South India Heritage & Backwaters Tour
Duration
12 days
Max Group Size
10
Departure Type
Guaranteed
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
easy
Operated In
English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Age Requirement
1 - 85 Ages
Tour Overview
Experience a captivating 12-day journey through Kerala and Tamil Nadu, blending heritage, spirituality, beaches, and backwaters. Begin in Kochi exploring colonial landmarks and vibrant culture, then cruise through serene Alleppey houseboats. Relax in Varkala’s cliffs and beaches before witnessing the sacred sunrise at Kanyakumari. Discover Madurai’s grand temples and Puducherry’s French charm, followed by Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO wonders and Kanchipuram’s ancient temple city. Conclude in Chennai with rich history and coastal energy. This thoughtfully curated tour offers comfortable stays, scenic drives, cultural performances, and unforgettable experiences across South India’s most iconic destinations, perfect for travelers seeking culture, nature, and heritage.
Route
Starts from
Kerala
Ends in
Chennai
Highlights
Itinerary
On the day of arrival at Kochi airport, our Holidays At representative will assist you at the airport and later transfer to your pre-booked hotel for night stay. Rest of the day free for your own leisure activities.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later proceed for full day sightseeing tour to Kochi visit, Fort Kochi, Jewish synagogue, St.Francis Church, Marine Drive, Hill Palace, Dutch Palace, Pareekshit Thampuran Museum, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Bolgatty Island, Indo Portuguese Museum. In the evening time enjoy the kathakali dance show, one of India's most famous classical dances with lavish costumes, exotic makeup & masks intensify the beauty of the dancers, intricate moments.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later check out and proceed for backwater to enjoy the houseboat journey. Upon arrival at Alleppey check-in to your pre-booked houseboat for night stay. Later proceed for backwaters & lagoons on Alappuzha, Enjoy your lunch and dinner at houseboat. Evening walk around the local street of Alappuzha.
Overnight at Houseboat.
Today morning after breakfast at Houseboat, later check out and drive to Varkala. Upon arrival at Varkala check-in to your pre-booked hotel for night stay. Rest of the day free for your own leisure activities.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later proceed for sightseeing tour to Varkala, visit Sivagiri, Janardhana Swamy Temple, Vishnu Temples, the Papasnanam Beach, Kappil Lake, Ponnumthuruthu Island ( golden island). Rest of the day free for your own leisure activities.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later rest of the day free for your own leisure activities.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later check out and drive to Kanyakumari, via en-route visit to Padmanabhapuram palace at Padmanabhapuram. Upon arrival at Kovalam check-in to your pre-booked hotel for night stay. After refresh yourself, later proceed for sightseeing tour to Kanyakumari, visit Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari mandir (One of the Fifty Two Shakti Peethas), Tri samudra milan, Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam also Sthanumalayan Temple. Rest of the day free for your own leisure activities.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later check out and drive to Madurai, via en-route visit to Chokkanathar Temple and Samanar Hills also known as Samanar Malai or Amanarmalai at Keelakuilkudi. Upon arrival at Madurai check-in to your pre-booked hotel for night stay. After refresh yourself, later proceed for guided tour to Madurai, visit Meenakshi Amman Temple, Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Gandhi Memorial Museum and Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam. After finish your guided tour to Madurai, later experience the evening prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later check out and drive to Puducherry, via en-route visit to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), visit Rock Fort Temple, Jambukeshwara Temple, Arulmigu Uchi Pillaiyar Temple and Sri Rangam Temple. After finish your sightseeing tour at Trichy, later continue drive to Puducherry. Upon arrival at Puducherry check-in to your pre-booked hotel for night stay. Evening enoy the heritage walk in the French colonies, will spot the beautiful yellow & white walls, European styles streets and a walk along the sea.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later check out and proceed for sightseeing tour to Puducherry, visit Auroville town, Aurobindo Ashram, Government Museum, The Sacred Heart Basilica, French War memorial, Mahe de Labourdonnais St and Pondy Bazaar. Also visit Memorial House, Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Vedapureeswarar Temple. After finish your visit to Puducherry, later continue drive to Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival at Mahabalipuram check-in to your pre-booked hotel for night stay. Rest of the day free for your own leisure activities.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later check out and proceed for sightseeing tour to Mahabalipuram, visit the Thirukadalmallai, Shore Temple, Pancha Pandava Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Caves, Krishna’s Butterball and India Seashell Museum. Also explore the Mahabalipuram Beach with surfing & Shore Temple views. After finish your sightseeing tour at Mahabalipuram, later drive to Kanchipuram, visit the city of 1000 temples and one of the seven sacred Hindu cities in India, visit Kamakshi Amman Temple, The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple and Ulagalanda Perumal Temple a houses a huge statue of Lord Vishnu. After finish your visit to Kanchipuram, later continue drive to Chennai. Upon arrival at Chennai check-in to your pre-booked hotel for night stay. Rest of the day free for your own leisure activities.
Overnight at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, later check out and transfer to Chennai airport to board the flight for your next destination / Home.
Trip includes
Included
Accommodation at good 3 Star hotels based on Double / Twin Sharing basis
• 2 Nights in Kochi
• 1 Nights in Alleppey
• 3 Nights in Varkala
• 1 Nights in Kanyakumari
• 1 Nights in Madurai
• 1 Nights in Pondicherry
• 1 Nights in Mahabalipuram
• 1 Nights in Chennai
Check In : 1400 Hrs / Check Out : 1200 Hrs
Early check in and late Check out are subject to availability.
• Local English speaking guide at Kochi, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram.
(Other languages guides are available on additional charges)
Guiding Method
Fully guided
English
French
German
Spanish
Italian• 11 Breakfast at Hotel.
• 1 Lunch at House Boat.
• 1 Dinner at House Boat.
Vegan
Jain
Kosher
Vegetarian
Halal
MeatTransportation Details
All sightseeing and airport transfers for this tour will be arranged in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles to ensure a pleasant travel experience.
Vehicle Categories:
• 1–2 guests: Air-conditioned medium cars such as Toyota Etios, Swift Dzire, or similar.
• 3–4 guests: Air-conditioned large cars such as Toyota Innova or similar.
• 5–10 guests: Air-conditioned mini-vans such as Tempo Traveller or similar.
Additional Information:
• All vehicles will be driven by experienced, Local English-speaking drivers.
• Our drivers are well-trained, familiar with local routes, and committed to providing a safe and comfortable journey.
• Vehicle allocation will be based on the group size to ensure maximum comfort and convenience for all travelers.
• 11 Nights accommodation based on double / twin sharing basis.
• Assistance during arrival and departure by Holidays At.
• Daily breakfast at Hotel.
• All sightseeing including airport transfers by an AC vehicle.
• Local English speaking guide at Kochi, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram.
(Other languages guides are available on additional charges)
• Enjoy Kathakali dance show at Kochi.
• One mineral water bottle per person per day.
• All currently applicable taxes including GST.
Excluded
• Every traveler is required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Due to the varying nature, availability, and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential and necessary part of every journey. We strongly recommend that all travelers obtain comprehensive travel insurance to ensure protection and compensation for any cancellations or trip interruptions with any cause, as well as for other unforeseen circumstances, including medical emergencies and travel disruptions.
• Visas Fee (if applicable).
• Monument entry fees.
• The package does not include the cost of visas and SDF charges, if applicable.
• Tips (always optional, but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information pack you’ll receive after booking).
• Beverages other than drinking water & any costs of a personal nature.
• International/Internal flights to/from the start/finish of the trip.
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
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By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
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