Welcome at Chennai Airport by our local representative or your driver. Delivery of your travel documents (hotel reservation, domestic plane ticket, train ticket, etc.). Take the road to Mahabalipuram, a village 50 km south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, which houses an archaeological site and temples of primary importance built under the Pallava dynasty between the 7th and 8th centuries. Visit the magnificent Temple of the Shore, built from 700 to 728 in the Pallava dynasty and which owes its name to the fact that it is built by the sea, on a promontory jutting out into the Bay of Bengal. It has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984. Then visit the Panch Rathas (or five Chariots),

Stroll on the beach of Mahabalipuram, then continue to Pondicherry, a French colony until 1954, which has now become a small town in Tamil Nadu. Transfer to the hotel, free evening for, for example, a walk by the sea.

Day in Pondicherry to admire the architecture and charm of the former French colony, with its tree-lined streets, its mustard-colored colonial villas and its upscale shops. Visit the famous churches and the museum on French culture at the time of the colonies. Then drive to Auroville where you will see the famous temple dedicated to meditation: the Matrimandir. It consists of a huge golden sphere 36 meters in diameter. Its construction, undertaken in 1972, without any work equipment, is certainly the one that required the most labor (Aurovillian and Indian). Return to Pondicherry with the visit of the markets and the discovery of the city on foot. Meal in a good little restaurant located by the sea. Overnight at the hotel.

Early riser and departure for Thanjavur. On the way, visit the Hindu temple of Chidambaram dedicated to the god Shiva. You will admire many sculptures from the Chola period, a very old dynasty from South India. On the way, stop at Gangaikondacholapuram to visit the masterpiece of the Chola dynasty: the Brihadisvara temple (12th century) known for its large statue of “Nandi” and its exceptional architectural quality. Then drive to Chidambra, a medium-sized city known throughout India for its sanctuary of Natarāja, the “cosmic dancer”, one of the most famous representations of the god Shiva performing his “blessed dance”. Continue to Thanjavur and transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Brihadeshwara temple built by Rajaraja Chola, an important ruler of the Tamil Chola dynasty, from 985 to 1014. This temple, a masterpiece of religious architecture, in Dravidian style and listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, is dedicated to Shiva. Then drive to the small town of Chettinad, well known for its cuisine, its beautiful mansions and its temples. Visit the museum on the history of the region, discover sumptuous palaces and old forgotten residences of the Chettiars, a rich Tamil shopping community. Today, many still belong to the descendants but most are emptied to be simply kept, without furniture. Insofar as their maintenance is expensive, some are dismantled in order to sell the building materials which compose them. Two French architects, Bernard Dragon and Michel Adment, created an NGO in the early 2000s to defend their conservation with the government of Tamil Nadu. They finally obtained the registration of three villages in a UNESCO protection list. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Road to Madurai, the second most important city and the cultural capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, known to shelter many temples and to be a sacred city and a high place of Hindu pilgrimage. Visit the famous Hindu temple Meenakshi, dedicated to Shiva and his wife the goddess Pârvatî. This temple is known to be one of the masterpieces of Dravidian architecture and one of the most important working temples in India. Then visit the Gandhi museum and the Nayaks palace (dating from 1636). This palace has been largely destroyed and all that remains is the courtyard and its portico, the imposing 12-meter high pillars, the theatre and many statues. The whole is well worth a visit. In the evening, walk to the market where you can buy your souvenirs. Return to the hotel.

Morning survey. After breakfast, free time to, if you wish, return to the temple to appreciate the serenity that emerges, its history and its unique architecture. Drive to Munnar and arrive at the hotel, free time. Then choose a meal in an excellent market restaurant or return for dinner at the hotel.

Early in the morning, you can take a short hike organized by the hotel, in the tea plantations on the surrounding hills. The rest of the day is spent exploring the city of Munnar with a visit to the tea museum where you will attend the tea preparation ceremony. Visit the large Mattupetty dam with the possibility of a boat trip. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then you embark on a traditional “house-boat”, greeted by the crew, composed of the captain, the cook. Lunch on board, and Navigate the canals, lagoons and Vembanad Lake. You enjoy the serene atmosphere that reigns over these calm waters. Dinner on board.

Near breakfast, take the road to Marari, a place where you will find beautiful beaches. It is a less touristy region, meeting and eating with fishermen. Rest on the beaches and overnight at the hotel.

Drive to Kochi, a major city in Kerala. Transfer to the hotel, then visit the historic Fort Cochin district. In the late afternoon, walk by the sea to discover the Chinese plaice, these large fishing nets installed by local fishermen. It will also be time to enjoy a majestic sunset. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Visit Cochin with your driver in a private vehicle with a visit to the Paradesi synagogue (one of the seven largest synagogues in the region) located in the old town. Then visit the Palace of Mattancherry, built by the Portuguese and which tells the story of the Cochin peninsula by itself. To change the atmosphere, walk to the small colorful market to buy souvenirs. In the evening, traditional Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show. Return and overnight at the hotel.

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Kochi airport for your return flight