12 days Tour

Cochin - Munnar - Madurai - Rameswaram - Kanyakumari - Kovalam -Trivandrum - Mararikulam - Alleppey - Cochin

Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a beautiful combination to discover South India!

The state of Tamil Nadu is the true birthplace of Dravidian civilization.
Its official language, Tamil, is one of the oldest languages in the world.
It offers its visitors a journey of great architectural and cultural wealth, discovering vast, colorful, and intricately carved temples, like the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.

Kerala is perfect for starting your exploration of India!
This small state, surrounded by the sea and subtropical mountains, is often a favorite of travelers. This is explained by its stunning mountain landscapes, spice and tea plantations, beautiful tropical beaches, and peaceful canoe rides through the backwaters canals. The cities here are small and charming, the cuisine is fresh and flavorful, and the hospitality is warm and welcoming.

Day 1: COCHIN AIRPORT - FORT COCHIN (40 km - 1h 30)

Your driver will be waiting for you at Cochin Airport and will take you to your hotel in the Fort Cochin area. Depending on your arrival time, you can discuss the program with him to suit your preferences.
Overnight in Fort Cochin.

Day 2: FORT COCHIN

Visit the old quarters, Paradesi Synagogue, St. Francis Basilica, St. Francis Church, the Folklore Museum in Ernakulam, Mattancherry Palace, and Hill Palace Museum.
In the late afternoon, visit the Chinese Fishing Nets before enjoying a meal by the sea.
Overnight in Fort Cochin.

Day 3: FORT COCHIN - MUNNAR (130 km - 4h 30)

After breakfast, embark on winding roads through the verdant hills of Kerala, passing rice, pineapple, and rubber plantations.
Munnar, a mountain station at 1524m altitude, is set amidst the most spectacular mountain scenery in Southern India. It is known as the calm Kerala, a place for rejuvenation and hiking.
Visit a tea factory where you can learn the traditional process of making orthodox tea, including black, green, and white teas.
In the evening, attend a Kathakali performance, which blends dance and theater, or enjoy Ayurvedic massages.
Overnight in Munnar.

Day 4: MUNNAR

We work with a renowned guide in Munnar, who will help you discover the local flora and fauna.
You can choose between a 12 km half-day hike (7 am to 11 am) or a full-day 24 km hike (7 am to 2 pm).
Afterward, visit the surroundings of Munnar with stunning viewpoints or opt to observe wild elephants at Anakulam. A 1.5-hour drive takes you to the site where wild elephants come to drink in the evening. Patience and luck are required.
Overnight in Munnar.

Day 5: MUNNAR - MADURAI (153 km - 4h 30)

Depart for Madurai, crossing the Western Ghats on the way to the Tamil Nadu valley, with breathtaking panoramas.

Overnight in Madurai.

Day 6: MADURAI

In the morning, take a stroll through the Madurai flower market, inhaling the fragrant scents and admiring the vibrant colors.
Madurai is one of the oldest cities in South India, a pilgrimage site for centuries and the cradle of Tamil culture.
Visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple, a city within a city, with its constant flow of pilgrims. It is one of the most fascinating temples in India, with its 50-meter high, intricately sculpted, colorful towers. Experience the fervor of the priests and Hindu devotees and understand the importance of religion in an atmosphere of spiritual devotion.
Also visit the Gandhi Museum to learn about India’s independence and Gandhi’s life.
Overnight in Madurai.

Day 7: MADURAI - RAMESWARAM (172 km - 3h)

Rameswaram is on an island connected to the mainland by two bridges: the large Indira Gandhi road bridge and a railway bridge. It feels as though the train is floating over the sea as the rails are placed right above the water.
A sacred pilgrimage site, Rameswaram is one of the holiest cities in India.
Pilgrims visit numerous wells to be sprinkled with holy water and cleanse themselves of their sins. According to legend, Rameswaram is the place where the Hindu god Rama built a bridge to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife, held captive by Ravana.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Shiva. However, the city and its temple are pilgrimage sites for both Shaivites (devotees of Shiva) and Vaishnavites (devotees of Vishnu).
We will take you to the end of the world at Dhanushkodi Beach, where the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. Once a bustling town, Dhanushkodi was destroyed by the 1964 tsunami, leaving behind ruins and a few dilapidated fisherman's houses.
Overnight in Rameswaram.

Day 8: RAMESWARAM - KANYAKUMARI (310 km - 6h)

After breakfast, drive towards Kanyakumari, the southernmost city of India, where three seas meet: the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.
Take a ferry to reach the memorial of the Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), which stands on a rock 500m off the coast of Kanyakumari.
Nearby is the towering statue of Thiruvalluvar, a great Tamil poet and philosopher, standing 40.5 meters tall, honoring his work Thirukkural.
You may also visit the Bhagavathy Kumari Temple or stroll along the coast to enjoy the view and browse the stalls selling local items.
Overnight in Kanyakumari.

Day 9: KANYAKUMARI - KOVALAM (80 km - 2h)

Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Kovalam, a popular beach resort in Kerala, located 17 km from Trivandrum.
Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 10: KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUM - MARARIKULAM (190 km - 4h 30)

En route, visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside.
Explore the Chalai Bazaar, one of Kerala’s oldest shopping streets, where you can find everything from fruits and spices to utensils, clothes, and cheap toys. You can also enjoy local specialties at affordable prices.
Relax on the beautiful beach of Mararikulam.
Overnight in Mararikulam.

Day 11: MARARIKULAM - ALLEPPEY (15 km - 30 min)

In the morning, enjoy watching the fishermen return and take a walk on the wild beach of Mararikulam.
Visit the nearby Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple or the St. Andrew Basilica, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
To explore the interconnected canals between land and sea, we offer an unforgettable night on a luxury houseboat, from 12 pm to 9 am the next morning.
Overnight on the houseboat.

Day 12: ALLEPPEY - COCHIN AIRPORT (70 km - 2h)

End of the houseboat cruise at 9 am.
Transfer to Cochin Airport for your return flight.

Note: The average speed on Indian roads is 45-50 km/h. Travel times are approximate and may vary depending on factors beyond our control (traffic, weather, roadworks, etc.).