South India's temples & backwaters

Today, your Indian adventure starts with a tour of Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will see the many influences that have shaped the city, the government project to restore homeowners' properties, and a paper factory run by a local ashram dependent on whether you are there when it is open.

This morning you will drive further south to the former French enclave of Pondicherry. Along the way, you will pass many salt flats; if you wish to stop, please ask your driver.

Enjoy an unhurried breakfast this morning. In the afternoon, you will explore Puducherry and its heritage, which begins with a visit to a South Indian restaurant, popular with the locals. After lunch, you will visit a paper-making and weaving factory. Drive past the colonial part of the town, which is divided into two quarters — French and Indian. Part of the tour can be enjoyed on a bicycle or a tuk-tuk and therefore, if you are interested in either of them, please inform your guide during lunch.

Continue to Tanjore today. Explore Tanjore this afternoon, the former capital of the mighty Chola empire, famous for its Brihadeesvara Temple, the Old Palace that still boasts a magnificent Durbar Hall and the Saraswati Library Museum that houses an eclectic mix of exhibits, from scrolls of epic Hindu stories to Chinese torture drawings.

Today you will drive to Chettinad, visiting Trichy along the way. Trichy is located in the heart of Tamil Nadu and has been an important religious site since the 3rd century BC. A local guide is on hand to show you around the temples and explain the rituals which locals may be performing. You'll also be able to climb to the Rock Temple for views across the town.

The Chettinad region is fascinating! A community of traders and private bankers, they used their wealth to build enormous mansions where you can marvel at the opulence and quality of the workmanship. In the afternoon, you will visit the bazaars to see the local goldsmiths, silversmiths, and weavers at work, allowing you to see traditional crafts being made. The town has also become the center of the trade in antiques, which are collected from the surrounding area.

Enjoy the drive to Madurai today. When you reach there, you will be able to enjoy some leisure time before joining hundreds of pilgrims this evening in the Sri Meenakshi Temple to witness the ceremony which puts the holy book to bed.

An early start today will ensure you see the city of Madurai wake up. From the foyer being washed and decorated by women with designs, drinking traditional tea from one of the many tea stalls, milk suppliers with the big containers busy knocking at their clients' doors selling fresh milk, to a peak inside the wholesale market, it is all about sounds, smells, and sights. In the afternoon, you will travel to Periyar.

Today you will travel on a 4x4 tour to discover the villages and to visit a family spice farm at Kumily. The afternoon will be at leisure.

The morning will be at leisure. After brunch, travel for around three to four hours to the Keralan Backwaters. Board your traditional private rice barge and spend your afternoon and evening relaxing as you float around the waterways.

Wake up on your houseboat and enjoy breakfast before disembarking. Your driver is on hand to meet you and take you to Marari Beach. This evening you will take part in a cookery experience in the comforts of your hotel. You will learn how to make some of the traditional Cochin recipes passed down through the generations. After learning all about the ingredients, techniques, and methods, you can enjoy the fruits of your labour with your friendly hosts.

Cochin is a delightful city and has been a home to Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers. One can enjoy the colonial architecture and the Chinese fishing nets while walking around the old port city. You will discover the historical aspects of this oldest European settlement. However, the plan for today sees you explore the undiscovered elements of this charming city that is rich in various art forms. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Transfer to Cochin Airport this morning. Your driver will drop you off in ample time for your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.