Temples, Backwater & Palaces Of South India 15 days
- Private tour
- Solo friendly
- Family friendly
This is our favourite itinerary has the ability to touch your soul and melt your city. Explore the magnificent temple & see the largest & oldest active temples of Hindus in Thanjavur, Trichy & Madurai, of which some are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Walk in the colonial towns of Chennai, Pondicherry, and Fort Cochin. Explore the picturesque Periyar National Park & learn about the spice plantation. Cruise in an enchanting backwater at Alleppey. Ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway and visit the fort & palaces of Mysore and Bangalore.
Day 1 Arrive Chennai
On arrival, assistance & transfer to the hotel (hotel check-in/ out time 12 pm). Visit Fort St. George, St Mary Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.
O/n at the hotel.
Day 2 Chennai - Mahabalipuram (120kms)
Drive to Mahabalipuram via visiting Kanchipuram, an ancient city famous as the city of a thousand temples. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Visit Mahabalipuram UNESCO WHS monuments, Monolithic Temples, Krishnas Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 3 Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (100kms)
Drive to Pondicherry, check in at the hotel. Visit Auroville & Pondicherry Museum. Drive past or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include the French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 4 Pondicherry - Thanjavur (185kms)
Drive to Thanjavur via visiting Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and The Great Living Chola Temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Darasuram. On arrival, check in at the hotel.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 5 Thanjavur - Trichy (60kms)
Visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Palace Complex, built by the great Chola king in the 10th century. Drive to Trichy, check in at the hotel. Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest functional temple in the world and The Rock Fort, the oldest rock in the world, 230 crore years old.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 6 Trichy - Madurai (135kms)
Drive to Madurai, check in at the hotel. Visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 7 Madurai - Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady via Ramakkalmedu, the windiest place in Asia. On arrival, check in at the hotel.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 8 Thekkady - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat safari followed by a spice plantation tour. Drive to Kumarakom check.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 9 Thekaddy - Alleppey (135kms)
Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board a houseboat & sail through the tropical countryside, enchanting backwaters.
O/n in a houseboat. Meal plan: B, L, D.
Day 10 Alleppey - Cochin (60kms)
Drive to Cochin, check in at the hotel. Visit Fort Cochin, St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace & Chinese fishing nets. Evening watch Kathakali Dance.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 11 Cochin - Ooty (280kms)
Drive to Ooty, check in at the hotel. Rest time to relax & explore the surroundings.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 12 Ooty - Mysore (140kms)
Visit botanical gardens, followed by a ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Drive to Mysore, check in at the hotel.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 13 Mysore
Excursion to visit Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura. On return visit Mysore Palace, Chamundeswari Temple, Nandi Bull, City Palace & St. Philomenas Church.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 14 Mysore - Bangalore (150kms)
Drive to Bangalore, check in at the hotel. Visit Lal Bagh Garden, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Fort, Tippu Summer Palace & Bull Temple. Drive past Vidhana Soudha & Secretariat.
O/n at the hotel. Meal plan: B.
Day 15 Bangalore - Departure
As per the flight schedule, the departure transfer to the airport.
Meal plan: B.
What's included
* Please check prices for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Inclusions
- Assistance on arrival at the airport
- 15 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels
- Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
- Private air-conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per the program
- English-speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
- Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the car
- Government taxes
Exclusions
- Any flight tickets
- Camera charges at monuments
- Meals other than those mentioned in the day plan
- Expenses of a personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc
- Gratuities & optional activities
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Details
Available in
English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish
(Other than English guide subject to availability and at additional cost)
Available for
Infants, Children, Students, Adults, Seniors
Departure & Return
Start city: Chennai , Tamil Nadu, India
Pick-up times available: 09:00
Pick up location: Chennai Airport
Ends at: Bangalore Airport
Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport (MAA)
Eco Features:
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Education & exploration
Education & exploration
The product is educational rather than entertainment focused - it respects and gives insight into local traditions and/or environment - Licensed tour guide
- Local or indigenous tour guide(s)
Cancellation policy
0% cancellation fee - 31 days or more before the travel date
50% cancellation fee - between 16-30 days before the travel date
75% cancellation fee - between 7-15 days before the travel date
90% cancellation fee - between 4-6 days before the travel date
100% cancellation fee - between 0-3 days before the travel date
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from A$3148 per person