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Chennai to Kochi

9 days

Discover Southern India on this 9-day tour travelling from Chennai to Kochi, taking in some exquisite UNESCO listed temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. Visit the picturesque former hill station of Munnar and its tea plantations before ending in the idyllic coastal town of Kochi, full of history and fantastic flavours.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

9 days

Starts

Chennai

Ends

Kochi

Range

Signature

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 24

Minimum age

15 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Sundays

Hotel Rating

3 - 4 star and heritage properties

Countries

India

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

2024: Yes | 2025: No - can be booked for a supplement

Meals included

Breakfast: 8, Dinner: 1
Per person from
NZD$2,985.00
Total From
NZD$5,970.00
Deposit From
Final payment
NZD$1,000.00
$5,470.00

Tour Highlights

Mahabalipuram – Discover the striking Shore Temple which sits on the beautiful Bay of Bengal
Chettinad - Sample traditional life in the quaint village of Chettinad, renowned for its flavourful cuisine
Madurai – Light candles and sing songs as you enjoy a lively Aarti prayer ceremony and explore the city on a guided tour
Tanjore – Tour the hotspots of the city and gaze admiringly at the towering Brihadishwara Temple
Munnar - Spend a night in the rolling hills of the former hill station. Enjoy a guided walk through the tea plantations and visit a local market
Pondicherry – Stroll along the beach in this French colonial city and visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Kochi – Enjoy free time to explore independently and perhaps enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show

Included

8 breakfasts
8 nights 3-4 star hotels
Guided sightseeing - Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai and Munnar
Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 4 or more)
Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 (For departures in 2024 a departure airport transfer is provided on day 9)
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: USD$25-35pp, paid in local currency
Tipping Kitty: USD$45-55pp, paid in local currency
Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, or unsure, about when, or how much, to tip. However, in the places you will visit, tipping makes up a significant part of many people's wages so it's important that we get it right. For this reason we've developed a very simple system to take all the hassle out of tipping. With our 'tipping made easy' policy, a nominal pre-determined amount is collected from all group tour participants to cover tips en route. This then saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, local guides and other support staff through the tour. Our 'tipping made easy' doesn't include a tip to your group tour leader. Naturally, though, the amount is up to you as tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Chennai

Sunday. Welcome to South India! On arrival in Chennai you are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free to explore the city at leisure before meeting the group and guide at the hotel at 18:00 for a Welcome meeting.

Overnight: Chennai

Day 2 - Mahabalipuram sightseeing

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry. This morning we depart Chennai and travel south to the French colonial city of Pondicherry. French rule lasted here until 1954 and the influence is still clear in the city's architecture.

En-route we will visit Mahabalipuram, the beautiful 7th century Shore Temple, so-named because of its location on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. We continue to the magnificent bas-relief carving, Arjuna's Penance and the incredible Five Ratha's. This UNESCO-listed site is made up of five different temples, all carved individually from separate rocks. The temples lay hidden under sand until the British rediscovered them 200 years ago. We continue on to Pondicehrry where we will spend the next two nights.

Overnight: Pondicherry
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Pondicherry

Pondicherry. Today we explore the highlights of Pondicherry including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram spiritual community and Pondicherry Beach, with it's beautiful golden sand and lapping waves. Finally, we explore the striking Sacred Heart Basilica, a famous Christian pilgrimage site. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight: Pondicherry
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Temples & Tanjore

Pondicherry - Tanjore. After breakfast we head away from the coastal Pondicherry to an important centre of South Indian religion, art and architecture - Tanjore (Thanjavur). We discover the ancient, fortified town of Tanjore, with a guided tour exploring the glorious history dating back more than 1,500 years. Take in the enormous Brihadishwara Temple. This temple is over 1000 years old and the dome on top is thought to have been hauled up in a similar way to the construction of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Overnight: Tanjore
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Chettinad

Tanjore - Chettinad. Today we travel to Chettinad which is renowned across India for its unique and spectacular combination of flavourful cuisine, yet few venture to this sleepy, tranquil village. Explore the crumbling Chettinad Palace and the famous tile factory in Athangudi, where your guide will explain how the renowned handmade terracotta tiles of Chettinad are crafted and readied.

Overnight: Chettinad
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Madurai sightseeing & Evening Aarti Ceremony

Chettinad – Madurai. Departing Chettinad we continue onwards to Madurai, where we enjoy a half day guided tour taking in the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal. This grand palace is known for the giant circular pillars in its courtyard and dates back to the 17th century. We continue to the famous rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan. According to a famous Hindu legend, this is where Murugan slayed the demon Surapadman. Finally, we join an Aarti prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple. The ceremony involves the lighting of candles and songs being sung in praise of the gods.

Overnight: Madurai
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Munnar Tea Plantations

Madurai - Munnar. Leave Madurai today we travel to the picturesque former hill station of Munnar, surrounded by sprawling tea plantations. We take a guided stroll through a local tea plantation and visit a local market, before the rest of the day is free to relax as you please. You may wish to visit the nearby Blossom Park and enjoy cycling or boating in the stunning surrounds.

Overnight: Munnar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Free day in Kochi

Munnar - Kochi. Today we continue on to Kochi, our final destination in South India. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is free to explore the city at your own leisure. This evening you can opt for an optional tour to watch an entertaining and traditional Kathakali dance show. Kathakali performers are known for their elaborate costumes and make up and they always put on a fantastic show.

Overnight: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Kochi

Monday. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today. A departure transfer is included today for departures in 2024. If you are travelling in 2025 this can be booked for an additional supplement if required.

Meals: Breakfast

Extras and add-ons

If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.

Post-Tour Accommodation - Kochi

Double

$175per passenger

Twin

$175per passenger

Single

$315per passenger

Pre-Tour Accommodation - Chennai

Double

$165per passenger

Twin

$165per passenger

Single

$305per passenger

Additional Excursions

Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.

Kochi Airport Departure Transfer (per vehicle / max 2 persons)

$155

per passenger

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.

The Residency
Chennai

The Residency is a smart and modern hotel with a good choice of restaurants and bars. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and modern in decor. The fitness centre although small, has a good array of fitness machines.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel
Hotel GRT Grand
Chennai

In the heart of Chennai, the GRT Grand is a luxurious hotel with excellent amenities. Guest rooms feature some fantastic comforts including jetted baths, free Wi-Fi internet and state of the art LCD TVs. The hotel also boasts 3 delicious restaurants and an on site full service spa and indoor pool. Well located close to the Ramee Shopping Mall SDAT Tennis Stadium.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Hotel Atithi
Pondicherry

With its great selection of facilities, this modern hotel has marked itself one of the finest hotels in Pondicherry. Each room is fully equipped with all the essential amenities, with the added perks of 24-hour room service and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy the in-house gym, rejuvenating spa and an outdoor pool offering amazing views over the city. There are plenty of options when it comes to dining, with a lounge bar, two multi-cuisine restaurants and a fun-filled rooftop bar. If that wasn’t enough, Hotel Atithi is also well-located close to many of the top attractions in this heritage city.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel
Hotel Sangam
Thanjavur

Set among the historic temples of Thanjavur, Hotel Sangam offers you a peaceful and comfortable stay. Its guestrooms are spacious and feature modern interiors with large windows allowing for plenty of natural light. Enjoy local and international cuisine at the Thillana Restaurant, where you’ll find both guests and locals alike, or opt for a light snack and cool beer in the Layam Bar. An outdoor pool serves the perfect place to kick back and relax after a day of sightseeing. And you can always expect a warm greeting from staff, who are more than happy to share their knowledge of the area.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel
Chidambara Vilas
Chettinad

Chidambara Vilas is a heritage property tucked away in the rustic Chettinad region, renowned worldwide for its famous Chettinad cuisine. The culture, heritage and opulence of the beautiful heritage hotel takes you to the bygone era. The property offers 25 guest rooms, recreating the ambience of authentic Chettiar lifestyles reflected in its furnishings and with modern day comfort's such as air-conditioning. The property also features a swimming pool, the perfect spot to relax and recharge in a quiet atmosphere.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Mid Range Heritage Hotel
JC Residency
Madurai

The JC Residency is ideally located in a serene part of Madurai, offering Heritage styling throughout the hotel. Guest rooms feature contemporary decor and generous space and modern facilities including LCD TV, high speed Wi-Fi connectivity, electronic safes and well-equipped bathrooms. Hotel facilities also include an outdoor swimming pool and gym.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel
Amber Dale Munnar
Munnar

Experience a stay of comfort and convenience at Amber Dale Munnar, where complimentary WiFi and an inviting restaurant await. The property offers a children's playground and fitness center, ensuring entertainment for all. Rooms are well-appointed, each with a private bathroom, free toiletries and a hairdryer. All include amenities like a kettle and flat-screen TV. A 24-hour front desk is ready to assist, while the hotel also offers a serene garden and a games room, creating a well-rounded retreat for guests seeking relaxation or entertainment.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
The Fern Ecotel Hotel
Kochi

Nestled on the tranquil Willingdon Island, The Fern Hotel, formerly known as the Trident Hotel, offers a comfortable stay filled with indulgent amenities. Guests can unwind at the Ayurvedic spa, take a refreshing dip in the inviting outdoor pool, or stay active in the modern fitness center. The elegantly designed, air-conditioned rooms and suites overlook lush gardens or the pool, and each room is equipped with modern conveniences like satellite TV and minibars. Suites add an extra touch of luxury with spacious, separate living areas. With four diverse restaurants, The Fern Hotel invites guests on an exceptional culinary journey.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
5 Star Hotel

Prices & Dates

All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
24 Nov - 2 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
8 Dec - 16 Dec
$2,985
$4,325
15 Dec - 23 Dec
$2,985
$4,325
29 Dec - 6 Jan
$3,295
$4,755
2025
Twin/Double
Single
12 Jan - 20 Jan
$2,985
$4,235
26 Jan - 3 Feb
$2,985
$4,235
9 Feb - 17 Feb
$2,985
$4,235
23 Feb - 3 Mar
$2,985
$4,235
23 Mar - 31 Mar
$2,985
$4,235
30 Mar - 7 Apr
$2,985
$4,235
6 Apr - 14 Apr
$2,985
$4,235
13 Apr - 21 Apr
$2,985
$4,235

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