SOUTHERN TRAILS OF INDIA

Day 01: Arrive Bangalore

Day 02: Visit Bangalore

Day 03: Bangalore - Mysore (145kms / 4hrs drive):

Day 04: Visit Mysore:

Day 05: Mysore - Ooty (160kms / 4hrs drive):

Day 06: Visit Ooty:

Day 07: Ooty - Cochin (310kms / 7hrs drive):

Day 08: Visit Cochin

Day 09: Cochin - Munnar (120kms / 4hrs drive)

Day 10: Munnar - Periyar (120kms / 3hrs drive)

Day 11: Visit Periyar

Day 12: Periyar - Alleppey (140kms / 4hrs drive)

Day 13: Alleppey - Kovalam (175kms / 4hrs drive):

Day 14: Kovalam

Day 15: Kovalam - Kanyakumari (90kms / 2hrs drive):

Day 16: Kanyakumari - Rameshwaram (380 kms / 8 hrs drive)

Day 17: Rameshwaram - Madurai (185kms / 4 hrs drive)

Day 18: Visit Madurai

Day 19: Madurai - Chettinad (90kms / 3hrs drive)

Day 20: Chettinad - Trichy - Thanjavur (200kms / 4hrs drive)

Day 21: Thanjavur - Chidambaram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Darasuram - Pondicherry:

Day 22: Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram (90kms / 2hrs drive)

Day 23: Visit Mahablipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai (145kms / 4hrs drive)

Day 24: Chennai Sightseeing + Shopping:

Day 25: Chennai / Departure

DAY 01: ARRIVE BANGALORE

Upon your arrival at the airport in Bangalore our tour guide will meet you and help you for further transfer to your hotel. Bangalore also known as the "Garden City of India" because of the many beautiful plants that can grow in the pleasant, temperate climate of Bangalore optimally. These gardens are a welcome retreat and give a refreshing sense of space. After you can get some rest there will be a sightseeing of Bangalore. You can visit various tourist destinations in Bangalore, as Suranarayan Temple and Dodda Ganapathi Temple. Then you will have time to shop. Overnight in Bangalore.

 

DAY 02: VISIT BANGALORE

Today you will visit Bangalore Palace and Tipu Sultan Palace, Vidhan Sabha (parliament building) and the ISKCON temple. You also have to shop in the famous shopping streets such as Commercial Street, MG Road and Brigade Road, where you can buy. A wide variety of colorful clothes, jewelry, shoes and more opportunity Overnight in Bangalore.

 

DAY 03: BANGALORE - MYSORE (145KMS / 4HRS DRIVE):

After breakfast depart for Mysore. This ride will take about 4 hours. On reaching Mysore, you will be able to check into the hotel first. Then follows a sightseeing. This takes you to the Mysore Maharaja Palace. Overnight in Mysore.

 

DAY 04: VISIT MYSORE:

Today you will again explore Mysore. This tour takes you to St. Philomena's Church, Chamundeeshwari hills, Brindavan garden. Mysore is also known for its ivory work, silk-weaving, sandalwood incense and wood carvings. You also get the opportunity to shop in Mysore. By evening you will be brought to your hotel. Your overnight in Mysore.

 

DAY 05: MYSORE - OOTY (160KMS / 4HRS DRIVE):

Today drive to Ooty, one of the best hill stations of South India. Later check-in at the hotel in Ooty. The rest of the day you can rest and enjoy the fresh air on this hill. Overnight in Ooty.

 

DAY 06: VISIT OOTY:

Enjoy your day in Ooty also known as the 'Queen of Hill Station. You will visit the Botanical Gardens, Sim's Park, Rose Garden, Dolphin Nose, Pykara waterfall Dodabetta peak. In the evening you can enjoy the boat trip to Ooty lake. Your overnight stay is in Ooty.

 

DAY 07: OOTY - COCHIN (310KMS / 7HRS DRIVE):

After breakfast depart for Cochin, a journey of about 7 hours. Along the way you ride in the "TOY TRAIN", a highlight of this ride. From this train can be very close to enjoy the beautiful scenery, then we continue our journey towards Cochin. After you have arrived in Cochin, you first check into the hotel. Then you can explore the area by making near Fort Cohin a walk. Later in the evening you may enjoy a Kathakali dance show. Overnight in Cochin.

 

DAY 08: VISIT COCHIN

Today is a sightseeing of Cochin. You will visit the St. Francis Church, Indo - Portuguese Museum, Dutch Museum, Santa Cruz Basilica and Chinese fishing nets in Fort Cochin. Then go to Cochin city center where you can shop of course. By the evening you can take a boat trip on the river Cochin (optional).Overnight in Cochin.

 

DAY 09: COCHIN - MUNNAR (120KMS / 4HRS DRIVE)

After breakfast we drive you to Munnar. Munnar is the most beautiful hill station of Kerala full of tea plantations and misty clouds. Along the way you will see beautiful waterfalls. On arrival check in at the resort and then go for a sightseeing of Munnar. You visit Rajamala peak, Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point. Echo Point, you could make a boat trip (optional). The rest of the day is to spend at their discretion. You would then take a walk through the center of Munnar can make. Overnight at the resort in Munnar.

 

DAY 10: MUNNAR - PERIYAR (120KMS / 3HRS DRIVE)

After breakfast, the journey continues to Periyar, which is famous for its wildlife sanctuary and a wide variety of herbs that grow here. On arrival in Periyar, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is to spend at their discretion. Overnight in Periyar.

 

DAY 11: VISIT PERIYAR

After breakfast you will be picked up by our tour guide. The Periyar sightseeing begins with a visit to a spice plantation and a ride on an elephant. Take a boat ride [Optional] on a lake and enjoy the beautiful views from the lake and admire the many beautiful birds. Overnight in Periyar.

 

DAY 12: PERIYAR - ALLEPPEY (140KMS / 4HRS DRIVE)

In the early morning we drive you to Alleppey which is also known as the 'Venice of the East'. On reaching Alleppey to check in to the houseboat and start your cruise in the narrow canals of the famous Back waters. During the trip you can visit ancient temples, churches, visiting rice fields and watch the daily activities of the locals who live nearby. The crew will serve you a hot lunch, followed by a dinner in the evening. By evening the houseboat will stand still at a quay. You can explore the local village on their own. Your overnight stay on the houseboat. In the morning, sail back the boat. After enjoying a delicious breakfast on the boat you will be brought to the wharf for your onward journey back.

 

DAY 13: ALLEPPEY - KOVALAM (175KMS / 4HRS DRIVE):

The journey continues to Kovalam, which is considered as the paradise of the South. On arrival in Kovalam, you check into the hotel. The rest of the day is to spend at their discretion. Getting to guess to make a beach relax on the beach or take a refreshing dip in the water. By the evening you can dine in a restaurant with live music. Overnight in Kovalam.

 

DAY 14: KOVALAM

Relax on the beach at Kovalam. Visit the many tourist shops.

 

DAY 15: KOVALAM - KANYAKUMARI (90KMS / 2HRS DRIVE):

After breakfast proceed to Kanyakumari, which is the southern most tip of India. On the route you make a short stop at the Kumari Amman Temple and take a short boat ride (Subject to weather conditions). The final destination is the visit to the Valluvar Statue, Vivekananda Memorial and Gandhi Mandapam. On the beach you will see numerous stalls where vendors only too happy to charge a tourist price so. Haggling Enjoy the beautiful sunset. Overnight in Kanyakumari.

 

DAY 16: KANYAKUMARI - RAMESHWARAM (380 KMS / 8 HRS DRIVE)

In the early morning you can see the sun rise. After breakfast drive to Rameshwaram, which is a bustling pilgrim center and is considered one of the holiest places in India. Here you can visit the Ramanatha swami temple. This temple is situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island. Then a visit to Ramar Padam. This shrine is at the highest point of the island at 2 km from Rameswaram. Overnight in Rameshwaram.

 

DAY 17: RAMESHWARAM - MADURAI (185KMS / 4 HRS DRIVE)

From Rameshwaram, we drive you to Madurai. On arrival in Madurai, check into the hotel and then will visit the famous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple is a magnificent example of Dravidian architecture with Gopurams cut from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of multicolored images of gods. Overnight in Madurai.

 

DAY 18: VISIT MADURAI

Today, following the sightseeing of Madurai city. Visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo ceramic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. This palace was built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian architect. There is also a nice museum dedicated to the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi. By the evening visit the local flower market. Your overnight stay in Madurai.

 

DAY 19: MADURAI - CHETTINAD (90KMS / 3HRS DRIVE)

Today we drive to Chettinad, the land of traditional bankers and traders spectacular bungalows and mansions built in this region. Upon reaching Chettinad you check into the hotel. The rest of the day is to spend at their discretion. Overnight in Chettinad.

 

DAY 20: CHETTINAD - TRICHY - THANJAVUR (200KMS / 4HRS DRIVE)

On the way to Tanjore, Trichy visit the Rock Fort Temple (Uchi Pillaiyar Temple) and Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. The latter is a famous temple in Tamil Nadu. Tanjore is a small town with architectural wonders like the famous Brihadeeshwara Tanjore Big Temple and the Temple. A delightful feature is the Saraswathi Mahal Library and Art Gallery with a large collection of Chola bronze - a unique example of Hindu architecture. Overnight in Tanjore.

 

DAY 21: THANJAVUR - CHIDAMBARAM - GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM - DARASURAM - PONDICHERRY:

After enjoying your breakfast drive to Pondicherry. En route visit the Chidambaram temple Natrajar. A unique feature of this temple is a statue of Nataraja (Lord Shiva) with lots of jewels. Natraja (Lord Shiva) is the lord of classical dance arts like Bharatanatyam. Then visit Gangaikondacholapuram, famous for its beautiful and stylish detailed petroglyphs. Later you will visit the temple in Airavateshwara Darasuram, famous for its beautiful images. These temples are examples of the Cholas artistry. Then we drive you to Pondicherry for your overnight stay.

 

DAY 22: PONDICHERRY - MAHABALIPURAM (90KMS / 2HRS DRIVE)

Today you will visit Auroville or the 'City of Dawn', a French war memorial. Then visit Gandhi memorial.

The journey continues to Mahabalipuram. From Pondicherry, this is a journey of about two hours. Upon arrival in Mahabalipuram, you will be brought to your hotel. The rest of the day is to spend at their discretion. Guests can relax on the beach. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

 

DAY 23: VISIT MAHABLIPURAM - KANCHIPURAM - CHENNAI (145KMS / 4HRS DRIVE)

A sightseeing of Mahabalipuram will take you to a number of monuments protected by UNESCO as: Arjuna's Penance, Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Krishna's Butterball. These are all historical temples, famous for their unique sculptures, the culture and traditions of the natives. 

 

Later drive to visit Kanchipuram Kamakshi Amman temple, Ekambareswarar temple Varadharaja Perumal tempe. A visit to a silk weaving factory gives you the opportunity to quality silk sarees buy. 

Continue drive toward Chennai. Overnight in Chennai.

 

DAY 24: CHENNAI SIGHTSEEING + SHOPPING:

A sightseeing tour of Chennai takes you to the National Art Gallery and Museum, where you can admire. A large collection of old paintings and modern art, other highlights include a visit to the Santhome Cathedral and Fort St. George. The rest of the time you can spend for shopping. Well-known shopping malls are the T. Nagar and Pondy bazaar where you can buy at reasonable prices. Is worth a visit to the newly opened shopping Ampa Skywalk and Express avenue. Overnight in Chennai. .

 

DAY 25: CHENNAI / DEPARTURE

This is your last day in India. You will be charged for your onward journey home. Towards the airport of Chennai Hopefully, you have wonderful memories of this trip !

 

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable Holidays.