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

Take the historic steam train through the Nilgiri Mountains from Ooty to Mettupalayam (Departure: 2:00 PM – Duration: 3h30).

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 ideal for trekking.
Its green valleys feature waterfalls, peaceful lakes, caves, temples, and churches.
Nature lovers will enjoy this peaceful, scenic retreat.

Overnight in Kodaikanal.

Day 7: Kodaikanal - Madurai     120 km - 3 h

Madurai, one of South India’s oldest cities and a major Tamil cultural center, is a timeless pilgrimage site.
The Sri Meenakshi Temple, a vibrant religious complex, is filled with towering 50-meter sculpted and painted gates.
Witness the nightly ceremony at 8:00 PM where a figure of Shiva is carried in procession to Meenakshi’s chamber.
Visit the Gandhi Museum to learn about India’s independence and Gandhi’s life.

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. 

Drive through the scenic Western Ghats to reach Munnar, a serene hill station at 1,524m above sea level.
Visit a tea factory and discover the traditional process of making black, green, and white tea.
Optional evening activity: Kathakali performance or Ayurvedic massage.

Overnight in Munnar.

Day 9: Munnar

Explore the flora and fauna of the region with a certified guide.
Guided hikes (required for tea plantation access):

• 12 km trek (7:00 AM to 11:00 AM)

• 24 km full-day trek (7:00 AM to 2:00 PM)

Optional: Visit Anakulam to observe wild elephants drinking at dusk (1h30 drive).

Overnight in Munnar.

Day 10: Munnar - Periyar     90 km - 3 h

Visit a spice plantation.
In Periyar National Park, you can choose from many activities:

• Nature Walk or Green Walk

• Bamboo Rafting

• Birdsong Trail

• Border Hiking

• Boating Safari

Evening,  Kalarippayatt show, a Keralan martial art.

Overnight in Thekkady.

Day 11: Periyar - Alleppey   130 km - 4 h

Early departure to arrive in Alleppey by 12:00 PM.
Enjoy a houseboat cruise through Kerala’s backwaters, from 12 PM to 9 AM the next morning – a unique experience.

Overnight on the houseboat.

Day 12: Alleppey - Cochin    40 km - 1 h

Disembark at 9:00 AM and transfer to Fort Cochin.
Visit the old town: Paradesi Synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, Ernakulam Folklore Museum, Mattancherry Palace, Hill Palace Museum.
Watch the famous Chinese fishing nets at sunset, followed by dinner by the sea.

Overnight in Fort Cochin. 

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

Transfer from Cochin to the airport for your return flight.