Enchanting South India — Tamil Nadu & Kerala

After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram, the ancient Pallava seaport whose sea-weathered, rock-hewn monuments bear testimony to the magnificence of Dravidian art. Begin at Arjuna's Penance, a vast bas-relief depicting the descent of the Ganges amid gods, animals and fables from the Panchatantra. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Five Rathas, each shrine carved from a single granite outcrop and named for the heroes of the Mahabharata, and finish at the glorious 7th-century Shore Temple, standing on the very edge of the sea. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry and check in at the hotel. A French colonial settlement until 1954, the town preserves its Gallic soul in the French Quarter — tree-lined boulevards, mustard-coloured villas and chic boutiques beside a seaside promenade on the Bay of Bengal. Walk through the French and White Towns from Baker Street towards the Alliance Française, stopping on Rue Dumas at the Cluny Embroidery Centre, where local women create exquisite hand-embroidered furnishings in a graceful colonial building.

After breakfast, visit Auroville, founded in 1968 — an experimental township where people of all nationalities live in peace and progressive harmony. Roam around the complex, understand the culture and way of life here. Later, walk through the local markets / beach side.

Post breakfast, depart for Tanjore enroute visiting Chidambaram, where we will visit a remarkable sacred complex characteristic of Dravidian India: the Nataraja Temple where Shiva is worshipped in the form of the dancing god. Visit Darasuram, a small town whose temple is a superb example of Chola architecture with its columns decorated with miniature sculptures. Reach Tanjore and check-in at the hotel. Later, visit the Brihadeeshwara Temple and the Palace, which has a very interesting gallery of ancient bronzes.

After breakfast, drive to Chettinad and check in at the hotel. This region was home to the Chettiars, a community of prosperous merchants who built extraordinary mansions in their own distinctive style, and its craft traditions remain alive across 74 villages — forgotten hamlets, romantic palaces, sacred woods lined with terracotta horses, and workshops of wood-carvers and weavers. In the evening, explore the charming town of Karaikudi, its artisan workshops for woodwork, silver and textiles, and its palace and museum.

After breakfast, the day is at leisure to explore local villages and artisans.

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Madurai and check in at the hotel; the rest of the day is at leisure. Set on the banks of the River Vaigai, this ancient capital of the Pandyan kings once traded with Greece and Rome and was the centre of Tamil poetry and literature. Today it is symbolised by the iconic Meenakshi Temple and its surrounding bazaars, alongside the noteworthy Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Temple Tank, focus of Madurai's many festivals.

After breakfast, visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, built in 1639 in a blend of Dravidian and Islamic styles, its great curved dome raised without girder or rafter. Pass the Mariamman Teppakulam tank, then visit the magnificent Meenakshi Temple, a superb example of Dravidian art whose towering gopurams, adorned with colourful stucco gods, dominate the skyline. In the evening, attend the temple's nightly ceremony, when the bronze image of Shiva is carried in procession to the chamber of his consort, accompanied by prayer and temple music.

After breakfast, drive to Periyar (also known as Thekkady) — one of the world's most fascinating wildlife reserves. The Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady is spread across 777 sq km of which 360 sq km is thick evergreen forest. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Enjoy a guided Spice Plantation Tour to the nearby garden where various species of spices and other aromatic plants are cultivated.

After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar in the national park, known for its herds of wild elephants, bison, deer, and spectacular birds. The afternoon is free.

Post breakfast, travel to the backwaters at Alleppey and embark on a houseboat — your floating hotel for the next 24 hours, with lunch served on board. Drift past the life of the canals: cargo boats laden with green mounds of coconuts, single sails stitched from old sacks, school children on the banks and villages strung along the water. With a crew of four — guide, cooks and boatmen — it is a languid, effortlessly unwinding cruise through Kerala's loveliest countryside.

After breakfast, drive to Mararikulam and check-in at the hotel. Relax at the hotel / beach.

After breakfast, the day is at leisure to relax at the hotel / beach.

Morning drive to Kochi. Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace (closed Fridays), built by the Portuguese in 1555, where 17th-century murals depict the Ramayana in vivid colour; the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town (closed Fridays and Saturdays), a reminder of Kerala's ancient Jewish trade; and St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. In the evening, see the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Cochin, then enjoy a Kathakali performance — classical stories told through elaborate costume and expressive gesture. Overnight in Kochi.

After breakfast, transfer to airport for onward flight. End of Tour.