Treasures of Southern India

Fly 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.

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)

Mahabalipuram - Puducherry

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

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)

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)

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. (B, D)

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)

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)

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)

Kumarakom

Morning at leisure. Travel to Kumarakom for 2 nights at the Rhythm Kumarakom (Poolside Cottage). Upgrade to a Lakefront Luxury Villa with plunge pool from £120 per person for 2 nights. (B, D)

Kumarakom

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

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)

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. Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Fly to London via Dubai

Fly home via Dubai with Emirates. (B)

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

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.

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)

Mahabalipuram - Puducherry

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

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)

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)

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. (B, D)

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 (on similar). This evening, enjoy a superb culinary experience. (B, L, D)

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)

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)

Kumarakom

Morning at leisure. Travel to Kumarakom for 2 nights at the Rhythm Kumarakom (Poolside Cottage). Upgrade to a Lakefront Luxury Villa with plunge pool from £120 per person for 2 nights. (B, D)

Kumarakom

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

Kochi

Morning cruise aboard a shikara 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 (or similar). (B)

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. Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Fly to London via Mumbai

Fly home via Dubai with Emirates (B)

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