South India has all that you can imagine in a dream destination – rich history, vibrant culture, lovely beaches, beautiful mountains, picturesque backwaters, quaint lakes, spectacular architecture and sumptuous food. Though all the five states of South India, namely, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, have a distinct culture of their own, the underlying cultural homogeneity of the region is very much evident.
South India has such varied tourist destinations that a tourist is literally spoilt for choice. Those interested in sun and sand can visit the beach destinations of Mangalore, Varkala, Kovalam and Vishakhapatanam. Mountain lovers can plan a trip to the hill stations of Ooty, Coonoor, Kodaikanal, Coorg and Munnar. Ooty and Munnar are famous for its tea plantations, while Coorg is known for its Coffee plantations. If you are interested in backwaters then Alleppey, Kumarakom and Kottayam are places to be.
South India is also known for its beautiful temples and monuments. Some of the famous temples are: Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kanchipuram Temple, Guruvayoor Temple in Thrissur, and Brihadeswara Temple in Tanjore. The region is also known for its pilgrimage destinations, such as, Tirupati, Sabarimala and Rameshwaram. Those interested in history can visit the ruins of Hampi and the temples at Pattadakal.
Our South India packages are designed keeping in mind tourist of every hue. Book our cheap South India tour packages.
South India Tour
Destinations Covered: Cochin – Periyar – Kumarakom – Mararikulam – Bangalore – Mysore – Kolkata – Mumbai
Kerala Tour Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
South India Tour
Day 1 Arrive Cochin
Arrive Arrive Cochin by flight. Meeting, garlanding at airport and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Later afternoon sightseeing tour of Cochin.
Cochin – commercial and trade center of Kerala, it is one of the world’s finest natural harbors. Cochin (Kochi) is a gateway for Kerala and is famous for Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace, St. Francis Church, Wellington Island, Bolghatty Island, Chinese Fishing nets and Jewish Synagogue. Cruising on the backwaters provides glimpses of the rural life, fine view of the harbor and three islands.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Cochin – Periyar Drive 192 KM
After breakfast drive to Periyar, on arrival check-in at hotel.
Afternoon boat cruise on Lake Pichola to visit Periyar Sancutary.
Periyar – Sprawling over an area of 777 sq. km, this wildlife sanctuary has about 35 tigers and leopards. However, sighting a tiger in Periyar is not so easy and considered to be a fortune for one out of thousand. The park encompasses a 26 sq. km artificial lake and is the home of sambars, wild boars, elephants and antelopes which can be occasionally seen on the banks of the river during a boat cruise. Periyar, otherwise, blessed by nature has enormous tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations and has luxuriant greenery.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Periyar – Kumarakom Drive 114 KM
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom, on arrival check-in at hotel for overnight.
Day 4 Kumarakom
Day free for independent activities for overnight.
Day 5 Kumarakom – Alleppey – Cochin – Marari
After breakfast embark boat for backwater cruise from Kottayam to Alleppey.
Boat Cruising on the backwaters of Kerala is one of the most exclusive experiences. The boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes and travel along narrow shady canals providing glimpses of small settlements on the narrow land – shops, schools and trading on boats and flourishing rice fields. These canals are well connected between Kottayam – Alleppey – Changancherry – Quilon and Kumarakom on the edge of Asthamudi Lake. The delightful backwaters of Kerala begin from this picturesque town.
On arrival drive to Marari (15 kms), check-in at hotel for overnight.
Day 6 Mararikulam
Day free at the beach and overnight.
Day 7 Mararikulam
Day free at the beach and overnight.
Day 8 Mararikulam – Cochin – Bangalore
Transfer to Cochin airport (74 kms) for afternoon flight to Bangalore.
On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 9 Bangalore – Srirangapatnam – Mysore 139 KM
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Bangalore.
Bangalore – Best of both the worlds, it is difficult to imagine ‘Silicon Valley’ blossoming forever with fragrant flowers and landscaped well-maintained gardens. A modern, lively city, it is also one of India’s most progressive and broadminded liberal cities. The major tourist attractions of the city are spectacular Vidhan Soudha made up of granite in the neo-Dravidian style of architecture, Cubbon Park, which sprawls over 120 hectares and had been laid out in 1864. It is a beautiful park full of flowering and shady trees and the Government Museum, which is one of the oldest in India. It was established in 1886 and houses rare collections on geology, art, numismatics and relics from Mohenjodaro that date back to 5000 years. Lalbagh covers 96 hectres and was laid out in the 18th century by Hyder Ali.
Later drive to Mysore enroute visiting Srirangapatnam.
Srirangapatnam – Just 16 kms from Mysore, is situated on the banks of Cauvery River. The erstehile capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, it is from here that Tipu Sultan, in alliance with French, fought the British. Inside the Fortressn premises is the Tipu’s Mosque with its twin minarets. The famous Ranganathaswamy temple is also at Srirangapatnam.
Day 10 Mysore
After breakfast proceed for full day tour of Mysore & Somnathpur.
Mysore – The chosen residence of Maharaja of Mysore until independence is most famous for Indo-Saaracenic Palace and pleasant climate. On the south of the city is Chamundi Hill, topped by an important Siva Temple while there are ruins of the fortress of Srirangapatnam, built by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in north of the city. To the east is the beautiful temple of Somnathpur while to the West, below the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, are the Brindavan Gardens.
Somnathpur – 45 kms from Mysore, the temple is known for its beautiful Hoysala architecture. Built in 1268, the temple is situated on a star shaped base, set on a chiseled pedestal and guarded at intervals by miniature elephants. The temple wall depicts fables from Ramayana, Mahabharata & Bhagvata.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Mysore – Bangalore – Kolkata
After breakfast drive straight to Bangalore airport to connect flight for Kolkata.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 12 Kolkata
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Kolkata.
Kolkata – Is not an old city, just 300 years ago this dynamic giant was a tiny insignificant village known as Kalikata. In 1690, Job Charnock, Chief of the East India Company’s factory in Hooghly, looking for a new factory sites, selected and leased the three tiny villages of Sutanati, Govindpuri & Kalikata from Emperor Aurangzeb. Howrah station, almost a city in itself, can serve as excellent introduction to the city proper. Located on the west bank of the Hooghly River, the station houses an enormous establishment with a seemingly permanent population living on the platforms. Kolkata city has had the distinction of witnessing the likes of Rabindra Nath Tagore (Noble Prize Winner for his contribution to literature), Satya Jit Ray (World famous producer, director of classical films) & Mother Teresa (Noble Prize Winner for her Charity work). The highlight of the city is Victoria Memorial, opened to public in 1921; this huge marble museum is a combination of classical European architecture & Mughal motifs. A good number of paintings by British artists of repute like Thomas & William Daniell, Zoffany are housed here. The Indian Museum, founded in 1814 on the basis of the collection of the Asiatic Society, is one of the largest and most impressive museums in India. It has superb collection of stuffed (man eating) crocodiles, archaeology and sculpture items and works of art from Khajuraho, Bairat and many other sites. St. Paul’s Cathedral built between 1839 to 1847 was the first Church of England cathedral to be built in the British Empire. Kali Temple a Hindu pilgrimage site was built 200 years back. The Marble Palace, presents an eccentric collection of statues and paintings.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 Kolkata-Mumbai Flight
After breakfast car available for full day to go around in Kolkata.
Late evening transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 14 Mumbai
After breakfast excursion to Elephanta Caves by motorlaunch.
Elephanta Caves – The rock-cut Hindu shrines at Elephanta, an island 6 miles across the harbor provide electrifying glimpses of Indian sculpture that dates back to 7th century. Huge panels depict scenes from the Hindu mythology relating to Lord Shiva, the central one being the most imposing one – a five meter bust of the God, represents his three aspects as creator, preserver and destroyer. Motor-launch takes about an hour to reach the island where the caves are located.
After lunch sightseeing tour of Mumbai.
Mumbai – Capital of the state of Maharashtra and perhaps the most important commercial and trade centre of India, Mumbai is many cities in one. As the world’s largest textile market, a major industrial center, the seat of Indian film industry (said to be the Bollywood) and country’s busiest port handling over 40 percent of India maritime trade, Mumbai is said to be the city of dreams and fortunes. Mumbai has no recorded ancient past. Mumbai ‘s colonial legacy is the Gateway of India was built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The highlights of Mumbai are Prince of Wales Museum built to commemorate George V’s first visit to India in 1905 and houses collections of Indian sculpture, miniature paintings and Nepalese and Tibetan art, Flora Fountain, St. Thomas Cathedral, Crawford Market, Chor Bazaar (Thieves’ market), Marine Drive, Malabar Hills, Hanging Gardens & Kamla Nehru Park.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 Leave Mumbai
Transfer to International Airport in time to board flight for United States.
South India Travel
Destinations Covered: Bangalore – Mysore – Ooty – Bangalore
Kerala Tour Duration: 05 Nights / 06 Days
South India Travel Package – Physically and culturally, South India is vastly different from the North, but no less vibrant and colorful. Its towns and cities are dotted with architectural masterpieces, its sinuous coastline enclosing fine, open beaches, and its hills possess some of the most picturesque retreats. Though a complete tour that catches the essence of South India would be ideal, you can traverse the distance between Bangalore, Ooty and Mysore if you’re short of time to catch a glimpse of the region.
South India Travel Package
Day 1 Bangalore
Arrive in Bangalore.
Check in at hotel.
Proceed on sightseeing tour covering all or any of the city’s attractions, depending on time available.
Bangalore was known as the city of gardens prior to its rise as an IT hub. Behind the modern concrete and glass structures are remnants of its past – the Bangalore Fort, the Bangalore Palace, Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park, the 16th century Ganapathi Temple, 17th century Venkataramanaswamy temple, the Bull Temple with a giant Nandi, the Gangadhareshwar temple or Cave Temple, the Dharmaraja Temple, the Ravindra Kalakshetra, St. Mary’s Church and Gandhi Bhavan. Ulsoor Lake is a popular picnic spot.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2 Bangalore – Mysore
After an early breakfast, drive to Mysore 145 km. Stopover at Channapatna Toys Centre, and Srirangapatna
Channapatna is known for its wooden toys and lacquerware. Nearer to Mysore, Srirangapatna is known for Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace – the Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu’s mausoleum at Gumbaz, the Ranganathaswamy Temple and mosque within Tipu’s Fort.
Arrive in Mysore and check into hotel.
Evening, visit Brindavan Gardens and Krishnarajasagar Dam.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3 Mysore
After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Mysore covering St. Philomena’s Church, Chamundi Hill, and Maharaja’s Palace.
The magnificent Mysore Palace built in 1912 was the residence of the Wodeyars who ruled from 1399 to 1947. The palace is a glorious sight when illuminated every evening. Also known for the pomp and grandeur that accompanies the Dussehra festival it celebrates every year.
St. Philomena’s Church with beautiful stained-glass windows is built in typical Gothic style.
On Chamundi Hill is the 2000-year-old Chamundeswari Temple with the monolith of the Nandi bull holding guard on the slopes. The Brindavan Gardens have a fairytale ambience with musical fountains and colored lights.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4 Mysore – Ooty
After an early breakfast drive to Ooty, 120 km
Enroute visit Bandipur Wild Life Sanctuary, 74 km and Pykara Dam 100 km from Mysore.
The Bandipur Wild life Sanctuary lies on the Mysore Ooty highway straddling the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, connecting the Mudumalai sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad Wild life Sanctuary in Kerala.
Nearer Ooty, the Pykara cascades down the Mukurthi Peak, and its last two falls are known as the Pykara falls.
Arrive in Ooty, check in at hotel.
Evening at leisure – you may explore the town or stay back at the hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5 In Ooty
After breakfast, explore the attractions of this lovely hillside town – Botanical Gardens, Dodda Betta Peak, Conoor Tea Gardens, Sim’s Park and Dolphin’s Nose.
Ooty 2,600 m is nestled in the Nilgiri Hills. With its cool climate and rolling tea planted landscapes, it is a welcome change from the sweltering heat of the plains. The journey to Ooty can be partly made by train from Mettupalayam on the Nilgiri Mountain railway to admire the picture-perfect scenery.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6 Ooty – Bangalore
After breakfast, return to Bangalore.
Tour ends.