South India Tour Package
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of area. South India lies in the peninsular Deccan Plateau and is bounded by the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal in the west, south and east respectively. The geography of the region is diverse, encompassing two mountain ranges - the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats and a plateau heartland. Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra and Kaveri rivers are important non-perennial sources of water. Inhabitants of South India are referred to as South Indians. A majority of South Indians speak one of the five Dravidian languages - Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Tulu. During its history, a number of dynastic kingdoms ruled over parts of South India whose invasions across southern and southeastern Asia impacted the history and cultures of modern nation-states such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The region was colonised by Britain and gradually incorporated into the British Empire.
Duration
14 Nights/ 15 Days
Places Covered
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Chidambaram - Trenkebar - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kottayam - Alleppey - Cochin - Connoor - Ooty - Mysore - Cochin - Mysore
Day 1
Arrive Chennai / Mahabalipuram - 48 Kms & 01 Hour
Arrive Chennai by any convenient flight in the night. Upon arrival at Chennai International airport. Meet & greet by our representative & drive to Mahaballipuram which is 48 kms. & takes about 1 hour. Overnight at a Beach Resort
Day 2
Mahaballipuram
Morning free for rest. Afternoon sightseeing of Mahaballipuram to visit its shore & rock cut cave temples. Overnight at the resort.
Day 3
Mahaballipuram / Pondicherry - 115 Kms & 03-04 Hrs.
After breakfast leave Mahaballipuram & drive to Pondicherry. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Pondicherry {former French Colony} visiting the main Ashram of Sri Aurobindo & also take walk through the Promenades of Old French Colony. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
Pondicherry / Tanjore via Chidambaram & Trenkebar
Leave Pondicherry after breakfast & drive to Chidambaram to visit its Temple complex. After visiting the Temples, drive further to Trankebar {The former Danish Colony}. After visiting Trankebar continue drive to Tanjore enroute possibility to visit one more temple Complex at Kombakonam. The days distance is approx. 245 kms which takes about 6 hours. Upon arrival in Tanjore, check in at the Hotel / Resort. Overnight at the Resort.
Day 5
In Tanjore
Morning sightseeing of Tanjore including the visit to the main temple of Tanjore and the Palace. Afternoon free for independent activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6
Tanjore / Trichy / Madurai. 145 Kms & 03-04 Hrs.
Morning drive via the pristine beaches of Karwar to Gokarna and check into the Hotel.
Day 7
In Madurai
Morning sightseeing tour of Madurai city including visit to the famous Meenakshi Temple Complex. Afternoon free for independent activities. Evening visit to the Meenakshi Temple again to witness the special evening ceremony of marriage of Idol of Lord Shiva with Meenakshi {Parvati}. This is a regular event at this temple & it is very interesting. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8
Madurai / Periyar
Leave Madurai after breakfast & drive to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Drive is partly on a hilly road. Upon arrival in Periyar, check in at a Hotel/Resort. Afternoon around 1600 hrs, take a boat ride on lake Periyar to view the wildlife, particularly wild elephants are in abundance here. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9
Periyar / Kottayam / House Boat. 110 Kms & 3-04 Hrs
Leave Periyar after breakfast & drive to Kottayam, and from Kottayam board the houseboat, Cruise with the House Boats upto Alleppy through the most beautiful back water of Karela. Overnight at the Houseboat. Note : The House Boats generally have 2 Bed Rooms, 1 Sitting Deck & a kitchen with toilet & shower facilities. All meals are provided on board the houseboats.
Day 10
House Boat / Alleppey / Cochin
In the morning after breakfast leave the house boat at Alleppey to board the bus & drive to Cochin which is approx. 60 kms & takes about 1 hour. Upon arrival in Cochin, check in at a hotel. Afternoon cooking demonstration of South Indian Food in Kochi. Evening : Witness Classical Kathakali dance programme at one of the theatres. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11
In Cochin
Morning sightseeing of Cochin visiting Dutch Palace, Jew Town, the oldest Jewish Settlement in India, Vasco de Gama's Cathedral, Chinese Fishing Nets etc. Afternoon Ayurvedic Wellness program at the hotel. Rest of the day is free for independent activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12
Cochin / Connoor. - 245 Kms & 06-07 Hrs.
Leave Cochin after breakfast & drive to Conoor. Conoor is one of the most beautiful places in the Nilgiri Hills & it is known as queen of the blue mountains. Tea gardens & eucalyptus plantations are in abundance here. Upon arrival in Conoor, check in at your hotel. Afternoon free for independent activities or take a walk through the Town of Conoor. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13
Conoor / Ooty / Mysore
Leave Conoor after breakfast & take a train ride on the blue Mountain train from Conoor to Ooty which takes about 1 hour. Arrive Ooty & after short sightseeing of Ooty, drive to Mysore, approx 140 Kms. takes about 3 Hours. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14
In Mysore
Morning sightseeing of Mysore visiting city palace, museum inside the palace and the bazaars. Evening visit to Chumandi Hill for sun set & Panoramic view of Mysore city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14
Coonoor - Cochin
Full day drive to Cochin, arriving in the late afternoon. On arrival check into the Hotel. In the evening watch a performance of traditional Kathakali Dancing, enacting the Hindu epics. Overnight at your Hotel.
Day 15
Mysore / Sravana Belagola / Bangalore / Departure.
After breakfast leave Mysore & drive to Sri Rangapatinam to visit the remains of the fort built by Tipu Sultan - the Tiger King, approx., 12 kms. from Mysore. Afterwards continue drive to Sravana Belagola - visit its Jain Temples & see the statue of Bahu Bali situated on the top of the hill. Afterwards continue drive to Banglore. The days distance is approx. 165 kms.takes about 4 Hours. Upon arrival in Bangalore, transfer to some nice Indian restaurant for rest & farewell dinner, followed by transfer to airport to take your return flight for onward destination.