Southern India: Temples & Traditions

14 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.1/5 Great
60 reviews  
75%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
preferred

USTOA

Small Group Tour
Venture into India’s verdant southern landscapes to discover the history, cuisine and culture of this lush and beautiful region of the sub-continent, exploring extraordinary spice villages and tropical coastal cities, viewing impressive rock temples and carvings, witnessing a performance of indigenous dance, and meeting with locals and royals alike.
From$9,995
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Venture into India’s verdant southern landscapes to discover the history, cuisine and culture of this lush and beautiful region of the sub-continent, exploring extraordinary spice villages and tropical coastal cities, viewing impressive rock temples and carvings, witnessing a performance of indigenous dance, and meeting with locals and royals alike.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start City Chennai
End City Kochi

Destinations

  • India

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Chennai, India

Arrive in Chennai, where you are met and privately transferred to your luxurious hotel.

Day 2: Chennai

After a morning at leisure, tour the city of Chennai, visiting the artifact-rich Government Museum; Fort St. George, first bastion of the British East India Company in southern India; and Gothic Santhome Cathedral, named after St. Thomas the Apostle, whose tomb is sai...

Day 3: Kanchipuram

Rise early for a day excursion to Kanchipuram for visits to seventh-century Kailasanatha Temple as well as the 16th-century Ekambareswarar Temple. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring a different side of Kanchipuram, visiting a weaver’s village renowned ...

Day 4: Mahabalipuram

Journey to Pondicherry, stopping en route at the intricate Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram, a stunning collection of rock temples and carvings designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating from AD 630 to 668, they include such carvings as Bhagiratha’s Penance, a bas-...

Day 5: Pondicherry

Drive to Auroville to visit its unique community working toward realizing the dream of human unity through diversity. Learn how this internationally endorsed, ongoing experiment in the transformation of consciousness was founded and enjoy insider access opportunities ...

Day 6: Swamimalai/Thanjavur

Today, set out for Thanjavur, diverting for various explorations along the way. Sit down to lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to Swamimalai, where you witness the casting of bronze statues at a local factory. Discover this age-old art and learn about local...

Day 7: Thanjavur/Chettinad

Visit the grandly carved Sri Brihadeshwara Temple, built in the 10th century by the Chola king Raja Raja Cholan, and then proceed to explore storied Thanjavur Maratha Palace. Break for lunch before driving to Chettinad. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and later this evening enjoy a mouth-watering Chef's Table cooking demonstration on site.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Chettinad

Experience the diverse highlights of Chettinad, stopping at a handmade tile-making factory, visiting local villages and markets, and being welcomed into a private home for snacks along the way.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Madurai

Rise early and journey to Madurai. Upon arrival, make a brief visit to the famous Shri Meenakshi Temple. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue to Periyar, where you check in to your cottage nestled on a spice plantation.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Periyar

After breakfast, visit the plantation with a naturalist, taking in the delicious scents of the cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and other plants growing around you, and learning firsthand why Periyar is renowned for its spices. Return to your hotel for lunch...

Day 11: Kumarakom

Get an up-close look at daily life in Kumarakom, learning about the culture, traditions and livelihoods of the people who populate this region. Board private tuk-tuks for a fun ride to the embarkation point of a boat cruise that takes you along the gentle backwaters o...

Day 12: Kumarakom

After a morning at leisure, step aboard a houseboat for a leisurely cruise on Vembanad Lake, enjoying a traditional Kerala lunch on board, and viewing exotic birdlife along the way. This evening, disembark at Alleppey and drive to Kochi. Upon arrival, check in to your...

Day 13: Kochi

Today, become the honored guest of the Cochin Royal Family. One of the four major royal dynasties of Kerala, the Cochin Royal Family played a significant role in shaping Kerala’s history, past and present. Begin by discovering the origins of the family, and the rise a...

Day 14: Kochi

Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $9,995
Price per day$714
Last Updated: 7/17/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Starting Price
Single Supplement
Availability
21 Jan 2025
03 Feb 2025
$9,995
$4,995
18 Oct 2025
31 Oct 2025
$9,995
$4,995
06 Dec 2025
19 Dec 2025
$9,995
$4,995

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Abercrombie & Kent.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Abercrombie & Kent Reviews & Ratings

4.1/5  Great
Excellent
45
Great
0
Average
2
Disappointing
1
Terrible
12
Write a Review

Other Abercrombie & Kent Reviews

A

ALASKA AT HUGE PREMIUM

Jul 2024

Written on

OVERCHARGED AND NOT HAPPY

Pirates of Alaska = A & K. Booked Alaska, Wilderness & Wildlife luxury tour and was very disappointed. They did not book us the best or even second best hot...

T

Tory

Nov 2023

I will Never, EVER, EVER use A&K again. They are not what they were represented to be.

We started planning our South Africa and Kenya Safaris 2 years in advance and could never get our questions answered by A&K representatives. The piles and piles...

J

Japan Trip

Aug 2023

High Fees with Low Quality Experience

Recently traveled throughout Japan coordinated by A & K. Two couples, paid $4k per day for excursions alone (hotel not included). Experience FAR below what one...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

Abercrombie & Kent

preferred
View Profile

At Abercrombie & Kent, we strive at every turn to redefine your notion of what is possible on a vacation. Our approach combines singular service — such as a private passage by road and lake through the Andes, or a maximum group size of only 12 guests on each Galápagos shore excursion — with insider-access opportunities unlike any you have experienced before. A&K lets you discover Machu Picchu through the eyes of its former resident archaeologist, and introduces you to Mayan culture firsthand, through an exclusive meeting with a Mayan family.

In these and myriad other ways, Abercrombie & Kent consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty — and no A&K journey is complete without that extra, unexpected "and" that makes your experience unique and unforgettable.

Choose from a Luxury Small Group Journey, the finest group travel experience in the world; a Connections journey, which combines A&K’s renowned service with unbeatable value; A Marco Polo Club Invitational Journey to an exotic locale; a private Signature Series itinerary; or a custom independent journey created just for you. When it comes to discovering the world, the possibilities are endless.

Making these extraordinary journeys possible are the handpicked experts in our 50 offices worldwide, on call around the clock. Chief among them are our resident A&K Tour Directors and local guides. The Tour Director leads each group departure, providing unmatched on-the-ground expertise with A&K local guides contributing along the way.

With expertise in not only luxury but culture, wildlife and history as well, Abercrombie & Kent reveals your destination with an authenticity beyond the reach of any other travel company.

What they’re known for
Luxury and exclusive experiences in adventurous destinations that are carefully curated for intimate groups or tailor-made for private travelers.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 13 Breakfast
  • 11 Lunch
  • 7 Dinner
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
abercr-33709612-997b-4659-8cb2-26b1352b2caa

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >