Private journey · Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Temples and Backwaters: Tamil Nadu to Kerala, Chennai to Kochi
A recommended 14-night private journey across two states: the Pallava coast at Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, the Chola temples of Thanjavur and the temple city of Madurai, then over the Western Ghats into Kerala for Thekkady, the tea hills of Munnar, a night on the backwaters and Fort Kochi. Arrive Chennai, leave from Kochi; chauffeur-driven throughout, custom pacing available.
Duration
Recommended 14 nights (13–16 possible)
Route
Chennai → Kochi (open-jaw)
Pace
2 nights at most stops; one state crossing
Best months
December to February
Journey overview
Two states, one road west
This is the first-time South India journey: the two halves of the south in one unbroken drive. The first week is Tamil Nadu’s culture and architecture, from the rock-cut monuments of Mahabalipuram and the French quarter of Pondicherry to the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur and the living temple city of Madurai. The second week crosses the Western Ghats at Thekkady into Kerala’s landscapes: the Periyar forest and spice hills, the tea estates of Munnar, a night on the backwaters and the old port of Kochi, where the journey ends at the airport.
It is deliberately different from our single-state journeys. The Tamil Nadu Temple Trail spends 12 nights in Tamil Nadu alone, with three nights among the Chola temples and two in Chettinad; Kerala Classic spends 10 nights in Kerala, with Marari beach. Temples and Backwaters takes the essential stops of both at two nights each, for travellers who want to see how different the two states are in one two-week trip. Grand South India adds Karnataka for those with three weeks.
Route summary
- Arrive Chennai, transfer to Mahabalipuram — 2 nights
- Pondicherry — 2 nights
- Thanjavur — 2 nights
- Madurai — 2 nights
- Thekkady (into Kerala) — 2 nights
- Munnar — 2 nights
- Alleppey houseboat or backwater resort — 1 night
- Kochi — 1 night, then Cochin International Airport
A 13-night version gives Thekkady one night. A 16-night version adds two nights at Marari beach before Kochi, or a night in Chennai on arrival and a second night in Kochi. Chettinad can be added between Thanjavur and Madurai.
Who it suits
Who this journey suits
For first-time visitors to South India who want both its temple culture and its green landscapes in about two weeks.
- First-time international visitors with two weeks in South India
- Couples who want heritage in the first week and hills and water in the second
- Families with older children, with beaches, boats and tea estates between the temples
- NRIs from either state travelling with family or friends from abroad
- Seniors comfortable with two nights at each stop and a few longer drives
- Private groups travelling together in one vehicle
Highlights
Temples & Backwaters highlights
Mahabalipuram
The UNESCO-listed Shore Temple, rathas and Arjuna’s Penance, seen in the cool of the morning on your first full day.
Pondicherry and Thanjavur
The French quarter by the sea, then the Great Living Chola Temple of Brihadisvara at opening time.
Madurai
The Meenakshi temple and the old city, the living heart of Tamil temple culture.
Over the Ghats to Thekkady
The state crossing into Kerala, with the Periyar reserve and the spice plantations, subject to availability, reserve rules, operating conditions and seasonal factors.
Munnar tea country
Two nights among the tea estates at around 1,500 metres, with cool evenings after the plains.
The backwaters and Fort Kochi
A houseboat or lakeside resort night, then the old port of Kochi before the flight home.
Day by day
Day by day: recommended 14-night plan
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and stops. Every day can be adjusted to your flights and pace.
Day 1 · Arrive Chennai, transfer to Mahabalipuram
Your chauffeur meets you at Chennai International Airport and drives you down the coast to Mahabalipuram (approximately 1.5 hours). Nothing else is planned. See Mahabalipuram.
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Day 2 · Mahabalipuram
The Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas early, a free middle of the day by the sea, and Arjuna’s Penance and the cave temples in the late afternoon. A private guide is available on request.
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Day 3 · Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
Down the East Coast Road (approximately 2–2.5 hours). An evening walk through the French Quarter and along the promenade. See Pondicherry.
Overnight: Pondicherry
Day 4 · Pondicherry
The Tamil Quarter and the market in the morning; the afternoon free for cafés, the beach or rest.
Overnight: Pondicherry
Day 5 · Pondicherry to Thanjavur
Approximately 4–5 hours with a stop at the Nataraja temple at Chidambaram. A free evening on arrival.
Overnight: Thanjavur
Day 6 · Thanjavur
The Brihadisvara temple at opening time, then the palace and its gallery of Chola bronzes. The afternoon free, or a short drive to the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram. See Thanjavur and the Chola temples.
Overnight: Thanjavur
Day 7 · Thanjavur to Madurai
Approximately 3–3.5 hours direct, or via Srirangam at Trichy, adding about 1.5 hours. Rest on arrival; the evening is free. See Madurai.
Overnight: Madurai
Day 8 · Madurai
The Meenakshi temple in the morning with a private guide if you wish, then the Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the old city. Access and photography rules vary by temple and can change. The evening ceremony can often be seen from public areas; timings vary and access is not guaranteed.
Overnight: Madurai
Day 9 · Madurai to Thekkady: into Kerala
The state-crossing day: west across the plains and up the Western Ghats to Thekkady (approximately 4 hours). Lunch on arrival; a spice plantation walk in the late afternoon is optional. See Thekkady.
Overnight: Thekkady
Day 10 · Thekkady
A Periyar lake boat trip or a guided nature walk, subject to availability, reserve rules, operating conditions and seasonal factors. The rest of the day free.
Overnight: Thekkady
Day 11 · Thekkady to Munnar
Approximately 3.5–4 hours through cardamom and tea country. The afternoon free. See Munnar.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 12 · Munnar
The tea estates, a tea-factory visit and a viewpoint if the weather is clear. Eravikulam National Park is an option when open; it typically closes during the Nilgiri tahr calving season, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 13 · Munnar to the backwaters
Down from the hills to Alleppey (approximately 4–5 hours, depending on traffic, stops and the exact hotel or houseboat boarding point). Houseboat boarding is generally scheduled around midday, subject to the operator, so departure from Munnar is planned around the confirmed boarding window; a later arrival may reduce cruising time. Board your houseboat for an afternoon cruise and an overnight mooring, or check into a lakeside resort at Kumarakom instead. Boat category, cruise length, meals and other inclusions are as stated in your quotation. See Alleppey and Kumarakom.
Overnight: Alleppey houseboat or Kumarakom
Day 14 · Backwaters to Kochi
Disembark and drive to Fort Kochi (approximately 1.5–2 hours). A late-afternoon walk past the Chinese fishing nets and through the old quarter. See Kochi.
Overnight: Kochi
Day 15 · Depart Kochi
Mattancherry in the morning if your flight allows, then the transfer to Cochin International Airport (approximately 1–1.5 hours).
End of journey
Vehicle options
Choose a vehicle for your group
Every journey is private, with your own chauffeur-driven vehicle throughout. We suggest a category based on the size of your party and how much you are carrying.
Sedan
A comfortable choice for couples and small families travelling light.
SUV / Innova-type
More space and a higher seat for families and small groups.
Urbania / Tempo Traveller
For larger families and small groups who want to travel together.
Minibus / coach
For bigger groups, celebrations and multi-family trips.
Vehicles are booked by category; the exact model or similar is confirmed subject to availability. Compare categories on our fleet page, or see car and coach rentals with driver if you only need transport.
Hotel options
Hotels are optional
Choose the arrangement that suits you. Both follow the same route and pace.
Vehicle and driver only
You book your own accommodation, and we plan the route, timings and daily driving around where you are staying.
Vehicle, driver and hotels
We suggest places to stay based on comfort level, location, budget and availability, and include them in one quotation.
Houseboats, plantation hotels and heritage hotels are limited in number and book out in season; where hotels are included we state exactly what is quoted.
Make it yours
Flexibility and customisation
Use this plan as a starting point. Common changes include:
- Add two nights at Marari beach before Kochi (16 nights)
- Replace the houseboat with a lakeside resort night at Kumarakom
- Add a night in Chennai on arrival, or a second night in Kochi
- Add Chettinad between Thanjavur and Madurai
- Shorten to 13 nights with one night at Thekkady
- Run the route in reverse, arriving at Kochi and leaving from Chennai
- Adding or removing nights at any stop
- Swapping a stop for one that better suits your interests
- Adding airport transfers at either end of your trip
- Continuing to other parts of India, with ground services arranged through vetted partners
Private guides can be arranged for selected heritage, cultural and city visits.
Senior & family pacing
Travelling with seniors or young children
We can plan slower mornings, shorter driving days, fewer stops and an extra night where it helps. Tell us about any mobility needs when you enquire so we can suggest suitable stays and visits.
Most stops have two nights, so every second day is free of driving. The longer drives (Pondicherry to Thanjavur, Munnar to the backwaters) carry no major sightseeing on arrival, and the state-crossing day ends with a free afternoon. Temples mean walking barefoot on stone; hill viewpoints are optional.
Inclusions & exclusions
What your quotation covers
Inclusions and exclusions are confirmed in your quotation based on the selected route, vehicle, hotel option and travel plan.
Your quotation sets out:
- The vehicle category and driver arrangements
- Whether hotels are included and, if so, their comfort level and locations
- Your day-by-day route and timings
- Any guides, entry tickets or activities you ask us to arrange
Pricing & payment
Pricing depends on route, vehicle category, dates and travel requirements, so every booking starts with a tailored quote. A booking is confirmed once the required advance payment is received and South Zone Holidays issues confirmation in accordance with the agreed quotation and service availability. The advance amount and balance terms are stated on your quotation. We accept international credit and debit cards, bank transfer and UPI.
5% GST applicable. GST invoice available.
FAQ
Questions about Temples & Backwaters
24/7 Guest Support
English-Speaking Drivers
Airport Meet & Greet
Private Guides on Request
Senior-Friendly Planning
Plan this journey
Plan your Temples & Backwaters journey
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and anything you would like to change. We will reply with a suggested plan and a tailored quote.
Tamil Nadu Temple Trail
12 nights from Chennai to Madurai: Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, the Chola temples, Chettinad and Madurai.
Kerala Classic
10 nights from Kochi: Fort Kochi, Munnar tea country, Thekkady, the backwaters by resort and houseboat, and Marari beach.
Grand South India
21 nights from Chennai to Bengaluru across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, at two nights a stop.
Planning a South India Trip or Need a Vehicle?
Tell us your dates, group size and where you want to go. We reply with a clear plan and quotation — no obligation.