After breakfast, meet your guide for a tour of Chennai’s architectural and cultural heritage. Discover Fort St. George, completed in 1653 and steeped in colonial history, along with St. Mary’s, the first church consecrated on Indian soil. Visit the Government Museum and Art Gallery to view its art and bronze collections, followed by the vibrant 16th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Insider Experience: Lunch at Erode Amman Mess, handpicked by Matt
Taste the heart of South India at Erode Amman Mess, where hand-ground spices and traditional masalas have been perfected over generations. “If you had a Tamil grandmother, this is the sort of feast she might feed you,” explains Matt.
After lunch, continue to the Basilica of San Thome. This cathedral, originally built by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century and later rebuilt by the British in 1896, is said to house the remains of Saint Thomas the Apostle.
Return to the hotel to freshen up, then join your group for a welcome dinner.
Insider Experience: Dinner at Avaratna, handpicked by Matt
Savour an evening of fine dining at ITC Hotels’ Avaratna, where Southern Indian cuisine is reimagined. Enjoy a multi-course experience, with each meticulously plated dish showcasing authentic flavours as a work of art. Voted India’s #1 restaurant in 2024 by Condé Nast Traveller x Zomato Top Restaurant Awards, Avaratna promises a memorable evening.“They are regularly listed as one of the four best restaurants in India, if not the best,” says Matt. “The food here is a light, modern and elegant twist on South Indian favourites.”
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Insider Experience: Lunch at Erode Amman Mess, handpicked by Matt
“Try classic South Indian dishes like pallipalayam chicken or boneless chicken chukka; coriander black pepper prawns or annur mutton kuzhambu.”
Insider Experience: Dinner at Avaratna, handpicked by Matt
“Feel free to dress up - eating here is an occasion and a treat!”
Leave the city of Chennai behind and journey to Mahabalipuram, known for its stone-carved heritage. Visit the Shore Temple, which has stood by the sea for over 1,300 years, showcasing impressive bas-reliefs and twin towers – a prime example of early medieval Southern Indian architecture, then stop at a local sculpture studio to witness the carving process.
After lunch, continue to Pondicherry, where the afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace.
Insider Experience: Dinner at Les Alizés Restaurant, handpicked by Matt
Tonight, indulge in a memorable seafood dining experience at Les Alizés, the rooftop restaurant of the luxurious Palais de Mahe.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Insider Experience: Dinner at Les Alizés Restaurant, handpicked by Matt
This morning, take a walking tour through Pondicherry’s Tamil Quarter, exploring Goubert Market and the Mahakavi Bharathiar Museum & Research Centre, once the home of the renowned Tamil poet and activist Bharati.
Along the way, pick up a coffee and a pain au chocolate at Bouche Sucree, a tasty nod to the city’s French colonial heritage. “This is one of the best,” says Matt.
Insider Experience: Cooking class in the home of Mamie Pushpa, handpicked by Matt
Learn about traditional Creole cooking at the sought-after Chez Pushpa experience, run by Mamie Pushpa and her family. Guests get hands-on insight into the local flavours and techniques that define Pondicherry’s Creole cuisine. “Mamie Pushpa is one of the world’s leading authorities in the local Creole food that combines the flavours of her Tamil Nadu past and local French colonial influences – which Mamie also explored with a couple of decades living in France, ” explains Matt.
Afterwards, stroll along Vysial Street, known for its restored buildings with Franco-Tamil architecture. Visit the 1,300-year-old Vedapureeswarer Temple and sample local delicacies.
The afternoon is free for you to explore the city or relax at your hotel.
Tonight, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers at The Courtyard Restaurant in Le Dupleix (or similar).
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Insider Experience: Cooking class in the home of Mamie Pushpa, handpicked by Matt
“A meal at her home is a treat as much for the conversation and the stories around the table as the delicious home cooking.”
After breakfast, drive approximately four hours to Thanjavur (formerly Tanjore) and check into your hotel.
Famed for its elaborate temple architecture and intricate artisan traditions, Thanjavur is one of South India’s most important cultural hubs. Beyond its spiritually significant Chola temples, the city is also known for its diverse array of aromatic dishes.
The rest of the day is yours to relax at your hotel, explore at your own pace, or join optional activities such as visiting a bronze factory, learning about Tanjore painting, veena making, or Tanjore doll making.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
This morning, take a guided tour of Thanjavur, centred around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Brihadeeshwara Temple. Built in the 11th century under King Raja Raja Cholan, this Chola-era temple is a striking example of Dravidian architecture, with intricately carved gopuram towers depicting Hindu deities and contrasting Buddhist carvings within.
You can also visit the Royal Palace of Tanjore, where remnants of the old fort are still visible. The palace now houses the Saraswathi Mahal Library and the Royal Museum, which showcase artefacts, paintings, books and other memorabilia from royal dynasties.
Tonight is yours to spend however you please.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
After breakfast, drive to Madurai, with a stop in Chettinadu – a region in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga and Pudukkottai districts, renowned for its fiery cuisine, impressive mansions and the affluent Chettiar trading community. Visit village temples and meet local artisans along the way.
You might also enjoy a bullock-cart ride – a traditional form of transport where a cart is pulled by a pair of oxen.
Lunch is at Visalam, a 70-year-old Chettinad mansion in Kanadukathan village, offering a glimpse into the opulent lives of Chettiar traders. After lunch, continue to your hotel, where the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
After breakfast, visit the Meenakshi Temple, known for its towering gopurams adorned with colourful stucco figures of deities and mythical animals. Dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva, the temple dominates the surrounding township.
Continue to Tirumalai Nayak Palace, built in 1636 under the rule of King Tirumalai Nayak with the assistance of an Italian architect.
Experience Madurai’s local cuisine for lunch at Amma Mess. A local favourite, Amma Mess is known for its Indian and Chinese street food. “From a roadside stall set up in 1936 in Thallakulam north of Madurai’s Vaigai River, Amma Mess has grown to become one of the iconic places to eat in Madurai,” says Matt.
Insider Experience: Madurai street food tour, handpicked by Matt
This evening, set off on a 2.5-hour Madurai food adventure, visiting local favourites by foot and car. “It’s one of the best cities to eat in all of India,” explains Matt.“Locals joke that its nickname ‘Thoonga Nagaram’ (aka the city that never sleeps) came about because you need twenty-four hours in a day to eat all the local delicacies.” Start with a traditional sweet, adhirasam, then sample a variety of street treats to delight your taste buds. Enjoy a strong filter coffee at Visalam Coffee Bar, local vedai (crispy puris) and more. Stop at the famous Meenakshi Bhavan, where you’ll savour their special rava dosa – a crispy, savoury crepe – before finishing with a glass of hot paruthi paal made from cottonseed milk and spices.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Insider Experience: Madurai street food tour, handpicked by Matt
“There’s no need for breakfast this morning as you’ll be sampling a whole heap of deliciousness and adventuring into the world of some amazing local food on a specially tailored food tour.”
Drive to Periyar National Park in the Cardamom Hills, a renowned wildlife sanctuary.
Check into Spice Village, a luxurious CGH Earth retreat, and settle in for two unforgettable nights in eco-elegance. Nestled in the misty highlands near Periyar, this resort is inspired by the buildings of Kerala’s Mannan tribe, blending into the verdant surroundings. Each cottage boasts elephant-grass thatched roofs, and inside, the aesthetic is simple and elegantly rustic – local timber craftsmanship, coir-woven mats and exposed stone floors.
In the late afternoon, explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for its elephant sightings in the dry season. Take a boat ride on Lake Periyar for the chance to spot wildlife up close from the water. You might spot deer, bison, elephants, a variety of birdlife and, with rare luck, even the elusive Bengal tiger.
Tonight, enjoy a cooking demonstration at the retreat, showcasing local produce sourced within a 50-mile radius, followed by a flavoursome feast including the chance to taste local ‘payasam’ rice pudding.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
Wake early for a guided nature walk through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary’s diverse habitats, keeping an eye out for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Afterwards, return to the hotel for breakfast.
This afternoon, visit a spice plantation filled with cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee and more, followed by a hearty lunch.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure, or opt to watch a Kalarippayattu performance – Kerala’s traditional martial art, staged in a local theatre (surcharges apply).
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Today, drive to Kumarakom – a village on Vembanad Lake in Kerala’s backwaters, known for its tranquil canals and traditional houseboats. This region is also a haven for birdlife and offers a glimpse into local village life unchanged for centuries.
Along the way, stop at a rubber plantation and enjoy lunch with a local family at the Plantation Bungalow.
On arrival, check into your lakeside boutique resort, crafted from restored traditional mansions, offering a glimpse into Kerala’s heritage.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Kumarakom – named one of the Top 10 Paradises on Earth by National Geographic Traveler – is a cluster of fishing villages along Vembanad Lake, known for its serene backwaters and bird sanctuary.
Hop on a traditional fishing boat and glide across the backwaters to Philipkutty’s Farm, a charming homestay on a farming island. Take part in a cooking class using produce grown on the farm, then savour the dishes you’ve prepared in the peaceful seclusion of this private island.
Return to the mainland and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, or choose to join an optional sunset boat cruise through the backwaters (surcharges apply).
Travel time: Driving – approx. one hour
After breakfast, set out for your drive to Kochi, an historic maritime hub known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. Situated between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Kochi’s heritage is shaped by Portuguese, Dutch and British influences.
On arrival, check in to your hotel, a heritage-listed property blending historic charm with modern comforts.
Settle in for a lunch of bold flavours and super fresh seafood at Karthiyayini Seafood Restaurant – a unassuming roadside restaurant that sings with spice. Named Best Seafood Restaurant in India by Food Connoisseurs India, the restaurant’s reputation as the pinnacle of the country’s seafood scene is well deserved, with lines that often take hours. “Most people have to queue up to get in as the restaurant doesn’t take bookings… but we know someone,” says Matt. “Using local fish from the sea and backwaters is their speciality.”
This evening, attend a Kathakali performance, one of the world’s oldest theatre forms. Featuring elaborate costumes and make-up, these performances bring to life themes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
This morning, explore Kochi on a guided tour. Start in the Fort Kochi heritage zone, where the influence of Portuguese, Dutch and British cultures is evident in the architecture.
See the unique Chinese fishing nets, or ‘cheenavala’, introduced by Chinese traders, and visit the Church of Saint Francis, one of India’s oldest European churches, built in 1503. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Portugal.
Next, visit the Dutch Palace, or Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1555 as a gift for the Maharaja of Kochi and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. The palace houses rare royal artefacts and murals depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Today, stop by the renowned Kashi Art Café for light sandwiches and burgers, or enjoy a traditional lunch at History & Terrace Grill in CGH Earth’s Brunton Boatyard, where the cuisine reflects the melting pot of cultures in Fort Kochi.“From the exposed beams and soaring ceiling of the dining room to the balmy terrace outside with its exemplary seafood, this boutique hotel prides itself on its modern take on Keralan flavours,” says Matt.
The afternoon is free for you to explore Kochi at your own pace before joining your group for a farewell dinner.
Insider Experience: Dinner at Chef Pillai, handpicked by Matt
Indulge in a culinary journey through Kerala with Chef Pillai’s signature dishes at this renowned restaurant in Le Méridien Hotel. “Chef Suresh Pillai is the uncrowned king of Keralan kitchen,” says Matt. “He is a tireless champion of a regional cuisine that is regarded by many experts in India as the best in the country.” Expect punchy dishes like mud crab malli curry, masala grilled tiger prawns and nirvana seer fish.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Insider Experience: Dinner at Chef Pillai, handpicked by Matt
“Eat his highly elevated take on the classic local fish Molee, his signature Nirvana Fish made perhaps with Seer or Pomfret”
After breakfast, bid farewell to Kochi as you transfer to Cochin International Airport for your onward journey.
Travel time: Driving – approx. one hour