Discover ancient temples and picturesque views in Kerala & Tamil Nadu
Immerse yourself in a realm where ancient, crumbling temples enchant, calm backwaters beckon, and tigers and elephants roam on the 12-day guided Temples and Elephants in Southern India Tour. Discover glimpses of some of the best villages, towns, and scenery of India’s south. Marvel at the ever-so stunning port in Cochin, the backwaters that lace through Kumarakom, the ancient temples in Mahabalipuram, and so much more.
Amid the embarking on tours and discovering cultural wonders, you’ll stop at Periyar National Park to meet the wildlife that calls the land home. This 12-day tour of Southern India seamlessly blends India’s southern highlights into a relaxing experience that never fails to entertain.
Highlights of the Temples and Elephants in Southern India Tour
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Temples and Elephants in Southern India Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Cochin
Meet a tour representative upon arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Admire the beauty of Cochin, exemplified by its stunning natural port. This lovely city also boasts of an array of spices, sandalwood, and silks, as well as magnificent architecture.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cochin
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Explore Cochin
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before going on a sightseeing tour. You’ll check out numerous cultural highlights and wonders: Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Cochin Harbour, St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi Beach. In the evening, enjoy witnessing a colourful Kathakali Dance Performance. The performance portrays Indian epics via classical dance moves.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cochin
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Drive to Kumarakom
After having breakfast, begin your drive to Kumarakom, where picturesque backwaters await. This charming village enchants with its canals, flora, and bird sanctuary. Spend the day at your leisure upon arrival.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kumarakom
Distance: 3 hours, 85 km (driving)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Go to Periyar
Escape city and village life and head to the wild in Periyar National Park. The park is home to tigers, elephants, bison, leopards, jungle cats, and more! Check into your hotel upon arrival.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Periyar
Distance: 4 hours, 200 km (driving)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Discover Periyar
Shortly after the sun rises, you’ll get picked up to go on a boat ride on Periyar Lake. Watch as the elephants flock to the lake. In the evening, head out to a spice plantation, which grows cardamom, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and much more.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Periyar
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Drive to Madurai
Check out of your hotel and head to Madurai. Situated along the banks of Vaigai River, this city not only has splendid river views but also magnificent temples, like the colourful, intricately designed Meenakshi Temple. The ancient architecture and tales of Madurai make it one of the most exciting stops on this tour. After you check into your hotel, you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Madurai
Distance: 3 hours, 160 km (driving)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Sightseeing around Madurai
Enjoy a slow morning before embarking on a sightseeing tour around Madurai. Check out the famous, must-see Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple and other notable sights like Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Gandhi Museum, Ancient Koodal Azhagar Shrine, and more. After you admire these jaw-dropping attractions, you’ll hop in your mode of transportation and drive to Trichy, a prosperous trade centre in Tamil Nadu.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Trichy
Distance: 3 hours, 140 km (driving)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Explore Trichy
Enjoy breakfast before heading out on a sightseeing tour around Trichy. Check out the Red Fort Temple, which has a fascinating history. In the 18th century, the British and French fought each other over this monument. Admire the 21 towers at Ranganathaswamy Temple before driving to Pondicherry. Check into your hotel upon arrival in Pondicherry, a lovely seaside village with a sprinkle of French-Anglo influence.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pondicherry
Distance: 5 hours, 255 km (driving)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Sightseeing around Pondicherry
Enjoy a tasty breakfast before going on a sightseeing tour around this gorgeous seaside town! Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Aurobindo Handmade Paper Factory, and the Pondicherry Museum. After, hop in your mode of transportation and transfer to Mahabalipuram, which harks back to the 7th and 9th centuries. Admire the collection of temples carved and built during ancient times.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mahabalipuram
Distance: 2 hours, 95 km (driving)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Discover Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, go on a sightseeing tour around the array of temples spanning Mahabalipuram. Later, visit Kanchipuram and discover more attractions, like Kamakshi Amman, Kailasanathar Temple, and Ekambareswarar Temple. Today will have you feeling like you’ve stepped in a time machine into the faraway past.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mahabalipuram
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Transfer to Chennai
Head to the 4th largest city in India, Chennai! Go on a sightseeing tour after checking into your hotel. Check out Fort St. George, Marina Beach, Fort Museum, and Santhome Cathedral Basilica.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chennai
Distance: 1.5 hours, 60 km (driving)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Depart Chennai
Enjoy a relaxing morning at your leisure before heading to the airport for your connecting flight.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Temples and Elephants in Southern India Tour Price and Dates
This guided sightseeing tour to Kerala and Tamil Nadu is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price depends on the size of your group. Please note that the prices might increase during public holidays.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2-10: from $1,503 USD per person
Accommodation on Temples and Elephants in Southern India Tour
This tour will have you staying in 3-4 star hotels that offer modern necessities to keep you comfortable. Do note that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. It’s also often possible to match single travellers up.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Gokulam Park Hotel in Cochin ★★★★
This conveniently located hotel offers great amenities, including a pool, gym, free breakfast, high-speed WiFi, spa, and an on-site restaurant.
Backwater Ripples Hotel in Kumarakom ★★★★
Revel in upscale luxury at Backwater Ripples, where a pool overlooks the backwaters and an on-site restaurant, WiFi, and bar await.
Cardamom County Hotel in Periyar ★★★★
This family-friendly hotel provides guests a comfortable stay! Enjoy the pool, WiFi, billiards, game room, free breakfast, and more while you’re here.
GRT Regency Hotel in Madurai ★★★
This business class hotel sits close to the renowned Madurai Meenakshi Temple. It also has great amenities, like a pool, WiFi, and free breakfast.
Sangam Hotel in Trichy ★★★
Enjoy relaxing at this lovely hotel, where a pool, restaurant, and bar and lounge await. Take advantage of the flatscreen TV in your room.
Le Dupleix Hotel in Pondicherry ★★★
Le Dupleix beautifully marries new with old in a stunning heritage hotel. Enjoy the free breakfast, massage services, and WiFi here.
MGM Beach Resorts Hotel in Mahabalipuram ★★★★
Bask in relaxed luxury at MGM Beach Resorts. Cool off in the pool backed by palm trees, or at the sandy, golden beach.
Radha Regent Hotel in Chennai ★★★
This cozy, quaint hotel offers excellent hospitality, gym, WiFi, nightclub, breakfast buffet, bar and lounge, restaurant, and more.
What’s included in the Temples and Elephants in Southern India Tour?
Meals
11 breakfasts are included on this tour. You are responsible for buying lunches and dinners.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 11 nights is included on this tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation is included for transfers to pick-up and drop-off spots throughout the tour.
Also Included
- Guide
- Entrance fees
Not included
- Flights to Cochin and from Chennai
- Lunches and dinners
- Accommodations before and after the tour
- Tour guide gratuity
- Personal necessities such as drinks during mealtimes and laundry
Optional Extras
- You can upgrade to single occupancy for a fee
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Upgrade the accommodation to superior or deluxe
Frequently Asked Questions about Temples and Elephants in Southern India Tour
Trans India Holidays was founded nearly 30 years ago in New Dehli, India. They grew their team from four dedicated travellers to 100 energetic guides and trip planners.
Trans India strives to provide the best possible value for client’s money, continually searching for ways they can upgrade their service and experiences.
Offering a range of tour styles, Trans India operates cultural, religious, adventure, wildlife, culinary, family-friendly, and sporting tours.
Looking after each little detail from the perfect hotel room to booking your tee time for you, Trans India knows how to make a holiday in India as unforgettable as possible.
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Rajiv has been working as a guide since 1996, and fell in love with sharing the ancient cultural and social roots of India with travellers. Rajiv believes that the diversity of India’s different regions in terms of food, language, and culture makes travelling the country an experience like no other. Rajiv runs all kinds of tours, but especially enjoys trekking tours. He’s climbed mountains up to 8,000 feet in -10 degrees with groups and considers those to be his greatest achievements as a guide.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead?
- A: I enjoy giving people walking tours of the city, because that’s the best way to give a vivid introduction to the country and also because there is an element of surprise on the streets. It cannot be controlled or planned, and I immensely enjoy presenting that world to them.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should have?
- A: Learning to cook traditional Indian food.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: Masala Dosa, it’s very tasty.
- Q: What is the best part about guiding?
- A: Providing them with more than they expected and noticing and taking care of any discomforts the guests might experience. Sometimes the guests don’t say it, so as a guide you have to be very attentive to that.