Green Earth Trails · Kerala & South India
Temples, tea and tides - 15 days across Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Program Overview
Fifteen days is what it takes to do South India properly. This journey begins in Chennai, moves south through the temple towns and heritage quarters of Tamil Nadu, climbs into the Western Ghats to Munnar and Thekkady, drifts along the Kerala backwaters, pauses at the Arabian Sea, and ends in Fort Kochi. It is a single overland arc across two states, designed for travellers who want the full texture of the south rather than a hurried sampler. We run this as a private tour with one car, one driver, and English-speaking local guides at every major stop.
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Day by Day
Our driver meets you at Chennai airport and takes you to the hotel. Rest for the afternoon, or head out with a local guide to see Fort St. George, the Marina and St. Thomas Mount. Dinner and overnight in Chennai.
3 hours
Drive down the Coromandel coast to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO site where the Pallavas carved entire temples out of single rocks. Continue after lunch to Pondicherry, the old French trading colony with its mustard-yellow villas and seaside promenade. Overnight in Pondicherry.
A morning heritage walk through the French Quarter with a local guide, mustard-yellow villas, quiet boulevards and the colonial buildings that still define this part of town. Afternoon at leisure: the promenade, the ashram, or the cafés of the Tamil Quarter. Overnight in Pondicherry.
4.5 hours
We stop at Chidambaram to see the Nataraja Temple, where Shiva is worshipped as the cosmic dancer. Continue to Tanjore and arrive in time to visit the Brihadeshwara Temple, a 1,000-year-old Chola masterpiece. Overnight in Tanjore.
2.5 hours
A short drive brings you to Chettinad, home of a trading community that built over a thousand mansions across this dry, flat landscape. Visit the mansions, see how Athangudi floor tiles are still made by hand, and have a proper Chettinad meal. Overnight in a restored mansion or heritage property.
2 hours
Drive to Madurai, one of India's oldest continuously inhabited cities. A local guide walks you through the Meenakshi Amman Temple complex in the afternoon, and you return in the evening for the night ceremony. Back to the hotel by tuk-tuk.
4.5 hours
The plains give way to the Western Ghats as the road climbs 1,500 metres into the tea country. The change in air, vegetation and temperature is noticeable within the last hour of the drive. Check in and use the evening to settle in.
Morning at Eravikulam National Park, home to the Nilgiri tahr and the highest peak in South India. Afternoon visit to the Lockhart tea factory and a tea tasting session. The rest of the day is yours.
3 hours
A scenic drive through cardamom country brings you to Thekkady, on the edge of Periyar National Park. Afternoon spice garden visit and an evening Kalaripayattu performance at a local theatre. Overnight in Thekkady.
A guided morning walk through the forest with a trained naturalist, small group, quiet pace, and a real chance of seeing wildlife. Afternoon boat safari on the Periyar reservoir. Overnight in Thekkady.
4 hours
Descend from the hills to the backwaters and board a private houseboat at Alleppey. Lunch on board as you cruise, then shift to a small country boat in the evening to explore the narrow canals where village life happens. Dinner and overnight on the boat.
1 hour
Disembark after a short morning cruise and a village walk at Kumarakom. Drive to Mararikulam, a fishing village on the Arabian Sea, and check into the beach resort. The next two days are deliberately unscheduled.
Pool, beach, long lunch, Ayurveda if you want it. No program, no pickup, no timeline. Overnight at Marari.
1 hour
Short drive to Fort Kochi and check in. Afternoon walking tour of Mattancherry, the Paradesi Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Jew Town and Fort Kochi, with St. Francis Church and the Chinese fishing nets at sunset. Kathakali performance in the evening.
1.5 hour
Transfer to Cochin International Airport for your onward flight. End of the journey.
Accommodation & Pricing
| Destination | Premium | Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai - 1 night | Trident Chennai | Trident Chennai |
| Pondicherry - 2 nights | Grade De Europe | Palais De Mahe |
| Tanjore - 1 night | GRT Great Trails | GRT Great Trails |
| Madurai - 1 night | Heritage Madurai | Courtyard by Marriott |
| Munnar - 2 night | The Valle | Le Montfort |
| Thekkady - 2 nights | Greenwoods | Spice Village |
| Alleppey - 1 night | Premium Houseboat | Luxury Houseboat |
| Marari Beach - 2 nights | Xandari Pearl Marari | Marari Beach Resort |
| Fort Kochi - 1 night | Fragrant Nature Kochi | Brunton Boatyard |
| Rates till May 2027 | ₹ 180,000 per person | ₹ 240,000 per person |
| The above rates are per person prices based on two adults traveling together | ||
| Kindly get in touch if you are traveling with more than 2 adults or require any further customisations for the program. | ||
What's covered
Included
Not included
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 15 days enough to cover Tamil Nadu and Kerala properly?
Fifteen days is the minimum we recommend for a journey that includes both states at a comfortable pace. The Tamil Nadu section covers seven days across six destinations, and Kerala gets eight days across five. The itinerary allows one full day at most stops and avoids back-to-back long drives. Anything shorter and you would be spending more time moving than experiencing.
How long are the driving days?
Most drives are between two and four hours. The longest are the drive to Tanjore (4.5 hours) and the climb to Munnar (4.5 hours). We plan routes so that long drives are broken up with a guided visit or a meal stop, and we avoid driving after dark.
Will the temple visits feel repetitive?
Each temple on this itinerary represents a different era and style of South Indian temple architecture. Mahabalipuram is 7th-century Pallava rock-cut. Chidambaram is Chola ritual. Tanjore is monumental Chola-era engineering. Madurai is living Dravidian, still in daily use by thousands of worshippers. Your guide at each site explains what is genuinely different about it, which is where the depth comes from.
What kind of accommodation is included in Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu heritage accommodation is more limited than Kerala. At Chettinad and Madurai we use the best heritage properties available,, Visalam and Heritage Madurai respectively. These are small boutique hotels with authentic regional character, not large chain hotels. Pondicherry has a wider choice and we select based on your tier.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to India?
Yes. Most of our 15-day South India guests are travelling to India for the first time. The tour is structured so that you are never on your own to figure out logistics, the same driver is with you for all 15 days, local guides handle every major sight, and the accommodation is comfortable throughout. South India is also generally a gentler introduction to India than the north.
Can the itinerary be customised?
The itinerary above is our recommended version. It can be shortened, extended, or adjusted to match your interests. Common variations include adding Kovalam or Varkala at the end, replacing Chettinad with a longer Madurai stop, or building in more time at Marari Beach for guests who want more rest at the coast.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
October to March is the main season. Tamil Nadu is hot year-round but most comfortable from November to February. Kerala has its peak season from December to February, with pleasant weather extending into March. We also run this tour in the shoulder months with small adjustments, April carries heat in the plains, and June to August brings monsoon to Kerala.
Are the temples accessible to non-Hindu visitors?
Most of the temples on this itinerary welcome visitors of all faiths, including Mahabalipuram, Chidambaram, Brihadeshwara and the Meenakshi Temple complex. Some inner sanctums are restricted to Hindus only, your guide will advise at each site. Dress code applies at all temples: covered shoulders, knees, and no shoes beyond the temple gate.
What if I want a longer time at the beach or in the backwaters?
Easy to do. The Tamil Nadu section of the tour has a fixed structure because it is culturally dense, but the Kerala half, Munnar, Thekkady, backwaters, Marari, Fort Kochi, has flexibility. Extra nights at Marari Beach are the most common extension, followed by an additional houseboat night.
How do I book this tour?
Send us an enquiry through the website or WhatsApp us on +91 94009 46800. We reply personally within 24 hours with a detailed proposal, accommodation options and pricing. Once confirmed, a 60% advance secures the booking and the balance is due on arrival.
Also available · Small group tour
If you are travelling solo or as a couple and want the convenience of a ready-made program with fixed dates and transparent pricing, our small group fixed departure is designed for you.
From ₹24,000 per person · Single supplement available
Get in touch
Tell us your travel dates, group size and any specific requirements. We will come back to you within 24 hours with a detailed proposal.
We respond within 24 hours · hello@greenearthtrails.com · +91 94009 46800 (WhatsApp)
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