Founded in 1968 in Tamil Nadu, Auroville is a utopian city based on a dream of universal peace and harmony. Far from being a tourist attraction, it's a unique experience that you can explore 10 km north of Pondicherry to form your own opinion about its philosophy and way of life.
Visit Pondicherry, a former French colony returned to India in 1954. You can visit the ashram of Sri Aurobindo, the French Quarter, Notre Dame des Anges Church, etc.
2 Overnights in Pondicherry
Day 6 & 7: Pondicherry - Tanjore 190 km - 4 h 45
Pondicherry - Chidambaram - 65 km - 1 h 30
Chidambaram - Gangaikondacholapuram - 47 km - 1 h 15
Gangaikondacholapuram - Darasuram - 40 km - 1 h
Darasuram - Tanjore - 40 km - 1 h
The city of Chidambaram (city of the Cosmic Dancer) and the grand temple of Nataraja (Shiva in his dancing avatar) are the jewels of Dravidian architecture in Tamil Nadu.
Gangaikondacholapuram, an ancient city built around 1025 by King Rajendra I, is a place steeped in history.
The ancient city of Gangaikondacholapuram is one of those cities that you would be tempted to describe as mythical given its history and the vestiges it has left behind. Built around 1025 by King Rajendra I, it served as an ancient capital of the Chola Empire. It is a city steeped in history.
Darasuram Temple in Darasuram .
Famous for its magnificent Brihadishwara Temple, a masterpiece inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, Tanjore is a delightful city known for its distinctive artistic style, showcased in its incredible temples and palaces. As the capital of the mighty Chola Empire from the 9th to the 13th century, it marked the cultural zenith of the Dravidian civilization in South India.
2 Overnights in Tanjore
Day 8: Tanjore - Trichy 60 km - 1 h 15
Trichy, also known as Tiruchirappalli, is one of the oldest cities in Tamil Nadu. Its famous Rock Fort Temple, perched on a rock, is its emblem. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is considered the largest temple in India.
Overnight stay in Trichy
Day 9: Trichy - Chettinad 82 km - 1 h 30
Depart in the morning or early afternoon for Chettinad, the land of the wealthy merchants of yesteryear, the Nattukottai Chettiars.
Overnight stay in Karaikudi.
Day 10: Chettinad - Madurai 90 km - 2 h
Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu.
Visit Meenakshi Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in South India. The temple, like many in India, is closed from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. At 8 pm, you can attend a ceremony during which a figure of Shiva is carried in procession to Meenakshi's chamber. Gandhi Memorial.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 11: Madurai - Kanyakumari - Padmanabhapuram Palace - Kovalam 330 km - 6 h 30
Kanyakumari, the southernmost city of India, is where three seas meet: the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.
Visit Padmanabhapuram Palace en route. Kovalam beaches, a beautiful seaside resort in Kerala located 17 km from Trivandrum.
Overnight stay in Kovalam.
Day 12: Kovalam - Varkala - Quilon - Munroe Island 105 km - 3 h 30
Varkala is renowned for its beautiful beaches and bohemian atmosphere. The spectacular cliff, lined with numerous establishments, is the postcard of Varkala. It's common to spot dolphins from your restaurant table, enjoying grilled fish and seafood from the day's catch. Papanasam Beach in the south and Black Beach in the north are the main beaches.
Overnight stay in Munroe Island.
Day 13 & 14: Munroe Island - Periyar (Thekkady) 140 km - 3 h 30
Periyar National Park:
Visit spice plantations, engage in elephant-related activities (bathing, feeding, training), watch Kalarippayatt martial arts, and take a boat ride on the lake...
Overnight stay in Thekkady.
Day 15: Periyar - Munnar 90 km - 3 h
Munnar, a small mountain station at 1524m altitude, is situated amidst the most spectacular mountainous landscape of South India.
Munnar is serene Kerala, a place for rejuvenation and trekking.
Visit a tea museum to observe the entire tea-making process.
In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali performance or Ayurvedic massages.
Overnight stay in Munnar.
Day 16: Munnar
We can arrange a guide for a trek in the plantations (guide mandatory).
12 km trek - Half-day from 7 am to 1 pm (includes breakfast and water)
24 km trek - Full day from 7 am to 5 pm (includes breakfast, lunch, and water)
Overnight stay in Munnar.
Day 17: Munnar - Alleppey 170 km - 4 h 30
Experience the intertwined canals between land and sea with an overnight stay on a houseboat from 12 pm to 9 am the next morning. We can arrange this for you as there's no website; the boat belongs to an independent owner. Private boat for 2 to 6 people.
Cooking class on the houseboat.
Overnight stay on the houseboat.
Day 18 & 19: Alleppey - Mararikulam 15 km - 30 minutes
End of the cruise at 9 am.
You can visit nearby attractions such as Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple, also known as Mullakkal Bhagwati Hindu Temple in Alleppey, And the St. Andrew's Basilica Arthunkal, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Relax on Mararikulam Beach.
2 Overnights in Mararikulam.
Day 20: Mararikulam - Fort Cochin 45 km - 1 h 30
Visit the old quarters, Paradesi Synagogue, St. Francis Basilica, St. Francis Church, Ernakulam Folklore Museum, and Mattancherry Palace.
Visit Chinese fishing nets in the late afternoon before a seaside dinner.
Enjoy a Kathakali performance in the evening.
Overnight stay in Fort Cochin.
Day 21: Fort Cochin - Athirappilly - Adiyogi Isha Temple - Coimbatore 305 km - 7 h 30
Stop at Athirappilly Waterfalls and Adiyogi Shiva.
Overnight stay in Coimbatore.
Day 22: Coimbatore - Mettupalayam 35 km - 1 h
Mettupalayam - Ooty for the driver 50 km - 2 h 15
Steam train in the Nilgiris Mountains - Mettupalayam to Ooty departure at 7:10 am, arrival at 12 pm.
Stonehouse, built in 1822, and St. Stephen's Church are architectural treasures from the time of British colonization. Other interesting sites include French-style botanical gardens and the city's contemporary art collection.
Overnight stay in Ooty.
Day 23: Ooty - Bylakuppe - Kushalnagar 220 km - 5 h 30
Visit the Buddhist Temple - Namdroling Monastery Golden Temple.
Overnight stay in Kushalnagar.
Day 24: Kushalnagar - Madikeri - Belur - Halebid - Hassan 200 km - 5 h
Visit coffee plantations, Abbey Falls, and forts around Madikeri.
Belur was the capital of the early Hoysala Empire. Its Hindu temple Chennakeshava, also known as the Vijayanarayana temple, reflects the ingenuity of Hoysala builders.
The Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebid, the capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th and 13th centuries, is a beautiful monument representing the refined style of Hoysala architecture.
Overnight stay in Hassan.
Day 25: Hassan - Shravanabelagola - Melukote Kalyani - Srirangapatna - Mysore 135 km - 3 h 30
Visit Shravanabelagola, home of the giant statue, considered one of the largest monolithic stone statues in the world.
Stop at Melukote Kalyani.
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Ranganatha (a reclining form of Vishnu). It is one of five temples along the Cauvery River, all dedicated to this deity.
Overnight stay in Mysore.
Day 26: Mysore
Explore Mysore with its stunningly illuminated palace. But this city has much more to offer: a centuries-old flower market, Indo-Saracenic architecture, and a Nandi shrine open to the winds atop Chamundi Hill.
Visit the Mysore Palace, Devaraja Market, Lalitha Mahal Palace, St. Philomena's Church, and Chamundi Hill.
Overnight stay in Mysore.
Day 27: Mysore - Bangalore 145 km - 2 h 30
Bangalore - Bangalore Airport 34 km - 45 minutes
Visit Bangalore
Palace and Tipu Sultan's Palace.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
