South India

Group members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Chennai.

Upon arrival in the evening, we transfer directly to our hotel. 

The Residency Towers (2 nights)                                     

Today's city tour features the historical landmarks of Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, the Government Museum, and the bustle of a local fruit and flower market. A highlight of our day is the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a 7th-century architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Shiva (rebuilt in the 16th century), where we admire the massive, rainbow-hued gopuram covered in thousands of detailed carvings. We conclude our day with a welcome dinner to toast the start of our journey.  

We depart Chennai and drive south toward Pondicherry, stopping first at Mahabalipuram. Here, we explore the UNESCO-listed Shore Temple, carved from granite to withstand the salt air of the Bay of Bengal, and the Five Rathas, a series of monolithic temples each sculpted from a single massive rock to resemble ceremonial chariots. 

Le Pondy Hotel (2 nights) 

Pondicherry is a unique coastal town where French colonial architecture meets Indian spirituality. Our morning tour features the Sacred Heart Basilica, celebrated for its rare Gothic style, and a stop at the Raj Niwas, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor. We also stroll along the Promenade, a scenic stretch along the Bay of Bengal. Later, we visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a renowned spiritual community founded in 1926. In the afternoon, we enjoy a heritage walk through the French Quarter and a rickshaw ride along its charming streets.

Our journey continues inland toward Thanjavur, a city that served as the ancient capital for the mighty Chola Empire. Along the way, we visit the Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the UNESCO Airavatesvara Temple in Kumbakonam. The 12th-century Chola architecture of this temple features stone carvings so fine they resemble delicate lace. Following lunch, we enjoy a bullock cart ride through a local village, offering a slow-paced look at the rural way of life in this region. 

Sangam Hotel (2 nights) 

We dedicate the morning to Thanjavur’s history at the Brihadeeswarar Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples." We also visit the Royal Palace Museum, home to an extensive collection of Chola-era artifacts. Spend the afternoon connecting with the living traditions that still thrive in the city's workshops. We witness the ancient lost-wax casting technique during a bronze statue-making demonstration and watch master artisans at a veena-making workshop. Here, the national instrument of India is meticulously hand-carved, preserving a craft that has defined Thanjavur for centuries. 

We depart for Madurai with a stop in Chettinad. This district is a culinary and architectural treasure, known for its unique cuisine and 19th-century palatial homes decorated with fine teak and Italian marble. After a glimpse into this opulent past, we complete our drive to Madurai, one of the world's oldest cities with a recorded history reaching back to the 3rd century BCE. 

Courtyard by Marriott (2 nights)       

Experience the soul of Madurai with a city tour by rickshaw, starting at the Meenakshi Amman Temple. This spiritual masterpiece of Dravidian architecture features fourteen towers covered in thousands of colourful stone figures. We also explore the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, a royal palace famous for its towering white pillars and fusion of Italian and Rajput styles, followed by a walk through the local market. To connect with daily Tamil traditions, we enjoy a demonstration of rangoli, a sacred art form that involves creating intricate geometric patterns on the ground using dyed rice flour. You’ll even have the chance to try your hand at this ancient practice. For those seeking a deeper spiritual connection, we gather for the evening prayer ceremony at Meenakshi Temple.

We bid farewell to the ancient plains of Tamil Nadu and cross into the lush, emerald landscapes of Kerala. Our journey takes us to Munnar, a serene hill station situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres, where the cooler climate and rolling hills provide a refreshing change of pace. As we enter this new state, we are greeted by beautiful tea plantations, mist-covered peaks and tranquil mountain air. 

Fragrant Nature Munnar (2 nights) 

There is a rare magic to Munnar, a place where you might spot elephants roaming freely across the hills or share a cup of the most authentic chai with the workers in the tea plantations. We begin our day at Echo Point for picturesque views of the area. We then immerse ourselves in the world of tea with a guided walk through the picturesque  plantations, followed by a factory tour to witness the delicate processing of the leaves and sample the refined brews that have made this region famous. The rest of the day is yours to embrace the quiet beauty of the Western Ghats and relax with our hotel’s amenities.  
 

We descend from Munnar towards Periyar, a region celebrated for its rich biodiversity. After checking in, we head to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for a scenic boat ride. Here we may have the chance to observe the sanctuary’s residents, such as wild Asian elephants, sambar deer, and various bird species, as they come to the water’s edge to drink and bathe.

Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden (2 nights)

Following a relaxed morning in the heart of the Cardamom Hills, we are invited to a spice garden for a cooking demonstration and an authentic plantation lunch. Our day concludes with two powerful South Indian traditions: a Kalaripayattu show, featuring the world’s oldest martial art, and a special dinner accompanied by the rhythmic  storytelling of a Bharatanatyam dance performance. 

We travel to Alleppey to board our private houseboats for a cruise through the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. These traditional barges have been converted into floating retreats featuring comfortable bedrooms, a lounge, and a dining area. As we drift through the labyrinth of palm-fringed canals, we glide past small villages, fish markets and lush paddy fields, offering intimate glimpses of rural life along the water’s edge. Relax on deck as the sun sets over the coconut groves while our onboard staff prepares a delicious meal. 

Blue Jelly Cruises (1 night) 

Today we drive to the historic port city of Cochin. Along the way, we stop at the Coir Museum, dedicated to the history and production of coconut fibres. Upon arrival, we tour Fort Kochi, a seaside district defined by many foreign cultures. Highlights include St. Francis Church, one of the oldest European churches in India; the Mattancherry Palace, famous for its vibrant murals; and the 16th-century Jewish Synagogue. 

Fragrant Nature Cochin (2 nights)

After a leisurely morning, we join a local family for a cooking class, to learn the secrets of Keralan spices before enjoying a traditional home-cooked lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore the charming streets of Fort Kochi at your own pace. As evening approaches, we witness a Kathakali dance performance, Kerala’s world-renowned drama famous for its elaborate make-up, costumes and intense facial expressions. Our journey culminates in a farewell dinner, celebrating the friendships and memories made across South India.