Southern Charm: Homestays and Heritage Hotels

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival in Cochin – transfer to hotel

  On arrival in Cochin, you’ll be met and introduced to your driver. Then you will be transferred to your hotel and relax.

  Overnight stay in Cochin.

• Day 2 : Cochin – Train – Kannur

  Today morning you will be transferred to Ernakulam Railway station to board your train to Kannur. This train journey offers scenic views of the beautiful landscapes of Kerala. On arrival at Kannur Railway station, you will be met and transferred to your homestay. Kannur, situated on Kerala's Malabar Coast, captivates visitors with its pristine beaches like Payyambalam and Muzhappilangad, rich cultural heritage showcased in Theyyam rituals and St. Angelo Fort, lush greenery, spice plantations, traditional handloom sarees, Malabari cuisine, etc…

  Rest of the day free to explore the surroundings.

  Overnight stay in Kannur.

• Day 3 : Kannur

  Immerse yourself in the allure of Kannur, where stunning beaches and quaint fishing villages line the coast. This captivating town holds a deep historical significance, dating back to early European interactions with South Indian empires. This part of Kerala is also renowned for the ancient and quite mysterious ritual dance, Theyyam. Little understood but highly dramatic and compelling, Theyyam contains elements of shamanism and performances stretch for days on end. The totally uncommercial nature of the form means that you have to be lucky enough to ‘chance’ upon a performance-If you are lucky enough it is a truly unforgettable experience.

  You can check with your Host or with your hotel staff about the availability of Theyyam performance in this area during your visit.

  Note: Theyyam can be seen between November and February. If you are very much interested in witnessing Theyyam performance during this period, you can add a few more days according to your interest.

• Day 4 : Kannur drive to Wayanad

  Leaving the coast, today’s drive up into the hills of the Western Ghats is picturesque in the extreme. Wayanad was the last region of Kerala to be opened to the outside world and as a result large tracts of virgin forest remain, along with the traditional tribal inhabitants of the district. Staying in the Wayanad district, you can enjoy the cool air and lush, verdant forests of the area.

  Overnight stay in Wayanad.

• Day 5 : Wayanad

  Your time in the Wayanad Hills can be as energetic or as relaxed as you wish- you may like to take a guided trek in the hills or a jeep safari (direct payment for the Jeep safaris, check with your Driver on this) further afield to one of the local Wildlife Sanctuaries. Also you can visit the famous Edakkal Caves, the site of India’s most ancient Neolithic rock-carvings, believed to be up to 6000 years old.

  Overnight stay in Wayanad.

• Day 6 : Wayanad- drive to Cheruthuruthi

  Descend from the hills to the small town of Cheruthuruthi where your hotel is situated on the banks of a large river. Explore the small town on foot.

  Overnight in Cheruthuruthi.

• Day 7 : Cheruthuruthi- drive to Palakkad

  In the morning visit the Kerala Kalamandalam, a major Keralian music and dance school where you can observe the students at work as they undertake the exacting and exhaustive training required to become Masters of their chosen performing art. After lunch, depart for the agricultural heartland of central Kerala and check in at your Homestay near Palakkad.

  Overnight stay in Palakkad.

• Day 8 : Palakkad

  A full day to enjoy the traditional comforts and hospitality of your host of your homestay, along with optional activities including fishing, bird-watching, cooking demonstration and classes, trekking and a bullock cart ride through the nearby countryside.

  Overnight stay at Palakkad.

• Day 9 : Palakkad- drive to Cochin

  A relaxed morning followed by a 4 hours drive to Cochin, check in at a heritage hotel in Fort Cochin. In the evening, watch & enjoy the Kathakali performance- the traditional dance/drama of Kerala.

  Overnight stay in Fort Cochin.

• Day 10 : Cochin

  The history of Cochin is as fascinating as it is long and complex. A morning sightseeing tour with a knowledgeable local guide (if you have opted for this service) will give you some valuable insights into the colourful past of the port and city. Of the many trading and colonizing powers which have impacted on Cochin over the past five hundred or more years, you will see elements of the Arab, Chinese, Jewish, British, Dutch and Portuguese influences during your tour. While the historic Fort Cochin and Mattancherry precincts are relatively quiet and low on vehicle traffic, the modern city of Cochin /Ernakulam across the harbour is best viewed from a distance- to this end you can enjoy a harbour cruise at sunset.

  Overnight in Fort Cochin.

• Day 11 : Cochin – drive to Alleppey (Houseboat)

  The backwaters of Kerala are a much-hyped tourist destination but thankfully they justify the millions of words of gushing praise written about them. Your first experience of the backwaters will be aboard a private houseboat which you will board at Alleppey, an easy 02 hours drive from Cochin. Enjoy a supremely relaxing afternoon on your boat while your crew supplies you freshly cooked delicious Keralian meals and refreshments, leaving you with nothing to do but watch the world go by.

  Overnight on the houseboat.

• Day 12 : Houseboat –disembark the boat- drive to Alleppey (Backwater hotel)

  A night on a houseboat is a truly unforgettable experience, but it is only part of the picture in terms of a ‘complete’ Kerala Backwaters experience. After breakfast, disembark the houseboat and you will be met by your driver and transferred to a backwater Homestay or a backwater hotel. From here you can explore the backwaters in a more intimate fashion- by foot, by bicycle, or by country boat, a small dugout canoe paddled by a local fisherman. The entire day is free for such exploration. A "Kerala Ayurvedic massage" is another option for you, check with your host or hotel staff for the availability (on direct payment).

  Overnight at a backwater Homestay / hotel at Alleppey.

• Day 13 : Alleppey drive to- Kanjirapally

  The foothills of the Western Ghats on the Kerala side with their high rainfall and fertile soils are a perfect growing environment for a huge variety of crops. The majority of land around Kanjirapally is given over to the production of rubber- vast forests of slender rubber trees spread to the horizon on all sides- while individual estates produce smaller amounts of cardamom, vanilla and other valuable exotic crops. Your Homestay in Kanjirapally district belongs to a family which has been resident in this region for several generations- they will be only too happy to share the history and culture of the homeland with you, as well as ply you with some of the most delicious food in all of India. You will stay in a gracious bungalow overlooking the estate.

  Overnight stay at Kanjirapally.

• Day 14 : Kanjirapally drive to- Periyar (Thekkady)

  After a final sumptuous meal at your homestay, depart for Periyar, one of south India’s most famous Wildlife Sanctuaries. On arrival check in at your homestay/ hotel. After lunch, head out into the forest with a local guide on a gentle walk through some of the dry deciduous woodlands which fringe Periyar Lake. This is the best way to experience the beauty of this environment- animals are far more likely to be spotted by small groups on foot and common sightings include Malabar giant squirrels, hornbills, Nilgiri black-faced langur monkeys and even the occasional elephant.

  Overnight in Periyar.

• Day 15 : Periyar (Thekkady) – drive to Dindigul

  Descend from the Western Ghats and drive to Dindigul. Your ultimate destination is a secluded valley in the hills west of Dindigul and the outstanding accommodation. Conceived, designed and overseen by retired an English man, this homestay or a guest house is a wonderful place- one of our favourites in all of India. The host and his team (all of them from nearby towns and villages) will make your stay here as relaxing or as invigorating as you wish. There are walks in the valley ranging from a few minutes to a full day, birdwatchers will revel in the wealth of avian life which flocks to the nearby lake, and there are genuinely interactive visits to the village of Athoor just down the road as well. But your accommodation also has a way of turning into a rejuvenation stop part way through your trip- the perfect place to relax and unwind.

  Overnight at Dindigul

• Day 16 : Dindigul

  Today enjoy the ambience of your accommodation- any longer and you may never want to leave. Discuss with your host or with the hotel staff and explore the surroundings.

  Overnight stay in Dindigul.

• Day 17 : Dindigul- drive to Chettinad

  After breakfast take 3 ½ hrs drive to Chettinad, check in at your heritage hotel. The people of this area are the Chettiars, a banking and merchant sub-caste who, over several centuries, made their fortunes trading with empires to the east and west and used the proceeds to build some of the most colossal and impressive homes in southern India. The intermingling of influences is dizzying - Burmese teak, Italian marble, British steel and a myriad of architectural styles are used and blended in these vast mansions (some of which are over 40,000 sq ft) and you will not only get the chance to explore some of these buildings, but to stay in one too. This is a superb place to explore a large village at a relaxed pace.
  Overnight in Chettinad

• Day 18 : Chettinad

  The Chettinad region is best explored slowly- this reflects the pace of life here too. Nearby places of interest include hand-painted tile factories (a local specialty), small village temples and the ‘granddaddy’ of all the Chettiar homes - Chettinad Palace. You will also be able to experience a bullock cart ride and perhaps have your fortune told by the rather unusual practice of parrot astrology while you are here.

  Overnight in Chettinad.

• Day 19 : Chettinad drive to - Tanjore

  Your next stop is at the fabulous temple town of Tanjore, home to one of several UNESCO World Heritage listed temples in this part of Tamil Nadu. Also, this part of the Cauvery Delta is the agricultural heartland of Tamil Nadu and it is called ‘rice bowl’ of Tamilnadu. Tour Tanjore Palace in the afternoon, before spending an hour or more at the end of the day at the thousand year old Brahadeeshwara temple- a spectacular place at any time but even more so when the sun is setting.

  Overnight in Tanjore.

• Day 20 : Tanjore – drive to Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Chidambaram - Pondicherry

  After an early breakfast drive to visit another UNESCO World Heritage site- Gangaikondacholapuram. Although it is not as large or ancient as the Brahadeeshwara Temple in Tanjore, its slightly more remote location means you may well have it to yourself during your visit. Continue on through the pilgrimage city of Chidambaram, home to one of the five-element temples, the Nataraja Temple, which represents the element of sky. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. Later continue on your drive to Pondicherry, check in at your hotel and relax. This unique city was the stronghold of the French in south India for several centuries and retains an obvious Gallic feel to this day.

  Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

• Day 21 : Pondicherry

  The emphasis in Pondicherry is on history, culture, and some of the best coffee in India. If shopping is a priority, then Pondicherry is the place to pick up designer items from stylish boutiques. A self-guided walking tour of the French Quarter can easily take up half the day. Interestingly, when the French ruled here, they implemented a Spanish-style afternoon siesta, a habit that the modern Indian inhabitants seem more than happy to continue.

  Overnight in Pondicherry.

• Day 22 : Pondicherry- drive to Mahabalipuram

  Drive north along the coast to the small seaside town of Mahabalipuram, now a sleepy village with a fishing fleet, some stone carvers and a long strip of sandy beach. This relative lack of activity belies the fact that this was once the capital of the Pallava dynasty which ruled southern India over 1000 years ago. The lasting legacy of the Pallavas is in the form of some remarkable rock carvings, many of which have been afforded UNESCO World Heritage listing. Tour these monuments this afternoon and evening stroll along the sea front.

   Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

• Day 23 : Mahabalipuram – transfer to Chennai airport - Departure

  It is an easy 90 minute drive from Mahabalipuram to Chennai airport, meaning you will have most of the day to relax and enjoy the pool at your hotel prior to an afternoon departure for the airport.

  Tour Ends

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