The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu
Why we love it?
The Best Kept Secret of Kerala & Tamilnadu is a 12-day tour that explores the rich cultural and natural landscapes of southern India, focusing on Alappuzha and Chennai. This experience is ideal for travelers seeking a blend of serene backwaters, vibrant city life, and traditional cuisine. Highlights include guided visits to local attractions, opportunities for authentic culinary experiences, and comfortable accommodations throughout the journey. What sets this tour apart is its emphasis on lesser-known destinations, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the local culture while enjoying the hospitality of the region.
Inclusions
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Assistance on arrival at the airport.
- 11 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
- Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
- English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
- Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water in the car.
- Government taxes.
Exclusions
- Any flight ticket.
- Camera charges at monuments if any.
- Meals other than mentioned in inclusions.
- Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
- Gratuities and optional activities.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Itinerary
Day 1 Day 1
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Activity
Arrive Cochin
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Activity
On arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel, check in. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Cochin - Alleppey (60kms)
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Morning city tour visiting Fort Cochin St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutchs Palace & Chinese fishing nets.
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Activity
Later transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver.
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Activity
Overnight in Houseboat.
Day 3 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Alleppey - Thekkady (160kms)
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Disembark from houseboat and drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Thekkady
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Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee etc.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Thekkady - Munnar (100kms)
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Drive to Munnar via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi.
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Activity
Continue drive to Munnar check in at hotel.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Munnar
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Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Munnar - Madurai (160kms)
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Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Madurai - Trichy - Thanjavur (190kms)
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Drive to Thanjavur, via visiting Trichy Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rock Fort Temple & Jambukeshwara temple. On arrival check in at hotel.
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Activity
Later visit Brihadeshwara Temple built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Also visit Thanjavur Palace & Museum.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Thanjavur - Darasuram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Chidambaram - Pondicherry (180kms)
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Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram, Airavateshwarar Temple a storehouse of art and architecture and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple complex which includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Also visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple dedicated to the dancing posture of Lord Shiva.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Pondicherry
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Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools. Rest time free and easy to rtelax on the beach.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai (240kms)
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Drive to Chennai enroute visit Mahabalipuram Monolithic Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.
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Next visit Kanchipuram Kailasanathar temple
Ekambareswarar temple, Varadharaja temple, Vaikundhaperumal temple & Kamakshiamman temple.
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Activity
Continue drive to Chennai check in and o/n at hotel.
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Activity
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 Breakfast at hotel
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Activity
Chennai - Departure (Flight)
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City tour of Chennai visit Fort St. George, St Mary's Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.
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Activity
Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
Please Note
- Stroller or pram accessible
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not suitable for pets
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Hotels used or similar for 11 nights accommodation
- Cochin x 1 night
- 3* - The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza
- 4* - Casino Hotel/ The Avenue Regent
- 5* - Xandari Harbour/ Le Meridien
- Alleppey x 1 night
- 3* - Deluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats)
- 4* - Premium Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats)
- 5* - Luxury Houseboat (Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons)
- Pariyar (Thekkady) x 2 night
- 3* - Abad Green Forest/ Hotel Treetop
- 4* - The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County
- 5* - Spice village/ Cardamom County
- Munnar x 2 nights
- 3* - Fort Munnar/ Abad Copper Castle
- 4* - Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar
- 5* - Chandys Windy Woods/ Tea County
- Madurai x 1 night
- 3* - Astoria by Sparsa/ Madurai’s Residency
- 4* - GRT Regency/ Fortune Pandiyan Hotel
- 5* - Heritage Madurai/ The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
- Thanjavur x 1 night
- 3* - Grand Gardenia/ Oriental Towers
- 4* - Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa
- 5* - Svatma
- Pondicherry x 2 night
- 3* - Shenbaga Hotel/ Annamalai International
- 4* - Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa
- 5* - Palais De Mahe/ La Villa
- Chennai x 1 night
- 3* - Raj Park/ MGM East Woods
- 4* - The Raintree/ Accord Metropolitan
- 5* - ITC Grand Chola/ The Leela Palace
Know Before You Go
- Public transportation nearby
Cancellation Policy
Fully refundable until 2 days before start
Non-refundable after 2 days before start
