Grand Tour of Southern India

Upon arrival at Bangalore International Airport, our local representative will pickup you and transfer you to the hotel. If time permits, set out to explore Bangalore - the Garden city of India. Start with a visit to the lush Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, home to exotic plants, a beautiful glasshouse, and a serene lake. Continue to Cubbon Park for a refreshing stroll, followed by an outside view of the majestic Vidhana Soudha. Explore the regal Bangalore Palace with its Tudor-style architecture and rich interiors, then visit Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace to admire its intricate teakwood design and historic charm. Conclude the day with a peaceful darshan at the ISKCON Temple before returning to your hotel in Bengaluru for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Mysore, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, majestic palaces, and beautifully landscaped gardens. En route, stop at Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna, an important pilgrimage site admired for its historical significance and grand Dravidian-style architecture. Continue your scenic drive to Mysore and check in at your hotel upon arrival. After some time to relax, head out in the evening to visit the enchanting Brindavan Gardens, located near the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam. Witness the spectacular musical fountain show, where dancing water jets are perfectly choreographed to melodious tunes. Later, return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit the Kesava Temple in Somnathpur, admired for its Hoysala architecture. Continue to Mysore Zoo, one of India’s oldest and most celebrated zoological gardens. Explore the grand Mysore Palace and marvel at the Golden Throne in the Durbar Hall. Conclude with a visit to St. Philomena’s Church before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, drive to Ooty, the ‘Queen of Hill Stations,’ passing scenic hills, tea plantations, and forests. On arrival, check in at your hotel and relax. In the afternoon, visit the Ooty Botanical Gardens and enjoy a boat ride on Ooty Lake. Spend the evening at leisure exploring the town or local markets before an overnight stay in Ooty.

After breakfast, set out for a day trip to Coonoor, a charming hill station located about 20 km from Ooty. Begin with a visit to the lush tea gardens, where the neatly terraced plantations and panoramic views make for excellent photo opportunities. Continue to Dolphin’s Nose, a popular viewpoint offering breathtaking vistas of the surrounding valleys and hills. Next, visit Lamb’s Rock, another scenic viewpoint providing stunning perspectives of the Nilgiri landscape. Conclude your day with a visit to Sim’s Park, a 12-hectare botanical garden in Upper Coonoor featuring a diverse collection of plants and flowers, ideal for nature lovers. Return to your hotel in Ooty for an overnight stay.

Please Note: Some viewpoints like Dolphin’s Nose and Lamb’s Rock involve walking along uneven or slightly steep paths, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

After breakfast in Kochi, drive to Thrissur, the Cultural Capital of Kerala. On arrival, check in at your hotel and relax. In the afternoon, visit the iconic Vadakkunnathan Temple, noted for its Kerala-style architecture and intricate wooden carvings (non-Hindus may explore the outer grounds only). Continue to Shakthan Thampuran Palace, featuring Kerala-Dutch architecture and a museum of royal artifacts. In the evening, stroll around Swaraj Round to experience the city’s vibrant culture before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Today, explore the spiritual and cultural highlights of Thrissur. Visit the Guruvayur Temple (entry restricted to Hindus; others may view from outside) and the nearby Anakkotta Elephant Sanctuary, home to over 50 temple elephants. Continue to Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple, renowned during the Thrissur Pooram festival. If time allows, see the Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, Asia’s tallest church, and later visit Kerala Kalamandalam to witness Kerala’s performing arts. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Kochi and proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour. Visit the Jewish Synagogue in Jew Street, St. Francis Church, and the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. Stroll through Jew Street’s lively markets for handicrafts and antiques, then head to Fort Kochi to see the iconic Chinese fishing nets. Overnight stay in Kochi.

After breakfast, drive to Munnar with a comfort stop and an optional spice garden visit. On arrival, check in at your hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Tea Museum or explore local markets, or simply relax and enjoy the scenic views. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Munnar.

After breakfast, visit Eravikulam National Park for a short hike and a chance to spot the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Continue to Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point, famous for its natural echo and scenic views. In the evening, drive to Top Station to witness a beautiful sunset before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay in Munnar.

After breakfast, drive to Thekkady. On arrival, enjoy a boat ride on Periyar Lake to spot wildlife in their natural habitat, and if you wish, opt for an elephant ride. Explore the Periyar Tiger Reserve with its evergreen forests and diverse fauna, including elephants, sambar deer, Indian bison, and occasionally tigers. If time allows, visit Kumily to explore a spice plantation. Overnight stay at the resort in Thekkady.

After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom, a scenic backwater destination on the banks of Vembanad Lake. On arrival, check in at your hotel and relax. Later, visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, explore the tranquil backwaters on a houseboat cruise, and, if time permits, visit Pathiramanal Island or nearby Kottayam, known for its plantations and old churches. Overnight stay at the resort in Kumarakom.

After breakfast, drive to Alleppey and board your houseboat for a relaxing cruise through the serene backwaters. Glide past lush greenery, coconut palms, and traditional villages while enjoying lunch and evening tea onboard. By sunset, the houseboat anchors for an unforgettable overnight stay on the tranquil waters.

After breakfast on the houseboat, drive to Kovalam. On arrival, check in at your resort and relax. In the afternoon, visit Kovalam Beach to enjoy the Arabian Sea, explore the lighthouse, and watch a beautiful sunset. Overnight stay at the resort in Kovalam.

After breakfast, relax on the golden beaches of Kovalam before proceeding to Trivandrum to visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple (entry inside sanctum restricted for non-Hindus), Napier Museum, and Sri Chitra Art Gallery. In the evening, return to Kovalam to unwind by the beach. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kovalam.

After breakfast, drive to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Sarvani Shaktipeeth Shri Bhagavathy Temple, Triveni Sangam, Gandhi Mandapam, and the Suchindram Temple with its unique musical pillars. In the evening, check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Kanyakumari.

After breakfast, drive to Madurai, a historic city famed for its grand temples. On arrival, visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple with its towering gopurams and intricate carvings, followed by Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, a 17th-century blend of Dravidian and Islamic architecture. In the evening, return to the Meenakshi Temple to witness the vibrant evening ceremony. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Madurai.

Please Note: At Madurai Temple, only practicing Hindus are allowed to visit the Main Deity Room. People of other religions can enter the temple grounds but are only allowed in certain areas and cannot visit the Main Deity Room.

After breakfast in Madurai, visit the Koodal Azhagar Temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Later, drive to Trichy and explore the Srirangam Temple, one of South India’s largest Vaishnavite shrines, followed by the Jambukeshwara Temple, known for its unique water-themed architecture. Conclude with the Rock Fort Temple, offering panoramic views of the city. Overnight stay at the hotel in Trichy.

After breakfast at the hotel (around 8:00 AM), begin your sightseeing in Thanjavur with a visit to the Brihadeeswarar Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site), open from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Explore this magnificent Chola masterpiece and admire its towering vimana and exquisite sculptures. Afterward, drive to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the former capital of the Chola dynasty, to visit its grand temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. After sightseeing, return to Thanjavur in the evening for overnight stay at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, drive to Darasuram to visit the Airavatesvara Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site), renowned for its intricate stone carvings. Continue to Chidambaram to explore the sacred Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer. Later, proceed to Pondicherry for hotel check-in and overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Auroville and see the Matrimandir (viewed from outside), the spiritual heart of the township. Later, explore Puducherry’s French Quarter with its colonial architecture, vibrant cafes, and tree-lined streets. Highlights include the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Seaside Promenade, and heritage churches and temples. In the evening, enjoy a stroll along the beach or browse local markets. Overnight stay at the hotel in Pondicherry.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Pallava-era rock-cut temples and monuments. Visit the Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, and Arjuna’s Penance, followed by Krishna’s Butterball and a stroll along the beach. In the evening, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Chennai with an en route stop at Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India, celebrated for its grand temples and exquisite silk weaving tradition. Begin with a visit to Ekambareswarar Temple (6:00 am – 12:30 pm & 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm), dedicated to Lord Shiva, renowned for its vast 20-acre complex and the sacred 3,500-year-old mango tree. Continue to the Kailasanathar Temple (7:00 am – 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm), the oldest temple in Kanchipuram, admired for its rich carvings and historical charm. Later, explore the Varadharaja Perumal Temple (6:00 am – 12:30 pm & 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm), devoted to Lord Vishnu, featuring towering gopurams and masterful sculptures. After your temple visits, resume your journey to Chennai and check in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day guided tour of Chennai. Visit Marina Beach, the towering Marina Lighthouse, the historic San Thome Church, and the revered Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Conclude the day with visits to Kalakshetra and Theosophical Society before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast or before as per flight timing, our driver will transfer you to Chennai International Airport to board a flight to home or onward destination.