus motif. It is an extremely sacred city and here lies the renowned Meenakshi Temple. The vast walled complex of the temple with its shadowy chambers, tank, carved columns, shrines and courtyards built between twelve towering gopurams is considered south India’s finest example of Dravidian architecture).
Overnight in Hotel Heritage, Madurai
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Just a mile down the road, we also stop to visit the impressive 17th century king’s palace of Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. The afternoon is at leisure.
(Madurai is one of the oldest cities of south India and had originally been designed in a lotus motif. It is an extremely sacred city and here lies the renowned Meenakshi Temple. The vast walled complex of the temple with its shadowy chambers, tank, carved columns, shrines and courtyards built between twelve towering gopurams is considered south India’s finest example of Dravidian architecture).
Overnight in Hotel Heritage, Madurai
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DAY 10: FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST 2025 – MADURAI TO MUNNAR
Today we leave the frenetic city of Madurai and head to the cooler climes of Munnar, the old British hill station surrounded by tea estates and green hills. The 155km drive will take 4-5 hours. Here we check in to Fragrant Nature for two nights.
(Munnar is a breathtakingly beautiful, picture-postcard hill station lying at an altitude of 1600 m above the sea level. This pristine hill station, untouched by commercialization and rapid urbanization, still retains its old-world charms in the most pristine states. The first sight that greets a visitor in Munnar is the vast expanse of endless tea gardens, flower gardens brimming with vibrant hues, grasslands, towering trees, wild brooks and verdant mist-clad rolling hills. Munnar gets its name from being at the confluence of the three mountain streams videlicet Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar also has the highest peak down south of the Himalayas – Anamudi, towering to a height of 2695 m above sea level. Munnar is an ideal haven for - a romantic getaway, family vacation, adventure tour or a place for salubrious living away from the heat and clamour of the plains).
Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Munnar
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(Munnar is a breathtakingly beautiful, picture-postcard hill station lying at an altitude of 1600 m above the sea level. This pristine hill station, untouched by commercialization and rapid urbanization, still retains its old-world charms in the most pristine states. The first sight that greets a visitor in Munnar is the vast expanse of endless tea gardens, flower gardens brimming with vibrant hues, grasslands, towering trees, wild brooks and verdant mist-clad rolling hills. Munnar gets its name from being at the confluence of the three mountain streams videlicet Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar also has the highest peak down south of the Himalayas – Anamudi, towering to a height of 2695 m above sea level. Munnar is an ideal haven for - a romantic getaway, family vacation, adventure tour or a place for salubrious living away from the heat and clamour of the plains).
Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Munnar
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Munnar, Kerala
DAY 11: SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2025 – MUNNAR
Spend the day enjoying the tranquil surroundings and plantations. We will also visit the British-era CSI Christ Church and Catholic Mount Carmel Church.
Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Munnar
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Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Munnar
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DAY 12: SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 2025 – MUNNAR TO KUMARAKOM
This morning we visit the Tea Museum, as close as you can get to a working tea factory around Munnar, and then we descend to 150km to Kumarakom in the backwaters of Kerala.
(The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teals, Waterfowls, Cuckoo, Wild Duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and fascinate all visitors.)
Overnight in Cocobay, Kumarakom
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(The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teals, Waterfowls, Cuckoo, Wild Duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and fascinate all visitors.)
Overnight in Cocobay, Kumarakom
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DAY 13: MONDAY 11TH AUGUST 2025 – KUMARAKOM- COCHIN
Relax at the resort and enjoy a cruise on the backwaters. Later we will drive 60km to the old harbor town of Fort Cochin.
(Cochin has a history stretching back to the time of King Solomon, when it was known as ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea. Arabian, Phoenician, and Chinese traders all stopped here in search of spices, silks, and sandalwood. Marco Polo and Vasco da Gama followed, as did the Dutch East India Company and later the British. Today, Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus still live side by side, and Chinese fishing nets, introduced by merchants from the court of Kublai Khan, continue to haul in fish.)
Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Cochin
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(Cochin has a history stretching back to the time of King Solomon, when it was known as ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea. Arabian, Phoenician, and Chinese traders all stopped here in search of spices, silks, and sandalwood. Marco Polo and Vasco da Gama followed, as did the Dutch East India Company and later the British. Today, Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus still live side by side, and Chinese fishing nets, introduced by merchants from the court of Kublai Khan, continue to haul in fish.)
Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Cochin
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Cochin, Kerala
DAY 14: TUESDAY 12TH AUGUST – COCHIN
Today we have a day sightseeing in Cochin where we visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Jewish synagogue and St Francis Anglican Church.
We also make a visit to the Mattancherry palace with its Keralan style murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibitions of the Rajas of Kochi. In the evening we will witness traditional Keralan dances before returning to the hotel for dinner and a well-deserved overnight rest.
Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Cochin
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We also make a visit to the Mattancherry palace with its Keralan style murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibitions of the Rajas of Kochi. In the evening we will witness traditional Keralan dances before returning to the hotel for dinner and a well-deserved overnight rest.
Overnight in Fragrant Nature, Cochin
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DAY 15: WEDNESDAY 13TH AUGUST 2025 – INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Early morning transfer to Cochin airport to board Emirates flight EK0531 from Cochin (10:30) to Dubai (12:55). Change at Dubai to board connecting Emirates flight EK0003 from Dubai (14:15) to London Heathrow (18:40).
Cost Includes
- Return International flights on Emirates Airlines flight in economy class
- Accommodation as per the itinerary in sharing double /twin room (Check-in is 1400 hrs. and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in and late checkout are subject to availability).
- Services of our English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports.
- All transfers and sightseeing by a chauffeur driven Coach.
- Services of English-speaking guide during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in your itinerary.
- Services of Pamela as trip leader
- Complimentary mineral water whilst driving.
- 100% protection of your payment by our ATOL & ABTA Licenses.
Cost Does Not Include
- India visa fee. E-tourist visa is now available for citizens of most countries. On confirmation of booking, we will send you a step-by-step guide how to apply for the visa.
- Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages etc.
- Tips and gratuities
- Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
- Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
