Best of South India Tour with Karnataka


Duration

14 Nights / 15 Days


Destinations

Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichey - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin - Ooty - Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Bangalore

As the name suggests it is the most comprehensive program that includes all the major touristic places in South India. The program starts from Chennai, the traditional city and ends at Bangalore the Silicon valley of India. The program has Culture, Temples, Traditions, Nature, Wildlife and many more. Visit the Famous Auroville, where satisfaction of Passion overrides materialistic pleasure. Another highlight of the program is a enjoyable train ride on the Nilgiris Toy Train which is on the World Heritage list.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai

Arrive Chennai, meet and assistance on arrival & transfer to hotel. Later visit National Art Gallery, Museum, Fort St. George, & Marina Beach. Overnight at hotel.

Kanchipuram Temple

Kanchipuram Temple

Day 02 : Chennai - Kanchipuram (76Kms / 2Hrs) - Mahabalipuram (66 Kms / 11.5 Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Kanchipuram, the city of temples have more than 1000 temples. Visit famous Temples. Later drive to Mahabalipuram. In the evening visiting shore temple which are on World Heritage protected monuments list. The temples and monuments believed during the period of Pallava Kings famous for their architecture. The famous are five Ratha temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (168Kms / 4Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. In the afternoon visit The city one of the French territory during their occupation in India and still has its flavor in its colonial buildings. The most famous places to visit are the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville an international township dedicated to humanity Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Pondicherry - Tanjore (177Kms / 5Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. In the afternoon visit Brahadeeswara Temple, Sculpture of Nandi (Bull) & Royal Palace Complex. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 : Tanjore - Trichy (58 Kms / 1.3Hrs)

Morning drive to Trichy. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. In the afternoon visit Srirangam Temple, Rock-Fort Temple & Temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 : Trichy - Madurai (128Kms / 3Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Madurai. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. In the afternoon visit Thirumalai Nayak's Palaceand 1000-pillared Meenakshiamman Temple. In the evening you are also taken to the special religious night ceremony held in the temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 : Madurai - Periyar (130Kms / 3Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Periyar. Periyarwild life reserve one of the best reserves in South India famous for elephants, Bison, tiger and many more animals. This place offers many opportunities for treks and mountain walks

Upon arrival check in the hotel. In the evening leave for a wildlife viewing to the sanctuary on lake Periyar by boat cruise. There is no better way see the herds of elephants than one the boat cruising on the lake. Overnight at hotel.

Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace

Day 08 : Periyar - Kumarakom (200Kms / 5Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive down to Kumarakom another scenic 4 hours drive. An unbelievable beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Kumarakom is famous for bird sanctuary. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Later take a walk inside the sanctuary famous for its birds. Evening enjoy sunset cruise on the backwaters. Overnight at the hotel

Day 09 : Kumarkom - Alleppey (Alappuzha) Houseboat

Morning after breakfast free for independent activities. Afternoon embark houseboat and cruise towards Alleppey through Vembanad Lake. Enjoy the serenity of the backwater and the village life around it while cruising on the boat. The boat passes through various cannals of Alleppey which rightfully stakes claim to its nickname 'Venice of East' Overnight at houseboat.

Day 10 : Alleppey - Kochi (Cochin) (65Kms /1.5Hrs)

Morning after breakfast disembark Houseboat & drive to Kochi.

Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.

Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Later we take you around the city of cochin for a half day guided tour where you will be shown some important places such as Jewish Synagogue one of the oldest in Asia constructed in year 1568. , Dutch Palace originally constructed by Portuguese and later by Dutch , ST. Francis Church, and Chinese Fishing Nets introduced by Chinese travelers in 14th century but still used in these parts of Kerala.

In the evening attend the traditional "Kathakali Dance Show". One of the famous dance forms of India where male actors tell a story by wearing facemasks and colorful costumes Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 : Kochi (Cochin) - Ooty (280Kms/ 7Hrs)

Morning afterbreakfast drive to Ooty - 'the queen of hill stations'. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free for independent activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 : Ooty (Toy Train) – Coonoor - Ooty

Morning after breakfast visit Botanical Gardens, the Ooty Lake, Dodabetta peak offering you panoramic views of the Nilgiri Mountains. Later excursion to Coonoor, a popular hill resort where you can opt for a toy train tour to enjoy the scenic surroundings. Evening return to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Mysore Palace

Mysore Temple

Day 13 : Ooty - Mysore (158Kms/ 5Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Mysore,

Mysore erstwhile capital of Kingdom of Mysore famous for opulent Mysore Palace, seat of the former rulers. The palace blends Hindu, Islamic, Gothic and Rajput styles. Mysore is also home to the centuries-oldDevaraja Market, filled with spices, silk and sandalwood

Upon arrival check in to the hotel. In the afternoon visit Mysore Palace, Bull Temple, Art Gallery Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 : Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Bangalore (140Kms / 4Hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive to Bangalore en-route visit Srirangapatnam - The capital of Tipu Sultan's empire visiting The Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Tipu's Palace known as the Daria Daulat Bagh.

Bengaluru" – A traveller's delight. A Verdant city amidst the Serene greenery filled with loads of fun and colorful delights. Known as the "Garden City Of India" and also as the "Silicon Valley of India" Bengaluru is the capital of 'Karnataka' and one of most Scenic and Pristine Metropolitan cities in India.

Upon arrival check in to the hotel. In the evening visit Vidhan Sabha, the seat of state legislature, and Tipu's Palace which was his summer residence Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 : Departure Bangalore

On time transfer to International airport to board on flight for onward destination.