Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai
You'll arrive at Chennai Airport or Railway Station and get transferred to your hotel. Once you've settled in, the afternoon is yours to walk through the city's main sights. Kapaleeshwar Temple, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral, and the National Art Gallery are all on the list. Spend the night in Chennai and get ready for the days ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kapaleeshwar Temple
- Explore Marina Beach
- Visit Santhome Cathedral
- Visit National Art Gallery
Landmarks Kapaleeshwar Temple Marina Beach Santhome Cathedral National Art Gallery - Day 2
Chennai to Mamallapuram
The drive to Mamallapuram includes a stop in Kanchipuram, one of seven sacred Hindu cities and a major hub for Tamil learning and silk weaving. You'll check out Krishna Mandapam and the 27m x 9m bas relief carving. The Shore Temple from the 8th century and the Five Rathas monolithic temples come next. After settling into your hotel, explore the ancient Pallava monuments scattered around Mamallapuram.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kanchipuram temples
- Visit Krishna Mandapam
- View the world's largest bas relief
- Visit Shore Temple
- Visit the Five Rathas
Landmarks Kanchipuram Temples Krishna Mandapam Shore Temple Five Rathas - Day 3
Mamallapuram to Pondicherry
Head toward Pondicherry, the former French colony where French influences are still visible around the city. After breakfast and checking in, you'll spend time at Arikamedu, Shri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry Beach, Botanical Garden, and Bharati Park. The night is spent in Pondicherry.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Arikamedu
- Visit Shri Aurobindo Ashram
- Explore Pondicherry Beach
- Visit Botanical Garden
- Visit Bharati Park
Landmarks Arikamedu Shri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry Beach Botanical Garden Bharati Park - Day 4
Pondicherry to Tanjore to Tiruchirappalli
After breakfast, drive about four hours to Tanjore. You'll see Brihadeeshwara Temple, the Art Gallery, The Palace, and Saraswati Mahal Library. Then it's roughly 1 hour 15 minutes on to Tiruchirappalli. Once checked in, walk through Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Jambukeswajar-Akilandeswari Temple, and browse the local markets if you have time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Brihadeeshwara Temple
- Visit Art Gallery in Tanjore
- Visit The Palace in Tanjore
- Visit Saraswati Mahal Library
- Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
- Visit Jambukeswajar-Akilandeswari Temple
Optional Activities
- Browse local markets in Tiruchirappalli
Landmarks Brihadeeshwara Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Jambukeswajar-Akilandeswari Temple - Day 5
Tiruchirappalli to Madurai
After breakfast, travel to Madurai, an ancient city over 2500 years old on the banks of the Vaigai river. The main focus is Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to Sundareswar (a form of Lord Shiva) and Meenakshi (a form of Goddess Parvati). In the evening, catch the prayer ceremony at the temple. You'll spend the night in Madurai.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meenakshi Temple
- Witness Prayer Ceremony at Meenakshi Temple
Landmarks Meenakshi Temple - Day 6
Madurai to Periyar
After breakfast, drive to Periyar, a wildlife sanctuary with a beautiful lake surrounded by thick forest. Check into your accommodation and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Landmarks Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 7
Periyar to Cochin
After breakfast, head to Cochin, one of India's largest harbours. You'll have the full day to yourself after checking in. The Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, and Chinese fishing nets are all open for you to explore at your own pace. Spend the night in Cochin.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Jewish Synagogue
- Visit Dutch Palace
- Observe Chinese fishing nets
Landmarks Jewish Synagogue Dutch Palace Chinese Fishing Nets - Day 8
Cochin to Ooty
After breakfast, drive to Ooty, one of India's most popular hill resorts. Check into your hotel and the afternoon is free. You can relax and take things slow before spending the night in Ooty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Ooty to Mudumalai
After breakfast, drive to Mudumalai to visit Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. You'll transfer to your hotel for the overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sharing jeep safari in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Landmarks Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 10
Mudumalai to Mysore
After breakfast, the entire day is free for you to do what you want. A car is at your disposal to visit places like Lalita Mahal Palace, Nandi Bull Temple, and Brindaban Gardens whenever you choose. Spend the night at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Lalita Mahal Palace
- Visit Nandi Bull Temple
- Visit Brindaban Gardens
Landmarks Lalita Mahal Palace Nandi Bull Temple Brindaban Gardens - Day 11
Mysore to Hassan
After breakfast, drive to Hassan, which serves as a base for seeing ancient Hoysala temples. In the afternoon, head to Belur (38 km away) to see the Chennakeshava Temple, a perfect example of Hoysala architecture. Then go to Halebid (27 km away), another former Hoysala capital with temples showing the artistic work of Hoysala sculptors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Belur Chennakeshava Temple
- Visit Halebid temples
Landmarks Chennakeshava Temple Halebid Temples - Day 12
Hassan to Hospet
After breakfast, drive to Hospet and check into your hotel. This location puts you in reach of Hampi, the ancient ruined city that was once the capital of the Vijayanagar Kings. The site has splendid monuments like the Vittala Temple with fine sculptures, musical pillars, and famous stone chariots. Spend the night at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Hampi ruins
- Visit Vittala Temple
- Explore musical pillars
- View stone chariots
Landmarks Vittala Temple Hampi Ruins - Day 13
Hospet to Badami
After breakfast, drive to Badami, the Chalukyan capital from 543-757 AD, with several rock-cut temples and early sculptures. You'll also visit Aihole, a village on the Malaprabha river with about 125 temples throughout, and Pattadakal, the second Chalukya capital where coronations happened, with many beautiful temples still standing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Badami temples
- Visit Aihole temples
- Visit Pattadakal temples
Landmarks Badami Temples Aihole Temples Pattadakal Temples - Day 14
Badami to Bijapur
Drive to Bijapur in the morning and check into your hotel. This city was once the capital of the Adil Shah dynasty and has several important monuments. Gol Gumbaz has the world's second largest dome, the Jama Masjid features one of the Deccan's finest domes and an arcaded court, and Ibrahim Rauza is a 17th century palatial tomb. Spend the night in Bijapur.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Gol Gumbaz
- Visit Jama Masjid
- Visit Ibrahim Rauza
Landmarks Gol Gumbaz Jama Masjid Ibrahim Rauza - Day 15
Bijapur to Belgaum
After breakfast, drive to Belgaum and check into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 16
Belgaum to Goa
Drive to Goa in the morning and check in at your hotel. The evening is free, so you can relax and unwind before spending the night in Goa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 17
Goa
After breakfast at the hotel, take a half day city tour of Goa. The rest of the day is yours to do what you like and explore independently. Spend the night at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half day city tour of Goa
- Day 18
Goa
After breakfast at the hotel, the day is completely at leisure. You can relax, explore, or do whatever activities you prefer. Spend the night at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 19
Goa to Bombay
Transfer to the airport and board your flight to Bombay to head back home.
