Incredible South India Tour

Welcome to Chennai International Airport. Our representative will meet you at the airport and escort you by air-conditioned car to your pre-booked hotel in Chennai. During check-in, you will receive the documents and service information for the tour, with time to clarify any queries regarding the itinerary and included services. If you arrive on an early flight and have sufficient time after settling in, take a short orientation tour of the city, including Marina Beach and a nearby local market. The remainder of the evening is free for relaxation. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Chennai. Begin at Kalakshetra Foundation, an important centre for the preservation and teaching of Indian classical arts, followed by the city's historic colonial landmarks. Visit Fort St. George, established by the English East India Company in the 17th century, followed by San Thome Basilica, an important Christian pilgrimage site traditionally associated with the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle. Continue to Guindy National Park and Snake Park, followed by Marina Beach and the surrounding waterfront. If time permits, visit a local flower and fruit market before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive towards Mahabalipuram. En route, visit Kanchipuram, one of Tamil Nadu's historic temple cities and an important centre of Pallava-era architecture and silk weaving. Visit Kailasanathar Temple, followed by Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple, subject to opening hours and visitor regulations. Time can also be set aside to explore the traditional silk market. Continue to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Pallava rock-cut caves, monolithic rathas, open-air reliefs and structural temples dating mainly from the 7th and 8th centuries. Visit the Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance and Shore Temple, with the remaining monuments visited if time permits. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Pondicherry (Puducherry). On arrival, transfer to the hotel and refresh before exploring the historic French Quarter. Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, followed by the city's historic churches, including the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Angels Church, subject to access. Continue through the heritage streets towards the former French administrative district and the seafront promenade. Depending on time and access, visit Auroville and explore its visitor facilities. In the evening, walk along the promenade and see landmarks including the French War Memorial, Mahatma Gandhi statue and the historic lighthouse area. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive towards Thanjavur. En route, visit Chidambaram, one of Tamil Nadu's major Shaiva pilgrimage centres and home to the celebrated Thillai Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. Continue to Nalladai to visit the Sri Agneeswarar Temple, associated with the worship of Shiva and local temple traditions. Later, continue to Thanjavur and check in at the hotel. The remainder of the evening is free for relaxation. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the heritage of Thanjavur. Visit the magnificent Brihadisvara Temple, built under Chola ruler Rajaraja I in the early 11th century and now part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Great Living Chola Temples. The temple represents one of the highest achievements of Chola Dravida architecture, with its monumental vimana, sculptural programme and historic inscriptions. Continue to Thanjavur Palace and the Saraswathi Mahal Library, known for its historic manuscript collections. Later drive towards Madurai, en route visiting Trichy. Explore Rockfort Temple, followed by Srirangam and, if time permits, Jambukeswarar Temple. Continue to Madurai for overnight stay.

After breakfast, explore the historic temple city of Madurai. Visit the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, the centrepiece of the old city and one of Tamil Nadu's most important living temple complexes. Its monumental gopurams, sculptural halls and mandapas reflect centuries of architectural development, particularly under the Nayak rulers. Continue to Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple and Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace, known for its monumental courtyard, arches and stucco decoration, followed by Koodal Azhagar Temple and Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam. In the evening, return to the Meenakshi Amman Temple to experience the evening worship and rituals, subject to temple timings and visitor regulations. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Kanyakumari. Continue southwards and, on arrival in Kanyakumari, check in at the hotel and refresh. Later, explore the waterfront and visit Kumari Amman Temple, Gandhi Mandapam and the area around the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. If ferry services are operating, continue by boat to the offshore memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue. In the evening, enjoy the sunset from a suitable coastal viewpoint. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Begin early with an opportunity to experience sunrise at Kanyakumari, subject to weather and visibility. After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive towards Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. En route, visit Kuthira Malika (Puthen Malika) Palace, known for its traditional Kerala architecture and carved wooden interiors, followed by the Napier Museum and Sree Chitra Art Gallery. If time permits, visit Padmatheertham, the historic temple tank associated with the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple complex. Continue to Kovalam and check in at the beach resort. The remainder of the evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Kovalam. Relax on the beach or arrange optional activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, catamaran rides or other water-based experiences according to local conditions. Those interested in Kerala's traditional wellness practices can arrange an Ayurvedic massage or wellness treatment through the resort or a licensed centre. The coastal area can also be explored independently, with time to visit local shops and restaurants. Overnight stay at the beach resort.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Alleppey (Alappuzha), the gateway to Kerala's famous backwaters. On arrival, board your private Kerala houseboat and begin cruising through the interconnected waterways. The route passes coconut-fringed canals, paddy fields, villages and traditional rural settlements. Modern houseboats generally provide bedrooms, attached bathrooms, dining and living areas, kitchen facilities and an open deck. Enjoy the changing scenery from the sun deck, observe village life along the waterways and watch the sunset before dinner. Fishing from the houseboat can be attempted where permitted. Dinner and overnight stay on the houseboat.

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive to Kochi. Begin exploring historic Fort Kochi, including St. Francis Church, one of India's oldest European-built churches. Continue to Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, followed by Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, whose interiors contain historic murals and collections associated with the former Cochin royal family. In the evening, attend a traditional Kathakali performance, Kerala's classical dance-drama tradition known for elaborate costumes, facial makeup, expressive gestures and highly stylized storytelling. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Munnar, a hill station in the Western Ghats where the Madupetty, Nallathanni and Kundala streams meet. The surrounding landscape is dominated by tea plantations, forests, reservoirs and mountain slopes. On arrival, check in at the hotel and refresh. Later, visit the Munnar Tea Museum to learn about the development of tea cultivation and processing in the region through historic photographs, machinery and exhibits. The remainder of the evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the scenic surroundings of Munnar. Begin at Pothamedu View Point, offering views across tea, coffee and cardamom plantations. Continue to Devikulam, known for its mountain scenery and plantation landscape, followed by Blossom International Park. Visit Mattupetty Dam and its reservoir, followed by Kundala Lake and Echo Point. The day combines Munnar's plantation landscape with its lakes, viewpoints and forested hills before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive towards Coimbatore, descending from the Western Ghats towards the plains of Tamil Nadu. On arrival, check in at the hotel and refresh. Later, visit Perur Pateeswarar Temple, an important Shiva temple known for its historic architecture and sculptural work. Continue to Sri Ayyappan Temple and, if time permits, visit the Dhyanalinga and surrounding Isha Yoga Centre. The evening is free to explore the local market. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel with a packed breakfast and drive to Mettupalayam to board the historic Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The railway forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mountain Railways of India and climbs from the foothills into the Nilgiri Hills through steep gradients, tunnels, bridges, forests and tea-growing landscapes. On arrival at Coonoor, meet your chauffeur and continue sightseeing at Sim's Park and the surrounding viewpoints. If conditions permit, visit Catherine Falls. Enjoy a tea-tasting experience featuring different Indian tea varieties with a local tea expert. Later, continue by road to Ooty or take the train onward from Coonoor if the applicable service and tickets are available. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ooty.

After breakfast, explore Ooty. Visit the Government Botanical Garden, established in the 19th century and spread across approximately 55 acres, with ornamental gardens, rare plant species and a fossilized tree. Continue to Ooty Lake, followed by Fernhill Palace, historically associated with the Maharaja of Mysuru, subject to access. Visit the Ooty Golf Course and continue to Doddabetta Peak, the highest mountain in the Nilgiri range at 2,623 metres. If time permits, visit the Tea Museum and Factory and the scenic Pine Forest. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Mysuru. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and refresh before exploring the royal heritage of the city. Visit Mysuru Palace (Amba Vilas Palace), the present palace of the Wadiyar dynasty and a major example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Continue to St. Philomena's Cathedral, followed by Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill and the monumental Nandi Bull. If operational and time permits, visit a traditional Mysuru silk weaving centre. In the evening, visit Brindavan Gardens beside the Krishnaraja Sagara reservoir and, subject to the current schedule, enjoy the musical fountain. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive towards Hassan. En route, visit historic Srirangapatna, the former capital of the Kingdom of Mysuru under Tipu Sultan. Explore the historic fort area and Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan's summer palace, subject to opening hours. Continue to Shravanabelagola, one of India's most important Jain pilgrimage centres. Climb the approximately 650 steps to Vindhyagiri Hill, where the 17-metre monolithic statue of Bahubali (Gommateshwara) stands above the town. The site is particularly associated with the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony held periodically. Later, continue to Hassan and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin exploring the Hoysala heritage of the region. Visit Belur and its celebrated Chennakeshava Temple, one of the finest surviving examples of Hoysala architecture, known for its detailed sculptural programme, friezes and ornate stonework. Continue to Halebidu to visit the Hoysaleshvara Temple, whose extensive exterior carvings depict deities, animals, dancers and narrative scenes. Together, Belur and Halebidu form part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, inscribed for their distinctive 12th–13th-century temple architecture. Later drive to Chitradurga and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore Chitradurga Fort, an extensive hill fortification built across a landscape of massive granite boulders and defensive hills. The fort contains multiple defensive walls, gateways, temples, water structures and other historic remains, and is also associated with the celebrated local legend of Onake Obavva. Later drive to Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, check in at the hotel and begin exploring the archaeological landscape, including the Hazara Rama Temple, monumental Ganesha and Narasimha images, Elephant Stables, Queen's Bath, Lotus Mahal and other surviving royal and sacred structures. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, continue exploring the surviving monuments of Hampi. Depending on available time, visit the Vijaya Vittala Temple and its celebrated stone chariot, the Virupaksha Temple, Achyutaraya Temple complex, Hemakuta Hill and the historic bazaar areas. Hampi's archaeological landscape extends across a large area of temples, royal complexes, bazaars, water structures and defensive remains integrated into the boulder-strewn terrain around the Tungabhadra River. Later, check out and drive to Jindal Vijayanagar Airport (Vidyanagar) for your scheduled flight to Bengaluru. On arrival, meet your representative and transfer to the hotel. The evening is free for leisure or local market exploration. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Bengaluru. Begin at ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple on Hare Krishna Hill, followed by Lalbagh Botanical Garden, one of the city's historic horticultural landmarks. Continue to Cubbon Park and the historic Bull Temple in Basavanagudi, known for its large monolithic Nandi. Visit Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, a rock-cut cave temple dedicated to Shiva, followed by the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum and Vidhana Soudha. If time permits, visit Ulsoor Lake or explore a local market. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer by air-conditioned car to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru for your scheduled flight to your hometown. Depending on the departure time, the morning is free for relaxation or a short local outing. Your journey through the temple cities, heritage monuments, hill stations, backwaters, pilgrimage centres and historic landscapes of South India concludes here.