Best of South India

Duration

17 Nights / 18 Days

Best of South India – Bengaluru, Mysore, Ooty, Athirapally, Kochi, Munnar, Madurai, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kovalam & Trivandrum. 17 nights / 18 days

Itinerary

Day 1 Bengaluru: Arrive Bengaluru. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Bengaluru.

Day 2 Mysore: Proceed for a half-day tour of Bengaluru. Visit the Vidhana Soudha … the Legislative Chambers of the state government. Proceed to the famous Bull Temple, which houses a huge monolithic idol of Nandi. Conclude with a visit to Tipu Sultan’s Fort. The Palace inside is carved out of teakwood with decorated pillars, concave arches and balconies. Evening drive to Mysore (145 kms / 3 hrs approx), enroute visiting Srirangapatnam, an island fortress-city of great religious, cultural and historic importance. It was Tipu Sultan’s capital. Arrive Mysore and check in to hotel. Overnight in Mysore.

Day 3 Mysore: Proceed for Excursion to Somnathpur. Afternoon visit of Visit Mysore Palace… it is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Next, visit Chamundi Hill. Half-way up to the top is Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Bull- a majestic monolith & Vrindavan Garden. Overnight in Mysore.

Day 4 Ooty: Drive to Ooty (127 kms / 3 hrs approx), known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, it is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. Arrive Ooty and check in to your hotel. Later proceed for a toy train ride. Overnight in Ooty.

Day 5 Ooty: Proceed for a full-day tour of Ooty, known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Ooty is a feast for the eyes, with its lofty, eucalyptus covered mountains, dense forests, and acres and acres of tea estates. Enjoy a stroll around the Botanical Gardens, covering an area of 22 acres. Visit Ooty Lake, and Doddabetta Peak… the highest point (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris, at the junction of the Western and Eastern Ghats. To conclude your tour, explore Raj Bhavan, a sprawling mansion, overlooking the Botanical Gardens. Overnight in Ooty.

Day 6 Athirapally: Drive to Athirapally (127 kms / 3 hrs approx), Leisure at hotel. Overnight in Athirapally.

Day 7 Kochi: Visit of Athirapally – Athirapally Water Fall & Vashacal Water Fall. Afternoon drive to Cochin (85 kms / 1.5 hrs approx) .Overnight in Cochin.

Day 8 Kochi: Proceed for a half-day tour of Kochi. Visit Fort Kochi… walk to the church of St Francis, the oldest European-built church in the country. Continue with a visit to Mattancherry, where you will visit the historic synagogue in the Jewish Quarter. You will also visit the Mattancherry or Dutch Palace, with its fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics. Thereafter, drive past the amazing Chinese Fishing Nets. In the evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 9 Munnar:  Drive to Munnar (128 kms / 3.5 hrs approx). Drive Munnar and check in to your hotel and relax. Overnight in Munnar.

Day 10 Munnar: Proceed for a full-day tour of Munnar. In the morning, visit the Tea Museum of Tata Tea, which showcases some of the exquisite and interesting aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Munnar. Also visit Mattupetty, known for its dam and the beautiful lake. Later visit the Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake… the mountain slopes here are thick with undulating, evergreen tea plantations. Here you can view the entire process of making tea, right from plucking of tealeaves to their processing. Overnight in Munnar.

Day 11 Madurai: Drive to Madurai (152 kms / 3.5 hrs approx), Arrival & check in to your hotel. Proceed for half-day tour of Madurai. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai was the capital of the Pandya kings, and an important cultural and commercial centre as early as 550 AD. Visit the Meenakshi Temple- the heart and lifeline of the 2500-year-old city of Madurai. The complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers, including two golden Gopurams for the main deities. Next, visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum at the Tamukkam Palace. The museum houses the history and relics of the freedom movement. Continue to the Koodal Azhagar Temple, one of the 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Three separate altars feature three figures of Vishnu, in standing, sitting and reclining postures. Overnight in Madurai.

Day 12 Thekkady: Drive to Thekkady (168 kms / 4 hrs approx). Arrive Thekkady and check in to your hotel. Proceed for a full-day tour of Thekkady. Visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary, where herds of wild elephants have made Periyar Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water. Later, take a spice plantation tour. Spices found in here include pepper, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, vanilla and curry leaves. Enjoy an elephant ride in Periyar. Overnight in Thekkady.

Day 13 Kumarakom: Drive to Kumarakom (120 kms / 3 hrs approx). Proceed for a tour of Kumarakom bird sanctuary. An ornithologist’s paradise, the sanctuary is spread across 14 acres, and is the favorite’s haunt of local birds like Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owls, Egrets, and Wood Beetle. In the evening, unwind and relax. Overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 14 Alleppey: Drive to Alleppey (35 kms / 1 hr approx). Arrive Alleppey and board your houseboat. Alleppey, “Venice of the East” has a large network of backwater canals that meander through the town and surrounding villages. Overnight on houseboat.

Day 15 Kovalam: Drive to Kovalam (159 kms / 3.5 hrs). Arrive Kovalam and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure on the beaches of Kovalam. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 16 Kovalam: Day at leisure on the beaches of Kovalam. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 17 Kovalam: Proceed for a full-day excursion of Trivandrum (11 kms / 30 min approx).  Visit the Napier Museum, which houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts. Visit the Kuthiramalika Palace, built by the King of Travancore. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family. End your tour with the Veli Tourist Village… a beautiful picnic spot where the Veli Lake merges with the Arabian Sea. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 18 Onwards: Proceed to Trivandrum airport (11 Kms / 30 Min Approx) to board the flight for your onward destination.

Photo Gallery