15 days tour

Chennai  - Mahabalipuram - Pondichéry  - Gangaikondacholapuram - Darasuram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Munnar  - Alleppey - Marari beach - Fort Cochin - Mettupalayam - Ooty - Bandipur - Mysore - Bangalore

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 Airport - Mahabalipuram (60 km - 1.5 hours)

Your chauffeur will meet you upon your arrival at Chennai airport and drive you to Mahabalipuram.
The small village of sculptors and fishermen, Mahabalipuram, located on the Coromandel Coast, is a delight.
You will discover its UNESCO-listed rock-cut temples.
You will visit the five Ratha and the Shore Temple at sunset, where the impressive orange color creates a magical atmosphere. A beautiful fresco known as the "Descent of the Ganges" or "Penitence of Arjuna" is a renowned bas-relief, considered one of the largest in the world.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 2: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (95 km - 2 hours)

You can visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Rock Beach, and the French Quarter.
Overnight in Pondicherry.

Day 3: Pondicherry - Tanjore (190 km - 5 hours)

Pondicherry - Chidambaram (65 km - 1.5 hours)
Chidambaram - Gangaikondacholapuram (47 km - 1.5 hours)
Gangaikondacholapuram - Darasuram (40 km - 1 hour)
Darasuram - Tanjore (40 km - 1 hour)

The city of Chidambaram (the City of the Cosmic Dancer) and the grand Nataraja Temple (Shiva in his dancer avatar) are highlights of Dravidian architecture in Tamil Nadu.
The ancient city of Gangaikondacholapuram, founded around 1025 by King Rajendra I, was once the capital of the Chola Empire. It is a city steeped in history.
You will visit Sri Pragadheswarar Temple in Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram Temple in Darasuram.
Famous for its magnificent Brihadishwara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece, Tanjore is a pleasant city renowned for its unique artistic style, with incredible temples and palaces.
Once the capital of the powerful Chola Empire from the 9th to the 13th century, Tanjore marked the cultural zenith of Dravidian civilization in South India.
Overnight in Tanjore.

Day 4: Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai (215 km - 4 hours)

On the way, visit Trichy (Tiruchirappally), Rock Fort, and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest cities in South India.
You will visit the Meenakshi Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in South India, with four towers covered in hundreds of vibrant sculptures depicting the lives of the gods.
In the evening, you can attend a ceremony where a figure of Shiva is carried in procession to the Meenakshi shrine.
You will also visit the Gandhi Museum.
Overnight in Madurai.

Day 5: Madurai - Munnar (160 km - 4.5 hours)

Depart for Munnar, a journey through the Western Ghats with breathtaking views.
Munnar, situated at 1524 meters above sea level, is a mountain station amidst the most spectacular mountainous landscapes of South India. Munnar is the calm Kerala. It is a place for rejuvenation and hiking.
Visit a tea factory where you can follow the entire traditional process of making orthodox tea, black tea, green tea, and white tea (to be booked and paid on-site).
In the evening, you can enjoy a Kathakali performance, a blend of dance and theater, or try an Ayurvedic massage (to be booked and paid on-site).
Overnight in Munnar.

Day 6: Munnar - Periyar (Thekkady) (90 km - 3 hours)

We work with a renowned guide in Munnar who will help you explore the region's flora and fauna.
You can choose from various options (a guide is mandatory for hiking in the tea plantations).

• Half-day from 7:00 am to 11:00 am including breakfast and water (12 km round trip)

• Full-day from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm including breakfast, lunch, and water (24 km round trip)

You will visit the surroundings of Munnar with beautiful viewpoints, then transfer to Periyar.
Overnight in Thekkady.

Day 7: Periyar

Option 1
Periyar National Park:  https://www.periyartigerreserve.org/ 
Some of the many activities available include:

• Nature Walk or Green Walk

• Bamboo Rafting (half-day is sufficient)

• Bird Song Trail

• Border Hiking (quite a challenging trek)

• Boating Safari

Your guesthouse offers a cooking class at 5:30 pm, followed by a tasting of the meal you prepare.

Option 2
Visit a spice plantation.
Your guesthouse offers a cooking class at 11:30 am, followed by a tasting of the meal you prepare.
In the evening, enjoy a Kalaripayattu performance, the traditional martial art of Kerala.

Overnight in a lovely guesthouse in Thekkady.

Day 8: Periyar - Alleppey (130 km - 4 hours)

To explore the intertwined canals between the sea and land, we suggest an unforgettable houseboat stay from 12:00 pm to 9:00 am the next morning. Cruise along the canals and spend the night on Lake Vembanad. The private boat includes a cruise, lunch, dinner, and breakfast.
Overnight on the houseboat.

Day 9: Alleppey - Mararikulam (15 km - 30 minutes)

End the cruise at 9:00 am.
Relax on Mararikulam Beach.
Overnight in Mararikulam.

Day 10: Mararikulam - Fort Cochin (40 km - 1.5 hours)

Visit the old quarters, the Basilica of the Holy Cross, St. Francis Church, Ernakulam's Folklore Museum, and Mattancherry Palace.
In the late afternoon, visit the Chinese fishing nets before a seaside dinner.
Overnight in Fort Cochin.

Day 11: Fort Cochin - Mettupalayam (220 km - 6 hours)

Transfer to Mettupalayam. You can stop to see a large statue of Shiva – the Adiyogi Shiva Bust.
Overnight in Mettupalayam.

Day 12: Mettupalayam - Ooty (50 km - 2 hours)

Take the scenic toy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty in the Nilgiri Mountains, departing at 7:10 am and arriving at 11:55 am (4 hours 45 minutes).
The Stonehouse, built in 1822, and St. Stephen's Church are architectural treasures of the city, remnants of when India was a British colony. Other points of interest include the French-style botanical gardens and the city's contemporary art collection.
Overnight in Ooty.

Day 13: Ooty - Bandipur National Park (85 km - 3 hours)

Arrive at Bandipur before 1:00 pm to enjoy the full program.
Bandipur is a lovely park with safaris where you can spot tigers, leopards, bears, deer, elephants, wild dogs, and more.
Program details:

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• The program includes:  Lunch, Evening safari, Dinner, Cottage accommodation, Morning safari, Breakfast

Overnight at Jungle Lodge in Bandipur.

Day 14: Bandipur - Mysore (75 km - 1.5 hours)

Depart Bandipur at 10:30 am.
Mysore, with its incredible illuminated palace (only on Sunday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm), offers more attractions, such as the centuries-old flower market, Indo-Saracenic architecture, and the Nandi sanctuary on Chamundi Hill.
Overnight in Mysore.

Day 15: Mysore - Bangalore Airport (190 km - 3.5 hours)

In Mysore, you can visit the Mysore Palace, Devaraja Market, Lalitha Mahal Palace, St. Philomena’s Church, Chamundi Hill, and Brindavana Gardens.
Transfer to Bangalore Airport for your return flight.

Travel Times : The average speed on roads in India is about 45/50 km/h. Travel times are provided as estimates and may vary due to factors like traffic, weather, and road work.