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Home
South India Holidays
Passage Through Coromandel & Malabar
Passage Through Coromandel & Malabar
16 Days / 15 Nights from
£1795/ $2334 per person
Overview & Map
Detailed itinerary
Prices
Hotels
Travel from coast to coast across the southern tip of the Indian peninsula on this classic south India tour that weaves together the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, regarded ‘the last classical civilisation’, with the stunningly beautiful tropical natural beauty of Kerala, celebrated as ‘God’s own country’. When combined, a Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour offers what we believe to be the perfect balance between culture and nature and provides a wonderful overview of south India. Your journey from the Coromandel to the Malabar Coast starts in historic Chennai (Madras) where you will explore the city’s colonial heritage, before driving along the coast to the former French colony of Pondicherry with its undeniably Gallic charm. Next, drive inland to the lush Cauvery Delta, where visits to the striking Chola temples in Tanjore and Kumbakonam combined with a visit to the family home of renowned mathematician Ramanujan, affectionately known as the ‘man who knew infinity’, and an interactive tour of a traditional bronze-casting studio await. Then, discover the palatial 19th century mansions of Chettiar bankers and merchants in the Chettinad, before arriving at Madurai, an ancient vibrant temple town that is considered to be the root of Tamil culture. On crossing into Kerala, experience the unhurried lifestyle of a tea planter at the Hill Station of Munnar. Continue to the spice port of Cochin and stroll through the city’s atmospheric lanes and bustling markets, before embarking on a privately chartered traditional Kerala houseboat cruise (Kettuvalam) to explore the exquisite backwaters of southern Kerala. The finale of your Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour occurs on arrival on the Malabar Coast where you’ll be able to enjoy the miles of virtually deserted golden beaches.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day
Location/Route
Overnight
Sapphire Hotels
Diamond Hotels
Day
1
Arrive Chennai (Madras) Airport. Late afternoon guided heritage walk.
2 nights Chennai
The Leela Palace Chennai
Taj Coromandel
Day
2
Discover Chennai’s colonial heritage. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day
3
Visit Mahabalipuram and then drive along the Coromandel Coast to Pondicherry, via Auroville.
1 night Pondicherry
Gratitude Heritage
Palais De Mahe
Day
4
Morning tour of Pondicherry. Then, drive to the temple town of Kumbakonam. Enroute visit Darasuram and Gangai Konda Cholapuram.
2 nights Kumbakonam
Mantra Koodam
Mantra Koodam
Day
5
Visit the family home of renowned mathematician, Ramanujan. Then, visit the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple at Tanjore and a traditional bronze-casting studio nearby.
Day
6
Visit Chettinad’s palatial mansion and then continue to Madurai. Later this evening attend the Pooja ceremony.
1 night Madurai
Heritage Madurai
Heritage Madurai
Day
7
Morning tour of Madurai. Afternoon drive to Munnar.
2 nights Munnar
Talayar Valley Bungalow
The Windermere Estate Plantation & Retreat
Day
8
Explore Tea Gardens. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day
9
Drive to Cochin. Later this afternoon enjoy a short sunset cruise.
2 nights Cochin
Old Harbour Hotel
Brunton Boatyard
Day
10
Morning tour of Cochin’s historic Fort District. The afternoon is at leisure
Day
11
Drive to Kumarakom. The afternoon is at leisure.
2 nights Kumarakom
Purity
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Day
12
Explore Manchira village, a typical backwater village and witness the slow, unhurried pace of life in rural Kerala.
Day
13
Drive to Alleppey and board your private traditional-style houseboat.
1 night Backwater Cruise
Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat
Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat
Day
14
Disembark from your houseboat and drive to the coastal village of Mararikulam.
2 nights Marari Beach
Marari Beach Resort
Marari Beach Resort
Day
15
Today is at leisure.
Day
16
Transfer to Cochin Airport. Farewell to India.
Day
1
Location/Route :
Arrive Chennai (Madras) Airport. Late afternoon guided heritage walk.
Overnight :
2 nights Chennai
Sapphire Hotel :
The Leela Palace Chennai
Diamond Hotel :
Taj Coromandel
Day
2
Location/Route :
Discover Chennai’s colonial heritage. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day
3
Location/Route :
Visit Mahabalipuram and then drive along the Coromandel Coast to Pondicherry, via Auroville.
Overnight :
1 night Pondicherry
Sapphire Hotel :
Gratitude Heritage
Diamond Hotel :
Palais De Mahe
Day
4
Location/Route :
Morning tour of Pondicherry. Then, drive to the temple town of Kumbakonam. Enroute visit Darasuram and Gangai Konda Cholapuram.
Overnight :
2 nights Kumbakonam
Sapphire Hotel :
Mantra Koodam
Diamond Hotel :
Mantra Koodam
Day
5
Location/Route :
Visit the family home of renowned mathematician, Ramanujan. Then, visit the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple at Tanjore and a traditional bronze-casting studio nearby.
Day
6
Location/Route :
Visit Chettinad’s palatial mansion and then continue to Madurai. Later this evening attend the Pooja ceremony.
Overnight :
1 night Madurai
Sapphire Hotel :
Heritage Madurai
Diamond Hotel :
Heritage Madurai
Day
7
Location/Route :
Morning tour of Madurai. Afternoon drive to Munnar.
Overnight :
2 nights Munnar
Sapphire Hotel :
Talayar Valley Bungalow
Diamond Hotel :
The Windermere Estate Plantation & Retreat
Day
8
Location/Route :
Explore Tea Gardens. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day
9
Location/Route :
Drive to Cochin. Later this afternoon enjoy a short sunset cruise.
Overnight :
2 nights Cochin
Sapphire Hotel :
Old Harbour Hotel
Diamond Hotel :
Brunton Boatyard
Day
10
Location/Route :
Morning tour of Cochin’s historic Fort District. The afternoon is at leisure
Day
11
Location/Route :
Drive to Kumarakom. The afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight :
2 nights Kumarakom
Sapphire Hotel :
Purity
Diamond Hotel :
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Day
12
Location/Route :
Explore Manchira village, a typical backwater village and witness the slow, unhurried pace of life in rural Kerala.
Day
13
Location/Route :
Drive to Alleppey and board your private traditional-style houseboat.
Overnight :
1 night Backwater Cruise
Sapphire Hotel :
Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat
Diamond Hotel :
Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat
Day
14
Location/Route :
Disembark from your houseboat and drive to the coastal village of Mararikulam.
Overnight :
2 nights Marari Beach
Sapphire Hotel :
Marari Beach Resort
Diamond Hotel :
Marari Beach Resort
Day
15
Location/Route :
Today is at leisure.
Day
16
Location/Route :
Transfer to Cochin Airport. Farewell to India.
Tour Highlights
Explore colonial Chennai (Madras).
Discover the 7th century rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram.
Stroll through Pondicherry’s distinct French quarter.
Discover the splendid 11th century Chola temples at Tanjore and Kumbakonam.
Peek into neglected yet palatial 19th century Cherttiar mansions at the Chettinad.
Attend an atmospheric ‘Pooja’ (prayer ritual) at the ancient Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Explore historic Fort Cochin’s old European churches and the bustling spice markets.
Visit a working tea estate at Munnar.
Cruise through the fascinating backwaters in a traditional-style houseboat.
Relax in a tranquil, eco-friendly, beach-front resort.
Extend Your Stay
1 night: Stay in a charming 19th century Chettiar mansion and experience the gracious lifestyle of the Chettiars at the Chettinadu
2 nights: Unwind at the Rajakkad Estate, a beautifully converted 18th century palace reassembled in the foothills of the Western Ghats
6 nights: Travel off the beaten track through north Kerala.
Route Map - Passage Through Coromandel & Malabar
Return to South India holidays
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