13 days tour

Bangalore - Shravanabelagola - Hassan - Belur - Halebid - Mysore - Ooty - Mettupalayam - Kodaikanal - Madurai - Munnar - Periyar - Alleppey - Cochin

Karnataka presents a balanced mixture of natural and architectural sites. Open-air museum with its temples classified by Unesco. Its coffee plantations and its sandalwood, essential for religious rituals. Bangalore, the capital city is the leading edge of technology, the future of India.

A Kerala trip is perfect to start discovering India ! This small state that is surrounded by water and subtropical mountains is often the travelers’ favorites. This can be explained by its gorgeous mountain landscapes, spice and tea plantations, the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, beautiful tropical beaches, and canoe rides on quiet backwaters canals. The cities are small, the gastronomy is fresh and tasty, the hospitality is kind and caring.

Tamil Nadu is filled with colors: beautiful saris, temples with flamboyant hues, flower garlands ...

It stretches from the Bay of Bengal in the east to the mountain range that separates it from Kerala in the west. Most of the region consists of huge plains.There is a constant contrast between the omnipresent modernity of the cities and the timeless villages.

Tamil Nadu is the true birthplace of the Dravidian civilization. 

Its official language is Tamil, one of the most ancient languages in the world.

Visiting it is a journey through architecture and culture to the discovery of huge colorful temples designed a lot like the Sri Meenakshi temple in Madurai. 

Day 1: Bangalore Airport - Shravanabelagoda - Hassan      215 km - 4 h

Your driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival at Bangalore Airport, and you will head towards Hassan with a stop at Shravanabelagola.

Shravanabelagola, home to the Karnataka giant, is considered one of the largest monolithic stone statues in the world.

Like a beacon, the colossus Gomateshvara seems to protect the city and guide the traveler with benevolence.

A prominent Jainism site, this city of rocks and palm groves exudes tranquility.

 Overnight in Hassan.

Day 2: Hassan - Belur - Halebid   55 km - 1 h 30    

              Halebid - Mysore    140 km - 3 h 30

Visit two architectural masterpieces of the Hoysala kings.

Belur was the capital of the early Hoysala empire. Its Hindu temple Chennakeshava, also known as the Vijayanarayana temple, reflects the ingenuity of the Hoysala builders.

A magnificent monument, the Hoysaleswara temple is located in Halebid, the capital of the Hoysala empire in the 12th and 13th centuries. The wealth and finesse of the sculptures represent the refined style of Hoysala architecture.

Mysore and its incredible palace illuminated with a thousand lights. But this city has much more to offer: a centuries-old flower market, Indo-Saracenic architecture, a Nandi sanctuary open to the four winds on Chamundi Hill.

 Overnight in Mysore.

Day 3: Mysore

Visit : Mysore Palace,  Devaraja Market, Lalitha Mahal Palace,  Saint Philomena Church, Chamundi Hill.

 Overnight in Mysore.

Day 4: Mysore - Ooty       125 km - 3 h 30

The Stonehouse, built in 1822, is one of the architectural treasures of the city, and Saint Stephen's Church are remnants of the time when India was a British colony.

Among other interesting sites: the French-style botanical gardens and the city's contemporary art collection.

Overnight in Ooty.

Day 5: Ooty - Mettupalayam.     50 km - 2 h

Steam train in the Nilgiris mountains - Ooty - Mettupalayam 3 h 30 - departure at 14:00

Overnight in Mettupalayam or on the road to Kodaikanal.

Day 6: Mettupalayam - Kodaikanal       200 km - 4 h 30

Nestled in the Palani Hills of the Western Ghats, Kodaikanal is full of trails for exciting trekking. Within its lush valleys, you'll find waterfalls, peaceful lakes, caves, temples, and churches. Nature lovers will appreciate this stopover.

Overnight in Kodaikanal.

Day 7: Kodaikanal - Madurai     120 km - 3 h

Madurai is one of the oldest cities in South India, a pilgrimage site for centuries and the cradle of Tamil culture.

The Sri Meenakshi Temple, a city within the city with its constant flow of pilgrims, is certainly one of the most fascinating in India with its 50-meter-high sculpted and colorful gates. A true labyrinth where you will witness the fervor of Hindu priests and devotees and understand the importance of religion in an atmosphere of spiritual fervor.

At O8:00 pm , you can attend a ceremony during which a figure of Shiva is carried in procession to Meenakshi's chamber.

This temple, like many in India, is closed from 12:30 am  to 04:00 pm.

Visit to the Gandhi Museum where you will discover the history of India's independence and the life of Gandhi.

Overnight in Madurai.

Day 8: Madurai - Munnar     160 km - 4 h

A small mountain station, situated at 1524 meters above sea level, Munnar is set amidst the most spectacular mountain landscape in South India.

Munnar is the tranquil Kerala. It is a place for rejuvenation and hiking.

You can stroll through tea and spice plantations.

Visit a tea museum where you can observe the entire manufacturing process.

In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali performance, a form of dance-drama, or Ayurvedic massages.

Overnight in Munnar.

Day 9: Munnar

We can arrange a guide for a hike in the plantations (guide required).

• Hike of 12 km - Half day from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm (includes breakfast and water).
• Hike of 24 km - Full day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm (includes breakfast, lunch, and water).

Overnight in Munnar.

Day 10: Munnar - Periyar     90 km - 3 h

 Visit to a spice plantation

Periyar National Park: https://www.periyartigerreserve.org/

Some of the many activities offered:
Nature Walk or Green Walk
Bamboo Rafting
Bird Song Trail
Border Hike

At the end of the day Kalarippayatt show, a Keralan martial art.

Overnight in Thekkady.

Day 11: Periyar - Alleppey   130 km - 4 h

Early departure in the morning to reach Alleppey by 12:00 pm.

To explore the interlaced canals between sea and land, we propose an unforgettable overnight experience on a houseboat from 12:00 pm to 9:00 am the next morning. We can arrange this for you as there is no website; the boat belongs to a small independent owner. Private boat for 2 or 4 people.

Overnight on the houseboat.

Day 12: Alleppey - Cochin    40 km - 1 h

End of the cruise at 9:00 am,  then transfer to Cochin.

Visit the old quarters, the synagogue, Saint Francis Church, and the Dutch Palace. Visit the Chinese fishing nets in the late afternoon before a seaside dinner.

Last-minute shopping.

Overnight in Fort Cochin. 

Day 13: Cochin - Cochin Airport      40 km - 1 h 30

Transfer from Cochin to the airport for your return flight.