14 Days – South India Classic Tour

Arrive at Chennai Airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and unwinding. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel.

Today, we’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Chennai, starting with Fort St. George, followed by St. Thomas Mount and San Thoma Basilica. Afterward, we’ll visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple.

Kapaleeswarar Temple, located in Chennai, is a significant shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, with the goddess Karpagambal being worshipped here. The temple is surrounded by bustling streets, offering a vibrant atmosphere.

Next, we’ll drive to Mahabalipuram, with a stop at Kanchipuram. Your first visit should be the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, followed by the Ekambareswarar Temple and the Kamakshi Amman Temple.

The Varadharaja Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Vishnu temples, which was visited by 12 poet-saints known as the Alwars.

The Ekambareswarar Temple, the largest in Kanchipuram, is located in the northern part of the town. The massive gopuram (gateway tower), standing at 59 meters, was built over 1200 years ago. This temple is one of the five prominent Shiva temples, symbolizing the earth. The other four include Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara, Chidambaram Natarajar, Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara, and Kalahasti Nathar temples.

Next, visit the Kamakshi Amman Temple, a key temple in Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Goddess Parvati as the mother goddess.

We will then drive to Mahabalipuram, where you’ll check in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you’ll head out to explore Mahabalipuram, visiting the Pancha Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, and the Shore Temple.

The Pancha Rathas is a complex of five monolithic structures, each resembling a chariot and named after the five Pandavas and Draupadi. These stunning monuments are carved from a single rock.

Arjuna’s Penance depicts the story of one of the Pandava brothers, Arjuna, who performed severe penance to obtain a powerful weapon from Lord Shiva.

The Shore Temple, named for its location overlooking the Bay of Bengal, is constructed from granite blocks and dates back to the 18th century. It was a prominent port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty.

Next, we’ll proceed to Pondicherry, making a stop at a salt farm to witness the process of salt extraction.

Upon arrival in Pondicherry, check in at your hotel. Later, visit the local museum and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Take a leisurely walk through the Botanical Garden, past the Post Office, Alliance Française, and the French War Memorial. After exploring the colonial-era architecture, enjoy a visit to the Chunnambar Boat House, located on the banks of the Ariyankkupam River.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Tanjore, with visits to Chidambaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram en route.

The Chidambaram Temple is an ancient and highly revered site, celebrated for over 2,000 years for its spiritual significance and architectural brilliance.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram, built in 1020, took about nine years to complete. This magnificent temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was constructed by King Rajendra Chozhan, the son of Raja Raja Chozhan.

Continue your journey to Tanjore and later visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple. A remarkable example of Chola architecture, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its grandeur and significance are largely attributed to its patron, Raja Raja Chola.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, drive to Madurai, with a stop at Trichy on the way. At Sri Rangam, visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, which is considered one of the largest temples in India. The temple is surrounded by seven concentric walls and features 21 towering gopurams, all dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Next, explore the Meenakshi Temple, a stunning example of Dravidian architecture, dating back nearly 2,000 years. It showcases the rich heritage of the old town. Afterward, visit the Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, which was built in 1523.

In the evening, attend the ‘Bedtime of the God’ ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple. During this vibrant procession, an image of Lord Shiva is carried from his shrine to that of Parvati (Meenakshi) by musicians, temple singers, and priests.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Madurai.

After breakfast, we begin a 5-hour drive to Thekkady.

In Thekkady, you can explore aromatic spice gardens and enjoy an exciting elephant ride. You’ll also have the chance to observe a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Overnight stay at the Periyar Resort.

After breakfast, drive to the jetty to board a houseboat on the famous Kerala Backwaters (Kettuvallom).

Alappuzha, known for its immense natural beauty, is often called the Venice of the East by travelers worldwide. This backwater region is also home to diverse wildlife, including numerous species of animals and birds. A unique feature of this area is Kuttanad, a region of lush paddy fields often referred to as the Rice Bowl of Kerala.

Kerala is aptly described as “God’s Own Country” because of its palm-fringed waterways and the houseboats that glide along them. Cruising through these tranquil waters offers an enchanting holiday experience. Along the way, you’ll see ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, expansive paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples, and coconut groves.

Overnight stay on the houseboat.

After breakfast, check out from the houseboat and drive to Cochin. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Later, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cochin city, including visits to St. Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays), the Dutch Palace, and the famous Chinese Fishing Nets.

In the evening, experience a captivating Kathakali dance performance. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Ooty (Ootacamund). Situated approximately 2,200 meters above sea level, Ooty was a favored destination for the British Raj’s expatriate population. The evening is free for leisure activities.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

You can begin your day with a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Ooty, known for its cool climate. These gardens were once a summer retreat for British officers. Take some time to explore the local markets, where you can shop for spices and tea.

Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will depart for Wayanad, a region famous for its ancient ruins, enigmatic mountain caves, indigenous tribes, hidden treasures, treehouses, jungle trails, and diverse wildlife.

You can visit popular attractions such as Banasura Sagar Dam, Pookode Lake, Edakkal Caves, Chain Tree, as well as explore tea, coffee, and pepper plantations.

Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Mysore. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and explore the city’s palaces, museums, and the silk factory.

In the evening, visit the Mysore Palace and Brindavan Gardens.

Check out from the hotel and drive to Bangalore. On the way, visit Srirangapatnam, explore the territories of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, and stop by Chamundi Hills to see the 4.8-meter-high Nandi Bull.

Check in to your hotel in Bangalore and later proceed for a city sightseeing tour, including landmarks such as the Vidhan Soudha (Government Building), Public Library, Government Museum, Cubbon Park, Lalbagh Garden, and the Bangalore Palace.

Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel in Bangalore.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to catch your connecting flight.