Best of South India Tour

Check in to the hotel at Chennai, freshen up and relax for some time. In the afternoon a brief sightseeing visit to the capital city will take place. This will include visits to places like Fort St. George which was built in 1640, St. Mary’s church, Santhome Church and more. After lunch a spiritual visit to the holy temple of Kapaleeswarar will take place. The temple is extremely pious and a major worshipping site for Lord Shiva. Finally the day will end with you heading back to your hotel in Chennai for dinner followed by an overnight stay.

After breakfast and post checking out of the hotel, you will drive to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram. On the way visit the ancient 2nd century temple of Lord Shiva, Ekambaranathar Temple. The temple has been through an extremely erratic history and has seen many dynasties. Another temple that can be visited en route is the Kailasanathar temple of the 8th century which is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. Check in to your hotel in Mahabalipuram by evening or night which will be followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast in the morning, a full day of sightseeing in Mahabalipuram will commence. This place is filled with iconic and ancient sites that will make for a holiday well spent. Mahabalipuram is also known as Mamallapuram and it was one of the most bustling historic port cities from 1st century to 9th century BC. Some top tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram are: Sea shore temple, five chariots, Arjuna's penance, Krishna's butterball and Varaha Cave. Some of these monuments are also included in the UNESCO world heritage site. Finally by the end of the day head back to your hotel in Mahabalipuram for dinner and an overnight stay.

Check out of the hotel in Mahabalipuram and drive to the next destination of Pondicherry which is 2 hours away. On reaching first visit the famous Goubert Markets, Aurobindo Ashram, and basilica of the sacred heart of Jesus. These places are some of the most famous tourist attractions of Pondicherry. Finally head over to your hotel here, check in and relax for the rest of the day. Dinner and overnight stay will take place here.

After having breakfast, check out of the hotel at Pondicherry and drive up to your next destination of Thanjavur. En route stop over at the famous Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple which was constructed by King Rajendra Chola. Also a visit to Darasuram Temple will also take place. This temple displays an exquisite style of design, carvings and architecture. These temples collectively fall under the UNESCO world heritage site group and together they are known as great living Chola Temples. Finally continue on to Thanjavur where you will check in to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Post breakfast in the morning, head out for a full day of Thanjavur sightseeing. The first place to visit would be the Thanjavur royal palace which also houses the Thanjavur art gallery. The gallery displays a range of stone and bronze statues and idols belonging to the 8th and 9th century. Next on the list will be the visit to Brihadeeswara Temple which is also known as the bug temple and was built in 1010 AD. The temple is also a part of the UNESCO world heritage site. In the evening make it a point to visit the bronze making artisan’s village where you can witness the process of bronze casting and Tanjore paintings being made. You can get souvenirs for yourself from here. Finally head back to your hotel in Thanjavur for dinner and an overnight stay.

Early morning, after breakfast, drive up to the next destination of Madurai and stop en route at Trichy. Here pay a visit to the holy Amma Mandapam which is the holy banks of Cauvery River. Also a visit to Ranganathaswamy temple can take place. The temple was built during 6th and 9th century and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also famous as the 1st of the 108 Divya Desams in the world.

After this, the drive will continue on to Madurai. On reaching, make a first visit to Thirumalai Nayak Palace which was built during the 16th century. This palace is known for its gorgeous architecture. Also visit the famous and grand Meenakshi Temple which is dedicated to goddess Parvati. The complex houses a thousand pillared halls and immaculately created sculptures. Finally the day will end with you going to your hotel in Madurai for dinner and an overnight stay.

Check out of your hotel in Madurai after breakfast and drive up to the next destination of Thekkady which is almost 4 hours away. On reaching check in to the resort at Thekkady, which is also known as Periyar, and freshen up before heading out for exciting wildlife activities like boat ride in forest lake, spice plantation walks, attending the Kalaripayattu Martial art show. Finally, reach back to your hotel in Thekkady for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel in Thekkady, drive up to the next destination of Alappuzha in Kerala which is 4 hours away and world famous for its backwaters. On reaching check in to the houseboat here by evening. After reaching the rest of the day you will be free to spend in relaxation and leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will take place in the houseboat itself.

After breakfast, check out of your luxury houseboat, and drive to the next destination in Kochi which is almost 2 hours away. On reaching visit the famous St. Francis church which was once the burial site of the explorer Vasco De Gama. Take a short stroll to the Santa Cruz cathedral which is one of the oldest churches in India. Check out the iconic sight of Chinese fishing nets in the water. Continue your visit to the Mattancherry Dutch Palace and the Jewish Synagogue which is located just next to it and was built during the 15th century. In the evening attending a traditional Kathakali Dance performance will be a great way to end the day. Finally check in to your hotel in Kochi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Check out of your hotel in Kochi and drive for 7 hours to your next destination which is the hill Station of Ooty. This will be a long but beautiful drive. On reaching Ooty you will be checked in to the hotel with the rest of the day free for relaxation and leisure. Overnight stay and dinner will be at the hotel in Ooty.

After having breakfast in the morning, your full day of Ooty sightseeing excursion will take place. Ooty is also known as the queen of hill stations and is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. The morning will commence with a fun filled experience in the Nilgiri Mountain Railway which is a UNESCO world heritage site. You will get down at Coonoor and head over for a visit to the famous Sim’s park and later on drive back to Ooty. En route visit the famous 19th century church of St. Stephen which is famous for its architectural beauty. You can even visit the famous terraced layout of the botanical garden which houses some of the most famous and exotic plants, flowers, herbs, shrubs etc. make sure to also visit the 10 acre of Ooty centenary rose garden which is the country’s largest rose garden with over 20,000 different types of roses. Finally head back to your hotel in Ooty for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast check out of your hotel in Ooty and drive on for your next destination of Mysore which is 3 hours away. On the way make it a point to visit the famous St. Philomena’s church. By afternoon visit the famous Chamundeshwari Temple located on the Chamundi Hills. This temple is also famous for being a major Shaktipeeth India. By evening visit the Mysore maharaja palace which is an architectural and a design marvel built during the 19th century. After a full day of travel and sightseeing make your way to the hotel in Mysore for dinner and an overnight stay.

In the morning, check out of your hotel in Mysore after breakfast and visit the famous Devaraja market. Start off your drive to Bengaluru which will take about 4 hours to reach. En route visit Daria Daulat Bagh which was Tipu’s Summer Palace and was built during the 17th century. On reaching Bengaluru check in to the hotel and spend some time freshening up before heading out. Visit the famous Vidhana Soudha, Lalbagh Botanical Garden etc. finally head back to your hotel in Bangalore for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast check out of your hotel in Bengaluru and head over to the departure location of either railway station or airport. Finally this will be the end of your long South India Tour and you will be left with fond memories of the holiday.