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Boutique South India: From Chennai to Cochin

14 days from £6,660 for 2025 per person

Boutique South India is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips.

Starting in Chennai, begin your trip at Ampersand favourite, Palais de Mahe before journeying on to the charming town of Pondicherry, where you can experience a little bit of 'gay Paris' in this charming former French outpost. Spend the following night in the Tanjore from where you can visit the Brihadiswara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then continue on to the idyllic Rajakkad Estate in Dindigul, where you can truly unwind and get back to nature, quite literally – the estate’s expansive grounds are teeming with wildlife!

Next, venture into the verdant state of Kerala and up into the tea plantations of Munnar for an authentic slice of South Indian rural life in its purist form. Stay at the Talayar Village Bungalows and pay a visit to the villages’ tea factory where you can witness how the leaf gets from field to cup. No comprehensive tour of South India would be complete without visiting Kerala’s backwaters and a stay at the Marari Beach House is the perfect place from which to explore them. Spend a few days relaxing on the beach before continuing on to Cochin and exploring everything this ancient water city has to offer. After such a relaxing two weeks we wouldn’t be surprised if you 'accidentally' miss your flight home!

This is purely a suggested itinerary and can be booked as it is, or alternatively used as a starting point for creating your own tailor-made holiday to India.

Itinerary details

14 days from £6,660 for 2025 per person

Day 1 - The Leela Palace - Chennai
Arrive in Chennai and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 2 - The Leela Palace - Chennai
Private guided tour of Chennai including Fort St. George, the Kapaleeswarar Temple and St. Thomas' Cathedral.
Day 3 - Palais de Mahe - Pondicherry
Journey by car to Pondicherry. Explore the tree-lined streets for a leisurely evening.
Day 4 - Palais de Mahe - Pondicherry
Private guided tour of Pondicherry.
Day 5 - Svatma - Tanjore
Drive to Tanjore. Spend the evening at your leisure.
Day 6 - Rajakkad Estate - Dindigul
Continue to Dindigul. Spend the evening at your leisure in the estate's beautiful grounds.
Day 7 - Rajakkad Estate - Dindigul
Spend the day at your leisure with a choice of local activities.
Day 8 - Talayar Valley Bungalow - Munnar
Drive to Munnar. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 9 - Talayar Valley Bungalow - Munnar
Visit the local tea factory or choice of your activity.
Day 10 - Marari Beach Resort - Mararikulam
Drive to Mararikulam. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 11 - Marari Beach Resort - Mararikulam
Spend the at your leisure with your choice of beach activities.
Day 12 - Marari Beach Resort - Mararikulam
At your leisure.
Day 13 - Brunton Boatyard - Cochin
Drive to Cochin. Private guided afternoon tour of the city.
Day 14 - In transit.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.

Key

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson

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Client Testimonials

Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka

Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India

We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India

Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India

Ballyfin was great - we loved it! Best things were the amount of space, it felt like you had the whole place to yourself, the history of the house, and the staff. We'd definitely recommend it. Thanks very much for all the help getting it booked!
- Mr Wyburd, Ireland

Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
- Carruthers family, North India

I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India

Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India

I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India

I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
- Ms Margulies, Burma, India & Thailand

I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India

Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines

We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma

So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka

We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket

Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India

Boutique South India: From Chennai to Cochin

14 days from £6,660 for 2025 per person

Itinerary details

14 days from £6,660 for 2025 per person

Key

Client Testimonials

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