South India Unveiled

Arrival in Chennai
Welcome to Chennai — a vibrant coastal city where deep history, layered culture, and everyday life meet the Bay of Bengal. This is where our South Indian journey begins.

Hotel check-in
Settle into your hotel, Trident Hotel, Chennai, known for its warm Southern hospitality and comfortable, calm setting. Take some time to freshen up and land after your travels.

Welcome gathering
At 3.00pm, we come together for a welcome session — a chance to meet your fellow travellers, arrive fully, and gently step into the rhythm of the journey ahead.

British-era heritage experience
At 3.30pm, we head out for a guided heritage experience exploring Chennai’s British-era architecture. Travelling by bus with short strolls, we’ll discover landmark buildings and streets that reflect the city’s colonial past and its evolution through the British Raj.

Dinner
At 7.00pm, we share our first South Indian dinner together. Good food, new conversations, and the early moments of connection as unfamiliar faces begin to feel like part of the same journey.

Overnight
Trident Hotel, Chennai

Breakfast at the hotel
Begin the day with a delicious South Indian breakfast — a generous, flavourful spread to energise you for a day of cultural exploration.

Mylapore heritage walk
At 8.00am, we head into the heart of Chennai for a guided walk through the sacred streets of Mylapore. This is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, alive with temples, colonial echoes, bustling bazaars, and stories passed down through generations. A soulful introduction to South India’s spiritual and cultural roots.

Lunch
After the walk, we enjoy lunch at an iconic local restaurant, known for its flavours and long-standing place in Chennai’s food culture.

George Town bazaar walk
In the afternoon, we explore George Town — Chennai’s oldest trading district. We wander through vibrant bazaars filled with spices, flowers, textiles, and sacred shrines, experiencing the energy, commerce, and everyday life that has shaped the city for centuries.

Dinner
We end the day with a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant, a chance to reflect on the day’s contrasts — from sacred streets to lively markets, and the rich flavours that define Chennai.

Overnight
Trident Hotel, Chennai

Breakfast at the hotel
Start the day with a relaxed, hearty breakfast as we prepare for a day of cultural and spiritual exploration.

Check-out + travel to Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel at 11.00am and travel to Mahabalipuram — an ancient coastal town and once-important trading port of South India.

Seafood lunch
On arrival, we enjoy a South Indian seafood lunch at a local restaurant, immersing ourselves in the coastal flavours of the region.

Mahabalipuram UNESCO heritage site
In the afternoon, we explore Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its remarkable rock-cut temples, cave carvings, and the iconic Shore Temple set against the Bay of Bengal. We’ll take our time to walk, observe, and absorb the history and setting.

Reflection + grounding session
As the day softens, we gather for a soul-nourishing session guided by Jodi. This is a space to connect, reflect, and gently process what the day has offered, held either on the beach or within the hotel gardens, depending on conditions.

Dinner
We end the day with a peaceful dinner together, sharing stories and insights in a relaxed, heart-centred setting.

Overnight
Kaldan Samudra Hotel, Mahabalipuram

Breakfast at the hotel
Start the day with a relaxed, flavourful breakfast before we continue our journey.

Check-out + travel
We’ll check out of the hotel at 10.00am and travel by road for approximately two hours to our next destination. This is an easy drive, with time to settle in and watch the landscape change as we go.

Lunch at the hotel
On arrival, we’ll enjoy lunch at our hotel — a chance to refuel, settle into the new space, and ease into the afternoon.

Guided walk through White Town and Black Town
Later, we head out on a guided walk through Pondicherry’s White and Black Towns. We’ll wander past pastel-coloured buildings, soak up the local rhythm, and explore key landmarks including the French War Memorial and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This walk is designed to be unhurried and immersive, giving you a real feel for the layers of history, culture, and everyday life here.

Dinner
We finish the day with dinner at a local restaurant — good food, gentle conversation, and time to reflect on what the day has offered.

Overnight
Grand D’ Europe, Pondicherry

Breakfast at the hotel
We begin the day with a relaxed breakfast, giving you time to wake gently and prepare for a rich and varied day ahead.

Guided bicycle tour of the old town
This morning we explore Pondicherry’s old town by bicycle, guided locally and at an easy pace. We’ll ride through colourful neighbourhoods where French and Tamil influences meet, passing colonial buildings, leafy streets, and quiet corners.
Along the way we’ll visit key landmarks including Raj Niwas and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, with time to pause, notice, and enjoy the coastal air and everyday life unfolding around us.

Travel to Auroville + lunch
After the ride, we travel to Auroville — a unique international township known for its diverse community and alternative way of living. Lunch will be enjoyed in Auroville, offering another taste of the region and time to rest before the afternoon experience.

French–Indian cooking experience
In the evening, we’re welcomed into a local home for a cooking demonstration that brings Pondicherry’s food culture to life. You’ll learn how French and South Indian influences blend together through spices, techniques, and stories, gaining insight into the flavours that define this region.

Dinner
Dinner follows the cooking experience, shared together in a relaxed and connected way.

Overnight
Grand D’ Europe, Pondicherry

Breakfast at the hotel
Enjoy a final breakfast in Pondicherry, taking in the coastal calm before we move into the next chapter of the journey.

Depart Pondicherry + travel to Thanjavur
We depart Pondicherry at 10.00am, travelling by road through the countryside of Tamil Nadu. This scenic drive offers a gentle transition as the landscape and rhythm begin to shift.

Check-in + lunch
After checking in, we head out for a traditional South Indian lunch at a local restaurant, rich with regional flavours and prepared in the style this part of India is known for.

Brihadeeswarar Temple
In the afternoon, we visit the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the great architectural achievements of the Chola dynasty. We’ll take time to absorb the scale, craftsmanship, and sacred presence of the temple, including its soaring vimana and intricate stone carvings.

Chettinad dinner
We close the day with a Chettinad-style dinner, known for its bold spices and distinctive flavours — a true culinary highlight of the region.

Overnight
GReaT Trails Riverview Resort, Thanjavur

Breakfast at the hotel
Begin the day with a relaxed, flavourful breakfast as we prepare for a day of cultural immersion.

Travel into the Chettinad region
We travel by road for approximately two hours through the rural landscapes of Tamil Nadu, offering a glimpse into village life and the changing countryside.

Chettinad heritage walk
We step into the Chettinad region for a guided walk through grand heritage mansions and quiet village streets. This experience offers insight into the Chettiar community and their legacy of trade, art, architecture, and cultural influence, bringing history to life in a very tangible way.

Lunch at a Chettinad mansion
Lunch is enjoyed in a Chettinad mansion, showcasing the bold, aromatic spices and traditional techniques that define this renowned regional cuisine.

Athangudi tile-making experience
In the afternoon, we visit a traditional Athangudi tile-making unit, where skilled artisans create vibrantly patterned tiles by hand using age-old methods. You’ll have the opportunity to try the process yourself, learning how sand, cement, and natural pigments come together to form this distinctive local art.

Return to the hotel + dinner
We return to our hotel by road (approximately two hours) and end the day with a relaxed dinner at the hotel, allowing time to rest and reflect.

Overnight
GReaT Trails Riverview Resort, Thanjavur

Breakfast at the hotel
Begin the day with a relaxed, flavourful breakfast as we prepare to move into the next phase of the journey.

Check-out + travel to Madurai
We check out at 10.00am and travel by road to Madurai — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India. The journey takes approximately three hours, passing through the heart of Tamil Nadu’s landscape.

Check-in + lunch
On arrival in Madurai, we check in to our hotel and enjoy lunch on site, allowing time to rest, unpack, and settle into the new surroundings.

Grounding + reflection session
In the late afternoon, we gather for a grounding and reflective session guided by Jodi. This is a gentle pause — space to connect, integrate what’s been experienced so far, and deepen the journey inward and as a group.

Madurai food trail inc dinner
In the evening, we head out on a guided food trail through Madurai, tasting iconic local dishes and learning about the city’s rich culinary legacy and everyday culture.

Overnight
Grand Madurai by GRT Hotels, Madurai

Breakfast at the hotel
Start the morning with a relaxed breakfast as the ancient city of Madurai begins to stir around us.

Guided heritage walk
This morning we step into Madurai’s rich past with a guided heritage walk through the heart of the city. We’ll explore temples, markets, and old streets while hearing stories of poet kings, warrior queens, and living traditions that still shape everyday life here.
Highlights include the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple and other cultural gems tucked within the city’s vibrant maze.

Visit to the Mother Temple
Following the heritage walk, we visit the central Mother Temple, allowing time to pause and take in its presence and significance.

Lunch
After the walk, we enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant, sampling regional favourites and taking time to rest.

Potter’s Trail
In the afternoon, we join the Potter’s Trail, visiting a local village where traditional pottery is still made by hand. We meet members of the community, learn about their customs, and gain insight into a way of life passed down through generations.

Dinner
We finish the day with dinner at a local restaurant, reflecting on a day rich with history, culture, and connection.

Overnight
Grand Madurai by GRT Hotels, Madurai

Breakfast at the hotel
Begin the day with a relaxed, nourishing breakfast before we farewell Madurai.

Check-out + travel to the Western Ghats
We check out of the hotel at 10.00am and travel by road toward the Western Ghats. The journey takes approximately three hours, gradually moving from city life into cooler air, plantations, and misty hills.

Arrival + settle in
On arrival, we settle into Forest Canopy, an eco-conscious retreat nestled among rolling plantations and forested hills. This is a peaceful place to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with nature.

Lunch + free time
Lunch will be enjoyed at the retreat restaurant, followed by free time to rest, explore the grounds, or simply be still.

Grounding session
At 4.00pm, we gather for a grounding session guided by Jodi. This is an invitation to reflect, reconnect, and sink deeper into presence, supported by the quiet and beauty of the hills.

Home-style cooking experience
In the evening, we visit a local family home for a South Indian cooking experience. Together, we’ll learn to prepare traditional dishes and then enjoy the meal we’ve created, sharing stories and connection.

Overnight
Forest Canopy, Thekkady

Breakfast at the retreat
We begin the day with a well-deserved breakfast, featuring fresh tropical fruits, traditional Kerala dishes, and aromatic local coffee.

Periyar Lake boat safari
After breakfast, we head out for a peaceful boat ride on Periyar Lake, set within the heart of the wildlife sanctuary. We glide across misty waters surrounded by dense forest, keeping watch for elephants, sambar deer, wild boar, and a rich variety of birdlife.
This gentle morning experience offers a rare window into Kerala’s biodiversity and sets a calm, grounded tone for the day.

Lunch
After the boating experience, we return for lunch at a local restaurant, enjoying Kerala’s distinctive spice-infused cuisine.

Free time + rest
The afternoon is yours to rest and restore. You may choose to enjoy a massage at the retreat, take a gentle walk into town for shopping, relax with a book, or simply sit on your cottage balcony and listen to the sounds of the jungle.

Traditional arts experience
In the evening, we head out to experience Kerala’s traditional performing and martial arts, offering insight into the region’s cultural and storytelling traditions.

Dinner
We finish the day with a cosy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight
Forest Canopy, Thekkady

Breakfast at the retreat
We begin the day with a healthy breakfast featuring fresh tropical fruits, traditional Kerala dishes, and aromatic coffee.

Farewell Thekkady + travel to Alleppey
At 9.00am, we bid farewell to the misty hills of Thekkady and begin our descent toward the lush backwaters of Alleppey. As we travel, the landscape gently transforms — winding through spice and tea plantations, quiet villages, rice paddies, coconut groves, and still waters.

Arrival in Alleppey + houseboat check-in
By midday, we arrive at the shimmering backwaters of Alleppey, where our private houseboat awaits. Step aboard and be warmly welcomed by the crew before settling into this unique floating retreat.

Backwaters cruise + lunch
We set sail through serene canals and lagoons where time slows and life unfolds at the water’s edge. Along the way, we pass village scenes of fishermen casting nets, women washing clothes, and children waving from the banks.
A traditional Kerala lunch is freshly prepared and served on board as the boat glides gently through this aquatic landscape.

Afternoon on the water
The afternoon is yours to truly slow down. Lounge on the open-air deck, journal, nap, or simply watch the palm-lined scenery drift by. This is Kerala at its most peaceful — unhurried, soulful, and alive.

Sunset + stillness
As the sun begins to dip, the backwaters glow in warm golden light. Gather with the group for chai, quiet conversation, laughter, or reflection as the day softens.

Dinner on board
Enjoy a freshly cooked dinner prepared with local ingredients and care. As the houseboat anchors for the night, drift off to sleep with the gentle movement of the water and the sounds of nature.

Overnight
Private houseboat, Alleppey

Morning cruise + breakfast
We begin the day with a gentle morning cruise on the backwaters, followed by breakfast on board.

Disembark + travel to Fort Kochi
After breakfast, we disembark from our houseboat and travel to the historic coastal town of Fort Kochi. Shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences woven through Indian culture, this is a place where history lives in everyday life.

Arrival + check-in
On arrival, we settle into our heritage hotel — a blend of colonial elegance and modern comfort — tucked away in the leafy lanes of Fort Kochi. There’s time to relax, refresh, and soak in the ocean air.
Lunch will be enjoyed at the hotel or a nearby local restaurant.

Guided heritage walk
In the late afternoon, we head out on foot for a guided heritage walk through Fort Kochi’s storied past. Highlights include the iconic Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church (India’s oldest European church), and a wander through quiet colonial streets lined with weathered villas and colourful façades.

Fort Kochi food walk
As twilight settles, we explore Fort Kochi’s vibrant culinary scene on a curated food walk. We sample spiced coastal dishes, fusion flavours, and traditional snacks from local favourites and hidden gems — a true celebration of flavour, culture, and history.

Overnight
The Fern Kochi, Fort Kochi

Breakfast at the hotel
Begin the day slowly with a relaxed breakfast, savouring local flavours, tropical fruits, and that perfect South Indian coffee.

Mattancherry Palace + old town wander
After breakfast, we step back in time with a visit to Mattancherry Palace, where intricately painted murals and royal artefacts offer a glimpse into Kerala’s layered history.
We then wander through the surrounding cobbled lanes, browsing antique shops and spice stalls, and visit the Paradesi Synagogue — a quiet and powerful reminder of Fort Kochi’s rich multicultural heritage.

Lunch
We enjoy lunch at one of Fort Kochi’s charming cafés or traditional eateries, offering an eclectic mix of Keralan, Middle Eastern, and European flavours.

Reflection + integration session
In the late afternoon, we gather for a reflective session guided by Jodi. This is a space to integrate the journey, share insights, and connect more deeply as the experience begins to come full circle.

Mohiniyattam dance performance
As twilight settles, we witness a traditional Mohiniyattam dance performance — Kerala’s classical dance form known for its graceful movements and expressive storytelling.

Dinner at leisure
The evening is yours to enjoy dinner at your own pace, whether at a seaside restaurant or a cosy courtyard tucked away in the heart of Fort Kochi.

Overnight
The Fern Kochi, Fort Kochi

Closing circle + reflection
Wake gently and mindfully, then come together one last time to reflect on and celebrate the experiences, insights, and connections formed throughout the journey. This closing session is a quiet pause — a space to honour the growth, stillness, and friendships that have unfolded along the way.

Final breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast together, savouring the familiar warmth of South Indian flavours as the morning breeze carries Fort Kochi’s gentle rhythm into the day.

Check-out + airport transfer
After checking out of the hotel, we travel together to the airport for onward journeys home.

As the roads stretch away from Fort Kochi, you carry with you the colours, stories, and moments that have shaped this experience — not just from the richness of India’s culture and cuisine, but from the nourishment of mind, body, and spirit.

This is not simply a return home, but a continuation — with a quieter nervous system, softened edges, and a deeper connection to yourself, gently carried forward into whatever comes next.