SOUTH INDIAN PEARLS.

 

You will begin your trip to Tamil Nadu by visiting the temples of the Pallavi kings at Mahalabalipuram. Head to Pondicherry and enjoy the special charm of this former French colony. Head further south to Thanjavur and Madurai and visit magnificent ancient temples and palaces. Along the way, you explore the surprising region of Chettinad with its extravagant palaces, witnesses of the wealth of a community of merchants. Continue your trip to Kerala in the heart of the Jungle Book. From the beautiful colonial cities to the verdant mountains of the Western Ghats, you will explore a lush jungle dotted with magnificent waterfalls, discover while trekking the tea and spice plantations that stretch as far as the eye can see,

 

Day 1 | Chennai – Pondicherry

3h drive (150km)

Your driver picks you up at Chennai airport and welcomes you to Tamil Nadu, a culturally rich state renowned for its colorful temples built by powerful dynasties of rajas from southern India.

 

On the way to Pondicherry you visit Mahabalipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallava dynasty of kings, who reigned over this region from the 6th to the 9th century. Discover the gigantic relief, the “punishments of Arjuna”, on the face of a large rock which depicts animals as well as deities. Then visit the “Five Rathas” composed of five monolithic temples of different styles dating from the 8th century, and whose name comes from the champions of Mahabharata. You then discover the Temple du Rivage (Shore Temple, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in a pretty little village renowned for its stonemasons . Night in a charming hotel

 

Day 2 | Pondicherry

After breakfast, meet your private guide in the courtyard of your hotel. Discover together this charming city with bright colors, its neighborhoods and its different communities. Explore “the black city”, the Tamil part with its lively fish and fruit and vegetable market, visit the Lakshmi temple and be greeted by an elephant at the entrance. Enjoy the shaded streets and the breeze coming off the waterfront in the old French Quarter. The French influence is still visible through the architecture, the street names and the checkerboard town plan. You are in another era!

In the evening, enjoy the bustling waterfront. Night in a charming hotel

 

Day 3 | AUROVILLE

In the morning meet your guide and discover Auroville. Auroville is a utopian city created in 1968 by Mira Alfassa and the Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo with its famous MantriMandir, a center and place of meditation in the form of a large sphere. Built by French architect Roger Anger, the complex houses an experimental city where people of different nationalities, beliefs and religions are expected to live together in peace and harmony. The location is also controversial. Your guide will tell you more about the community that lives there and its principles. Night in a charming hotel

 

Day 4 | kOMBAKONAM

3h drive (169km)

On the way to Kumbakonam, you will pass through pretty pictures of rural India. On the road to the temples you can stop to visit those of Chidambaram, Gangai Konda and Kombakunam Darasuram, which are among the oldest in South India dedicated to dance.

According to legend, the city Kumbakonam founded in the 9th century, under the Chola dynasty developed around a lingam, object of worship of the god Shiva, which would have been made by the god himself, from a pot of broken nectar (Kumbha). The city has several large temples, which date from the 12th and 13th centuries, dedicated to the gods Shiva and Vishnu. In the center of the city is the immense basin of Mahamakhan, which according to belief fills with the sacred waters of the Ganges, every 12 years. Discover the community of silk weavers using the technique called “Pattu”.

 

Day 5 | Thanjavur-Chettinad

4h drive (169km)

You are heading this morning towards the village of Karaikudi in the heart of Chettinad. En route visit the magnificent temple of Thanjavur or Brihadeshwara, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. It is a sanctuary dedicated to Shiva built at the beginning of the 11th century during the reign of the powerful Chola emperor Rajaraja. Sumptuous and powerful princes, the Chola kings were all, at their peak, great builders. It is to Rajaraja-Deva that we owe the most famous of the chola buildings, the temple of Brihadeshvara, the construction of which was made possible thanks to the spoils taken from a kingdom in the North of the Deccan. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful jewel of this architecture which still deeply marks the South of India, including in the landscape, with its high pyramidal towers, gopurams and vimana. Also admire the bronze statues of craftsmen practicing the ancient technique of lost wax. Arrive at your hotel in the village of Karaikudi.

Day 6 | THE PALACES OF CHETTINAD

2h30 drive (230km)

The surroundings of Karaikudi are the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, a merchant caste of historical significance. This Chettiar, or wealthy banker community, dominated overseas trade with Burma, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, Singapore and Vietnam, before the colonial period. They established branches throughout Asia from the 19th to the 20th century. Around and in Karaikudi stand their luxurious family homes, whose rich interiors and materials used testify to the status of their owners.Discover with your guide the interior of the abandoned palaces of Chettinad. You can also visit a handmade tile factory in Athangudi, lift the veil on the mysterious Ayyanar temples dedicated to a very local deity and observe the craftsmen at work on the ancient looms. Another peculiarity of the region is its spicy cuisine, a blend of flavors typical of Tamil, European and Southeast Asian cuisine. Enjoy a culinary workshop at your hotel and learn how to cook some signature dishes from the region. Overnight in an old Chettiar palace.

Day 7 | Madurai

1h30 drive

Depart for Madurai, located on the banks of the Vaigai River. Madurai City was the capital of the Pandyan Empire for almost 1000 years and an important center of crafts and trade. Today, the city is considered the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and is renowned for its impressive temple dedicated to Meenakshi, the wife of Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest temples in South India and a typical example of Dravidian architecture. On your arrival, discover the interiors of the immense temple of Meenakshi. Several entrances, a maze of corridors adorned with statues and countless worshipers will cross your path. In the afternoon, meet your guide near the Meenâkshi temple for a behind-the-scenes storytelling tour of the city. He will tell you the fascinating history of Madurai, one of the oldest cities in the world through the centuries. Night in a beautiful hotel built by the famous Sri Lankan architect Bawa.

Day 8 | MUNNAR

4h30 drive

This morning you leave for Kerala for the mountainous region of Munnar located at 1600 meters above sea level. After crossing the western ghats, you settle into your eco homestay near Munnar and are welcomed by your host. Munnar is home to the most picturesque tea plantations in India. The vast territory of Munnar is surrounded by high mountains and beautiful valleys. Its hilly terrain is covered with forests, tea crops and the fresh air is scented with the aromas of the spices that are also grown there . In the afternoon you have a short visit to a spice plantation followed by a cooking class with Joe’s family. Night in a guest house.

 

Day 9 | Trek in the tea plantations

4h30 drive

Depart this morning for a 3 to 4 hour hike in the heart of the tea plantations that stretch as far as the eye can see, you climb up to 1950 meters. Magnificent views of the plantations on one side and the whole valley and the surrounding mountains on the other. Your guide explains the culture of tea to you, you come across pickers with their large baskets and you end your walk at the bottom of the hills… If you are lucky, you will be able to see elephants walking between the narrow groves…

At the end of the day, attend an entertaining martial art show, the Kalari. Night in a guest house.

 

Day 10 | Vagamon between jungle and mountains

4h30 drive

You leave this morning to reach the beautiful off-the-beaten-track region of Vagamon between jungle and mountains.

Arrive at your eco-homestay and meet your lovely hosts, Baby and Rani. You are in an old colonial residence, with simple comfort, located in the heart of the jungle. Enjoy a delicious homemade meal prepared by Rani.

Explore the spice garden of the property and if you wish, leave at the end of the day to watch the sunset from the rocky peak of Ayyampara.

 

Day 11 | Jungle and swimming

Leave in the morning for a walk in the rubber plantations that surround the property. During your walk, bathe in natural pools in the heart of nature.

 

After lunch, explore the village of Vagamon then visit the Ashram of Kurisumala, a Cistercian abbey of the Syro-Malankar rite, founded by a Belgian monk and a Keralese monk in the 1950s. It is located at the top of a mountain and it is reached by a small moderate trek. Magnificent views of the Vagamon Valley. You will also see a farm with its dairy cows and everything they need to live in self-sufficiency.  Overnight at your guest house.

 

Day 12 | The backwaters of Kumarakom

3h30 drive (30km)

You leave Vagamon for Kumarakom. Kumarakom is the perfect place to rest and experience the peaceful shoreline backwaters in a different way. Kumarakom is also one of the places in Kerala where the government has implemented more sustainable measures in terms of tourism: many hotels and travel agencies are involved in minimizing their environmental impact and ensuring that the products you will consume are purchased locally. Join your guest house located on an island by canoe. Enjoy the peaceful environment from your room. Stroll on the island in the afternoon which is home to only 300 families. Discover the daily life of fishermen and farmers as you meet in the small surrounding villages.Adjust to the slow rhythm of the backwaters and relax in this peaceful place.

Day 13 | The backwaters differently

Departure at 7am for a 2-3 hour excursion off the island and by tuktuk! You go to a fishing port, then to the auction. Watch the fishermen bring in their catch from their boat and the auctions when they arrive on the beach. You then visit a traditional Kerala wooden boat making workshop. Passing by you will see one of the oldest Portuguese churches in the region. Return to Kayal for lunch.

After lunch take a traditional boat trip around the island, enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters and watch the fishermen scoop up their nets full of fish and the islanders go about their business.

Day 14 | Marari Beach

1 hour drive

Stay on a beach uncrowded by tourists at Marari Beach. Coconut palms and fine sand for a short beachside retreat. You can enjoy Ayurvedic treatments, massages and yoga, à la carte.

 

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​Night in a hotel by the beach.

Day 15 | Cochin, the former colonial trading post

1h30 drive

Travel to Fort Kochi, Old Cochin. The city was an important spice trading center on the west coast of India from the 14th century. Occupied by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch, Cochin has attracted traders and explorers for over 600 years. Nowhere in India will you find such a mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a synagogue over 400 years old, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and remnants of the British Raj. Take the day to stroll and enjoy the charm of the city. Night in a colonial villa.

Day 16 | Cochin by Cycle

3 hour drive

We suggest you continue your discovery of Cochin with a morning bike ride. You won’t visit any monuments from the inside but it will give you a nice overview of this former colonial trading post and its special atmosphere. You will see a small fish market, the Chinese fishing nets, the churches of Fort Kochi, the different districts of the old town of Mattancherry with the bazaar (the traditional spice market), the Jewish quarter, the palace of Mattancherry but also Hindu temples and a traditional laundry (Dhobi Khana). After breakfast, head towards Athirappally (2h30 drive) where there is one of the largest waterfalls in southern India. You settle into your hotel and enjoy a lunch on a banana leaf, featuring more than 24 different small dishes to sample.

This morning at dawn take a walk in the jungle with your English-speaking guide from the tribal community. Listen, you will discover the fauna and flora: a wide variety of birds, deer, giant squirrels and possibly elephants if you are lucky! Enjoy your last day in this exceptional setting by the pool facing the waterfall.

In the afternoon, take a guided excursion to the waterfall (between 1 and 2 hours) and swim in the river.Night in your eco-resort facing the waterfalls.

Day 17 | ATHIRAPALLY WATERFALLS

Day 18 | Departure

1h30 drive

Your driver drops you off at Kochi International Airport for your flight. End of our services.

 

Inclusions

​Accommodation in charming hotels/guest houses and resorts

Meals mentioned in the program

Walk in Pondicherry and Auroville

 

Chettinad Walk and Cooking Class

Walk in Madurai

Things to do in Vagamon

Cooking class in Munnar

Tea plantation trek in Munnar

Walk in the organic spice plantation

Activities in the backwaters

Cycletour

Transfers by train, plane (variable prices) and land transport in a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver.

French-speaking concierge available 24/7