Southern India: Where Culture Meets Nature

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Arrival in Bengaluru⌄

   Upon arrival in Bengaluru, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and assisted with your transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey. Bengaluru, often called the “Garden City of India”, is known for its pleasant weather, green parks, and a blend of modern life with traditional culture. Overnight stay in Bengaluru Please Note: Hotel check in will be available after 2:00 PM.

   Overnight: 3* - Ramanashree Richmond / Similar

2. 2Bengaluru Sightseeing → Mysore (143 km / approx. 4 hrs)⌄

   After breakfast, begin your sightseeing tour of Bengaluru. Visit Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, one of India’s most famous gardens, known for its beautiful lawns, rare plants, and glasshouse.

   Continue to Bangalore Palace, inspired by English Tudor-style architecture, showcasing royal interiors and elegant wooden carvings.

   Drive past important government buildings such as Vidhana Soudha, an impressive structure symbolizing Karnataka’s administration. Later, drive to Mysore, the former royal capital of the Wodeyar dynasty. Overnight stay in Mysore.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: 3* - Hotel Roopa / Similar

3. 3Mysore Sightseeing⌄

   After breakfast, explore the cultural and royal heritage of Mysore. Visit the magnificent Mysore Palace, a grand example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, famous for its stained glass, carved doors, and royal halls.

   Continue to the Art Gallery, which displays traditional paintings and royal collections.

   Proceed to Chamundi Hill, offering panoramic views of Mysore city, and visit the Chamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga. En route, stop at the large Nandi Bull Statue, carved out of a single rock.

   In the evening, visit the beautifully illuminated Brindavan Gardens, famous for its musical fountain and landscaped terraces. Overnight stay in Mysore.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: 3* - Hotel Roopa / Similar

4. 4Mysore → Ooty (125 km / approx. 4 hrs)⌄

   After breakfast, drive to Ooty, popularly known as the “Queen of the Nilgiris”. This hill station is famous for its cool climate, green hills, forests, and tea plantations. Visit the Government Rose Garden, home to thousands of rose varieties.

   Continue to the Ooty Botanical Gardens, known for ancient trees and colorful flower beds.

   Visit Ooty Lake, where you may enjoy optional boating.

   Also visit St. Stephen’s Church, one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris, known for its peaceful atmosphere. Overnight stay in Ooty.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: 3* - Vinayaga By Poppys / Similar

5. 5Ooty → Kochi (274 km / approx. 7 hrs)⌄

   After breakfast, drive to Kochi, a historic port city on the Arabian Sea. Kochi is known for its cultural diversity, colonial buildings, and coastal charm. The evening is free to relax or explore on your own. Optional: Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, a traditional classical dance of Kerala. Overnight stay in Kochi.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: 3* - Hotel Broadbean / Similar

6. 6Kochi → Alappuzha (Houseboat Experience)⌄

   After breakfast, drive to Alappuzha, also called the “Venice of the East”. Board your private houseboat and enjoy a peaceful cruise through Kerala’s famous backwaters. Sail past palm-lined canals, lagoons, village homes, and lush paddy fields, offering a glimpse of local life. All meals will be served on board. Overnight stay on the houseboat in Alappuzha.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: 3*- Standard Houseboat

7. 7Alappuzha → Periyar (129 km / approx. 4 hrs)⌄

   After breakfast, drive to Periyar, home to the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and spice plantations. The afternoon is free for relaxation. Optional activities include a spice plantation visit, where you can learn about cardamom, pepper, and other spices, or a gentle nature walk.

   Enjoy a common boat ride on Periyar Lake, offering chances to spot wildlife such as elephants, deer, and birds along the forest banks. Overnight stay in Periyar.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: 3* - Jungle Park Resort / Similar

8. 8Periyar → Madurai (150 km / approx. 4 hrs)⌄

   After breakfast, drive to Madurai, one of the oldest living cities in India and a major cultural center of Tamil Nadu. Visit the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple, famous for its colorful towers (gopurams), detailed sculptures, and the sacred thousand-pillared hall.

   Continue to Tirumala Nayak Palace, known for its grand arches and royal halls.

   Later, visit Alagar Hills, a scenic area with spiritual importance

   and Tiruparankundram Temple, one of the six holy abodes of Lord Murugan. Overnight stay in Madurai.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: 3* - MMR Gardens / Similar

9. 9Madurai → Thanjavur (190 km / approx. 4.5 hrs)⌄

   After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur, the historic capital of the Chola dynasty. Visit the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural masterpiece built entirely of granite.

   Explore the Thanjavur Maratha Palace, which reflects royal life and history.

   Continue to the Saraswati Mahal Library, one of Asia’s oldest libraries

   and the Raja Raja Chola Art Gallery, displaying Chola-era sculptures. Overnight stay in Thanjavur.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: 3* - Hotel Gnanam / Similar

10. 10Thanjavur → Puducherry (169 km / approx. 4 hrs)⌄

    After breakfast, drive to Puducherry, a charming coastal town with strong French influence. Explore the French Quarter, known for its colonial buildings and peaceful streets.

    Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual center attracting visitors from around the world.

    Continue to Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a colorful temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

    Optional: Enjoy a relaxing walk along Promenade Beach in the evening. Overnight stay in Puducherry.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: 3* - Anandha Inn / Similar

11. 11Puducherry → Mamallapuram (96 km / approx. 2.5 hrs)⌄

    After breakfast, drive to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), a historic coastal town famous for ancient rock-cut monuments. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the sea breeze and relaxed atmosphere. Overnight stay in Mamallapuram.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: 3* - Mammalla Heritage / Similar

12. 12Mamallapuram Sightseeing⌄

    After breakfast, explore the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Mamallapuram. Visit the Shore Temple, beautifully located beside the sea and known for its stone carvings.

    See Arjuna’s Penance, a massive rock relief depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

    Visit the Five Rathas, monolithic temples carved from single rocks,

    and explore the ancient Cave Temples, showcasing early Dravidian architecture. Enjoy the coastal charm and historical beauty of this seaside town. Overnight stay in Mamallapuram.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: 3* - Mammalla Heritage / Similar

13. 13Mamallapuram → Chennai (53 km / approx. 1.5 hrs) – Departure⌄

    After breakfast, drive to Chennai airport for your onward journey. End of your memorable South India Temple Tour.

    Meals: Breakfast