Duration : 14 Days / 13 Nights

Destinations : Chennai – Kanchipuram – Bangalore – Mysore – Ooty – Cochin – Alleppey – Periyar – Madurai – Tanjore – Chidambaram – Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram

Tour Highlights :

– Visit of Southern states Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kerala
– Visit of the great Chola temple in Tanjore
– Spice garden visit
– Watch cultural Kathakali dance show in Cochin
– Tuktuk ride with spice market visit in Cochin
– Visit of Karnataka temple architecture
– Toy train ride in Ooty
– Visit of India’s largest palace complex in Mysore
– Stay one night on your private and exclusive boat in Alleppey

Day 1 – Arrive in Chennai

On arrival at Chennai airport our representative having a placard displaying your name will meet you to pick you up and transfer to your hotel. Today only an airport transfer is included and no sightseeing or any other visit is planned or included. If you arrive at Chennai airport early morning and wish to do sightseeing then kindly let us know and we shall do the needful and include a visit to few attractions in Chennai. Overnight in Chennai.

Day 2 – Chennai – Kanchipuram – Vellore

After breakfast, short visit of Chennai city. Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach. Then drive to Kanchipuram, the temple town. Visit the most famous Siva temple at Kanchipuram, the Ekambareswara temple. The dimensions of this temple are reflected in its 20 acre spread and its tall south gopuram, which soars to a height of 58.5m. Drive onto Vellore. Overnight stay in hotel in Vellore.

Day 3 – Vellore – Bangalore

After breakfast, visit the Golden Temple, an architectural marvel which is built with 1500kg of gold. Drive to Garden city of Bangalore. Arrive and check into the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure or visit MG road to explore the main market of Bangalore.

Day 4 – Bangalore – Mysore

After breakfast visit Bangalore city. You will visit Lal Bagh, where the garden extends lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city. Nearly 673 general and 1,854 species of plants are found in Lal Bagh. Then drive past Vidhana Soudha, the state assembly. Finally visit Bangalore Palace. Wodeyar King in 1887 on the 400 acre space. Inspired by the Windsor castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style, complete with Gothic windows, foiled windows, battlements and turrets resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatana.

Drive to Mysore in the afternoon. Arrive and check into the hotel. Evening free.

Day 5 – Mysore

After breakfast, visit Mysore city. First we will visit Chamundi Hills on the outskirts of Mysore city, then visit the temple and Nandi (Bull) statue made of one block of stone. Return to the city and visit Mysore Palace. It is an excellent combination of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic, Oriental and Roman styles of architecture. The Maharaja’s Palace is a beautiful three storied stone building of fine gray granite and rich pink marble domes, overlooking this structure is a five-storied 145 foot tower whose domes are gilded in gold. Excursion to Somanathapura Temple.

In the evening you will visit Devraja fruits and flower market. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6 – Mysore – Ooty

After breakfast drive to the hill station of Ooty. Arrive and check into your hotel.

Later visit the botanical garden. You can also visit Doddabetta pass to have a splendid view of the hills and tea plantations. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 7 – Ooty – Cochin

In the morning transfer to Otty Railway Station and enjoy a toy train ride to Coonoor. Your driver will meet you at the station and drive you to Cochin. Arrive and check in to the hotel. In the evening attend Kathakali dance show. Overnight stay at your hotel in Cochin.

Day 8 – Cochin – Alleppey

After breakfast visit Cochin including The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. Later transfer to Alleppey. In the afternoon check in to a traditional Kerala house boat for a cruise, which is totally a delightful experience. Cruise through the palm fringed canals, watch the paddy fields and village folk, while relaxing on board hearing the lullaby of the wind & waves. This mysterious strip of emerald green land is packed with endless miles of placid backwaters that appends to its charm. Freshly cooked local food is served onboard.

Continue cruising in the lake. Observe the daily life of people who live near the lake. Dinner and overnight on the houseboat (air-conditioning runs on the houseboat from 9pm to 7am).

Day 9 – Alleppey – Periyar

Breakfast on the houseboat. Then drive to Periyar. Arrive and check in to the hotel. Then you will be taken to visit a plantation garden where you can see all types of spices. In the afternoon an elephant ride for 30 minutes in the plantations. Rest of the day is free at your leisure, or you can enjoy a body message at an Ayurvedic centre. Overnight at the hotel in Periyar.

Day 10 – Periyar – Madurai

In the morning take boat ride in the Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat on the water’s edge. While cruising on Lake Periyar, you are likely to see animals like wild boars, sambars, wild dogs, Langur monkeys and wild elephants.

Then drive to Madurai. Arrive and check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Madurai.

Day 11 – Madurai

Breakfast at the hotel visit Madurai city. Visit the Meenakshi Temple, which is 1000 pillared hall carrying some beautiful sculptures of the seventeenth century. Also visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace. This Palace was built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian architect. The building we see today was the main palace where the king lived. The original palace complex was four times bigger than the present structure. This palace consisted mainly of two parts, namely Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa. Also visit Gandhi museum. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.

Day 12 – Madurai – Tanjore

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Tanjore. Arrive and check into the hotel. Then visit Brihadeeswarar Shiva Temple at Tanjore, built by King Raja Rajan from the year 985 AD – 1010 AD. This is one of the superb temple architects of the Chola dynasty. Later visit Raja Rajan art gallery to see bronze statues of 9th-16th century. Overnight stay at your hotel in Tanjore.

Day 13 – Tanjore – Chidambaram – Pondicherry

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. On the way visit The Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. Continue driving towards Pondicherry. Arrive and check into the hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Pondicherry.

Day 14 – Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram – Chennai

After breakfast visit Pondicherry. Visit the city and Sri Aurobindo Ashram the serene world of distinct spiritual vibration and thus renowned as Sacred Land. Also visit Auroville. Continue drive towards Mahabalipuram. Visit the 7th-century Shore Templewhich is surrounded by lush gardens. Later visit the 7th-century Five Rathas. After the visit drive to Chennai. Directly transfer to airport to board the flight for your home country. (Depending on your flight schedule, one last night stay can also be arranged).