A Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour offers a deep dive into the contrasting beauty and cultures of South India. Tamil Nadu is renowned for its grand temples, Dravidian architecture, and rich traditions, while Kerala is famed for its lush landscapes, backwaters, and Ayurveda. Here’s an overview of a typical Tamil Nadu and Kerala itinerary:
Crabtree India Travels welcomes you to South India Tour!! Upon your arrival in Chennai, you will be welcomed and escorted to your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on your tour of the Chennai Metropolitan City. Visit the historic Fort St. George, constructed in 1640 by the British East India Company, which includes notable landmarks such as St. Mary’s Church and the Fort St. George Museum. Also, explore the famous Marina Beach. Take a brief drive to St. Thomas Church, where the Basilica stands over the tomb of St. Thomas, one of only three such sites in the world. Then, visit the revered Kapaleeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afterward, return to your hotel for relaxation and an overnight stay in Chennai.
After breakfast, commence your Temple Tour to “Kanchipuram”. The city of Kanchipuram is home to numerous exquisite religious and historical monuments that have captivated visitors for ages. Explore the Ekambareswarar Temple, the city’s largest temple, featuring attractions such as the 1000-pillar hall, the impressive outer stone wall, the five expansive corridors, and the 57-meter-high Gopuram. Next, take a short drive to the Kailashnathar Temple, an ancient structure dating back to the 8th century. Then, continue to Mahabalipuram to check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Today, enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage Monumental Sites Tour in Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram. This historic town is steeped in ancient Hindu mythology and legends. Once a thriving port city from the 1st century BC to the 9th century AD during the Pallava dynasty, modern Mahabalipuram boasts the splendid remnants of its past. Witness the exquisite artistry at sites like the Sea Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butter Ball, and Varaha Cave, all part of UNESCO’s list of heritage sites. Spend another night in Mahabalipuram.
After breakfast, set off for Pondicherry, the erstwhile French Colony now known as ‘Puducherry’. Its cobbled streets, flanked by mustard-yellow and sky-blue colonial townhouses with French names, transport you away from the feel of a small town in South India to the Old City, which remained under French rule until 1954. Upon hotel check-in, embark on your Pondicherry City Tour, visiting renowned places like Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the Church of the Sacred Heart, and Notre Dame Des Anges. In the evening, take a rickshaw ride through the French quarters and commercial streets. Stay overnight in Puducherry.
After breakfast and drive to have a Sculptural Tour on the way to Thanjavur. Enroute stop and visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple. The person who can be credited with the erection of this temple is King Rajendra Chola, son of Raja Raja Chola. Rajendra built this temple to recreate his father’s achievement, the Brihadeeswara Temple of Thanjavur. Do check-in to the hotel and in the evening visit Darasuram Temple. This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone carvings. Although this temple is much smaller than the Brihadeeswara Temple or the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, it is more exquisite in detail. This is because this temple is said to have been built with nitya-vinoda, ‘perpetual entertainment’, in mind. Both the above said temples are enlisted in UNESCO heritage site. Continue your drive to Thanjavur and have a rest. Overnight stay in Thanjavur.
Start your day to enjoy the Heritage Tour in Tanjore. Call it Thanjavur, Tanjore or colloquially the ‘Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu’ a name it gets for being one of the county’s largest producers of rice, the ancient capital of the Chola Dynasty is full of aesthetic beauty. After the breakfast, visit the famous Thanjavur Art Gallery which houses the collection of sculptures and statues, Saraswati Mahal Library Museum, Brihadeeswara Temple also known as Big Temple which is one of the World Heritage Monuments built by the chola dynasty in the 10th century. Have a short drive to Trichy.
Tiruchirapalli lies at the geographical center of Tamil Nadu, and may have been the capital of the early Cholas in the 3rd century. It went from the early Cholas to the Pallavas, medieval Cholas, Pandyas, the Delhi Sultanate and Vijaynagars before reaching its zenith under the Madurai Nayaks in the 17th century. In the afternoon proceed for the Spiritual Tour in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world. In the evening visit the famous Rockfort Uchchipillayar Temple of Tiruchirapalli which is built on a 273-foot high rock that is estimated to be at least a billion years old. Though you need to climb around 400 steps to reach atop, it is a worthy effort to take the snaps of the entire city. Overnight stay will be at Trichy.
Start your drive to have a Traditional Tour at Chettinad, the native land of Tamil Nadu’s rich merchant community ‘Chettiars’ (The Nagarathars) who were businessmen travelled far to make their fortunes. The houses built in the early 20th century reflect the social, ritual needs of the community as well as shows the economic status. The houses remain closed but still in use for any family ceremonies. Some of the interesting activities to do are Village visit by bullock cart, ceramic tiles making in Athangudi village, Weaving centre, Public School etc. Overnight stay in Chettinadu.
Madurai, akin to Varanasi in the North, stands as one of the world’s oldest cities still inhabited. Today’s highlight is the Heritage Tour of Madurai. The Thirumalai Nayaka Palace, erected in the 16th century with its majestic pillars, is particularly striking. Constructed in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak, the palace was a marvel of its time, showcasing a blend of Dravidian and Islamic architecture. In the evening, explore the Meenakshi Temple, devoted to Goddess Parvati, featuring a hall with a thousand pillars adorned with stunning sculptures. Stay overnight in Madurai.
Thekkady, nestled in Kerala’s Idukki district, is one of the state’s most picturesque and enchanting destinations. Its position on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu affords it a unique cultural and ecological diversity. Enjoy a boat ride on Thekkady’s forest lake, followed by a Spice Plantation tour. Engage in a guided walk through the Spice Plantations to learn about the medicinal properties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and green chilies. Spend the night in Thekkady.
Delve into the Wildlife Tour with activities like trekking, jeep safari, elephant rides, and the traditional Kerala martial arts show known as ‘Kalaripayattu’. Extend your stay for another night in Thekkady.
Today, you’ll experience the Alleppey Houseboat Tour. Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is the heart of Kerala’s stunning backwaters, boasting an extensive network of waterways. Although the town center is bustling and the canals are too few to justify the ‘Venice of the East’ moniker, the areas just beyond—towards the beach or backwaters—offer a completely different vista. Board the houseboat and savor a lunch featuring traditional Keralan dishes. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on Vembanad Lake until the evening when the boat anchors in one spot. Dine aboard and spend the night in an air-conditioned houseboat at Alappuzha.
Post breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and set off for Kochi. Embark on the Cochin City Tour, exploring the city known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ and the commercial hub of Kerala, located in the Ernakulam district. In the late afternoon, visit significant monuments and churches dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Begin with St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, built by the Portuguese in 1510, which houses the tomb of the explorer Vasco da Gama. Next, explore the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, a Catholic Church, and the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets. Conclude your day with an overnight stay in Kochi.
Continue your Cochin City tour by starting your visit to the famous Mattanchery Palace which was originally built by the Portuguese. Later, in 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented it to the Raja of Kochi. Located next is the Jewish Synagogue built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Have a stroll along Marine Drive, the long tree-lined coastal pathway that lines the backwater is well worth the time spent, especially late afternoon. The bustling backwaters, dotted with fishing boats, speedboats, ships, tankers and passenger boats, can be observed from this walkway that lines the coast. Also don’t miss to witness the traditional Kathakali dance show in the evening. One more night stay in Kochi.
Evening, in – time transfer to the airport to board the flight for onward destination
In time, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport. The end of the tour
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