Depart on your flight to Chennai.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
December- May
This itinerary offers a deeper look at Tamil Nadu, a state where ancient traditions meet everyday life.
You’ll wander Pondicherry’s colonial streets, marvel at the grandeur of Tanjore’s temples, and experience the timeless charm of Chettinad’s mansions.
Travelling through forests, plantations and vibrant cities, you’ll uncover the cultural and spiritual heart of southern India before unwinding by the coast in Mahabalipuram. Balanced and beautifully varied, this journey reveals Tamil Nadu’s rhythm, warmth and enduring heritage.
In-depth Tamil Nadu
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 3
Pondicherry
On arrival at Chennai airport your English speaking driver will pick you up; he will be spending the next 14 days with you. He will transport you to the beautiful former French territory of Pondicherry and the rest of this first day will be at leisure.
A full day will be spent touring the ‘white town,’ the French area of Pondicherry, by foot. Highlights will include the Place de la Republique, the museum and the Tamil Quarter.
Days 4 - 5
Kumbakonam
This morning you will take the short transfer to Pondicherry train station where you will board the Kanyakumari express for the 4-hour train journey to Kumbakonam, one of the oldest towns in Tamil Nadu. Here you’ll be staying in a central location, convenient for exploring the 7th century capital of the Chola dynasty and situated by the two rivers of Cauvery and Arasalar.
Early the next day, you’ll take a morning sightseeing tour of Tanjore with a local private guide. Tanjore is a fascinating city with its spectacular central temple, Brihadeeswara.
Days 6 - 7
Chettinad
Today, journey through rural countryside and villages towards Chettinad, a small town with an impressive artistic heritage. Your small central hotel has a homestay feel and is a great base from which to explore.
The next day you’ll have a full-day guided tour of this prosperous community, during which you can experience the culture and cuisine of a relatively unchanged region. It’s hard not to be impressed by the beautiful mansion houses with lovely courtyards. Chettinad is a fantastic town in which to go antique shopping too!
Days 8 - 9
Rajakkad
This morning you’ll drive through the hidden hills of Tamil Nadu to a lovely estate in a lush forest and coffee plantation. Here you can take some time out to relax, go for walks, eat lovely home-cooked food from the locally grown ingredients and while away a few hours reading a book.
Days 10 - 11
Madurai
A relatively short drive today will bring you to the third-largest city in Tamil Nadu: Madurai. It’s a city famous for upholding Tamil traditions and is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.
The next day you’ll have a private guided tour of the city, taking in the key sites such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple and the 17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace. In the evening you have a chance to experience the famous puja at the Sri Meenakshi temple, joining hundreds of pilgrims as an image of the god Shiva is carried from his shrine by temple priests and taken in a chariot procession to the shrine of his wife.
Days 12 - 15
Mahabalipuram
In the late morning, you will take a short flight back to Chennai and transfer south for about 2 hours to Mahabalipuram. Now is your time to relax on the coast for the next three days, but the region still has a lot to offer thanks to the local UNESCO world heritage sites of beautiful stone carvings.
You may like to extend the trip or, if you are short of time, miss out the beach. All of our holidays are bespoke which means it’s easy to change them to suit your requirements.
India, exceeded all expectations
A trip taking in the Golden Triangle... rest and relaxation at Ramathra Fort and a beach resort in Kerala. Great planning... everything went perfectly and we felt we experienced all aspects of India.
Ian
28 February 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our India Experts
With over a decade of experience, Sara knows how to blend India’s vibrant energy with luxurious, personalised touches. Her itineraries balance historic cities, serene countryside retreats, and cultural experiences that stay with you forever.
Sara
Regional Expert
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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Tamil Nadu, India
Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort & Spa
Built on the ramparts of a 17th-century Dutch fort, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa is a laidback seaside retreat set among palm-strewn gardens on the Bay of Bengal. With a blend of European styling and coastal charm, it offers a comfortable base to enjoy the beaches of Chennai and explore Tamil culture in a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.
Highlights
Highlights
Beachfront location,
Dutch fort setting,
Vibrant atmosphere
Best for
Couples,
Families,
Solos
Gallery
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Tamil Nadu, India
Mantra Koodam
Set amidst the fertile Kaveri delta of the former Chola empire, Mantra Koodam is a serene wellness retreat rooted in tradition. Surrounded by herbal gardens and gentle river views, it provides a calm sanctuary focused on values, faith and simple living.
Highlights
Highlights
Peaceful rural setting,
Traditional Tamil design
Best for
Families,
Couples,
Solos
Gallery
See More
Tamil Nadu, India
Palais de Mahe
In the heart of Pondicherry’s charming French Quarter, Palais de Mahe blends colonial elegance with warm hospitality and coastal calm. Just steps from the seafront promenade, it’s a tranquil base to enjoy this vibrant heritage town.
Highlights
Highlights
French Quarter location,
Heritage design,
Rooftop bar
Best for
Couples,
Solos
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Tamil Nadu, India
Rajakkad Estate
High in the foothills of Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats, Rajakkad Estate offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by coffee, pepper, and cardamom plantations. With just seven rooms in an 18th-century wooden house, it’s the kind of place that feels lost in time—a sanctuary for birdwatchers, walkers and those craving real quiet.
Highlights
Highlights
Peaceful rural setting,
Bird-watching haven,
18th-century heritage
Best for
Couples,
Solos
Gallery
See More
Tamil Nadu, India
The Bangala
At the edge of Karaikkudi, The Bangala is a charming heritage stay with deep roots in Chettinad’s storied past. Housed in a century-old mansion, its past lives as a private club and dignitary guesthouse lend a sense of quiet grandeur. Guests come for the historic atmosphere, warm hospitality, and the culinary experience that’s become a highlight of the region.
Highlights
Highlights
Chettinad cuisine,
Heritage history,
Homely charm
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Food Enthusiasts
Gallery
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
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Kerala, India
A Day in Munnar's Tea Lands
An opportunity today for you to explore the picture perfect tea plantations that swathe the sloping hills of the Western Ghats. As you walk along the paths that separate the tea plants, past tea pickers in colourful saris, you will see the importance of tea in this area as a cash crop, a way of earning a living and a cultural institution. As well as tea, plenty of coffee, pepper and cardamom can be seen growing in this lush and fertile area. You will also have the chance to visit the local markets where the herbs, spices and tea are traded and sold. Always a colourful and sometimes a raucous affair, local markets in this part of India are fantastic places to mingle with the locals. You may also like to visit the local tea museum in Munnar.
Important FAQs about India
India is a place of contrasts and deep cultural richness, and travelling here with ETG ensures you experience it in a way that is authentic, seamless, and meaningful.
We craft holidays that go far beyond the typical tourist trail: think hand-picked boutique hotels, private guides with expert local knowledge, and immersive experiences that give you genuine insight into India’s diverse traditions and landscapes. From the calm of rural Rajasthan to the chaotic charm of Delhi, our holidays are designed to be both inspiring and stress-free, with 24/7 in-country support so you can focus on the magic of the moment.
India is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on the region and your interests. For most of northern India, the cooler, drier months from October to March are ideal for exploring cultural sites, cities, and wildlife reserves. The southern states, such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, are also wonderful during these months, while the Himalayan regions are best visited in the warmer months from April to June. If you’re looking for fewer crowds, travelling in the shoulder seasons—September or April—can offer a great balance of pleasant weather and quieter
Every ETG holiday to India is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.
You’ll experience India in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our India specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.
