Welcome to the cultural capital of South India! Upon arrival at Chennai International Airport, our South India Tours & Travels representative will greet you and assist with your hotel transfer. After checking in and relaxing, begin your sightseeing with the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple, the historic Santhome Cathedral, and the Government Museum. Spend a relaxing evening at Marina Beach, the world’s second-longest urban beach. Overnight stay in Chennai.
After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the legendary Shore Temple, the monolithic Five Rathas, and the massive relief carving "Arjuna’s Penance." Don't miss the gravity-defying Krishna’s Butter Ball. Enjoy the sea breeze and the artistic granite sculptures that define this ancient Pallava port city. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Proceed to the former French colony, Pondicherry. Check into your hotel and head to Auroville, the "City of Dawn," to see the magnificent Matrimandir. Later, explore the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and wander through the French Quarter with its distinct yellow-walled colonial buildings. Conclude your day with a walk along the Promenade Beach. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Drive to the "Temple Town" of Kumbakonam. Enroute, visit the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the Chola era. Upon arrival in Kumbakonam, visit the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple and the sacred Mahamaham Tank. Overnight stay in Kumbakonam.
Drive to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy). Visit the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, located on an island in the Cauvery River. Later, climb the 437 steps of the Rockfort Temple complex for a breathtaking view of the city and the river. Overnight stay in Trichy.
Travel to the ancient city of Madurai. After check-in, visit the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple, famous for its 14 towering gopurams and intricate sculptures. In the evening, visit the Thirumalai Nayakar Palace to witness a spectacular sound and light show that depicts the history of the Nayak dynasty. Overnight stay in Madurai.
Cross the border into Kerala as you drive to the world-famous Kovalam Beach. On arrival, check into your beach-side resort. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the crescent-shaped beaches—Hawa Beach, Lighthouse Beach, and Samudra Beach. Enjoy the sunset over the Arabian Sea. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
Take a short drive to Trivandrum city. Visit the magnificent Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, known for its immense wealth and spiritual aura. Explore the Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Palace, and the Chitra Art Gallery. Return to Kovalam for an evening of relaxation or an authentic Ayurvedic massage. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
Drive to Alappuzha, the "Venice of the East." Around noon, board a traditional Kerala Houseboat (Kettuvallam). Cruise through the serene backwaters, observing village life, coconut lagoons, and lush green paddy fields. Enjoy traditional Kerala meals prepared fresh on board by your personal chef. Overnight stay in the Houseboat.
Disembark from the houseboat and drive to Thekkady, the spice heartland of India. In the afternoon, take a boat safari on Periyar Lake inside the Periyar National Park. Spot wild elephants, bison, and exotic birds. In the evening, witness a Kalaripayattu (martial arts) performance. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
Dedicate today to the aromatic spices of Kerala. Walk through a spice plantation to see how pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves are grown. You can also enjoy an elephant ride or visit the local spice market to buy fresh produce. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
Drive through winding roads and mist-covered hills to Munnar, South India's premier hill station. Enroute, stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls. Upon arrival, check into your resort and enjoy the panoramic views of tea estates stretching as far as the eye can see. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Explore the beauty of Munnar. Visit the Eravikulam National Park (home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr), the Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Kundala Lake. Capture stunning photographs of the rolling green hills and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Overnight stay in Munnar.
Descend from the hills and drive to the historic port city of Kochi. Check in and head to Fort Kochi to see the Chinese Fishing Nets, the Jewish Synagogue, and St. Francis Church. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, a traditional art form of Kerala. Overnight stay in Kochi.
Travel to the "Queen of Hill Stations," Ooty. As you climb the Nilgiri hills, the scenery transforms into dense forests and tea gardens. On arrival, check into your hotel. Spend the evening at the Ooty Lake or exploring the local market. Overnight stay in Ooty.
Visit the Botanical Gardens, Rose Garden, and Doddabetta Peak for a 360-degree view of the valley. Later, drive to Coonoor to see Sims Park and Dolphin’s Nose. If possible, enjoy a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO Heritage toy train. Overnight stay in Ooty.
Drive to Bandipur National Park, a famous tiger reserve in Karnataka. Check into your jungle lodge. In the afternoon, embark on a jungle safari to spot tigers, leopards, elephants, and various species of deer in their natural habitat. Overnight stay in Bandipur.
Proceed to the royal city of Mysuru. Visit the Chamundi Hills to seek blessings at the Chamundeshwari Temple and see the giant Nandi statue. In the evening, visit the illuminated Brindavan Gardens with its famous musical fountain show. Overnight stay in Mysuru.
Explore the magnificent Mysore Palace, a jewel of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Later, visit the Jaganmohan Palace (Art Gallery), St. Philomena's Cathedral, and the Mysore Zoo. Learn about the rich heritage of the Wodeyar dynasty. Overnight stay in Mysuru.
Drive to Hassan. Enroute, stop at Sravanabelagola to see the world’s largest monolithic stone statue, Lord Bahubali (Gommateshwara). On reaching Hassan, check into your hotel and prepare for the architectural marvels of the next day. Overnight stay in Hassan.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu. Marvel at the Chennakesava Temple and the Hoysaleswara Temple, known for their incredibly intricate soapstone carvings and star-shaped architecture. Return to Hassan for overnight stay.
Drive to the "Silicon Valley of India," Bengaluru (Bangalore). After checking in, visit the Bangalore Palace, modeled after Windsor Castle, and the Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace. Enjoy the cosmopolitan vibes of the city in the evening. Overnight stay in Bengaluru.
Explore the "Garden City." Visit Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Cubbon Park, and the grand Vidhana Soudha (from outside). You can also spend time shopping at Brigade Road or Commercial Street for local silk and handicrafts. Overnight stay in Bengaluru.
On your final day, enjoy a hearty breakfast. Depending on your flight or train schedule, our representative will transfer you to Bengaluru International Airport or the Railway Station for your onward journey. Your grand 24-day South India tour concludes with beautiful memories and divine blessings.