Grand South India Tour

Upon arrival at Bengaluru International Airport, you will be welcomed by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, enjoy a brief sightseeing tour, viewing Vidhana Soudha from outside, Bangalore Palace, and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Bengaluru.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Mysuru, a city known for its rich culture and royal heritage. En route, stop at the Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna, an important pilgrimage site famous for its historic Dravidian-style architecture. Continue to Mysuru and check in at your hotel. Later, visit Mysuru Palace, the former royal residence of the Wodeyar dynasty, admired for its grand architecture and historic Durbar Hall. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mysuru.

After an early breakfast, check out from your hotel and embark on a picturesque drive to Ooty, often referred to as the "Queen of Hill Stations." The journey takes you through scenic routes with rolling hills, tea plantations, and dense forests. Upon arrival in Ooty, check into your hotel and take some time to relax. In the afternoon, explore the highlights of this charming hill station, including a visit to the Ooty Botanical Gardens, known for its vibrant collection of flowers and rare plants. You can also take a peaceful boat ride on Ooty Lake, surrounded by eucalyptus trees and the Nilgiri hills. Spend the evening at leisure, strolling through the town or visiting the local markets. Overnight stay at your hotel 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, leave for Thrissur, known as the Cultural Capital of Kerala. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and take some time to rest.

Later, visit Vadakkunnathan Temple, one of the most important temples in Thrissur and known for its traditional Kerala-style architecture. Please note that entry inside the temple is restricted to Hindus.

Continue to Shakthan Thampuran Palace, which houses a museum displaying objects related to the history and culture of the region. Later, spend some time around Swaraj Round, the heart of Thrissur city. Return to your hotel after sightseeing. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thrissur.

After breakfast, drive to Guruvayur and visit Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, one of Kerala's important Hindu pilgrimage centres. Entry inside the temple is restricted to Hindus.

Continue to Punnathur Kotta, a captive elephant care centre managed by Guruvayur Devaswom. The centre houses elephants associated with the Guruvayur Temple and provides an opportunity to observe them and learn about their role in Kerala's temple traditions.

Return to Thrissur and visit Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple, an important temple associated with the famous Thrissur Pooram festival. Later, visit Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, known for its Gothic-style architecture. After sightseeing, return to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thrissur.

After breakfast, leave for Kochi. Upon arrival, begin your sightseeing tour with Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, known for its traditional Kerala architecture and historic murals.

Continue to the Paradesi Synagogue and explore Jew Street, known for its antique shops, handicrafts and historic buildings. The synagogue's visiting schedule should be checked according to the day of travel, as it remains closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays and has restricted hours on other days.

Later, continue to Fort Kochi and visit St. Francis Church, one of India's oldest European churches. Walk through the historic Fort Kochi area and see the famous Chinese Fishing Nets along the waterfront.

After sightseeing, transfer to your hotel and check in. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kochi.

Note: The Paradesi Synagogue remains closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, and visiting hours may vary.

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a scenic drive to Munnar, with a possible comfort stop and optional spice garden visit. After checking into your hotel in Munnar and enjoying lunch, you can choose to visit the Tea Museum or explore local markets. The afternoon is free to relax, take in the views. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Eravikulam National Park at Rajamalai, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr and scenic high altitude grasslands. Later, continue to Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake, enjoying the mountain scenery and viewpoints along the route. After sightseeing, return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Munnar.

Note: Eravikulam National Park normally remains closed to visitors during the Nilgiri tahr calving season in February and March.

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Thekkady. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat ride on Periyar Lake, where you can witness wildlife in their natural habitat from the water. Additionally, an optional elephant ride offers a unique way to explore the scenic surroundings. During your visit to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, enjoy the mesmerizing views of the evergreen forests and keep an eye out for wildlife, including elephants, sambar deer, Indian bison, and the elusive tigers. If time permits, visit Kumily, a charming town 10 kilometers away. Here, immerse yourself in the fragrant world of spices at a local plantation. Overnight stay at the resort in Thekkady.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to Kumarakom, a peaceful backwater destination on the banks of Vembanad Lake. On arrival, check in at your hotel and take some time to relax. Later, visit the Bay Island Driftwood Museum, known for its unusual sculptures made from naturally shaped driftwood collected from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Spend the evening enjoying the backwater surroundings before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay in Kumarakom.

After an early breakfast, visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where you can walk through the lakeside forest and look for resident and migratory birds. Afterwards, check out from your hotel and drive to Alleppey for your overnight backwater cruise. Board your private houseboat around noon to 1:00 PM and enjoy lunch on board as the boat cruises through canals, villages, paddy fields and the wider backwaters of Vembanad Lake. The houseboat normally anchors by evening, with dinner served on board. Overnight stay on the houseboat in Alleppey. Kerala Tourism itineraries commonly use this sequence, with houseboat check in around 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM and cruising continuing until dusk. Overnight stay at the houseboat.

After breakfast on the houseboat, travel to Kovalam. Upon arrival, check in at your resort and relax. In the afternoon, head to Kovalam Beach to enjoy the inviting waves of the Arabian Sea. Explore the iconic lighthouse, watch the stunning sunset, and, if available, partake in a cozy bonfire on the beach. Return to the resort for an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, spend the morning relaxing on the golden beaches of Kovalam, where you can enjoy the sun, sand, and gentle waves. Later, proceed to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) to explore its cultural highlights, including the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple (entry restricted for non-Hindus inside the sanctum), the Napier Museum, and the Sri Chitra Art Gallery showcasing traditional and contemporary art. In the evening, return to Kovalam to unwind by the beach and stay overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. Upon arrival, visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, built on the rock where Swami Vivekananda is believed to have meditated. Continue to the Shri Bhagavathy Amman Temple,  a 3,000-year-old shrine dedicated to Goddess Kanya Kumari. Later, see the Triveni Sangam, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet, and visit the Gandhi Mandapam, built in memory of Mahatma Gandhi. If time permits, visit the Suchindram Temple, known for its fine carvings and musical pillars. In the evening, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay in Kanyakumari.

After breakfast, drive to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in India and a major cultural center of Tamil Nadu. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and take some time to relax. Later, visit the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, a 17th-century palace showcasing a blend of Dravidian and Islamic styles. In the evening, visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple, famous for its colorful towers and detailed carvings, and experience the vibrant atmosphere around the temple complex. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay 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 at the hotel in Madurai, visit the Koodal Azhagar Temple, an ancient Vishnu temple known for its beautiful carvings. Later, drive to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) and visit the Srirangam Temple, one of the largest and most important Vaishnavite temples in South India. Continue to the Jambukeshwara Temple, a Shiva temple famous for its unique water element. End your sightseeing at the Rock Fort Temple, located on a hilltop with panoramic views of the city. After sightseeing, continue your drive to Thanjavur and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thanjavur.

After breakfast, visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Chola architecture, known for its massive tower and detailed sculptures. Later, drive to Gangaikonda Cholapuram (approx. 70 km / 1.5 hours), the former capital of the Chola dynasty, and visit its grand Shiva temple. After sightseeing, return to Thanjavur in the evening. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thanjavur.

After an early breakfast and hotel checkout, drive to Darasuram to visit the Airavatesvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fine stone carvings. Continue to Chidambaram to visit the sacred Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer. In the afternoon, drive to Pondicherry, check in at your hotel, and relax. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Auroville, an international township focused on peace, unity, and sustainable living. Visit the Matrimandir (viewed from outside), the spiritual center of Auroville, set amidst calm and well-maintained gardens. Later, return to Puducherry and explore the charming French Quarter, known for its colonial buildings, tree-lined streets, and relaxed atmosphere. Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, walk along the Seaside Promenade, and see beautiful churches and temples that reflect the town’s rich cultural heritage. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed walk along the beach or explore local markets. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Puducherry.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its ancient rock-cut monuments built by the Pallava dynasty. Upon arrival, explore the Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas), and the impressive stone relief of Arjuna’s Penance. Visit Krishna’s Butterball, a giant natural rock balanced on a slope, and enjoy a relaxed walk along the beach. In the evening, check in at your hotel in Mahabalipuram for overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive towards Chennai with a stop at Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India, famous for its ancient temples and silk weaving tradition. Visit the Ekambareswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Kailasanathar Temple, the oldest temple in the city, known for its fine carvings. Also visit the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, an important Vishnu temple admired for its grand architecture. Later, continue your drive to Chennai and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Chennai.

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.