Like the picturesque backwaters of Kerala, South India's equivalent of North India's famous Taj Mahal, the tropical south of the country moves at a slower, more tranquil pace than the rest of the country providing the best of relaxing luxury trips.
Destined for its hospitable populace, verdant landscapes, mouthwatering Indian fare, and unique gopuram temples, South India vacations are an ideal choice for anyone seeking a restful yet culturally engaging getaway.
Its serene beaches with cliff faces are perfect for a contemplative walk during an Indian luxury vacation, and the relaxed spas and resorts in this area offer some of the best Ayurvedic treatments in the nation.
Get the most relaxing experience of South India with Top Indian Holidays’ Luxury India Private Tour Itineraries and other South India Tour Itineraries.
Upon your arrival in Chennai, you will be welcomed and escorted by one of the representatives from Top Indian Holidays. Check into one of the finest luxury accommodations.
Recommended Accommodation: The Leela Palace, Chennai
Following a leisurely morning, embark on a city tour of Chennai with your guide, starting at Fort St. George. Originally constructed in 1640, the fort served as the British East India Company's first stronghold in southern India. Today, the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu and the Secretariat are housed there. See St. Mary's Church, one of the earliest British structures in India, which was dedicated in 1680. Explore the National Art Gallery after that. Its displays cover all of the important South Indian periods, such as the Chalukya, Hoysala, Vijayanagara, and Chola. Proceed to Kapaleeswara, the largest Shiva temple in Chennai, which is renowned for its exquisitely carved gopuram (monumental tower). Visit the serene Santhome Cathedral, named for St. Thomas the Apostle, whose tomb is rumored to be located beneath the cathedral. It was constructed by the Portuguese. Built-in the Gothic style, this famous pilgrimage site lies 155 feet above the busy city below its calm white spire.
Recommended Accommodation: The Leela Palace, Chennai
After breakfast, take a land excursion to the coastal village of Mahabalipuram to see its Group of Monuments, which has been included to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Take in the sight of Bhagiratha's Penance, a bas-relief carved on enormous rocks that depicts gods, saints, and animals in life-size as they watch the holy Ganges River pour from the Himalayas. See its nearby shallow mandaps (pillared halls), built out of a rocky hillside and depicting stories from Indian mythology. Finally, stop at the Shore Temple, which is surrounded by historically inspired gardens. Return to Chennai, making a lunch stop along the way.
Recommended Accommodation: The Leela Palace, Chennai
Take a flight to Trichy and have lunch at a local restaurant. With your guide, see this energetic riverfront city located in the heart of Tamil Nadu. See Srirangam, renowned for its massive Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, which appears to be a full city and is home to 49 other Vishnu shrines. Views are included of the beautiful Rock Fort Temple, perched atop a sizable rocky outcropping and overlooking the old city. Visit Thanjavur, the location of the former capital of the Chola dynasty.
Recommended Accommodation: Svatma, Thanjavur
Thanjavur, with its 74 temples, is a testament to the Cholas' prowess as builders of temples. You go to the most well-known of them today, the Brihadeeswarar Temple, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then visit an art gallery to see its amazing collection of vintage bronze statues. Take pleasure in your free afternoon.
Recommended Accommodation: Svatma, Thanjavur
Travel by land to Chettinad, the Chettiars' ancestral home, after breakfast. Residency to affluent business magnates who gained their fortune in Burma in the previous century, the region is well-known for its opulent homes and delectable, unique food. View these amazing residences featuring marble accents and teak pillars. Proceed to Madurai after lunch, where you will check into your accommodation. Visit the Meenakshi Temple this evening to take in a pooja event, where a colorful procession of Shiva idol is carried by musicians.
Recommended Accommodation: The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai, Madurai
With your guide, go on a morning stroll across Madurai. Discover both history and mythology as you explore this ancient Tamil capital. Following breakfast, return to your Madurai lodging to take in the stunning seventeenth-century Meenakshi Amman Temple. This 15-acre edifice pays ecstatic devotion to Shiva and the triple-breasted goddess Meenakshi. It is the greatest temple complex in southern India and holds equal significance to the architectural legacy of the region as the Taj Mahal does in northern India.
Recommended Accommodation: The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai, Madurai
After breakfast, drive overland to Periyar in the state of Kerala, where you will check into your lodging. The Western Ghats, a verdant mountain range rising parallel to India's Arabian Sea coast, are the next stop on your tour. Visit a nearby spice plantation later on to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of fresh spices while learning about their cultivation.
Recommended Accommodation: Spice Village
After a leisurely breakfast, travel overland to the village of Kumarakom, which is situated atop a magnificent escarpment. Lunch at a neighborhood eatery in Kanjirappally, the entry point to Kerala's hill area, should be made on the way. When you get there, check into your lovely hotel on the lake.
Recommended Accommodation: Kumarakom Lake Resort
Today, with the help of an experienced guide, visit a few traditional villages close to Kumarakom. Learn about traditional agricultural and artisan techniques like fishing, climbing coconut trees, weaving coconut leaves, and toddy tapping by interacting with the locals.
Recommended Accommodation: Kumarakom Lake Resort
Take a day trip on a traditional houseboat around the stunning backwaters that encircle Kumarakom after spending the morning at leisure. Pass peaceful rural communities as you glide through canals and lagoons surrounded by coconut palms. As you sail, you are served a lunch of regional favorites. This evening, disembark and travel by land to Kochi, where you will check into your hotel.
Recommended Accommodation: Brunton Boatyard
Get up early today and take a walking tour of Kochi, stopping at local markets, riding the ferry, and seeing the fisherman at work. Savor a breakfast that is traditionally South Indian. Explore Kochi, a tropical seaside city, during the day to learn about its fascinating fusion of cultural influences. Explore one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in India, which is encircled by a fragrant spice market and has blue porcelain Chinese tiles decorating it. The Portuguese built St. Francis Church and the lovely Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) in the sixteenth century. See the story of Ramayana illustrated in the artwork inside. Traders transported cantilevered fishing nets from southern China to Kochi harbor's entrance, demonstrating the centuries-old connection between these two locations. See a performance by the lavishly costumed Kathakali dancers tonight at Greenix Theater.
Recommended Accommodation: Brunton Boatyard
After spending the morning at your own pace, head to the airport to catch your flight to Mumbai. After arriving, make your way to your hotel.
Recommended Accommodation: Taj Santacruz, Mumbai
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