Southern India Quest of the Senses

Board your flight from the UK and fly to Chennai, India.

Welcome to Chennai, a cultural hub on the Bay of Bengal. After touching down at your destination, be met on arrival by your VIP airport service. Then be privately transferred to your hotel. Settle into your accommodation for the next two nights and Chennai’s sole heritage hotel, Taj Connemara. Admire the refurbished grand wooden staircase decorated with southern Indian stonework in the regal lobby. This luxurious hotel offers the rich charm of its past with opulent interiors combined with modern day amenities and comforts. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure before a welcome dinner at the award-winning Raintree Restaurant to savour regional flavours.

After breakfast, join an expert guide as you embark on the British Blueprint Trail. Learn about the city’s colonial evolution and its renowned Indo-Saracenic architecture. Witness the vibrant tapestry of Indian, Islamic and Gothic revival of buildings that are adorned with both Hindu Gods and Muslim domes, stained glass and Greek columns. Conclude your tour at the Government Museum where a range of impressive bronze sculptures are displayed. Savour lunch at Anise in Taj Coromandel before traversing your way through the bustling lanes of Georgetown. Your guide will show you where to find fresh produce, market stalls and allow you to sample hand selected street food treats. Enjoy the majestic sunset at Marina Beach to round out your day in Chennai.

This morning, travel south to the historic Pallava capital of Mahabalipuram and see the spectacular sites of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed cave temples, bas-relief sculptures, carved pillared halls and the inspiring shore temple. Indulge in lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Puducherry, a French colonial settlement with impressive tree-lined streets, mustard-coloured villas and trendy boutiques. Prepare to discover the ‘Côte d'Azur of the East’ and tantalise your senses with unspoiled beautiful beaches, stunning ancient places of worship, delectable French cuisine and an overall eclectic ambiance with French and Tamil quarters. Later, explore Pondicherry, fondly known as ‘Pondy’, by foot and wander through the shady streets of the French Quarter towards the world-famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Perhaps you’ll make your way back to your accommodation for a sumptuous dinner. Palais de Mahe offers a truly magnificent culinary experience with cuisine influenced by both southern India and France.

Begin the day with a visit to the 'City of Dawn’, Auroville. This experimental, New Age community attracts devotees from over 45 nations who are interested in learning about the teachings of ‘The Mother’. Explore the unique utopian community which boasts a vast Matrimandir hall, a huge meditation centre and many vibrant bohemian residents. Lunch will be served in the Solar Kitchen. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the local culture with your Real Moments Signature Experiences.

Venture further south to discover one of the oldest towns in Indian history, Kumbakonam. Decorated with many temples, this unique town is also known for its Chola heritage, remarkable educational institutes and the colourful Mahamaham Festival, held every 12 years. The festival is celebrated at the Mahamaham Tank and the Airavatesvara Temple, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage monument. This afternoon, delight in this region’s ancient crafts. Visit a bronze-caster’s workshop in Swami Malai to witness the timeless 'Lost Wax' technique in real time as craftsmen create ornate bronze sculptures using wax and riverbed clay molds. Then delve into the magical process of 'Pattu' silk weaving. See the creation of intricately designed silk saris as artists weave fabric together on hand-assembled wooden machines. Mantra Koodam is your accommodation for the evening and reflects the historical, cultural and spiritual influences of the surrounding region. Purposefully designed around the Tamil Pannaiyar and Brahmin way of life, this hotel has been thoughtfully built with nature in mind. Savour dinner at the hotel.

Today, the exploration of Kumbakonam’s traditional crafts continues. Begin the day creating your own kolam, a display of rice flour, coloured chalk and herbs, often displayed outside homes as a sign of health and prosperity. After, head towards the region of Chettinad via the historic town of Thanjavur and see some of the most renowned Indian landmarks, Chola Temples. These structures are remarkably created from 130,000 tons of granite and intricately carved with detailed impressions of ancient temple life. The Bronze Museum and Brihadeeshwara Temple are also highlights of the area. Before continuing on to Chettinad, enjoy lunch at Svatma hotel. Later arrive in Chettinad, a region renowned for its palatial homes and also the centre of the Chettiar banking and business community, home to many southeast Asia migrants of the 19th and 20th centuries. Tonight, be treated to a stay in a splendidly restored mansion full of heritage, Visalam.

Spend your day discovering Chettinad with wide streets of palatial mansion adorned with Italian marble and Burmese teak. See the Arraynar shrine of Kothadi before immersing your senses with the sights and smells of local markets. Discover craftsmen at work at the Athangudi handmade tile making unit and admire traditional sarees at a weaving centre. In Karaikudi, visit the antiques market on Muneeswaran Koil Street and purchase some unique souvenirs. Later, explore the weekly market accompanied by your chef and handpick ingredients from a range of various vendors. Return to the hotel’s kitchen to prepare tonight’s meal with your findings for a local culinary experience.

This morning, you’ll continue on your journey to Madurai. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll demystify the awe-inspiring Meenakshi Amman Temple and its 14 vibrant gateway towers. This multi-tiered, technicolour work of art is decorated with an array of mythical carvings and is renowned for its pilgrimage status. This location is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and is truly a site to behold. In the afternoon, discover the vivacious markets, temples, palaces and museums on a guided tour of the city. Take a tuk tuk and observe an arti Hindu prayer ceremony at the Meenaksi Temple. Treat the senses with mesmerising hymns, rhythmic drumming and aromatic incense. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel. You’ll stay at the beautiful Gateway Hotel, crowning Pasumalai Hill. With 62-acres of landscaped gardens, the accommodation boasts a marvellous view of the city below including the Meenakshi Temple. Relax in your elegantly styled room.

Depart Madurai and head towards the lush mountain range known as the Western Ghats to Periyar National Park in Kerala. En route, join the Batlagundu village experience. Centred around agriculture and a hub for wholesale businesses, this town’s economy flourishes by cultivating mountain-grown vegetables and fruits. You’ll discover the local market with its array of local fare including spices and meat. Venture through fields and learn about the water body system before visiting a local 400-year-old temple to participate in prayers. At the end of the tour, savour a traditional banana leaf lunch at a local village home for an unforgettable cultural experience. Once you arrive in Periyar, settle into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Before breakfast, you’ll join your expert tribal guide for a nature walk. Wander through lush forests and rolling grasslands. Admire vibrant birdlife, elephants and glimpse big cats. Afterwards, return to your accommodation for a leisurely breakfast and spend the morning relaxing in your idyllic surroundings. Later, embark on a ride aboard a local jeep to visit a local spice plantation and learn about spice cultivation. As you wander through the verdant estate, treat your senses to the tantalising aroma of harvested spices such as cinnamon, cardamon and clove. Learn how to gather your own aromatic sprigs. In the evening, discover Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s form of ancient martial art. Deriving from traditional warfare, witness the art of this movement in an arena.

Head towards Kumarakom, a set of enchanting back-water islands bordering Lake Vembanad attracting many nature enthusiasts. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at Coconut Lagoon, your scenic luxury resort. Situated on the banks of the lake, it is the perfect location to bask in the wilderness or enjoy wellness spaces such as the accommodation’s spa and yoga.

Spread over 25 acres of idyllic tropical gardens, spend the day cruising aboard your houseboat and absorb the serene setting. Float through rice paddy fields, bright houses and vibrant riverside scenes of fishermen and local children playing. For lunch, relish a flavourful feast of local cuisine curated by your onboard chef. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy your tranquil escape.

Awake at your stunning location and start the day with a 45-minute Ayurvedic massage to restore your balance between mind, body and soul. Delve into the Ayurveda philosophy merging traditional wisdom with modern challenges. Choose your activity for the remainder of the day. Simply relax or select one of your included experiences. Or be welcomed by a local immerse yourself in traditional activities from coir making to coconut tree climbing on a visit to the Kumarakom village. Enjoy a farewell dinner at Coconut Lagoon and indulge in local Kerala cuisine and taste the local flavours.

The time has come to farewell to your enriching small group journey through southern India. You’ll be met by your representatives in the reception area of your hotel and continue to your private transfer towards the airport for your flight back to the UK*. Please note depending on flights chosen you may land the next day back in to the UK.