Big south india tour

Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Puducherry – Thanjavur – Madurai – Munnar – Thekkady –  Alleppey (Houseboat) – Kochi – Calicut – Ooty – Coonoor – Mysore – Bengaluru

Highlights of the Trip

- Mahabalipuram (Five Rathas & Tiger Caves Temples)
- Puducherry (Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, French War Memorial, Churches)
- Thanjavur (Great Living Chola Temples)
- Madurai (Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple)
- Munnar (Tea Museum, Ayurvedic Massage)
- Thekkady (Periyar National reserve & Spice and Ayurvedic garden, Cruise)
- Alleppey (Houseboat on Backwaters)
- Kochi (Fort Kochi, Spice Market, Kathakali Dance Forms)
- Ooty – Coonoor Toy Train
- Mysore (Mysore Palace)

Day-wise Itinerary

DAY-1 Arrive at Chennai International Airport and Drive to Mahabalipuram

Upon arrival at the Chennai International Airport, you will be driven to the town of Mahabalipuram. It is a 60 km drive from Chennai. Mahabalipuram is famous for ancient temples dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. After reaching Mahabalipuram, you will have a relaxed evening at the hotel.

Overnight stay at the Hotel ( Mahabalipuram )

DAY-2 Mahabalipuram to Puducherry (2 Hour Drive)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will go out to explore the ancient rock-cut temples. Five Rathas and Tiger Caves are some of the famous temples to visit amongst others. Post the visit you will leave for Puducherry by afternoon. Puducherry is often referred to as the “French Riviera of the East” and has an impressive French heritage as well as a contemporary charm. This city boasts of famous churches, temples and historical monuments.

Overnight stay at the Hotel (Puducherry)

DAY-3 Puducherry Sightseeing

You will spend your day enjoying the beauty and calmness of Puducherry. Walking around the city you can see bougainvillea laden walls, road signs with French names, large boulevards, peaceful backwaters and also enjoy French cuisine. A visit to the Promenade beach, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, French War Memorial and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will leave you spellbound. A visit to Auroville is a must while in Puducherry. It is an experimental township founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as "The Mother"). You will also get a chance to experience the traditional Tamilian lifestyle of Puducherry.

Overnight stay at the Hotel ( Puducherry )

DAY-4 Puducherry to Thanjavur (4 Hour Drive)

You will start your day with a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Post that, you will leave for Thanjavur, an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. After reaching Thanjavur and post checking in and relaxing a bit, you will go out to see the beautiful temples the city is famous for. You can also optionally opt for visiting the magnificent Royal Palace, its library with palm leaf manuscripts, the Thanjavur Art Gallery with bronze statues and the 11th century Hindu shrine, Brihadeshwara Temple.

Overnight stay at Hotel (Thanjavur)

DAY-5 Thanjavur to Trichy

After a traditional Tamilian breakfast at the hotel and a bit of Thanjavur sightseeing, you will leave for Trichy. It is an hour’s drive from Thanjavur. You will spend the day exploring the ancient South-Indian city of Trichy or Tiruchirappalli and its sacred Hindu sites including Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple having intricately carved gopurams (towering gateways), the Rock Fort Temple and more. You will be back to Thanjavur by evening and have a hearty dinner at the hotel.

Overnight stay at the Hotel ( Thanjavur )

DAY-6 Thanjavur to Madurai (3 Hour Drive)

After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, you will head to your onward journey to Madurai. The city is famous for its historical monuments including the Meenakshi Amman Temple. It is dominated by 14 famous temple gateways or Gopurams. After reaching Madurai you will visit the most famous Sri Meenakshi Temple, Alagar Kovil temple including other Dravidian style temples. You can also optionally visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which will give you an in depth insight on Mahatma Gandhi’s life and India’s struggle for independence. For your taste buds you should visit the Murugan Idli shop famous for its delectable idlis (type of savoury rice cake ).

Overnight stay at the Hotel ( Madurai )

DAY-7 Madurai to Munnar (5 Hour Drive)

Post breakfast at the hotel in Madurai, you will leave for Munnar for your onward journey into the blissful state of Kerala. It is a 4-5 hour drive along the beautiful hilly terrains. Munnar is known for its tea plantations and the city has some of the highest mountain ranges of southern India. In the evening you can go for a nice relaxing Ayurvedic massage at the hotel.

Overnight stay at the Hotel (Munnar)

DAY-8 Munnar Sightseeing

You will start your day with a lavish breakfast at the hotel. Post that, you set out to enjoy the scenic beauty of Munnar and the beautiful viewpoints. You will then visit the famous tea museum and then Mount Carmel Church which is supposedly Munnar’s main church. You can also visit the Eravikulam National Park which is about 20 km from Munnar, known for its endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Thar.

Overnight stay at the Hotel (Munnar)

DAY-9 Munnar to Thekkady (3 - 4 Hour Drive)

You will start your onward journey to Periyar after a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. You shall also visit the famous Periyar Spice and Ayurvedic garden on Munnar–Thekkady road. The wide range of spices including Cardamom, Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon, Nutmeg etc. and Herbs like Aloe Vera will leave you spellbound giving you a first hand experience of the nature and agriculture of Kerala. A relaxed evening stay at the hotel after reaching Thekkady.

Overnight stay at the Hotel (Thekaddy)

DAY-10 Thekkady Sightseeing

After breakfast, you will start your visit of Thekkady with a visit to the Periyar National Reserve that you will enjoy on a boat ride and elephant ride amidst the greenery and plantations of spices. Optionally, you can also go for the spice plantation tour or the Kalaripayattu art show. You can also opt for a nature walk amongst the forests of Periyar giving you an opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at the Hotel (Thekkady)

DAY-11 Thekkady to Backwaters (3 Hour Drive)

Post breakfast at the hotel, you will start your journey to Alleppey, where you will spend the day on the backwaters of Lake Vembanad (the longest lake in India spanning several districts in Kerala) in a traditional houseboat. You will have a wonderful experience sailing on the famous canal, with greenery, coconut trees and paddy fields along the backwaters, giving you time to reflect back on life in the serenity of the calm waters of Kerala. You will have your lunch, enjoy your dinner and spend a romantic night on the houseboat.

Overnight stay at the Houseboat (Alleppey)

DAY-12 Backwaters to Kochi (2 Hour Drive)

After a great stay at the houseboat and breakfast, you will leave for Kochi. After reaching Kochi, you will set out on your visit of this beautiful town, starting with a visit to the Kochi Fort which boasts of the influence of Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese and Portuguese architecture. The city has many churches and the Pardesi Synagogue, which is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. You will also be visiting the Kochi spice market, one of the most vibrant and colourful spice trading markets. When in Kochi, one must not miss the traditional Kathakali dance performance, which you shall be enjoying in the evening.

Overnight stay at the Hotel (Kochi)

DAY-13 Kochi to Calicut (5 - 6 Hour Drive)

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will leave for Calicut. Kozhikode or Calicut is located on the Malabar coast, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama had landed in 1498. Calicut was known for spice trade with Jews, Arabs and Chinese in the ancient times. Enjoy the sea-view at the Kozhikode beach, have a glimpse of Raja Ravi Varma’s famous paintings at the Pazhassi Raja Museum and spend a leisurely time at the Mananchira square.

Overnight stay at the Hotel (Calicut)

DAY-14 Calicut to Ooty & Ooty to Coonoor ( 5 Hour Drive & 1 Hour Train)

Post an early breakfast at the hotel, you will leave for Ooty. Ooty is a renowned hill station at the Nilgiri Hills. From Ooty to Coonoor, you will go by the famous toy train. You will enjoy the picturesque view along this one-hour train journey. Coonoor is another hill station of the Nilgiris. Relaxed evening at the Hotel in Coonoor.

Overnight stay at the Hotel ( Coonoor )

DAY-15 Coonoor to Mysore (4 Hour Drive)

After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, you will set out for Mysore, in the state of Karnataka. This city in Karnataka was once the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore. You will start your visit of this city famous for its yoga and temples, by a visit to the famous Mysore Palace known for its collection of royal paintings and carvings. A walk around the centuries-old Devaraja market which sells spices, sandalwood and silk will leave you spellbound. You can also visit the Keshava temple, whose architecture will give you an insight into the Hoysala Empire. (The Empire that ruled most of the Karnataka in Ancient India)

Overnight stay at the Hotel ( Mysore )

DAY-16 Mysore to Bengaluru (4 Hour Drive)

Get up at your own pace and post a relaxed breakfast, today you will leave Mysore for your onward journey.  You will be escorted to the Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru, where you will proceed for your onward journey.

End of our services, look forward to welcoming you again!

Kindly Note - We can tailor the trip as per your specific requirement and convenience
Click Here to Book the Trip

Price

On Request

- Transfers and ground transports (private vehicle with an English speaking driver)
- Accommodation: twin/double sharing room in boutique Heritage Hotels & Houseboats
- Meals : Breakfast included (All Meals wherever Mentioned)
- Tour Guides and other activities wherever applicable
- Domestic Flight & Train Tickets

- Entrance fees for monuments, museums mentioned in the program or any other optional activity
- Repatriation fees and travel Insurance
- Meals (except if mentioned in detailed itinerary)
- Personal expenses or any meal over and above as mentioned
- Cost of Beverages, Liquor, items of personal use like cigarettes etc.
- Tipping and Visa services

The prices are subject to change depending upon the availability and any other external factor (Government taxes etc.) All the Terms & Conditions mentioned on the website of Le Magnifique Travel comply to each quotation given by Le Magnifique Travel to our guests. (We advise you to check the same)

Speak to a travel consultant at +91 – 9999108717 or click here to send an email

Contact

Our Travel Consultant

Send us a Message
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.