7 Days 6 Nights A Grand Southern Sojourn:
Madurai – Kodaikanal – Rameswaram – Kanyakumari – Kovalam
Welcome to an expedition that combines the misty tranquility of hill stations with the spiritual energy of ancient temples and the serene beauty of the coastline, promising a truly memorable and diverse escape.
Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Madurai & Journey to Kodaikanal
- Day 2: Kodaikanal Exploration
- Day 3: Kodaikanal to Madurai & Temple Exploration
- Day 4: Madurai to Rameswaram & Sacred Sites
- Day 5: Rameswaram to Kanyakumari & Sunset Spectacle
- Day 6: Kanyakumari to Kovalam & Beach Leisure
- Day 7: Departure from Trivandrum
Arrival in Madurai & Journey to Kodaikanal Your journey begins as you land at Madurai Airport. From there, you will embark on a breathtaking scenic drive directly to the "Princess of Hill Stations," Kodaikanal. The road winds through the Palani Hills, offering stunning vistas. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, soaking in the cool, refreshing mountain air and preparing for the days ahead.
Kodaikanal Exploration Awaken to the serene beauty of Kodaikanal and prepare for a day of exploration. Your tour begins with a leisurely stroll along Coaker's Walk, a paved path offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. You'll then visit Bryant Park, a beautifully maintained botanical garden, and end your day with a peaceful boating experience on the star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake, a truly iconic and serene experience.
Kodaikanal to Madurai & Temple Exploration After a final breakfast in Kodaikanal, you'll embark on a scenic drive down to the ancient city of Madurai. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and dedicate the afternoon to exploring the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, a stunning architectural marvel adorned with thousands of intricate sculptures and towering gopurams. You will be captivated by its vibrant halls and rich history.
Madurai to Rameswaram & Sacred Sites After a final breakfast in Madurai, you'll embark on a scenic drive to the holy island of Rameswaram. Upon arrival and checking into your hotel, you will visit the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, where you can immerse yourself in spiritual rituals. The afternoon then takes you to Dhanushkodi, a ghost town at the southeastern tip of Pamban Island, known for its pristine beaches and the mythical origins of Rama Setu. The rest of the evening is yours to soak in the serene coastal atmosphere.
Rameswaram to Kanyakumari & Sunset Spectacle After a serene morning in Rameswaram, you'll embark on a scenic drive to the southernmost tip of mainland India, Kanyakumari. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and head straight for the coast. An exhilarating ferry ride will take you to the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the majestic Thiruvalluvar Statue, standing tall in the confluence of the three seas. The day culminates with a breathtaking sunset view over the horizon, a perfect moment to reflect before your overnight stay.
Kanyakumari to Kovalam & Beach Leisure Today, you'll enjoy a leisurely morning in Kanyakumari before embarking on a scenic drive to the sun-kissed beaches of Kovalam. The road offers beautiful views of the coastal landscape. Upon arrival, you will check into your resort and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You can unwind on the crescent-shaped beaches of Lighthouse, Hawa, or Samudra, letting the warm sun and the soothing sound of waves wash away all your worries, a perfect prelude to your departure.
Departure from Trivandrum With a heart full of cherished memories from the hills of Kodaikanal, the spiritual grandeur of Madurai and Rameswaram, and the stunning coastlines of Kanyakumari and Kovalam, your tour concludes. After a final breakfast, you will be transferred from Kovalam to Trivandrum Airport for your departure, leaving with a promise to return to the captivating landscapes of Southern India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Itinerary & Sightseeing
The tour begins at Madurai Airport on Day 1 and concludes on Day 7 with a transfer from Kovalam to Trivandrum Airport (TRV). Since the arrival and departure cities are different, you will need to book a one-way inbound flight to Madurai and a separate return flight from Trivandrum. Please plan your travel bookings accordingly.
The itinerary is designed to offer a varied and refreshing experience right from the start. Rather than visiting all city destinations consecutively, the tour takes you straight to the cool hills of Kodaikanal on Day 1, allowing you to acclimatize and relax. The descent back to Madurai on Day 3 then transitions you naturally into the spiritual and cultural highlights of the city, creating a pleasing contrast between hill tranquility and urban grandeur.
Kodaikanal, known as the "Princess of Hill Stations," offers three key experiences on Day 2. Coaker's Walk is a scenic paved promenade built along a steep cliff edge with sweeping views of the valley and plains below. Bryant Park is a well-maintained botanical garden known for its diverse flora. The Kodaikanal Lake is a unique star-shaped artificial lake at the heart of the town, where you can enjoy a peaceful boating experience surrounded by eucalyptus trees.
Day 3 focuses on the Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of India's most celebrated temples, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. It is renowned for its fourteen towering gopurams (gateway towers) adorned with thousands of sculpted figures, and its vibrant Thousand Pillar Hall. Note that the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, visited in some related packages, is not explicitly listed in this itinerary. If you wish to visit it, check with your tour operator.
Dhanushkodi is a near-deserted ghost town at the eastern tip of Pamban Island, largely abandoned after a catastrophic cyclone in 1964. According to the Ramayana, this is the mythical point from which Lord Rama's army built a floating stone bridge — Rama Setu (also called Adam's Bridge) — to cross the sea to Lanka. Remnants of the submerged bridge are said to be visible from this point, and the location carries immense historical and religious significance for pilgrims.
Kanyakumari sits at the confluence of three bodies of water — the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. The sunset here is considered one of the most spectacular in India, as the sun dips below the open horizon with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue silhouetted against the sky. On certain full moon nights, the sunset and moonrise can be observed simultaneously from opposite sides of the coast, an experience unique to this location.
Day 6 in Kovalam is entirely at leisure — no structured sightseeing is scheduled. Kovalam is famous for its three crescent-shaped beaches: Lighthouse Beach (the most popular, with a working lighthouse offering panoramic views), Hawa Beach (also known as Eve's Beach), and the quieter Samudra Beach. You can relax by the sea, enjoy Kerala's fresh seafood, try Ayurvedic spa treatments available at most beach resorts, or simply unwind before your departure the next morning.
Yes, a ferry ride to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue is part of the Day 5 itinerary in Kanyakumari. However, ferry tickets are entry fees payable directly at the site and are not included in the package. It is advisable to carry cash as the government ferry service may not accept digital payments.
Accommodation & Meals
The package includes daily breakfast at your hotel throughout the 7-day tour. Dinner is available as an optional add-on, charged per person per night, and can be included at the time of booking. Lunches and daytime snacks are not covered and are to be arranged and paid for independently. Southern India's diverse food trail — from Kodaikanal's café culture to Rameswaram's coastal cuisine and Kerala's traditional sadya — is well worth exploring on your own.
No. Kodaikanal is a hill station with a naturally cool climate, so non-AC rooms are provided there as per the package inclusions. This is standard practice for hill station stays and is generally comfortable given the weather conditions. All other destinations on this tour — Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, and Kovalam — are in coastal or plains regions where air-conditioned rooms are provided.
Five hotel categories are available: Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Premium, Super Premium, and Luxury. Carefully selected partner hotels are available at all five destinations — Kodaikanal, Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, and Kovalam. Your tour operator will confirm the specific hotels based on your chosen category at the time of booking.
Twin-sharing means the package price is based on two guests sharing one room. Solo travellers who wish to occupy a room alone will typically be charged a Single Supplement on top of the base rate. Please confirm the applicable surcharge with your tour operator at the time of booking.
Yes, children are welcome on this tour. The package offers two child pricing options: a child with an extra bed (charged at the extra adult bed rate) and a child without a bed who shares existing bedding with parents (at a reduced rate). Please inform your tour operator of the child's age at the time of booking to ensure appropriate arrangements.
Transportation & Logistics
Vehicles are assigned based on group size: a Sedan for 2 passengers, an Ertiga or Innova for groups of 4 to 6, and a Tempo Traveller for groups of 8 to 10. All vehicles are air-conditioned. If you prefer an upgrade, a Toyota Crysta can replace the Innova or Ertiga, and an Urbania can replace the Tempo Traveller — both at an additional surcharge. Please request upgrades at the time of booking.
The driver and vehicle are available from 8 AM to 8 PM daily. Usage beyond these hours may attract additional charges not covered in the package. Plan your daily sightseeing within this window to avoid extra costs, particularly on longer sightseeing days like Day 4 (Madurai to Rameswaram with Dhanushkodi) and Day 5 (Rameswaram to Kanyakumari).
Yes. This tour travels across two states — Tamil Nadu (Kodaikanal, Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari) and Kerala (Kovalam). Interstate permits required for the vehicle to cross the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border are fully handled and included in the package. All taxes, tolls, and driver allowances across both states are also covered.
Costs, Exclusions & Policies
Entry fees for all sightseeing attractions are payable directly and are not covered in the package. These include fees for Coaker's Walk, Bryant Park, Kodaikanal Lake boating, Meenakshi Amman Temple (special darshan if desired), Ramanathaswamy Temple, Dhanushkodi beach entry, the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial (if visited), the Kanyakumari ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue, and any other monuments. Carrying adequate cash is strongly advised.
No. Flights or train tickets to reach Madurai at the start of the tour, and to depart from Trivandrum at the end, are not included in the package. As this is a one-way tour (different start and end cities), you will need to book separate inbound and return travel independently.
Personal expenses not covered include tips for drivers, guides, and hotel staff; laundry charges; telephone and internet costs; portage (luggage handling at hotels); shopping; and any other incidental expenses. These are entirely your own responsibility throughout the tour.
The published rates are valid from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026. Travel outside this window may be subject to different pricing — particularly during the peak season (October to March). Please contact your tour operator for applicable rates beyond this validity period. All rates are net and non-commissionable.
