Southern India: Where Culture Meets Nature

listing image 1
Show all photos
13 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Carefully crafted to highlight the essence of South India, this itinerary brings together ancient temples, historic cities, scenic landscapes, and cultural experiences. The journey begins in Bengaluru, followed by visits to the royal city of Mysore and the picturesque hill station of Ooty.
The tour continues through Kerala, covering the heritage port of Kochi, a peaceful houseboat cruise in Alappuzha, and wildlife and nature experiences in Periyar. It then moves into Tamil Nadu, featuring the sacred city of Madurai, the Chola-era architectural wonders of Thanjavur, the colonial ambience of Puducherry, and the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Mamallapuram, before concluding in Chennai.
This journey offers a balanced and enriching South India experience, combining spirituality, culture, and natural beauty with comfortable travel.

What's Included

Common boat ride in Periyar National Park
Houseboat stay with all meals (Alappuzha)
English-speaking local guides at major sightseeing locations
All tolls, parking, fuel, and driver allowances
Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast (Optional[12])
Breakfast
Entrance fees to monuments and temples as per itinerary
12nights accommodation in well-selected 3*hotels,with 4★ and 5★hotel upgrades available upon request
Airport transfers
Airfare or train tickets
Personal expenses (laundry, tips, phone calls, etc.)
Optional activities (Kathakali, plantation tours, etc.)
Travel insurance

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

We will pickup all the travellers. Either from the airport or from hotels. Our representative will meet you outside the exit gate of Airport or in the lobby of hotel. Please write your preferred pickup location at the time of booking.

Itinerary

Duration: 13 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Arrival in Bengaluru

    1 stop
  • 1
    Bengaluru

    Upon arrival in Bengaluru, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and assisted with your transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey. Bengaluru, often called the “Garden City of India”, is known for its pleasant weather, green parks, and a blend of modern life with traditional culture. Overnight stay in Bengaluru Please Note: Hotel check in will be available after 2:00 PM.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 2

    Bengaluru Sightseeing → Mysore (143 km / approx. 4 hrs)

    3 stops
  • 2
    Lalbagh Botanical Garden

    After breakfast, begin your sightseeing tour of Bengaluru. Visit Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, one of India’s most famous gardens, known for its beautiful lawns, rare plants, and glasshouse.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Bangalore Palace

    Continue to Bangalore Palace, inspired by English Tudor-style architecture, showcasing royal interiors and elegant wooden carvings.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Vidhana Soudha

    Drive past important government buildings such as Vidhana Soudha, an impressive structure symbolizing Karnataka’s administration. Later, drive to Mysore, the former royal capital of the Wodeyar dynasty. Overnight stay in Mysore.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 3

    Mysore Sightseeing

    4 stops
  • 5
    Mysuru Palace

    After breakfast, explore the cultural and royal heritage of Mysore. Visit the magnificent Mysore Palace, a grand example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, famous for its stained glass, carved doors, and royal halls.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 6
    U R Art Gallery

    Continue to the Art Gallery, which displays traditional paintings and royal collections.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 7
    Chamundi hills

    Proceed to Chamundi Hill, offering panoramic views of Mysore city, and visit the Chamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga. En route, stop at the large Nandi Bull Statue, carved out of a single rock.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 8
    Brindavana Gardens

    In the evening, visit the beautifully illuminated Brindavan Gardens, famous for its musical fountain and landscaped terraces. Overnight stay in Mysore.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
    • Day 4

    Mysore → Ooty (125 km / approx. 4 hrs)

    4 stops
  • 9
    Government Rose Garden

    After breakfast, drive to Ooty, popularly known as the “Queen of the Nilgiris”. This hill station is famous for its cool climate, green hills, forests, and tea plantations. Visit the Government Rose Garden, home to thousands of rose varieties.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 10
    botanical, Garden Rd

    Continue to the Ooty Botanical Gardens, known for ancient trees and colorful flower beds.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 11
    Ooty Lake

    Visit Ooty Lake, where you may enjoy optional boating.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 12
    St. Stephen's Church

    Also visit St. Stephen’s Church, one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris, known for its peaceful atmosphere. Overnight stay in Ooty.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
    • Day 5

    Ooty → Kochi (274 km / approx. 7 hrs)

    1 stop
  • 13
    Kochi (Cochin)

    After breakfast, drive to Kochi, a historic port city on the Arabian Sea. Kochi is known for its cultural diversity, colonial buildings, and coastal charm. The evening is free to relax or explore on your own. Optional: Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, a traditional classical dance of Kerala. Overnight stay in Kochi.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 6

    Kochi → Alappuzha (Houseboat Experience)

    1 stop
  • 14
    Alappuzha

    After breakfast, drive to Alappuzha, also called the “Venice of the East”. Board your private houseboat and enjoy a peaceful cruise through Kerala’s famous backwaters. Sail past palm-lined canals, lagoons, village homes, and lush paddy fields, offering a glimpse of local life. All meals will be served on board. Overnight stay on the houseboat in Alappuzha.

    12 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 7

    Alappuzha → Periyar (129 km / approx. 4 hrs)

    2 stops
  • 15
    Kauveri Spices Farm & Ayurveda Plantation

    After breakfast, drive to Periyar, home to the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and spice plantations. The afternoon is free for relaxation. Optional activities include a spice plantation visit, where you can learn about cardamom, pepper, and other spices, or a gentle nature walk.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 16
    Periyar Lake

    Enjoy a common boat ride on Periyar Lake, offering chances to spot wildlife such as elephants, deer, and birds along the forest banks. Overnight stay in Periyar.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 8

    Periyar → Madurai (150 km / approx. 4 hrs)

    4 stops
  • 17
    Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

    After breakfast, drive to Madurai, one of the oldest living cities in India and a major cultural center of Tamil Nadu. Visit the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple, famous for its colorful towers (gopurams), detailed sculptures, and the sacred thousand-pillared hall.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 18
    Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

    Continue to Tirumala Nayak Palace, known for its grand arches and royal halls.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 19
    Madurai - Natham Road

    Later, visit Alagar Hills, a scenic area with spiritual importance

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 20
    Tiruparankundram Rock Cut Cave Temple

    and Tiruparankundram Temple, one of the six holy abodes of Lord Murugan. Overnight stay in Madurai.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
    • Day 9

    Madurai → Thanjavur (190 km / approx. 4.5 hrs)

    4 stops
  • 21
    Brihadeeswara Temple

    After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur, the historic capital of the Chola dynasty. Visit the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural masterpiece built entirely of granite.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 22
    Thanjavur Maratha Palace

    Explore the Thanjavur Maratha Palace, which reflects royal life and history.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 23
    Saraswathi Mahal Library

    Continue to the Saraswati Mahal Library, one of Asia’s oldest libraries

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 24
    Raja Raja Chola Garden

    and the Raja Raja Chola Art Gallery, displaying Chola-era sculptures. Overnight stay in Thanjavur.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
    • Day 10

    Thanjavur → Puducherry (169 km / approx. 4 hrs)

    4 stops
  • 25
    French Quarter

    After breakfast, drive to Puducherry, a charming coastal town with strong French influence. Explore the French Quarter, known for its colonial buildings and peaceful streets.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 26
    Sri Aurobindo Ashram

    Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual center attracting visitors from around the world.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 27
    Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam

    Continue to Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a colorful temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 28
    Promenade Beach

    Optional: Enjoy a relaxing walk along Promenade Beach in the evening. Overnight stay in Puducherry.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 11

    Puducherry → Mamallapuram (96 km / approx. 2.5 hrs)

    1 stop
  • 29
    Mahabalipuram

    After breakfast, drive to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), a historic coastal town famous for ancient rock-cut monuments. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the sea breeze and relaxed atmosphere. Overnight stay in Mamallapuram.

    6 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 12

    Mamallapuram Sightseeing

    4 stops
  • 30
    Shore Temple

    After breakfast, explore the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Mamallapuram. Visit the Shore Temple, beautifully located beside the sea and known for its stone carvings.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 31
    Arjuna's Penance

    See Arjuna’s Penance, a massive rock relief depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 32
    Five Rathas (Pancha Rathas)

    Visit the Five Rathas, monolithic temples carved from single rocks,

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 33
    Varaha Cave Temple

    and explore the ancient Cave Temples, showcasing early Dravidian architecture. Enjoy the coastal charm and historical beauty of this seaside town. Overnight stay in Mamallapuram.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
    • Day 13

    Mamallapuram → Chennai (53 km / approx. 1.5 hrs) – Departure

    1 stop
  • 34
    Chennai (Madras)

    After breakfast, drive to Chennai airport for your onward journey. End of your memorable South India Temple Tour.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Chuttibaaz

Tags

Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Plantation Tours
Architecture Tours
Historical Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Car Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Show more
Likely to sell out
from per person
Was {{formatPrice(summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount, currency, 2)}}
Book Now