Temples and KodaikanalSouth India in 5 nights

Five nights: two in Rameswaram, one in Madurai for the Meenakshi temple, then two cool nights in Kodaikanal in the Palani hills.

Day 1

Arrive in Madurai, drive to Rameswaram

About 170 km · 3.5 hours

Our driver meets you at Madurai airport for the drive to Rameswaram, the island temple town. Check in, then visit the Ramanathaswamy temple, one of the twelve jyotirlingas, famous for its long pillared corridors and 22 holy wells (theerthams); Agni Theertham, where pilgrims bathe in the sea; and the Panchamukhi Hanuman temple, which keeps the floating stones said to be from the Ram Setu. The evening is free for darshan.

Dinner Overnight: Rameswaram

Day 2

Rameswaram, Pamban and Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi is about 20 km away

An early darshan if you wish, then a full day: a photo stop at the Pamban Bridge across the sea; Dhanushkodi, the ghost town at India's tip, with its ruined church and the Ram Setu viewpoint; the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial; and the Kothandaramaswamy temple on the way. Night in Rameswaram.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Rameswaram

Day 3

Rameswaram to Madurai: the Meenakshi temple

About 170 km · 3.5 hours

Drive back to Madurai and check in. In the afternoon, visit the Meenakshi Amman temple, its great painted gopurams and the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, and the 17th-century Thirumalai Nayak Palace. The Gandhi Memorial Museum is optional. In the evening, browse the silks and brassware of Puthu Mandapam, the old pillared market beside the temple. Night in Madurai.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Madurai

Day 4

Madurai to Kodaikanal

About 120 km · 3.5 to 4 hours

Climb into the Palani hills to Kodaikanal, the 'princess of hill stations'. After check-in, walk Coaker's Walk and Bryant Park and spend the evening by Kodaikanal Lake. Night in Kodaikanal.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Kodaikanal

Day 5

Kodaikanal sightseeing

A full day in the hills: the granite Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves, Green Valley View and the Silver Cascade falls, with time for a boat or a cycle around the lake. Shop for home-made chocolates and eucalyptus oil in town. Night in Kodaikanal.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Kodaikanal

Day 6

Kodaikanal to Madurai, and home

About 120 km · 3.5 to 4 hours

After breakfast, drive down to Madurai airport for your flight home.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are as listed or similar, subject to availability, in base-category rooms. Breakfast and dinner are included (MAP).

Package cost

Price per adult on twin sharing, by the number of adults travelling together. Land only.

Private A/C vehicle with driver: a sedan for 2 adults, an Ertiga for 4, an Innova for 6 and a Tempo Traveller for 8 or more. Point to point as per the itinerary, 8 am to 7 pm.

Rates in INR per person on twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner. GST 5% extra. The extra-bed price is for a third person sharing the room; the child price is for a child of 5 to 12 sharing without a bed.

Optional add-ons

Not in the package price. Add them when you book.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Prices are per person, for travellers sharing a room, and depend on how many travel together. They are valid from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, except 20 December to 5 January, when prices are on request.
• The car runs from 8 am to 7 pm as per the itinerary and is not at disposal. The itinerary assumes a morning arrival.
• In Standard and 3-star hotels in hill stations (Ooty, Coorg, Kodaikanal), rooms are not air-conditioned; it is cool enough not to need it.
• Temples ask for modest dress covering shoulders and knees; at Sree Padmanabhaswamy, men wear a dhoti and women a sari or long skirt, and only Hindus may enter. Phones are not allowed inside some temples.
• Most monuments and museums are closed on Mondays and some public holidays.
• Hotels are as listed or similar; we're happy to share their links before you confirm.
• Children's rates: a third person sharing a room with an extra bed pays the extra-bed rate; a child of 5 to 12 without a bed pays the child rate.

When to go

October to March. Pleasant, mostly dry weather for temples and coast. Tamil Nadu gets its main rains from October to December, usually in short bursts; April to June is hot.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday