South India Tour Packages

Best of South
(Kochi- Munnar- Thekkady-Alleppey-Trivandrum-Kanyakumari-Madurai-Trichy-Tanjore-Pondichery
Mahabalipuram-Chennai-Mysore-Bangalore-Mumbai )

19 Nights/20Days

Day 01 / Arrival Cochin

Arrive Cochin. Meet & assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of cochin including .The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological museum and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions (closed on Mondays). Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge cantilevered fishing nets were erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders

from the Court of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Church a Basilica in 1984.. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, this is the oldest Synagogue in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays). The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the centre for Spice & Handicraft shops. Mattanchery Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Regent of Kochi (closed on Fridays).Return to hotel rest of the day free/ shopping at Ernakulam. Night stay in Cochin.

Day 02/Cochin-Munnar

After breakfast drive to Munnar, situated 1600m above sea level. Munnar is a Hill Station, once the Summer Resort of the ‘British Raj’, Government of South India. Sprawling Tea Plantations, winding lanes and good holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Night stay in Munnar.

Day 03 / Munnar

Day is free to relax and to walk around. Munnar is situated near the Anaimudi Peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats.Also visit Rajamalai & Eravikulam National Park, 15Kms from Munnar, this is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Thar, a rare mountain goat (Hermitragas Hylocres). Also visit Tea Meuseum and other local sightseeing Places. Night stay in Munnar.

Day 04 / Munnar - Periyar ( By road )

Morning drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Arrive Periyar and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free for walk around in the peaceful town known for various Spice and coffee plantations. Night stay in Periyar.

Day 05 / Periyar - Kumarakkom ( By road )

Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see wild elephants. Later drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam and stay in one of the backwater resorts. The panoramic backwaters here offer an ideal retreat to enjoy nature at its best. Night stay at Kumarakom.

Day 06 / Kumarakom - Alappuzha ( By road ) Houseboat

Morning drive a short distance before switching over to a boat for a through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey. The backwater cruise in a country boat is the best way to explore the villages and rural life. In Alleppey you will be taken aboard your floating houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom and en-suite rest room for your comfort. Enjoy unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip a coconut, get disturbed by only the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in water and savor mouthwatering delicacies prepared in front of you by your Kitchen crew. Spend the night on board the houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater through a maze of canals and lagoons and enjoy freshly caught fresh water fish cooked to your taste on board. Night stay in Allapuzha.

Day 07 / Alappuzha - Kovalam ( By road )

Morning drive to Kovalam & transfer to hotel. the international beach Resort with full of Coconut trees.Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising etc. Evening enjoy the beach. Night stay in Kovalam.

Day 08 / Kovalam - Trivandrum

Morning drive to Trivandrum- gateway to one of the most beautiful states in India-Kerela. The city presides over one of the most scenic states, stretching along the southern coast of the country, with the backwaters of the Arabian sea reaching deep into the veredant countryside, kerela affords a fascinating experience. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Trivandrum visiting The ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy is one of the major attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram.Napier Museum was built in 1880 and shows a harmonious blending of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery has a good collection Tanjore, Mughal, and Rajput schools of art. The Zoo in Thiruvananthapuram has many shady and delightful walks. Later back to Kovalam.

Day 9/Kovalam-Kanyakumari

After breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari - the land′s end of India where the water of the Arabian Sea , the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim centre of India, it is famous for the Amman Temples - a symbol of unity and sanctity - deidicated to the virgin Goddess , Kanya Kumari. To its South - East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of India. Evening enjoy the beautiful sun set .Overnight at Kanyakumari.

Day10/Kanyakumari –Madurai

After breakfast proceed to Madurai and transfer to hotel. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. Afternoon city tour visiting - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala′s Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum. Night stay in Madurai.

Day 11/Madurai-Trichy

After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Later city tour visiting Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple. Night stay in Trichy.

Day 12/Trichy-Tanjore- Chidambaram-Pondicherry

After breakfast drive to drive to Thanjavur Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts. Later Drive to Chidambaram also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. Evening drive to Pondicherry. Overnight at pondicherry

Day 13/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. Visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo′s ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel, visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony. Overnight Pondicherry.

Day 14/Pondicherry- Mahabalipuram

Morning after breakfast drive to Mamallapooram and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town , shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Night stay in Mahabalipuram.

Day 15/Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram- Chennai .

Morning after breakfast drive to Kanchipuram is 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. Temples of Ekambaswara , Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. Later drive to Chennai . On Arrival check into hotel .Afternoon go for half day sightseeing tour, visiting Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore temple and Marine beach. Night stay in Chennai.

Day 16/Chennai-Mysore

Morning pickup from hotel & transfer to railway station to board the shatabdi express to Mysore . Arrive Mysore meet at railway station & transfer to hotel. Later visit the Chamundi Hills "The Chamundeeswari temple is located on a hill in the vicinity of Mysore and is accessed through a motorable road. Chamundeeswari the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas has been held in reverence for centuries, and the Wodeyars of Mysore have made extensive contributions to this shrine."

Vrindavan gardens "The Gardens are laid across the River Cauvery below the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Mandya District, spreading over 150 acres of land. From Mysore it is a 30-minute drive to reach these exquisite gardens.On the other side of the dam lie the Brindavan Gardens. At the time of Krishnaraja Wodeyar′s regime the garden is constructed below the Krishnarajasagar dam across the river Cauvery. Evenings holds an enchanting charm as the sun sets behind the mountains on the western side, the whole environ turns spectacular with the splash of golden rays reflecting through the lake. The garden is embellished with vast expanses of well-laid out lawns, diverse kaleidoscopic rows of flowers and above all the amazing site of fountains encompassing a small beautiful lake holding the charm of musical fountain in its center. In Dec 2004 the entire garden was amended with new fountains and lights. Brindavan Gardens are basically terrace gardens that have been landscaped with decorated steps where water flows in-between these ornate steps". Night stay in Mysore .

Day 17 / Mysore –Bangalore

Morning visit the Mysore Palace "A silhouette of the Mysore Palace illuminated with ninety seven thousand bulbs shimmering against an inky black night is one of the most enduring images of the city. A priceless national treasure and the pride of a kingdom, the Mysore Palace is the seat of the famed Wodeyar Maharajas of Mysore. An eclectic synthesis of architectural styles the palace is one of India’s most dramatic national monuments. Today it is a museum housing treasures from across the world reflecting the rich and colorful history of the erstwhile princely state of Mysore". Afternoon check out fdrom Hotel and drive to Bangalore. Arrive Bangalore and check into hotel .evening at Leisure .Overnight Bangalore.

Day 18 /Bangalore

After breakfast proceed to visit the city of Gardens: You will see Vidhan Sudha – It houses the State’s Legislature and Secretariat, Nandi Temple - One of Oldest temple, popularly known as the Bull temple, etc. Night stay in Banglore.

Day 19/Bangalore-Mumbai

Morning Check out from Hotel and drive to airport to connect flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and our representative will meet you and transfer to Hotel. After freshen go for half day tour of Mumbai covering Gateway of India – The stone archway designed by Wittett in the 16th century Gujarat style. Elephanta Caves – 9kms by sea. These 7th century rock – cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Night stay in Mumbai.

Day 20/Mumbai

Morning check out from Hotel and drive to Airport to connect flight back home.

Southern Symphony Tour
Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Thiruchirapalli - Madurai - Munnar-Thekkady-Alleppey-Kovalam - Kochi-Mysore-Bangalore-Mumbai

Day 01 / Chennai

Arrive Chennai - the gateway to southern India, meet assist at the airport and transfer to hotel. Later half day sightseeing tour, visiting Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore temple and Marine beach. Night stay in Chennai.

Day 02 / Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapooram ( By road )

After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram ( 76 kms/01.50 hrs ) - is 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. Temples of Ekambaswara , Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.Later drive to Mamallapooram and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town , shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Night stay in Mamallapooram.

Day 03 / Mamallapooram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry ( By road )

After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamallai(112kms/03hrs)- a pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. Continue drive to Pondicherry (131kms/ 3.5hrs), 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. Night stay in Pondicherry.

Day 04 / Pondicherry ( By road )

After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo′s ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel, visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony. Night stay in Pondicherry.

Day 05 / Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore ( By road )

After breakfast drive to Chidambaram (65kms/1.5hrs) also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. Later drive to Thanjavur (104kms/03hrs) enroute visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts. Night stay in Tanjore.

Day 06 / Tanjore - Trichy –Madurai ( 133kms / 3.5hrs by road )

After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Later city tour visiting Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple .Later proceed to Madurai and transfer to hotel. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. Afternoon city tour visiting - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala′s Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum. Night stay in Madurai.

Day 07/ Madurai - Munnar ( 160 kms / 04 hrs by road )

After breakfast, proceed to Munnar.On Arrival check into hotel .Later go for sightseeing of Munnar. Mattupetty Dam boating, Eco point. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Munnar.

Day 08 / Munnar – Thekkady

After breakfast check out from the hotel / resort and proceed to Thekkady. Check into hotel resort. Sightseeing of Thekkady: Visit to tribal village, Plantation Tour, Evening boat ride to National Park. Evening free for shopping. Overnight at Thekkady.

Day 09 / Thekkady-Alleppey ( 173 kms / 04 hrs & 20 min by road )

After breakfast, Checkout from the hotel and proceed to Alleppey which has an immense natural beauty, also known as the “Venice of the East”. It is famous for the backwaters, boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir products. Check into your Houseboat and cruise through the Narrow Canal amidst the Paddy Fields, Coconut Lagoons and coir villages in Alleppey. Overnight stay at the Houseboat.

Day 10 /Alleppey-Kovalam

Morning Check out from Houseboat drive to Kovalam & transfer to hotel. the international beach Resort with full of Coconut trees. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising etc. Evening enjoy the beach. Night stay in Kovalam.

Day 11/Kovalam

Day free at Leisure

Day 12/Kovalam-Kochi

Morning Check out from Hotel drive to Kochi .On arrival in "Queen of the Arabian Sea", transfer to hotel.. After Freshen up go for sightseeing tour of Cochin covering The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Finally, the Willingdon Island, named after Lord Willingdon, is the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of India. Night stay in Cochin.

Day 13/Kochi-Bangalore-Mysore

Morning pickup from hotel drive to Airport to connect flight to Bangalore . Arrive Bangalore meet and assist . Later drive to mysore .On Arrival check into hotel .After freshen up go for Myosre city sightseeing visit the Chamundi Hills "The Chamundeeswari temple is located on a hill in the vicinity of Mysore and is accessed through a motorable road. Chamundeeswari the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas has been held in reverence for centuries, and the Wodeyars of Mysore have made extensive contributions to this shrine."

Vrindavan gardens "The Gardens are laid across the River Cauvery below the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Mandya District, spreading over 150 acres of land. From Mysore it is a 30-minute drive to reach these exquisite gardens.On the other side of the dam lie the Brindavan Gardens. At the time of Krishnaraja Wodeyar′s regime the garden is constructed below the Krishnarajasagar dam across the river Cauvery. Evenings holds an enchanting charm as the sun sets behind the mountains on the western side, the whole environ turns spectacular with the splash of golden rays reflecting through the lake. The garden is embellished with vast expanses of well-laid out lawns, diverse kaleidoscopic rows of flowers and above all the amazing site of fountains encompassing a small beautiful lake holding the charm of musical fountain in its center. In Dec 2004 the entire garden was amended with new fountains and lights. Brindavan Gardens are basically terrace gardens that have been landscaped with decorated steps where water flows in-between these ornate steps". Night stay in Mysore .

Day 14 / Mysore –Bangalore

Morning visit the Mysore Palace "A silhouette of the Mysore Palace illuminated with ninety seven thousand bulbs shimmering against an inky black night is one of the most enduring images of the city. A priceless national treasure and the pride of a kingdom, the Mysore Palace is the seat of the famed Wodeyar Maharajas of Mysore. An eclectic synthesis of architectural styles the palace is one of India’s most dramatic national monuments. Today it is a museum housing treasures from across the world reflecting the rich and colorful history of the erstwhile princely state of Mysore". Afternoon check out fdrom Hotel and drive to Bangalore. Arrive Bangalore and check into hotel .evening at Leisure .Overnight Bangalore.

Day 15 /Bangalore

After breakfast proceed to visit the city of Gardens: You will see Vidhan Sudha – It houses the State’s Legislature and Secretariat, Nandi Temple - One of Oldest temple, popularly known as the Bull temple, etc. Night stay in Banglore.

Day 16/Bangalore-Mumbai

Morning Check out from Hotel and drive to airport to connect flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and our representative will meet you and transfer to Hotel. After freshen go for half day tour of Mumbai covering Gateway of India – The stone archway designed by Wittett in the 16th century Gujarat style. Elephanta Caves – 9kms by sea. These 7th century rock – cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Night stay in Mumbai.

Day 17 /Mumbai

Morning check out from Hotel and drive to Airport to connect flight back home.