Best of south india | The Real India

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai - the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country. Upon arrival Chennai Airport meet our representative who will transfer you to hotel.
Overnight at Chennai hotel

Day 02: Chennai – Half day tour
Chennai – Mahabalipuram via Kachipuram (140 Kms. /4 hours) Today morning have breakfast in the hotel later proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Chennai visiting the famous land mark like Anna salai Marine beach, Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore temple and kapaleshwaran. Post lunch drive to Mahabalipuram en-route visit Kanchipuram; the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Further continue to Mahalbalipuram and upon arrival, check-in to the hotel.
Overnight at Mahabalipram hotel

Day 03: Mahabalipuram (Full day tour)
Today post breakfast proceed for a full day tour in Mahabalipuram visiting the Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples. Unique about this temple is the fact that it houses shrines for both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Also visit The Five Rathas. There are five monolithic temples, each created in a different style.
Overnight at Mahabalipuram hotel

Day 04: Mahabalipuram – Tanjore (270 Kms. /6 hours)
Today morning post breakfast proceeds for Tanjore/Thanjavur. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel, later sightseeing tour of Tanjore. Tanjore is known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. Visit Brihadeeswara or the Big Temple of God, an example of the magnificent achievements of the Cholas in the field of temple architecture.
Also visit The Palace near the temple. It is a vast building of masonry built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and partly by the Marathas. Also visit Saraswathi Mahal, a library which has over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages.
Overnight at Tanjour hotel

Day 05: Tanjore – Madurai via Trichy (193 Kms. /4 hours)
Morning after breakfast drive to Madurai en-route visit Trichy. Trichy is famous for Rock Fort Temple. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, Trichy's most famed land mark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world aprox.3,800 million years. Later drive to Madurai and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at Madurai hotelGet Free Quote

Day 06: Madurai – Full Day Tour
Morning after breakfast; proceed for a local sightseeing tour of Madurai. The temple town of Madurai, situated on the banks of river Vaigai, is one of the most ancient cities in India with a history dating back to the pre-Christian times.
It was the imperial capital of the Pandyan Empire in the 14th Century AD. Madurai was the seat of Tamil learning and the last of the Tamil Sangams (Academies) was held here nearly 2000 years ago. Places of tourist interest include the imposing Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Gandhi Museum, Vaigai Dam, Thirupparankundrum, Athisayam Water Theme Park, Azhagar Koil and the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam.
Overnight at Madurai hotel

Day 07: Madurai – Thekkady (138 Kms. /3 hours)
Today we drive to Thekkady/Periyar, on arrival check-in at hotel. Periyar set on an attractive lake side; it is South India's most popular Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar is a place to cruise on the lake & gives an opportunity to see wildlife. It is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, bison, antelopes, sambhar, wild boar, monkey, a wide variety of birds. Evening game viewing at the sanctuary by boat on Lake Periyar.
Overnight at Thekkady/Periyar hotel

Day 08: Thekkady – Kumarakom (120 Kms. /3 hours)
Today at sun rise we take a boat ride to view wildlife in the sanctuary on Lake Periyar. After two hours of wildlife viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast. Later we drive to Kumarakom, known for backwaters, huge Vembanad Lake & famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Upon arrival check –in to the hotel.
Overnight at Kumarakom (Houseboat)

Day 09: Kumarakom – Alleppey (32 Kms. / 40 Mins)
Today morning after breakfast visit Kumarakom Bird sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are cormorants, teals, & other ducks & from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, & Siberian storks.
It also has golden backed woodpecker, crow pheasant, white-breasted water hen, tree pie etc. Later we board the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, cruise around beautiful backwaters of Kumarakom to Alleppey to observe & experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters.
Overnight at Alleppey hotel

Day 10: Alleppey – Cochin (55 Kms. /1 hour)
Today we drive to Cochin, Cochin is a very popular & historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, Dutch & British. Upon arrival check – in at hotel. Later in day visit Jew Town, synagogue, built in the year 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles & Belgian chandeliers.
Also visit the spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices & history that brought the world to its doorstep. Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. In the evening see Kerala's most popular classical dance Kathakali.
Overnight at Cochin hotel Get Free Quote

Day 11: Cochin – Ooty (275 Kms./ 06 hours)
Today morning we drive to Ooty, Queen of hill stations & the capital of Nilgiri district. Upon arrival, check – in to the hotel. Nilgiri means Blue Mountains. It was a very popular summer & weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. An added attraction for the tourists is the mountain train journey on a ratchet & pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam & wends its way through many hair-raising curves & fearful tunnels & chugs along deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams & tea gardens.
Overnight at Ooty hotel

Day 12: Ooty
Today morning after breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing; visit Deer Park - The Ooty Deer Park is a unique wilderness situated on the fringes of the Ooty lake. It is one of the high altitude animal park in India, Doddabetta - It is highest peak in the Nilgiris and the name Doddabetta literally means 'big mountain' which is so in reality, Ooty Lake - The Ooty Lake is the pride of the Blue Hills. It is Central and strategic attraction. Return back to the hotel and overnight stay.
Overnight at Ooty hotel

Day 13: Ooty – Mysore (160 kms. / 03 hours)
Post breakfast, drive to Mysore. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and rest of the day free at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at Mysore hotel

Day 14: Mysore
Today morning post breakfast; proceed for full day guided tour in Mysore visiting Srirangapatnam, the historic capital of Tipu Sultan known for his struggle against British rule. Later we visit Darya Daulat, commonly known as Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan; situated amidst scenic surroundings on an island formed by two branches of the River Cauvery. We also visit Maharaja Palace, designed by British architect Henry Irwin, the Amba Villas Palace as it is also known, was completed in 1912. Chamundi Hill, which is topped with a 12th century temple of Durga with the magnificent 5m tall Nandi, Carved from single piece of granite in 1659, its one of largest in India.
Overnight – Mysore

Day 15: Mysore – Bangalore (135 kms. / 03 hours)
Today morning post breakfast drive to Bangalore. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and later proceed for a guided tour visiting Tipu Sultan Palace; The construction of the Tipu palace was started by Haider Ali & completed by Tipu Sultan. Also visit ISKCON Temple, a harmonious blend of the Dravidian & modern architecture.
Then visit the Lal Bagh Garden & Vidhan Saudha, a seat of state legislature - an imposing magnificent palatial building built in ‘Neo-Dravidian’ Style and incorporates Indo Sara scenic elements.
Overnight at Bangalore hotelGet Free Quote

Day 16: Bangalore – Departure
On time, transfer to Bangalore international airport to board the flight to onward journey.