INTENSIVE SOUTH INDIA TOUR
Places Covered
CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – CHENNAI – MAMALLAPURAM – PONDICHERRY – TANJORE – TRICHY – MADURAI – KODAIKANAL – MUNNAR – PERIYAR – KOVALAM – ALLEPPEY – COCHIN – OOTY – BR HILLS – MYSORE – HASSAN – BANGALORE – TIRUPATI – CHENNAI/ DEPARTURE
Duration : 23 NIGHTS / 24 DAYS
Note :
Suggested tour itinerary is a flexible tour proposal and can be change as per the guest requirement. We provide tailor made itinerary as per the need of the guest if you want to add or remove any of the destination please advise us for modification so that you can enjoy best of your holidays in India.
Day 01: ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive at Chennai airport, the cosmopolitan City and capital of Tamil Nadu is the main gateway for travelers to South India. You will be welcomed by ITM representative and transfer to hotel. Where our representative will assist you to check in at hotel and later explain the tour scheduled in detail and handover all the tour related documents to you. Rest of the day free for leisure activities. Overnight Chennai
Day 02: CHENNAI
After healthy breakfast, proceed for Chennai sightseeing with Kapaleeshwar Temple and Parthasarthy Temple. Later visit Fort st. George church, Kala Kshetra and National Art Gallery and Museum. Evening free to explore market. Overnight Chennai.
Day 03: CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALIPURAM
After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram, Enroute visit Kanchipuram. This temple town was once the capital of the Pallava dynasty. Kanchipuram is one of the India’s Seven sacred cities. The silk sarees produced here are famous throughout the world. Later visit Vaikuntam Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple. This Pallava temple was constructed in the 8th century and has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions. Continue drive to Mahabalipuram. Overnight Mahabalipuarm.
Day 04: MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY
After breakfast visit Mahabaliuram city, visit shore temple, Arjuna’s penance and Five Ratha’s. Later continue drive to Pondicherry. , Pondicherry, which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down. On arrival Pondicherry visit Aurobindo Ashram, visit Auroville – a unique heaven for all; irrespective of caste,creed,colour and nationality. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: PONDICHERRY – CHIDAMBARAM – KUMBAKONAM – TANJORE
Morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore, Enroute visit Chidambaram and Kumbakonam city, Chidambaram is famous for the Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates. In this temple postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Later visit Kumbakonam city is one of the oldest towns in Tamilnadu and is famous for its Mahamaham festival. In the 7th Century it was the Capital of Chola Kings. Kumbakonam, the famous temple town of South India. Later continue drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight Tanjore.
Day 06: TANJORE – SRIRANGAM – TRICHY
After breakfast drive to visit Srirangam and visit the Ranganathasvami Temple which is one of the largest temples in India dedicated to god Vishnu. After the visit of Srirangam we proceed to Trichy. Trichy, the land near the delta is very fertile and productive. This town Trichy is so ancient that it was mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC by Alexandrian geographer. We climb stairs to the famous Rock Fort which was built on 84 m high rock in the centre of town in about 1660. We also visit a Shiva and Ganesha temple and enjoy a wonderful view of the surroundings from the top. Later check in at hotel. Overnight Trichy.
Day 07: TRICHY – MADURAI
After breakfast drive to Madurai some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. After lunch explore the famous Meenakshi Temple, a superb example of the Dravidian School of Architecture and is known for its profusely carved and gigantic gateways and visit Tirumalai Nayak Palace. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 08: MADURAI – KODAIKANAL
After breakfast and check out from the hotel drive to Kodaikanal, Kodaikanal is a hill town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It’s set in an area of granite cliffs, forested valleys, lakes, waterfalls and grassy hills. At 2,000 meters above sea level, the town centers around man-made, star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake, bordered by evergreen forest. Rowing boats can be hired, and hikers and cyclists follow the 5k Lake Road path around the shore. Ovenight Kodaikanal.
Day 09: KODAIKANAL
After breakfast rest of the day leisure at nature. Overnight Kodaikanal.
Day 10: KODAIKANAL – MUNNAR
Post breakfast and check out from the hotel drive to Munnar . Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri tahr, is home to the Lakkam Waterfalls, hiking trails. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day for leisure. Overnight Munnar.
Day 11: MUNNAR
Post breakfast proceed to visit the tea plantation, Rajmalai, the top peak of Munnar and Mattupetty. Rajmalai is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, located about 15 km from Munnar. Half of the world population of the rare mountain goat, which is becoming extinct, is now found here. Mattupetty is located about 15 kms from Munnar and known for its highly specialised dairy farm – the Indo Swiss Livestock project. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Overnight Munnar.
Day 12: MUNNAR – THEKKADY
After breakfast drive to Thekkady, Thekkady is the location of the Periyar National Park The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spreads across the entire district are the picturesque plantations and hill towns that nestle beautiful trails for treks and mountain walks. The Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world and also one of the largest and finest wildlife reserves in India. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight Thekkady.
Day 13: THEKKADY – KOVALAM
After breakfast enjoy morning Boat ride on the lake of Periyar. The lake of Periyar is the central point of the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 780 square km and was designated a part of project Tiger in 1973. After the Boat ride we drive through the Park and observe the elephants, bison, sambar, wild oxen, wild boar and spotted deer which are common here. In the afternoon we drive through the mountains which are full of Cardamom and pass through the tea and coffee plantations and proceed to Kovalam. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight Kovalam.
Day 14: KOVALAM
The Kovalam beach is located about 16 kms. from the city of Trivandrum. This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favourite place of tourists since 1930. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost beach is known as the Lighthouse Beach and is the most popular beach. Enjoy your whole day at this beach. Overnight Kovalam.
Day 15: KOVALAM – ALLEPPEY
After breakfast proceed to Alleppey, Alappuzha (or Alleppey) is a city on the Laccadive Sea in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It’s best known for houseboat cruises along the rustic Kerala backwaters, a network of tranquil canals and lagoons. Overnight at floating houseboat.
Day 16: ALLEPPEY – COCHIN
After breakfast and disembark from the houseboat drive to Cochin. Cochin is the most interesting town in South India at Malabar Coast and is also known as Venice of South. Cochin is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. After arrival in Cochi, drive to the hotel. In Cochin we visit St. Francis church, the oldest European church in India in which the grave of famous sailor Vasco da Gama can be visited. After the visit of St. Francis Church we have a walk through the Jewish area of Mattancherry. Overnight Cochin.
Day 17: COCHIN – OOTY
Today after breakfast & check out from the tropical coast of Kerala we drive on the serpent road and pass through the Tea plantation and eucalyptus forests of mountains of Nilgiri and arrive in the city Ooty (Udhagammandalam). Ooty which was developed as hill station by British, lies at an altitude of 2300 m. and still has British flair. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight ooty.
Day 18: OOTY – BR HILLS
After breakfast and check out from the hotel drive along the forest stretch to BR Hills wildlife sanctuary. The Biligirirangana ranges of hills are picturesquely situated between the Cauvery & Kapila Rivers. At a height of 5091 feet above sea level, this hill stretches from north to south for about 16 Kms. All round are deciduous trees and roaming amidst the long grass and tall trees are animals. We will take a stroll through the sylvan surroundings. Overnight in BR hills.
Day 19: BR HILLS – MYSORE
After breakfast pass through the betel nut and pepper plantation and proceed to Mysore. In Mysore we drive to Chamundi Hill to see a giant Nandi (buffalo god) and enjoy the view of the surroundings form the hilltop. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight Mysore.
Day 20: MYSORE – HASSAN
After breakfast drive to Hassan, Hassan via Protima Bedi’s Dance Village. Arrive Hassan by lunch. After having lunch visit the Sravanabelagola where we visit the colossal monolithic statue of Gomateshvara, standing 18 meters high. This Jain sculpture represents the saintly prince Bahubali after he had gained enlightenment. Today we will also visit the famous Hoysala temples of Halebid. Overnight in Hassan.
Day 21: HASSAN – BANGALORE
After breakfast drive to Bangalore, Bangalore. Bangalore is the capital city of the Indian state Karnataka. This former “Garden city” Bangalore is known today as “computer city” of India. In Bangalore we visit the monolithic Nandi, Shiva’s Bull and famous Gowda Fort which was built by Tipu Sultan. Overnight Bangalore.
Day 22: BANGALORE – TIRUPATI
Post breakfast drive to Tirupati pilgrimage shrine, Tirupati. There we visit the famous Tirupati temple, dedicated to the Lord Vishnu and later drive down hill and visit the temples of Padavathi. Overnight Tirupati.
Day 23: TIRUPATI – CHENNAI
After breakfast drive to Chennai. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free to explore local market. Overnight Chennai.
Day 24: CHENNAI / DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to airport to board on flight for your onwards destination with the happy memories of your tour and our services.