Arrive in Chennai.
Warm welcome at the airport by our representative and transfer to the hotel.
Later in the afternoon, visit some of the main sights of Chennai such as the San Thome Basilica and the Government Museum. The Bronze Gallery here, which houses some of the finest bronzes from the early years of the first millennium, is a must see.
Start the morning with a walk around Mylapore, a bustling neighbourhood in the heart of Chennai which pre-dates the city by at least 2000 years and has kept alive many traditions and arts that Chennai is so well known for.
Lunch at a private home of a local Chennai family to experience and interact with Tamil culture.
Post lunch drive to Mahabalipuram.
Explore Mahabalipuram, an ancient trading port. It is however famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient shore temples, surreal in their location and unsurpassable in craftsmanship of that era.
Drive to Pondicherry, an erstwhile French colony. In the afternoon, explore the French quarter on foot; walk the cobbled streets lined with bougainvillea, chic shops and restaurants.
In the evening, take lessons on Franco-Tamil cuisine which is a fascinating amalgamation called ‘Creole’. It also has Portuguese, Dutch and in some dishes, Vietnamese and Bengali influences.
Drive to Tanjore.
Stop en route to admire the magnificent Hindu temples of Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram, Darasuram; two out of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites built by the Kings of the Chola Dynasty who ruled from 300 BC to 1279 AD.
Enjoy a Chola dinner – a 12th century vegetarian menu cooked in a 21st century kitchen of a Tanjore hotel.
Explore Tanjore which was once the capital of the great Chola Empire. Visit the outstanding Brihadeshwara Temple Complex constructed in the year 1010 AD, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and India's largest ancient temple complex.
At a short drive from here, visit the artists who still follow a millennium-old tradition of casting bronze statues.
Drive to Karaikudi with its lavish mansions; the home of the Chettiars, a merchant community who made their fortune trading in everything from salt to gems with Burma, Malaysia Singapore, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
Spend the day listening to the stories of the Chettiyars who have left a significant mark on almost everything from manufacturing to banking, from fertilizer to films in Tamil Nadu. The town has lost much of it's former vivacity and wealth but palatial residences with outstanding woodwork, Italian marble, stained glass and handmade tiles remain to speak of a time of prosperity and grandeur.
In the evening, take a lesson on the Chettinad cuisine which has obvious flavours of the distant lands to which the Chettiyars travelled on business.
Drive to Madurai, the 2500-year-old bustling little temple town.
Enjoy a walking tour to hear stories of Madurai's inspirational culture, heritage and food. Later, visit the Meenakshi Temple at night for its ‘going to bed’ ceremony where the deities are put to bed.
Drive to Thekaddy.
For the adventurous, a night walk in the buffer zone of the Periyar Tiger Reserve will be thrilling, shining your flashlights to spot animals in the dark. It lasts for about three hours. Not for the faint hearted.
Depending upon the interest and fitness, one could either choose a walking tour, rafting on the Periyar Lake or cycling around the fertile plains
bordering Tamil Nadu.
Enjoy lunch at a spice plantation and interact with the host on various aspects of managing a spice plantation.
Drive to the backwaters of Kumarakom, with its drenched greens and coconut palms.
Enjoy a bird watching trip in the evening. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary has about 180 species of birds.
An early morning trip to a fisherman's beach to watch boatmen bringing in their fresh catch for auction. Continue to a farmhouse for a traditional
breakfast with a local family.
Explore the backwaters, passing through verdant paddy fields and villages on the way back to the hotel.
Take a day cruise on a Kettuvallam. Originally these boats were used to ferry rice in the backwaters. Lunch on board.
Later, drive to Cochin. Spend a relaxed afternoon.
Get acquainted with the city's history and heritage which is a wonderful mix of Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish influences. In the evening, take lessons on Syrian Christian cuisine from a local host and enjoy dinner with the family.
Kerala's Syrian Christians are the descendants of the first converts when St. Thomas landed here in 52 AD. Their contribution to Kerala cuisine has been manifold and the most noted are appams (hoppers), duck roast, meen vevichathu (red fish curry) and the isthew (stew).
Transfer to Cochin airport for the onward flight.