FROM CHENNAI TO COCHIN
15 days Tour
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondichéry - Tanjore - Madurai - Munnar - Periyar - Varkala - Munroe Island - Alleppey - Cochin
Tamil Nadu is filled with colors: beautiful saris, temples with flamboyant hues, flower garlands ...
It stretches from the Bay of Bengal in the east to the mountain range that separates it from Kerala in the west. Most of the region consists of huge plains.There is a constant contrast between the omnipresent modernity of the cities and the timeless villages.
Tamil Nadu is the true birthplace of the Dravidian civilization.
Its official language is Tamil, one of the most ancient languages in the world.
Visiting it is a journey through architecture and culture to the discovery of huge colorful temples designed a lot like the Sri Meenakshi temple in Madurai.
A Kerala trip is perfect to start discovering India !
This small state that is surrounded by water and subtropical mountains is often the travelers’ favorites. This can be explained by its gorgeous mountain landscapes, spice and tea plantations, the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, beautiful tropical beaches, and canoe rides on quiet backwaters canals. The cities are small, the gastronomy is fresh and tasty, the hospitality is kind and caring.
Day 1 : CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM 54 km - 1 h 30
Your driver will welcome you at your arrival at Chennai airport and will drive you to your hotel in Mahabalipuram.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 2 : MAHABALIPURAM
Mahabalipuram,a small village of sculptors and fishermen located on the Coromandel Coast, is absolutely charming.
You will discover its rock temples, classified by UNESCO.
The beautiful fresco called Descent of the Ganges, or Arjuna’s Penance, is one of the biggest reliefs of the world.
You will visit the five Rathas and Shore temple at sunset, its impressive orange color gives a magic atmosphere view.
With its pleasant beach, fish restaurants, stone carvers, and the people’s kindness, Mahabalipuram has plenty to offer.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 3 : MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERY 95 km - 2 h
Visit to Pondichery, a former French trading post, given back to India in 1954.
You will hear about the “white” neighborhood that is made of fancy large streets crossing at the right corners and still bearing French names.
You will have the possibility to visit Sri Aurobindo ashram, the Sacred Heart Church and the Pondicherry museum (closed on Monday and national holidays).
Located about ten km from Pondicherry, Auroville is a utopian city, founded in 1968, based on a dream of universal peace and harmony. It is a unique experience that you can discover in order to form your own idea of its philosophy and its way of life.
Overnight in Pondichery
Day 4 : PONDICHERY - TANJORE 190 km - 4 h 30
PONDICHERY - GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM - 100 km - 2 h
GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM - DARASURAM - 40 km - 1 H
DARASURAM - TANJORE - 40 km - 1 h
The ancient city of Gangaikondacholapuram is one of those cities that you will be tempted to call mythical in view of its history and what it has left as vestiges.
Built around 1025, by King Rajendra the 1st, it is a former capital of the Chola Empire. It is a city steeped in history.
Visit to Sri Pragadheswarar Temple in Gangaikondachimapuram and Darasuram Temple in Darasuram
Overnight in Tanjore.
Day 5 : TANJORE
Visit to Brihadiswvara temple dedicated to Shiva and listed on the UNESCO world heritage. You will notice architecture from the Chola era.
Discover the art gallery of Nayak palace, an ancient palace of the sixteenth century that highlights the Chola bronze artworks.
Famous for its temple, Tanjore is a nice town with a very unique artistic style and amazing temples and palaces. Capital of the powerful Chola Empire from the ninth to the thirteenth century, this city has marked the cultural culmination of Dravidian civilization in Southern India.
Overnight in Tanjore.
Day 6 : TANJORE - MADURAI 190 km - 3 h 30
Madurai is one of the most ancient Southern Indian cities, a pilgrimage site for centuries and the birthplace of Tamil culture.
Sri Meenakshi temple, a city in the city with its continuous flow of pilgrims, is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating Indian temples with its 50 meters tall carved and colorful gates. A real maze where you can witness the devotion of the faithful Hindu priests where you will understand the importance of religion in an atmosphere of spiritual fervor.
Visit to Ghandi Memorial Museum to discover the history of the independence of India and Gandhi’s life.
Overnight in Madurai.
Day 7 : MADURAI - MUNNAR 170 km - 5 h
Depart to Munnar for an exceptional journey through the Western Ghats to the Tamil Nadu Valley - the view is absolutely gorgeous.
Visit to the tea museum where you can discover the entire production process.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 8 : MUNNAR
Small mountain resort perched at an altitude of 5000 feet (1524 meters), Munnar is located in the most spectacular mountainous landscape of Southern India.
Munnar is the quiet part of Kerala. It is a place to unwind and hike.
We can book a guide for a walk through the tea plantations (guide required)
- Trekking 12 km - 1/2 day - 7:30 am to 1 pm with breakfast.
- Trekking 24 km - Full day - 7:30 am to 5 pm with breakfast and lunch.
In the evening, ayurvedic massages and Kathakali performance, an art between dance and theater.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 9 : MUNNAR - PERIYAR 98 km - 3 h
Parc national de Periyar : https://thekkady.org/?page_id=879 et https://elephantjunction.in
- Visit the spice plantations
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Elephant ride or activity including the elephant (bath, feeding, training…)
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Jeep tour for about 3 hours with an English-speaking guide. Panoramic view on the Tamil Nadu
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3-hour trekking in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary with an English-speaking guide
- Boat on the lake
Overnight inThekkady.
Day 10 : PERIYAR
Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 11 : PERIYAR - VARKALA 180 km - 4 h 30
Its beautiful beaches and bohemian atmosphere have made it famous.
This spectacular cliff, where many establishments stretch, is the postcard of Varkala. It is common to see dolphins from his restaurant table, seated in front of grilled fish and seafood from the catch of the day.
The beaches, Papanasam Beach to the south and Black Beach to the north, stretch all the way around the cliff. Papanasam Beach is more frequented by Indian tourists and families, while Black Beach, which takes its name from the black sand that composes it, attracts more foreign youth. Further north, about 7 km from the city, is the superb beach of Kappil.
Farniente Beach Day and Surf
Overnight in Varkala.
Day 12 : VARKALA - MUNROE ISLAND 50 km - 1 h 30
Munroe Island is a hidden pearl which consists of a group of 8 islands. Each of them is separated by small canals and lakes.
The island offers a unique and tranquil setting, far from the constant chaos of modern life.
Possibility to visit by bike or canoe
Overnight Munroe Island.
Day 13 : MUNROE ISLAND - ALLEPPEY 90 km - 2 h 30
Discover the intertwined canals between sea and land. We offer you a night in a Houseboat, an unforgettable experience from 12 pm to 9am the next morning. We can book this private boat for you.
Overnight on the houseboat.
Day 14 : ALLEPPEY - COCHIN 55 km - 1 h30
End of the cruise at 9 am.
It is possible to go on several tours around the place.
Bhagavathy temple with its colorful sculptures in the small town of Cherthala.
Saint Andrew church of Arthunkal, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Visit to a production factory settled in a former British factory where the traditional methods of coconut fibers weaving are still used.
Fort Kochin and The Chinese fishing nets (Cheenavala) can be visited in the late afternoon before a meal by the seaside.
In the evening Kathakali spectacle.
Overnight in Cochin
Day 15 : ALLEPPEY - COCHIN - Aéroport de COCHIN 85 km - 2 h 30
Visit the old neighborhoods, The Paradesi Synagogue, The Church of Saint-Francis, The Folklore Museum in Ernakulam, The Mattancherry Palace, The Dutch palace Paliam.
Transfer Cochin airport
Phone & WhatsApp
Fanny : +33 6 77 71 10 44 (France)
Vishnu : +91 80863 40288 (India)