25 days tour

Chennai  - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondichéry - Gangaikondacholapuram - Darasuram - Tanjore - Trichy - Chettinad  - Madurai - Munnar - Periyar - Alleppey - Fort Cochin - Mettupalayam - Ooty - Bandipur - Mysore - Srirangapatha - Shravanabelagola - Hassan - Halebid - Hampi - Badami - Goa

Tamil Nadu is the true birthplace of Dravidian civilization.
Its official language, Tamil, is one of the oldest languages in the world.
The state offers its visitors a journey rich in architectural and cultural heritage, with immense, colorful, and intricately sculpted temples, such as the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.

Kerala is the perfect place to start your discovery of India!
This small state, surrounded by the sea and subtropical mountains, is often a favorite among travelers.
This is explained by its magnificent mountain landscapes, spice and tea plantations, beautiful tropical beaches, and peaceful boat rides along the backwater canals. The cities here are small and charming, the cuisine is fresh and flavorful, and the people are courteous and welcoming.

Karnataka offers a balanced blend of natural and architectural sites.
An open-air museum with its UNESCO-listed temples, coffee plantations, and sandalwood essential to religious rituals. Bangalore, the capital, is a technological hub and represents the India of tomorrow.

Day 1: CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – 60 km – 1h30

Pick-up at Chennai airport and transfer to your hotel.

After a short rest, you’ll drive to Kanchipuram at your preferred time.
Kanchipuram, one of India’s seven sacred cities, is known as the "City of a Thousand Temples" or the "Golden City": Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Kamakshi Temple...
Overnight in Kanchipuram.

Day 2: KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALIPURAM – 70 km – 2h

The small village of sculptors and fishermen, Mahabalipuram, located on the Coromandel Coast, is utterly charming.
With its lovely beach, seafood restaurants, stone carvers, and friendly locals, Mahabalipuram is full of appeal.
You’ll discover its rock-cut temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A magnificent bas-relief known as the “Descent of the Ganges” or “Arjuna’s Penance” is one of the largest in the world.
You’ll visit the Five Rathas and the Shore Temple, which glows with an enchanting orange hue at sunset.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Days 3 & 4: MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY – 95 km – 2h

Visit Auroville, about 10 km from Pondicherry.
Statue of Marquis Dupleix, Pondy Marina, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Explore Pondicherry, a former French colony handed back to India in 1954.
You can visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the market, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Mahatma Gandhi statue, Rock Beach, and more.
2 nights in Pondicherry.

Day 5: PONDICHERRY – TANJORE – 190 km – 4h30

PONDICHERRY – CHIDAMBARAM – 65 km – 1h30
CHIDAMBARAM – GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM – 47 km – 1h30
GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM – DARASURAM – 40 km – 1h
DARASURAM – TANJORE – 40 km – 1h

Chidambaram, the city of the Cosmic Dancer, and its grand Nataraja Temple (Shiva as the dancing god) represent the best of Dravidian architecture.
Gangaikondacholapuram, once the Chola capital built around 1025 by King Rajendra I, is a historically rich site.
Visit the Sri Pragadheswarar Temple in Gangaikondacholapuram and the Darasuram Temple.
Tanjore (Thanjavur) is renowned for the UNESCO-listed Brihadishwara Temple, a masterpiece of Chola architecture, and for its unique art style and palaces.
Overnight in Tanjore.

Days 6 & 7: TANJORE – TRICHY – CHETTINAD – 150 km – 3h

Stop at Trichy (Tiruchirappalli): Rock Fort, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Athangudi Palace.
Then drive to Chettinad, land of the wealthy Nattukottai Chettiar merchants.
Chettinad is famed for its grand mansions, unique architecture, spicy cuisine, and artisan crafts, including fine silk weaving and tile making.
2 nights in Chettinad.

Day 8: CHETTINAD – MADURAI – 100 km – 2h30

Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and one of South India's oldest cities.
Visit the Meenakshi Temple, with its four colorful gopurams depicting divine stories.
At 8 p.m., attend the sacred procession where Shiva is carried to Meenakshi's chamber.
Also visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Museum.
Overnight in Madurai.

Day 9: MADURAI – MUNNAR – 160 km – 5h

Drive to Munnar through the majestic Western Ghats.
Munnar is a peaceful hill station at 1,524m altitude, perfect for nature lovers and trekkers.
Visit a tea factory to see the traditional processing of black, green, and white teas (book and pay on-site).
Evening options: Kathakali dance show or Ayurvedic massages (book and pay on-site).
Overnight in Munnar.

Day 10: MUNNAR

We work with a reputable guide who will help you explore the rich flora and fauna of the region.
Optional guided hikes in tea plantations:

• 12 km hike (half-day: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.)

• 24 km hike (full-day: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Later, explore the scenic surroundings or visit Anakulam to spot wild elephants (1.5h drive; sightings are not guaranteed).
Overnight in Munnar.

Day 11: MUNNAR – PERIYAR (Thekkady) – 98 km – 3h

Visit a spice plantation.
Then, choose from various activities at Periyar Tiger Reserve:   https://www.periyartigerreserve.org/
In the evening, enjoy a family-style cooking class and dinner with your own creations.
Overnight in Thekkady.

Day 12: PERIYAR

At Periyar National Park, possible activities include:

• Nature Walk or Green Walk

• Bamboo Rafting (half-day)

• Birdsong Trail

• Border Hiking (challenging trek)

• Boating Safari

Evening: Watch a Kalaripayattu martial arts show.
Overnight in Thekkady.

Day 13: PERIYAR – ALLEPPEY – 130 km – 4h

From mountains to palm-fringed canals.
Enjoy a private houseboat cruise from 12 p.m. to 9 a.m. the next morning – a magical way to explore Kerala’s backwaters.
Overnight on the houseboat.

Days 14 & 15: ALLEPPEY – FORT COCHIN – 53 km – 1h30

Houseboat cruise ends at 9 a.m.
Optional visits: Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple, St. Andrew’s Basilica (Portuguese, 16th century).
Explore Fort Kochi: old quarters, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, Ernakulam Folklore Museum, Mattancherry Palace.
See the Chinese fishing nets in the evening, followed by seaside dinner.
2 nights in Fort Cochin.

Day 16: FORT COCHIN – METTUPALAYAM – 230 km – 5h

Transfer to Mettupalayam with a stop at the massive Adiyogi Shiva statue.
Overnight in Mettupalayam.

Day 17: METTUPALAYAM – OOTY (by train)  Distance for driver: 50 km – 2h

Take the heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train) from Mettupalayam to Ooty.
Train departs at 7:10 a.m. and arrives at 11:55 a.m.
Visit Stone House (1822), St. Stephen’s Church, the French-style botanical gardens, and the contemporary art museum.
Overnight in Ooty.

Day 18: OOTY – BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK – 85 km – 3h

Arrive at Bandipur by 1 p.m. to enjoy the full safari program.

Includes: all meals, safaris, accommodation in a cottage
Overnight at Jungle Lodge: Bandipur Safari Lodge

Days 19 & 20: BANDIPUR – MYSORE – 77 km – 1h30

Leave Bandipur around 10:30 a.m.
Mysore is home to the dazzling Mysore Palace (lit up every Sunday evening from 7 to 8 p.m.).
Other highlights: the flower market, Indo-Saracenic architecture, Chamundi Hill with Nandi sanctuary.
Places to visit: Mysore Palace, Devaraja Market, Lalitha Mahal Palace, St. Philomena’s Church, Chamundi Hill, Brindavan Gardens
2 nights in Mysore.

Day 21: MYSORE – SRIRANGAPATNA – SHRAVANABELAGOLA – BELUR – HALEBID – HASSAN – 170 km – 4h

• Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna

• Shravanabelagola: home to the world's largest monolithic statue, Gomateshwara

• Halebid: Hoysaleswara Temple, epitome of Hoysala architecture

• Belur: Chennakeshava Temple, reflecting the early Hoysala style

Overnight in Hassan.

Day 22: HASSAN – HAMPI – 300 km – 6h

For those who love history and landscapes, Hampi is a wonder.
Overnight in Hampi.

Day 23: HAMPI

Explore the temples and ruins of this ancient Vijayanagara capital.
Highlights: Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Queen’s Bath, Vittala Temple, Matanga Hill for sunset, Virupaksha Temple
Overnight in Hampi.

Day 24: HAMPI – BADAMI – 145 km – 3h45
                BADAMI – PATTADAKAL – AIHOLE – BADAMI – 70 km – 1h45

UNESCO-listed Badami valley is considered the cradle of traditional Hindu temple architecture.
Explore Badami’s historic caves and temples.
Optional visits to Pattadakal and Aihole, with stunning temples and finely carved domes.
Overnight in Badami.

Day 25: BADAMI – GOA – 240 km – 6h15

Transfer to your hotel in Goa.

Note: Average speed on Indian roads is 45–50 km/h. Travel times are approximate and may vary due to traffic, weather, or road conditions.