Chennai to Kochi - 9 days
Chennai to Kochi - 9 days
Chennai to Kochi - 9 days
9 Days Starting in Chennai and ending in Kochi
Visiting: Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Chettinad Palace, Madurai, Munnar, Kochi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2038/CTK
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
16 + if accompanied by an adult.
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Explore the best of Southern India, travelling from Chennai on the east coast and ending in Kochi on the west coast. Discover the coastal region from Chennai down to Pondicherry before taking in some exquisite UNESCO listed temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. End in the idyllic coastal town of Kochi, full of history and fantastic flavours.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Chennai
Location: Chennai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: MGM Eastwood
Chennai - Mahabalipuram. Saturday. Welcome to Southern India! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel in Mahabalipuram, which is around a 90 minute drive away. The rest of the day is free to explore. Perhaps visit the giant Krishna’s Butterball - this 250 ton boulder is perched on a slope - and looks like it could roll down at any moment, when in fact it has stood here for 1,200 years.
Day 2 : Mahabalipuram
Location: Mahabalipuram, Puducherry
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mamalla Heritage
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start our day meeting the rest of our group and guide for a welcome meeting at 8:00 before visiting the ancient city of Kanchipuram to see some of its impressive temple sites. Explore the northern Shiva temples and some of the 15 temples dedicated to the god Vishnu.
In the afternoon we return to Mahabalipuram and delight in a tour of the town’s highlights. We’ll explore the impressive Shore Temple overlooking the beautiful Bay of Bengal before continuing to the world’s largest bas-relief carving, Arjuna’s Penance, which tells the story of the descent of the sacred Ganges from the heavens to Earth. Our final stop is to the Five Rathas, five giant temples that were all individually carved from five rocks and covered by sand until the British rediscovered them around 200 years ago.
Day 3 : Pondicherry
Location: Puducherry
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Atithi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry. This morning we depart Mahabalipuram and travel to the former colonial city of Pondicherry, where the French influence is still visible in the architecture. Visit Pondicherry Beach and the beautiful 19th century Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Day 4 : Thanjavur
Location: Thanjavur
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sangam
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pondicherry - Tanjore. After breakfast we head away from the coastal Pondicherry to an important centre of South Indian religion, art and architecture - Tanjore (Thanjavur). En route we'll visit temples in the towns of Chidambaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darssuram. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Airavateswara Temple and marvel at the stone carvings here before we reach Tanjore, our final stop for the day, for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 5 : Chettinad
Location: Chettinad Palace
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: GRT Regency,
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 6 : Madurai Sightseeing & Evening Aarti Ceremony
Location: Madurai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: GRT Regency,
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 7 : Munnar Tea Plantations
Location: Munnar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casino Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 8 : Kochi
Location: Kochi
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 9 : Kochi
Location: Kochi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast
Monday. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to Kochi airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 - 4 star and heritage properties
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7 breakfasts
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7 nights 3-4 star hotels
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Guided sightseeing - Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram Temples, Pondicherry and Madurai
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1 overnight sleeper train Trichy to Kochi
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Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 6 or more)
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Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites
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Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 9
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
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Entrance Fees: USD$15-25pp, paid in local currency
Age Policy
16 + if accompanied by an adult.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
24
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 9
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
3 - 4 star and heritage properties
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.