To Put In A Nutshell Our family road trip of Tamil Nadu with Troper Tours was well planed from day 1 to day end. We travelled in full comfort to beautiful heritage sites, tranquil villages and fascinating cultural sites. Each location was beautiful in its own way, and the itinerary allowed for ample time to enjoy each spot without being rushed. The vehicle was clean and spacious, which is well suited for our family, as to our guide he is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We particularly liked well-coordination throughout the journey, timely and timely service without fail, effort on every detail. We discovered the legacy of Tamil Nadu there and how it is deeply rooted in tradition, but in a relaxed manner thanks to Troper Tours. It would have made our decision easier had we chosen them for our next South India holiday too.
- Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, Alleppey, Kumarakom, Cochin
- 9 Days 8 Nights
Tour Activities included
The Temples to Backwaters Journey 9 Days / 8 Nights includes more than 18 activities spanning two states. Highlights include the Meenakshi Amman temple and its evening aarti, the Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, a dawn Periyar Lake boat safari, a guided spice plantation walk, Eravikulam National Park and the Munnar tea estates, a private Alleppey houseboat night, and the Fort Kochi heritage quarter with a Kathakali performance.
General Tour Description
This route crosses the Western Ghats from one culture to another. It starts at Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, built in concentric rings around a temple that is still a working centre of daily worship rather than a monument. Then it climbs west through the mountains into Kerala — wildlife at Thekkady, tea country at Munnar, the backwaters at Alleppey — and ends at Fort Kochi, where five centuries of trade sit in one walkable quarter. Inter-state permits are included and handled by us; you arrange nothing at the border. Nine days, one direction, no road repeated.
See How the Tour Works
Tour itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive Madurai
Met at Madurai airport or railway station. The Meenakshi Amman temple in the late afternoon, timed for the reopening after the midday closure, and stay for the evening aarti when the temple is at its most alive. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 2 — Madurai
The Thirumalai Nayakar Palace in the morning and the Gandhi Memorial Museum, then a second visit to the temple at a different hour — it is a genuinely different place in the morning. The old bazaar streets around it are worth an hour. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 3 — Madurai to Thekkady
Four hours west, climbing into the Cardamom Hills and crossing into Kerala. The change is abrupt — dry plains to rainforest in under two hours. Afternoon spice plantation walk. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 4 — Thekkady
The 7am boat on Periyar Lake, which is the slot where elephants and gaur come to the water. The rest of the day at leisure, with an evening Kathakali or Kalaripayattu performance. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 5 — Thekkady to Munnar
Three hours north through cardamom and then tea, climbing to 1,600 metres. Afternoon free in Munnar. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 6 — Munnar
Eravikulam National Park for the Nilgiri tahr, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and the Tea Museum. Eravikulam closes for roughly February and March during calving season; Top Station substitutes. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 7 — Munnar to Alleppey
Four and a half hours down from the hills to the water. Board a private houseboat around midday, cruise Vembanad Lake and the narrower village canals, moor by 5:30pm and dine on board. Overnight on the houseboat.
Day 8 — Alleppey to Kochi
Disembark after breakfast and drive ninety minutes north to Fort Kochi. The afternoon in the old quarter — Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town, the Chinese fishing nets at sunset — and a Kathakali performance in the evening. Overnight in Fort Kochi.
Day 9 — Departure
A final morning in the quarter if time allows, then ninety minutes to Cochin airport.
Frequently Asked Questions –Temples to Backwaters Journey – 9 Days / 8 Nights
Q1. Is this itinerary suitable for families and elderly travellers?
Yes, this tour is designed to be comfortable for families, senior travellers and first-time visitors. The pace is moderate, stays are in well-reviewed hotels, and sightseeing includes a balance of temples, nature spots and relaxing backwater experiences.
Q2. Are temple dress codes strict on this journey?
Temples in Madurai, Rameswaram and Trivandrum do follow traditional dress codes. Modest clothing is required—men may need dhotis in some temples and women should wear outfits covering shoulders and knees. Troper Tours provides dress code guidance and assistance at every stop.
Q3. Is a houseboat stay safe and suitable for children?
Yes, Alleppey houseboats are safe, crewed by licensed professionals and ideal for families. Safety rails, onboard staff, freshly prepared meals and calm backwater routes ensure a comfortable experience.
Q4. Can I customize the itinerary by adding beaches or hill stations?
Absolutely. Troper Tours specializes in customizing temple-to-nature journeys. You can add destinations like Kovalam, Munnar or Thekkady, or extend your stay in Cochin or Kumarakom for leisure.
Q5. What is the best time to book this tour?
October to March offers the most pleasant weather for temple visits, sightseeing and backwater cruising. However, the monsoon months bring beautiful greenery and discounted prices—perfect for those seeking a peaceful, budget-friendly trip.
Q6. Do I need a permit to cross from Tamil Nadu into Kerala?
You do not, personally. The vehicle needs an inter-state permit and that is included in your quote and arranged by us before you travel. You simply drive through. It is worth asking any operator about this, because it is a common hidden extra.
Q7. Which airports should I book?
Fly into Madurai (IXM) and out of Kochi (COK). The route runs west and this is the only sensible way to fly it — a return from Madurai would mean nine hours of driving back across the Ghats on your final day. Kochi is Kerala’s largest international gateway with one-stop connections via Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
Q8. How much of this is temples?
Two days of nine. Madurai is the temple portion; everything after Day 3 is Kerala — wildlife, tea country, backwaters and a colonial port town. If you want a deeper temple circuit, our Sacred South India tour covers Rameswaram and Kanyakumari as well.
Q9. Is the Ghats crossing difficult?
It is a mountain road with switchbacks, about four hours, and some people find it winding. We schedule it for the morning when the light is good and the traffic is thin, and we stop twice. If anyone in your party is prone to motion sickness, tell us and we will plan the stops accordingly.
Package inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
- Private air-conditioned car with driver for the entire route
- All inter-city transfers, tolls, parking and driver allowance
- Airport or railway station pickup and drop as per the itinerary
- Private houseboat with lunch, dinner and next-day breakfast
- Inter-state vehicle permit between Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from our Thiruvananthapuram office
Package Exclusions
- Flights and airport taxes
- Lunches and dinners except where specified
- Temple, monument and national park entry fees
- Camera and video fees where charged
- Licensed guide fees where engaged at a specific site
- Ayurvedic treatments and spa sessions
- Tips, laundry and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under inclusions
submit your enquiry
Custom & Flexible Pricing
Prices are customised and date‑sensitive
Our prices vary based on season, dates, group size and custom add‑ons. Every quote is tailored for your exact travel plan.
- Season & dates: Peak dates increase rates.
- Group size & rooms: Options affect pricing.
- Add‑ons: Transfers, guides and activities priced separately.
1. Tell us dates
Share preferred travel dates.
2. Choose options
Rooms, transfers & activities.
3. Get your quote
Full cost breakdown.
Note
Exact prices provided after enquiry.
Response time: within 24 hours.
Important — Please read
General Policies & How this itinerary works
This page shows a sample itinerary to give you a clear idea of the route, inclusions and timings. Every itinerary is fully customisable to match your dates, hotel preferences and interests. Once you share your travel details we will prepare a personalised itinerary and an itemised quote.
Simple booking procedure
- Send your preferred dates, number of travellers and any special requirements.
- Choose hotel tier and optional add‑ons (transfers, guides, activities).
- We prepare an itemised quote with availability and payment terms.
- Confirm with the advance payment and receive your booking voucher.
- Our team assigns a dedicated tour coordinator who assists you until the trip is completed.
Note: Timings, hotels and activities shown are indicative. Final confirmations depend on availability at the time of booking. We will always send a clear voucher with terms after payment.
Refund / Cancellation / Rescheduling
Our standard policy (unless a specific tour page states otherwise):
- Free cancellation: up to 10 days before departure.
- Partial refund: 7–14 days before departure (percentage applies).
- No refund: within 7 days of departure or no‑shows.
- Rescheduling: allowed subject to availability; fees may apply for peak dates.
Payment Policy
Standard terms:
- Advance: 50% to confirm the booking.
- Balance: due 14 days before departure (or earlier for peak-season bookings).
- Payment modes: Bank transfer, UPI, major cards; international bookings may require different terms.
- Invoice & voucher: Issued after full payment; please check all details carefully.
Hotel Category Options
Choose from three tiers:
- Standard: Comfortable 3★ choices with essential amenities.
- Comfort: Quality 3★–4★ hotels with additional facilities.
- Luxury: Premium 5★ properties and boutique stays (subject to availability).
Room types (Single / Double / Twin) and meal plans (B/B, Half Board, Full Board) affect the final price.
Important: The final quote you receive will include a complete breakdown: base cost, taxes, entry fees, and optional extras. Always review the booking voucher for exact inclusions.
For more details:
Why Travelers Trust Us
- Every itinerary is prepared manually by experienced tour planners, ensuring accuracy and comfort.
- All hotels, drivers and service providers are pre‑verified for safety, hygiene and reliability.
- Transparent pricing — no hidden charges. Every quote includes a complete breakdown.
- Dedicated WhatsApp & phone support throughout your trip for smooth communication.
- Real traveler experiences available in our testimonial section.
- Government‑recognized & GST‑registered tour operator, maintaining compliance and accountability.
- Secure payment channels with instant invoicing for peace of mind.
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Customer Reviews
Rajesh & Meera Nair Family
Richard & Sarah Thompson with Friends
Troper Tours organized an amazing Tamil Nadu itinerary for our group of 6. Each place was special, whether it be interesting historical sites or local markets to vibrant countryside and cute towns. This was planned nicely with fast paced itinerary, allowing time to explore, click pictures and soak in the culture without being too hurried. We had a very friendly and knowledgeable guide who was more than happy to explain the history and customs of every place we visited. The car was clean, comfortable and even the longer journeys were not bad. We also appreciated the excellent planning, hospitality and personal attention throughout the trip. It truly was an experience we will never forget and I would recommend Troper Tours to anyone who is planning a Tamil Nadu holiday.
Dmitry & Anna Petrov Family
From start to finish, our trip to Tamil Nadu with Troper Tours was absolutely unforgettable. Journeying through beautiful temples, quaint heritage towns, stunning hill stations and the impeccable hospitality that comes with it everywhere we went. From amazing architecture to local traditions, delicious South Indian food; every day had a wonderful experience waiting for us. The itinerary was flawless, the hotels a delight, and our driver professional and always ready with local knowledge. They managed everything without a hitch and helped our family focus on enjoying the ride. We came home with great memories and will highly recommend Troper Tours for anyone wanting a thoroughly planned and authentic Tamil Nadu tour.