Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai
You'll arrive at Chennai airport and transfer to your hotel. After checking in, spend the rest of the day settling in and recovering from your journey. It's a good time to rest up before the temple exploration begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Kanchipuram
This is a full day exploring Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram with your guide. You'll walk through ancient temples and see historical monuments, learning about the rich cultural heritage of these temple towns. Both locations showcase incredible architectural styles from different eras.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram
- Sightseeing tour of Kanchipuram
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 3
Kanchipuram to Pondicherry
After an early morning drive to Pondicherry (about 170 km), you'll have time to freshen up. In the afternoon, explore this charming coastal town with its colonial architecture and spiritual heritage. The mix of French colonial buildings and Indian culture here is quite distinctive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Pondicherry
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 4
Swamimalai
You'll drive to Swamimalai and check into the Ethnic Village Resort. From there, visit nearby temples including Chidambaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Spend time exploring the cultural heritage of this region through temple visits and village experiences to get a feel for local life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Chidambaram temple
- Visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 5
Tanjore - Trichy
Head out early for a drive to Trichy, stopping at the Tanjore temple (about 91 km away). Check into your hotel, then in the afternoon, visit Srirangam and Rock Fort temples to see more ancient architecture. You'll get a sense of how temple design evolved across these different sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Tanjore temple
- Visit to Srirangam temple
- Visit to Rock Fort
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 6
Trichy to Madurai
After a drive to Madurai (approximately 142 km), check in and settle at your hotel. Later in the afternoon, take a tour of Madurai's temples and cultural attractions. The city has several significant religious sites worth seeing, each with its own character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 7
Madurai
This day is yours to do as you please in Madurai. You can explore at your own pace, wander through markets, or take an optional day trip to either Rameshwaram or Kodaikanal if you're interested in more temple sites or mountain scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional day trip to Rameshwaram
- Optional day trip to Kodaikanal
- Day 8
Kanyakumari - Kovalam
Start early for a drive to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), India's southernmost tip where three oceans meet. Continue on to Kovalam afterward and arrive by evening. Check into your beachside hotel and take in the coastal atmosphere as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin)
- Day 9
Kovalam
You have a free day in Kovalam to spend however you like. Relax on the beach, swim in the water, or wander through the charming coastal town at your own pace. There are local shops and restaurants to explore if you're interested in experiencing the area independently.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 10
Kovalam to Periyar
Head out on a drive to Periyar (about 276 km). After arriving and settling in, you'll board a boat for an afternoon trip on Periyar Lake. This is where you'll see wildlife in the national park sanctuary, so keep an eye out for birds, elephants, and other animals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Periyar Lake for wildlife viewing
- Jungle safari at Periyar National Park
- Day 11
Backwaters
You'll drive to Kottayam (approximately 115 km) and then board a traditional houseboat called a Kettuvallam. Spend the day sailing through Kerala's backwaters, experiencing the tranquility of the waterways. You'll stay on the boat overnight, so you can watch the scenery slowly change as evening arrives.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Houseboat sail through backwaters
- Day 12
Alleppey to Cochin
Around noon, depart from the Alleppey boathouse and head to Cochin by houseboat or transfer (about 56 km). After you arrive, check into your hotel in Cochin. You'll have the late afternoon and evening to rest or explore the immediate area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 13
Cochin
Take a morning sightseeing tour of Cochin to explore the city's colonial heritage and cultural sites. By evening, you'll attend a traditional Kathakali Dance Show in a theatre. The performance gives you insight into Kerala's classical dance traditions and artistic culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin
- Kathakali Dance Show performance in theatre
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 14
Cochin to Ooty
Drive to Ooty (approximately 280 km) and check into your hotel in this scenic hill station. The journey itself offers nice views as you gain elevation, and once you arrive, you can begin to feel the cooler mountain air and see the lush green surroundings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 15
Coonoor
Spend a full day sightseeing in Ooty and Coonoor. You'll explore gardens, visit viewpoints, and check out local attractions. The hill station towns have botanical gardens and scenic overlooks that provide beautiful perspectives of the surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Ooty
- Sightseeing tour of Coonoor
- Day 16
Ooty to Mysore
After a drive to Mysore (approximately 155 km), check into your hotel. In the afternoon, take a city sightseeing tour to explore cultural and architectural highlights. You'll get a good overview of what the city has to offer before exploring more thoroughly in coming days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mysore
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 17
Mysore
Start the morning with a visit to Somnathpur Temple. Later, head to Srirangapatna to explore its historical significance and temples. Both sites offer insights into the area's past, and the temple architecture here is quite intricate.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Somnathpur Temple
- Visit to Srirangapatna
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 18
Srirangapatna to Hassan
Drive to Hassan (approximately 150 km) and check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Belur and Halebid Temples, two examples of Hoysala architecture. The detailed stone carving on these temples is remarkable and shows the craftsmanship of an earlier era.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Belur Temple
- Visit to Halebid Temple
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 19
Hassan to Bangalore
Head toward Bangalore (approximately 186 km), stopping at Shravanabelagola on the way. Check into your Bangalore hotel upon arrival. Spend the afternoon on a city sightseeing tour to see what the modern city offers alongside its attractions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Shravanabelagola
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bangalore
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 20
Bangalore to Mumbai
Transfer to Bangalore airport for a domestic flight to Mumbai. Once you arrive, take an afternoon city sightseeing tour. You'll get to see some of Mumbai's landmarks and get oriented to this busy coastal city before your final day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai
- Monument entrance fees
- Day 21
Mumbai Departure
Transfer to Mumbai airport for your onward flight home. If you're interested in extending your trip, you have the option to head to Goa instead and spend additional time there before departing.
Optional Activities
- Optional extension stay in Goa
