Colours of South India: 15 days Kochi to Chennai

Welcome to Kochi, known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. Upon arrival transfer and check into the Brunton Boatyard, your beautiful colonial-era home for the next two nights.

Head down to the harbour, where ships from Asia and Europe have docked since the 14th century. Watch local fishermen expertly operate the Chinese fishing nets before discovering the city’s layered colonial history on a tour of Fort Kochi, reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British influences from the 16th to 18th centuries. Visit Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town and the Synagogue.

In the evening, witness a traditional Kathakali performance, a highly evolved classical form of dance, drama and music. Afterwards, enjoy your welcome dinner featuring regional specialties.

After a relaxing morning, travel into the Kerala Backwaters to Kumarakom and check in to Coconut Lagoon, your home for the next two nights. Located on Vembanad Lake, one of India’s largest lakes and a key wetland ecosystem, the resort’s villas are built from the reclaimed timbers of traditional tharavad homes, some over 150 years old.

Optional: Luxury houseboat
Alternatively, choose to spend your first night in Kumarakom on board a houseboat, a converted traditional rice barge known as a Kettuvallam. Cruise through the lakes and backwaters past small villages and paddy fields, witnessing daily life along the waterways. This option is included at no extra cost but must be pre-booked.

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose from your Scenic Freechoice excursions. Visit Philip Kutty’s Farm for a Keralan cooking class and lunch, or unwind with a traditional Ayurveda massage before lunch at the resort. Guests who overnighted on a Kettuvallam will check in to Coconut Lagoon today.

Spend the afternoon at leisure before enjoying an evening sunset cruise on the backwaters from your hotel in Kumarakom.

Ascend into the highlands to Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady, a reserve known for its elephant population and rich biodiversity.

In the afternoon, take a 90 minute boat cruise on Lake Periyar, a stunning 26 square kilometre reservoir created in 1895. Your overnight stay is at Spice Village, a resort modelled on the dwellings of the native Mannan tribe of this region.

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose your Scenic Freechoice excursion. Join an early morning guided jungle walk in the reserve or take a jeep tour through the surrounding countryside, passing spice farms and plantations, for panoramic views over Tamil Nadu.

For today’s lunch, visit a small family-owned spice plantation to see how spices grow before enjoying a home-cooked meal prepared by the family. Later, cross into Tamil Nadu, the ‘State of Temples’, and drive to Madurai, known as the ‘Athens of the East’. Tonight, relax at The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai.

Rise early for a walk through the heritage section of town to witness the early morning rituals. Later, wander through the local flower and vegetable market and the weaver’s market.

Visit one of South India’s most important pilgrimage sites, the Sri Meenakshi Temple, dating from the 1500s. Dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva, its nine towering gopurams and twelve temple towers dominate the skyline.

This evening, return by tuk tuk to the temple to witness the rituals and celebrations of the evening puja ceremony.

Drive to the village of Karaikudi in the Chettinad region, where the Chettiar merchant community once amassed great fortunes as bankers and traders.

Experience a bullock cart ride through the narrow streets, exploring the faded elegance of colonial-era bungalows and merchant mansions, and stop for a weaving demonstration en route. Stay at Visalam for two nights, a beautifully restored Art Deco mansion that reflects Chettinad’s architectural heritage.

Witness Kolam making, the creation of intricate designs using coloured rice flour, before visiting a pottery village to see colourful Athangudi tiles crafted by hand. This afternoon, enjoy a heritage walk and visit Chettinad Palace.

Scenic Enrich
As part of your Scenic Enrich experience, enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration showcasing Chettinad’s unique cuisine, followed by a private Bharatanatyam classical dance performance. Afterwards, feast on a typical Chettinad wedding dinner menu.

Journey through the “rice bowl” of Tamil Nadu to Trichy, the former capital of the Madurai Nayaks. On arrival, choose your Scenic Freechoice excursion.

Scenic Freechoice:
Climb the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular 7th-century complex perched atop an 83-metre rocky outcrop with panoramic city views, or visit the island temples of Srirangam, revered pilgrimage sites for Vaishnavite Hindus.

Check in to Courtyard by Marriott for the night.

Drive to Tanjore to discover the 11th-century Brihadishvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed masterpiece and one of the Great Living Chola Temples.

Continue to the pretty seaside town of Puducherry, the former capital of French India, and check in to Palais de Mahe, a romantic boutique hotel that pays tribute to the town’s French legacy.

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose your Scenic Freechoice excursion. Start early with a visit to Nalavadu Coastal Fishing Village for an immersive coastal walk into the daily life of a fishing community, or visit Auroville, an experimental township where residents from around the world live in a spirit of human unity. Alternatively, join a Creole Kitchen experience to learn age-old Creole recipes passed down through generations in a local home.

Later this afternoon, discover how the local Tamil population has blended French and Indian influences during a heritage walking tour. Stroll past charming Tamil and colonial fusion architecture and visit the Aurobindo Ashram.

Travel north to Chennai, stopping at Mamallapuram to explore the World Heritage-listed Shore Temples. On arrival in Chennai, check in to The Leela Palace for a two-night Special Stay.

Scenic Freechoice Dining:
Tonight, choose your Scenic Freechoice dining experience at your hotel: enjoy international cuisine at Spectra, sample Chinese dishes at China XO or savour Indian specialities at Jamavar.

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose your Scenic Freechoice excursion. Walk through Georgetown to discover its markets and colonial laneways, or explore the 8th-century Hindu temples in Kanchipuram, one of South India’s oldest temple towns.

Later, learn about the history of the Basilica of San Thome, said to be the final resting place of St Thomas the Apostle. This evening, reminisce about your journey over a farewell dinner.

Transfer to Chennai Airport and depart South India, taking with you wonderful memories of its temples, backwaters and coastal towns.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.

Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.