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Lily Brough

Travel Specialist

020 7808 6788

020 7808 6788

Save up to £200pp on Treasures of Southern India

Valid for travel on 18 February 2024. Book by 19 December 2023

For Ts&Cs and availability, please speak to one of our travel specialists.

Save up to £150pp on Treasures of Southern India

Valid for travel on 4 February 2024. Book by 19 December 2023

For Ts&Cs and availability, please speak to one of our travel specialists.

Lead Price
From £2895pp
Duration
14 days & 13 nights
Itinerary Type
Group Tour
Holiday Type
General Interest
Tour Highlights

Treasures of Southern India

The delicate scent of spices, the sound of temple bells and a rich tapestry of ancient arts and craft all characterise Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This journey reveals these southern charms first-hand. You will travel through hill stations, tropical backwaters and temple-laden towns while staying in some of the region’s very best hotels.
Dates and prices

Itinerary

YEAR:
DAY 1: Fly from London to Chennai
- +

Fly from London to Chennai

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Chennai (Madras) with Emirates via Dubai. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 2: Chennai
- +

Chennai

On arrival, transfer to the Taj Connemara for 1 night (early check-in available). Time at leisure before an afternoon tour of the city followed by free time at Marina Beach. A welcome dinner will be held this evening. (B, D)

Accommodation: Taj Connemara, Chennai
DAY 3: Mahabalipuram - Puducherry
- +

Mahabalipuram - Puducherry

Morning walking tour of Mylapore, a town that predates Chennai by 2,000 years. Continue to Puducherry (Pondicherry), visiting the World Heritage-listed shore temples at Mahabalipuram en route. Stay 2 nights at the alais de Mahé located in the heart of the French Quarter. (B)

DAY 4: Puducherry
- +

Puducherry

Morning visit to a rural village, organised by Mohanam Cultural Centre. Watch the villagers involved in traditional crafts such as stone carving, ceramics and terracotta work. Afternoon guided walk through Puducherry; stop by the Aurobindo ashram, stroll to the lively Tamil quarters and experience Hindu faith at the Ganesh temple in the evening. (B)

DAY 5: Chidambaram - Kumbakonam
- +

Chidambaram - Kumbakonam

Witness the daily rituals at Chidambaram Temple and the art of Kalamkari, which uses plant-based dyes to create intricate artwork, before driving through scenic countryside to Kumbakonam for 2 nights at the Mantra Koodam. In the early evening, try your hand at pottery and enjoy an interactive culinary demonstration, led by expert chefs. (B, D)

DAY 6: Kumbakonam
- +

Kumbakonam

Sunrise visit to the local market. After breakfast, discover the crafts and culture of Tamil Nadu. Observe master foundrymen produce extraordinarily detailed bronze-cast statues and see the process of pattu silk weaving, using wooden handlooms. You will also visit the Darasuram Temple, renowned for its delicate stone sculptures and the Vedic School which dates back 140 years. Afternoon at leisure to explore the countryside on foot. (B, D)

DAY 7: Tanjore - Chettinad
- +

Tanjore - Chettinad

Drive to Chettinad, stopping at Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjore en route. Continue to the art gallery and Saraswathi Mahal Library at the Tanjore Palace. Arrive in Chettinad for an overnight stay at Chidambara Vilas. This evening, enjoy a superb culinary experience. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Chidambara Villas A Luxury Heritage Resort
DAY 8: Madurai
- +

Madurai

This morning, explore the village market, stopping for a traditional cup of tea before visiting some of the impressive mansions. Travel to Madurai. Evening visit to the illuminated Meenakshi Temple and Hall of a Thousand Pillars for the night ceremony. Overnight stay at the Heritage Madurai. (B)

Accommodation: Heritage Madurai
DAY 9: Munnar
- +

Munnar

Travel to the hill country around Munnar for an overnight stay at Fragrant Nature. After lunch in a tea planter’s bungalow, visit the Suryanelli tea factory to enjoy a guided tour, tea tasting and a gentle stroll through the tea plantation. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Fragrant Nature Munnar
DAY 10: Kumarakom
- +

Kumarakom

Morning at leisure or visit the Srishti Welfare Centre, where differently-abled children and young adults are supported in education and to create sustainable livelihoods. Travel to Kumarakom for 2 nights at the Rhythm Kumarakom (Poolside Cottage). Upgrade to a Lakefront Luxury Villa with plunge pool from £100 per person for 2 nights. (B, D)

Accommodation: Rhythm Kumarakom
DAY 11: Kumarakom
- +

Kumarakom

Day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surrounds or explore village life in the backwaters. (B, D)

Accommodation: Rhythm Kumarakom
DAY 12: Kochi
- +

Kochi

Morning cruise aboard a shikara (wooden boat) through the backwaters before driving to Kochi (Cochin). Visit the Mattancherry Palace and enjoy an evening Kathakali dance performance. Stay 2 nights at Eighth Bastion. (B)

DAY 13: Kochi
- +

Kochi

Morning sightseeing tour of Kochi including the Chinese fishing nets and the 16th-century St Francis Church. Explore hidden Kochi including Jew Town and dhobi wallah, a wash-house where a sea of white hotel linen is slathered on the washing stones. Afternoon at leisure to further explore the streets and their array of local markets. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Eighth Bastion this evening. (B, D)

DAY 14: Fly to London via Dubai
- +

Fly to London via Dubai

Fly home via Dubai with Emirates. (B)

DAY 1: Fly from London to Chennai
- +

Fly from London to Chennai

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Chennai (Madras) with Emirates via Dubai. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 2: Chennai
- +

Chennai

On arrival, transfer to the Taj Connemara for 1 night (early check-in available). Time at leisure before an afternoon tour of the city followed by free time at Marina Beach. A welcome dinner will be held this evening. (B, D)

Accommodation: Taj Connemara, Chennai
DAY 3: Mahabalipuram - Puducherry
- +

Mahabalipuram - Puducherry

Morning walking tour of Mylapore, a town that predates Chennai by 2,000 years. Continue to Puducherry (Pondicherry), visiting the World Heritage-listed shore temples at Mahabalipuram en route. Stay 2 nights at the alais de Mahé located in the heart of the French Quarter. (B)

DAY 4: Puducherry
- +

Puducherry

Morning visit to a rural village, organised by Mohanam Cultural Centre. Watch the villagers involved in traditional crafts such as stone carving, ceramics and terracotta work. Afternoon guided walk through Puducherry; stop by the Aurobindo ashram, stroll to the lively Tamil quarters and experience Hindu faith at the Ganesh temple in the evening. (B)

DAY 5: Chidambaram - Kumbakonam
- +

Chidambaram - Kumbakonam

Witness the daily rituals at Chidambaram Temple and the art of Kalamkari, which uses plant-based dyes to create intricate artwork, before driving through scenic countryside to Kumbakonam for 2 nights at the Mantra Koodam. In the early evening, try your hand at pottery and enjoy an interactive culinary demonstration, led by expert chefs. (B, D)

DAY 6: Kumbakonam
- +

Kumbakonam

Sunrise visit to the local market. After breakfast, discover the crafts and culture of Tamil Nadu. Observe master foundrymen produce extraordinarily detailed bronze-cast statues and see the process of pattu silk weaving, using wooden handlooms. You will also visit the Darasuram Temple, renowned for its delicate stone sculptures and the Vedic School which dates back 140 years. Afternoon at leisure to explore the countryside on foot. (B, D)

DAY 7: Tanjore - Chettinad
- +

Tanjore - Chettinad

Drive to Chettinad, stopping at Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjore en route. Continue to the art gallery and Saraswathi Mahal Library at the Tanjore Palace. Arrive in Chettinad for an overnight stay at Chidambara Vilas. This evening, enjoy a superb culinary experience. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Chidambara Villas A Luxury Heritage Resort
DAY 8: Madurai
- +

Madurai

This morning, explore the village market, stopping for a traditional cup of tea before visiting some of the impressive mansions. Travel to Madurai. Evening visit to the illuminated Meenakshi Temple and Hall of a Thousand Pillars for the night ceremony. Overnight stay at the Heritage Madurai. (B)

Accommodation: Heritage Madurai
DAY 9: Munnar
- +

Munnar

Travel to the hill country around Munnar for an overnight stay at Fragrant Nature. After lunch in a tea planter’s bungalow, visit the Suryanelli tea factory to enjoy a guided tour, tea tasting and a gentle stroll through the tea plantation. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Fragrant Nature Munnar
DAY 10: Kumarakom
- +

Kumarakom

Morning at leisure or visit the Srishti Welfare Centre, where differently-abled children and young adults are supported in education and to create sustainable livelihoods. Travel to Kumarakom for 2 nights at the Rhythm Kumarakom (Poolside Cottage). Upgrade to a Lakefront Luxury Villa with plunge pool from £100 per person for 2 nights. (B, D)

Accommodation: Rhythm Kumarakom
DAY 11: Kumarakom
- +

Kumarakom

Day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surrounds or explore village life in the backwaters. (B, D)

Accommodation: Rhythm Kumarakom
DAY 12: Kochi
- +

Kochi

Morning cruise aboard a shikara (wooden boat) through the backwaters before driving to Kochi (Cochin). Visit the Mattancherry Palace and enjoy an evening Kathakali dance performance. Stay 2 nights at Eighth Bastion. (B)

DAY 13: Kochi
- +

Kochi

Morning sightseeing tour of Kochi including the Chinese fishing nets and the 16th-century St Francis Church. Explore hidden Kochi including Jew Town and dhobi wallah, a wash-house where a sea of white hotel linen is slathered on the washing stones. Afternoon at leisure to further explore the streets and their array of local markets. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Eighth Bastion this evening. (B, D)

DAY 14: Fly to London via Dubai
- +

Fly to London via Dubai

Fly home via Dubai with Emirates. (B)

Sorry, this itinerary is not Available on the selected date
Please try using different date to see our available options

The Cox & Kings signature experiences

  • Stay in the heart of the French quarter in Puducherry (Pondicherry)
  • Visit Meenakshi temple for the night ceremony
  • Spend two nights relaxing in the Keralan backwaters
  • Enjoy a wealth of culinary fare
  • Explore Tamil Nadu’s rich artistic and creative side

Important information

Optional activities
These activities can be pre-booked or booked locally and incur an additional cost.
Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. So, should you want to spend longer in a particular location, or add another experience or destination, we can make all the arrangements for you. Please contact our travel specialists for guideline prices.
Guaranteed departures
Where a tour date shows ‘Guaranteed departure’, this tour is guaranteed to run. For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Dates and prices
Unless otherwise stated, the tour prices and upgrade supplements are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin/double room. The online price is a guideline price; your final quote may differ due to flight availability, and you may be asked to pay a flight supplement.

What's included

  • Small group size - average 12 people (max 18)
  • 4- & 5-star accommodation
  • Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
  • International flights with Emirates via Dubai
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Experienced local tour manager
  • 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 8 dinners
  • Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
  • Porterage at airports & stations
  • Day at leisure in Kerala's backwaters

Is your preferred tour date fully booked?

Please call or submit an enquiry about late availability.

Private journey option: guideline prices

Low season from £3,445 | Guide price month: November

High season from £3,495 | Guide price month: February

Single supplement from £995

Looking for a holiday that’s tailored to you?

You can take any group tour on a private basis, or have us create a holiday just for you – with your preferred dates, activities and accommodation.

Why not extend your tour?

Most Cox & Kings group tours include pre- or post-travel options for those wishing to explore further, for longer.
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Small groups promise a more personal touring experience. That’s why Cox & Kings maintains a maximum group size of 18 guests on most tours, and an average of just 14.

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Cox & Kings is a name you can trust. We’ve been helping the curious traveller explore for more than 265 years – longer than any other travel company.

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