Southern India's Coastal Route: Tamil Nadu to Kerala for Solo Travellers
Southern India's Coastal Route: Tamil Nadu to Kerala for Solo Travellers
Southern India's Coastal Route: Tamil Nadu to Kerala for Solo Travellers
15 Days Starting in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and ending in Kochi, Kerala, India
Visiting: Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, CHETTINAD, Madurai, Kumily, Periyar National Park, Periyar, Kumarakom, Kochi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1SI
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
From:
$4245 (USD) including Flights from the UKTourhub Members Discount - Sign In
Tour Overview
Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala: Discover their remarkable cities, thought-provoking temples and astonishing natural wonders.
Less familiar than the north, visiting the south of India is an incredible journey of discovery: we'll see amazing thousand-year old rock-cut and granite temples, intricately carved, rising to over 200ft high, packed with pilgrims and devotees and remarkable forts, mansions and churches from British, French, Dutch and Portuguese colonial periods. We'll sail on converted rice barges through the tranquil backwaters of Kerala and walk through fragrant spice plantations and pristine tropical forests of the Western Ghats. Staying in colonial hotels, lakeside bungalows, thatched cottages and hundred-year old original traders' mansions and we'll experience a cuisine and hospitality renowned throughout India. All blended together; this outstanding eclectic mix will ignite your imagination.
Southern India and specifically the vast states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are worlds away from New Delhi, Agra or Rajasthan. It's much more laid back here, slower paced and a simpler way of life. There are no deserts here and lush fertile land yields plentiful harvests of rice and every sort of tropical fruit. In the higher elevations of the Malabar Hills in the Western Ghats, the altitude and temperature are perfect for every type of spice - the 'black gold' of 500 years ago was not oil but pepper from these very hills. Vast fortunes were made and lost, battles and campaigns were fought and colonies founded just to control the spice trade. We'll stay in Kumily, at 2,600ft, markedly cooler than the plains below, with its lush spice plantations and Kerala's best-known Nature Reserve, Periyar, where we'll explore the enchanting forest during a fascinating walk with a naturalist guide.
The great temple cities of Tanjore and Madurai are quite unique - there is nothing like them anywhere else in India. The astonishing craftsmanship and sheer scale of these temples is extraordinary. But the real beauty here is that they are not mere tourist attractions; they are working Hindu shrines, many locals visit daily and many more travel great distances. You'll see young people and families, from every walk of life, coming to pay their respects.
In Chennai, we'll visit Fort St George, the British fortification where Clive of India first rose to prominence from a lowly clerk with no military training, to a Major-General securing India for the East India Company and ultimately the British Crown. The fascinating museum houses some of his letters, period military uniforms, cannons and arms.
We'll also explore one of the least visited but most intriguing regions of Tamil Nadu - the Chettinadu. Originally home to the Chettiars, financiers and traders par excellence, they amassed vast wealth trading in raw materials with Burma and South East Asia. Using their profits to build opulent, flamboyantly coloured 60-room mansions housing their extended families, the beauty of these unique houses has recently been rediscovered and great efforts have been made to preserve their remarkable legacy.
The setting of the novel and film 'The Life of Pi', visiting Pondicherry is like stepping back in time. One of India's few French colonial outposts, it was one of the major centres of military operations against the British. Changing hands several times during various wars, the French subsequently stayed, although nothing remains of the impressive fortifications - all were demolished. Independent since 1954, what remains is an elegant, quiet, tree-lined slice of the Cote d'Azur transplanted to sub-tropical India. Palm-fringed Kerala has the highest literacy rate of any Indian state and thus is one of the most affluent too. Its greatest natural assets are the 900kms of waterways known as the backwaters, creating a watery world of tranquil palm-shaded canals, with mats of water hyacinths lazily floating by and paddy fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Gliding gently in a typical Keralan houseboat all local life is there to be enjoyed: fishermen casting their nets from tiny wooden canoes, sari-clad women washing clothes, while kingfishers and darters look out for an easy meal. Cochin is the main city here, Portuguese in the 16th century, it was the first European colony in India. We'll see St Francis church, India's first, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried plus Cochin's most iconic sight, the famous Chinese fishing nets- huge wooden cantilevered structures, operated by just four men as they are lowered and raised from the waters below.
Southern Indian cuisine displays a marked difference too; Tamil Nadu is known for the huge variety of its vegetarian dishes, different chutneys and pickles, whilst in Kerala, coconut, seafood and bananas feature heavily. Whatever your tastes, the food of the south is a revelation and completely different to what often passes for Indian cuisine at home.
In short, perhaps the greatest allure of India is that we feel it with all our senses: from the unbelievably luminescent saris of every hue and description, to the noisy excitement of the markets, the heady aromas of the spices, the delicate flavour of a dosa with a hot sambar soup. Azure skies above crown the lushest of greenery below, all reflected in the Keralan backwaters. Every day brings a myriad of new discoveries on this outstanding tour.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Departure
Location: Chennai
Accommodation: Overnight Flight
Meals Included: No Meals
Take your overnight flight to Chennai (Madras).
Day 2 : Arrival In Chennai
Location: Chennai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park
Meals Included: No Meals
On arrival we transfer to the hotel.
Day 3 : Chennai
Location: Chennai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning your immersion in one of the world’s oldest cultures commences by discovering Chennai’s bustling streets, passing numerous Victorian-era buildings and the famous Marine Beach, with its fish market and multi-coloured long wooden fishing boats drawn up on the sand, before arriving at the very centre of colonial Madras, Fort St George.
This was one of the most vital outposts of the British Empire – its first in India, the home of Clive of India for many years and the military base for numerous wars against the French. Continuing south we soon arrive at Mahabalipuram, a port which traded with Rome in ancient times. Its huge 7th century temples have been carved remarkably from vast granite monoliths and are now UNESCO World Heritage sites. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 4 : Mahabalipuram
Location: Mahabalipuram, Puducherry
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Atithi Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we travel south to Pondicherry and on arrival have a walking tour of the beautiful old French colonial centre of ‘Pondy’. Both its architecture and ambience are very different from any other Indian town.
There’s a sleepy, almost Mediterranean air here, with bougainvillea-clad walls and mustard-yellow coloured neo-classical villas. We’ll see the impressive Governor’s residence, the former site of the French fort designed by the French military architect, Vauban – there is even a Hotel de Ville! Dinner is included this evening.
Day 5 : Pondicherry
Location: Puducherry, Thanjavur
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Ideal River View Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a walking tour of the beautiful old French colonial centre of ‘Pondy’. Both its architecture and ambience are very different from any other Indian town.
There’s a sleepy, almost Mediterranean air here, with bougainvillea-clad walls and mustard-yellow-coloured neo-classical villas. We’ll see the impressive Governor’s residence, the former site of the French fort designed by the French military architect, Vauban – there is even a Hotel de Ville!
We continue our journey south to Tanjore, with a two-night stay at the three-star superior Ideal River View Hotel with breakfast. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the tranquil surroundings and palm-shaded pool. Lunch is included today.
Day 6 : Tanjore
Location: Thanjavur
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Ideal River View Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We continue our journey south to Tanjore, with a two-night stay at the three-star superior Ideal River View Hotel with breakfast. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the tranquil surroundings and palm-shaded pool. Lunch is included today.
Day 7 : Tanjore
Location: Thanjavur
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Ideal River View Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Tanjore was the capital of the ancient Chola Empire and is mainly known for its extraordinary Brihadeeswara Temple, the template for all in southern India. Standing over 200ft tall, its main tower is covered with an intricately-carved ochre-coloured facade which glows in the morning light. A working temple for over a thousand years, surrounded by colonnaded halls and a fortified wall, it is a testament to the power and wealth of the Chola Empire which at sunset seems to give off a red hue. Tanjore is also noted for its fine metalwork and the nearby Royal Palace’s art gallery houses a fascinating array of bronze sculptures.
Day 8 : Chettinad
Location: CHETTINAD
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We drive to the nearby Chettinad region, which you are sure to love. Undiscovered, it’s a revelation, the real rural India of small farming communities. Dinner is included this evening sampling some of the region’s unique cuisine, served on a banana leaf.
Day 9 : Madurai
Location: Madurai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Heritage Hotel - Madurai
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we’ll explore this undiscovered region, visiting other remarkable mansions, seeing the local Maharaja’s palace, plus local handicrafts. A fascinating visit is to a tile workshop, where each piece is delicately handmade and decorated, whilst saris are still woven to age-old local designs on traditional wooden handlooms.
In the afternoon we drive to Madurai for one of the tour’s real highlights: the Meenakshi Amman Temple. This is the southern India’s Taj Mahal, a complex shrine of courtyards, vast pillared halls, a sacred lake and no less than twelve gateway towers completely covered with thousands of brightly-painted stucco carvings. Madurai was already an ancient city well before Chennai was even founded, trading spices with the ancient Romans. It is considered to be Tamil Nadu’s spiritual and cultural heart.
This afternoon we take tuk-tuks to visit the temple at dusk, exploring its busy traditional markets full of impossibly laden stalls and tailors rattling away at their ancient Singer sewing machines!
Day 10 : Kumily
Location: Kumily
Accommodation Name: Spice Village
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we re-visit the temple in daylight plus tour the nearby Nayak Palace, with its vast throne-room and ceremonial courtyard. Then drive west towards the distant outlines of the Western Ghats, the mountain range and border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The road zig-zags through lush forest with fleeting glimpses of verdant valleys below then crossing the border, we arrive at Kumily, surrounded by spice plantations and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Day 11 : Periyar Wildlife Reserve
Location: Periyar National Park
Accommodation Name: Spice Village
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rising early, with a tropical dawn chorus ringing in our ears we enter the wildlife sanctuary for a guided nature walk through the tall stands of teak, bamboo, wild fig and beautiful jacaranda trees. The reserve has a small population of rarely seen tigers, however, as the reserve’s core surrounds a large lake, the birdlife is absolutely excellent, with over 260 species recorded, including hornbills, parakeets, kingfishers, eagles, kites and flycatchers. You may also be lucky enough to spot a Malabar giant squirrel or a lion-tailed macaque.
After returning to the hotel for a late breakfast, the day is at leisure until our afternoon visit to one of the numerous local spice plantations where our guide explains the uses, medicinal and culinary, of pepper, cloves, curry leaves, cardamom, vanilla, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon and a host of others.
Day 12 : Kerala Houseboat Overnight
Location: Periyar
Accommodation Name: Kerala Houseboat
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we leave the hills of Periyar behind us descending towards the Kerlan coast, passing the almost carpet-like tea plantations en route to discover the enchanting Keralan backwaters. We experience an overnight stay on a Kerala Houseboat. Leaving from nearby Alleppey, each houseboat accommodates six to eight guests plus three crew who prepare a delightful and typical Keralan lunch and dinner on board. It’s a wonderful way to travel, passing paddy fields, coconut palms and colourful local houses – watch out for the plentiful birdlife, children walking (or rowing!) back from school, people washing their clothes, pots and pans and even themselves in the narrow waterways.
Day 13 : Drive To Kumarakom
Location: Kumarakom
Accommodation Name: Coconut Lagoon
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a dawn awakening, mesmerised by the stillness with the sights and sounds of the backwater, after breakfast we depart the Kerala houseboat and drive to to Kumarakom. The rest of the day is at leisure and early evening we enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Vembanad, one of India’s largest lakes and wetland eco systems home to an array of birds, animal and plant life.
Day 14 : Kumarakom
Location: Kumarakom
Accommodation Name: Coconut Lagoon
Meals Included: Breakfast
For early morning bird enthusiasts there is the opportunity to go bird watching and take a village walk. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of this unique location.
Day 15 : Cochin
Location: Kochi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Trident - Cochin
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we leave Coconut Lagoon for the short drive to Cochin, the Malabar Coast’s most historic port, traditionally from where India’s invaluable spices were shipped to Europe. The city’s oldest quarter is Fort Cochin, a fascinating maze of narrow alleyways and large merchants’ houses, whilst the nearby bazaar district of Mattancherry has the Dutch Palace and the subcontinent’s oldest synagogue. The iconic sight in Cochin is the famed Chinese fishing nets, vast cantilevered contraptions that still work to this day.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Hand-picked three-to-four-star accommodation
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
-
International Travel
Scheduled flights to Chennai and from Cochin via Muscat
-
Fully Guided
The services our experiened and insightful tour manager throughout
-
Meals
Daily breakfast, 3 lunches & 3 dinners
-
All transfers
-
Guided visits to Fort St George in Chennai, temples at Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, and Madurai
-
Guided tour of Pondicherry and Chettinadu region, walking tour of a spice plantation and Periyar nature walk, and a city tour of Cochin
-
Overnight-cruise on the Kerala backwaters by houseboat
-
Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person
What's Not Included
-
Insurance
-
Tipping and Gratuity
Check out our Q&As
-
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No, 18 years and above only
-
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
-
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
-
Are flights included in this tour?
Scheduled flights to Chennai and from Cochin via Muscat
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
No, all our solo tour prices are fully inclusive with no single supplement to be added. Whilst hotels generally charge a little more for single occupancy rooms, we never charge you extra for meals, excursions, flights, rail journeys or transfers.
-
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
For almost 40 years
-
I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns
-
Do I require travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.
-
What is my luggage allowance?
You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 16, 2024 - Oct 30, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Feb 05, 2025 - Feb 19, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Mar 12, 2025 - Mar 26, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Apr 02, 2025 - Apr 16, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 01, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
Nov 26, 2025 - Dec 10, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."