South India trip package| Best of Kerala tour| Tour in Kerala

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Kerala & Exotic South India  /  15 Days

Bangalore – Mysore - Coimbatore - Coonoor -Kochi -Kumarakom-Thekkady-Madurai -Chettinad-Puducherry -Mahabalipuram -Chennai

Overview

During this truly unforgettable tour of southern India, we visit the cities, temples and tea plantations of the Tamil Nadu region before heading to Kerala. We explore the captivating city of Kochi, relax on Kerala's beaches and cruise through the backwaters of Vambanad Lake.Also visit some UNESCO sites in Tamil Nadu.

Tour Highlight

  • Tradition Indian welcome ceremony
  • Visit to Somnathpur village to see the intricate sculpture temple
  • Visit to Mysore city palace
  • Enjoy the UNESCO-listed Heritage Toy Train
  • visit to Ketti valley
  • Meeting with tribes, such as Todas and Badagas
  • Ooty sightseeing
  • Walk through the Tea Plantation  in Ooty
  • Visit to the Malabar Coats & Kochi
  • Boat Trip to the Palm Fringed Lakes cantilevered Chinese fishing nets
  • Attend the Kathakali Dance Performance
  • Day in Back water cruise
  • Visit to Portuguese Churches, a Jewish Synagogue
  • Enjoy the backwater day cruise journey from Alleppey
  • Enjoy the country side drive through Tea, Cinnamon, and Clove & Cardamom plantations
  • Motor Lunch cruise safari in Periyar
  • Visit to Nectar City of Madurai
  • Bulk cart ride in Chettinad
  • Explore the village Karaikudi 
  • Visit to UNESCO site in Thanjavur
  • Visit to site UNESCO monument at Dharasuram
  • Explore the Puducherry by Auto Rickshaw
  • Explore the Sea Side town of MamallapuramUNESCO listed temple


Day 01

Arrive Bangalore – Mysore

Arrived Bangalore known as the Capital of Information and technology Industry of India. Welcome by representative if your flight is coming in the morning than we will transfer to Mysore which takes 3 hrs from Bangalore upon arrival check in hotel. [D]

Day 02

In Mysore

After breakfast an excursion to Somnathpur is a small village on the banks of the river Cauvery that was founded by the commander of the Hoyasala army, Somnath. The village is famous for its splendid and grand Keshava temple that has been built in the Hoyasala style. The temple is famous for its elaborate and intricate sculpturing. The temple is enclosed in a walled courtyard that has a gate and a porch. The temple is built on an elevated star shaped platform.[B, D]

Afternoon Mysore is a beautiful city of stately palaces, gardens, parks and museums. Today your tour of Mysore includes visits to City Palace, Chamundi Hill, and the colorful and aromatic spice markets. At Chamundi Hill, you will find Nandi, a monolithic image of Shiva's Bull, which is always garlanded with flowers and held in high esteem by Hindus. Your afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in the hotel [B, D]

Day 03

Mysore to Coimbatore 196 kms/ 4 hrs

After breakfast drive to Coimbatore where we stay for overnight stay in Coimbatore [B, D]

Day 04

Metupalayan – Coonoor by Toy Train

Morning drive to Metupalayan to take the UNESCO-listed Toy Train that carries us into the verdant hillsides of Coonoor, where we visit a local tea factory. It runs from Metupalaiyam to Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills. The track is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) long, and passes over 250 bridges (including 32 major ones) and through 16 tunnels. The most spectacular scenery and best views are situated along the stretch from Metupalaiyam to Coonoor which 30 kms and cover in 3.20 hrs, This Journey is particularly picturesque because of the surrounding rocky terrain, ravines, tea plantations, and forested hills. Coonoor, with its world famous teas, is a tourist destination in itself. Reach Coonoor at 10.30 hrs transfer to Hotel. Your home for 2 Nights

Afternoon visit to Ketti is a large valley in the Nilgiris and a town as well. It is one the most beautiful sightseeing places in Ooty. Ketti Valley is home to several tribes,such as Todas and Badagas. These tribal people are experts in cultivating fresh vegetables and fruits in the valley. There are over 14 villages in this valley that belong to the tribes of Badagas.

Ketti valley is a heaven for nature lovers and photographers. It is one of the most visited tourist sites of Ooty. It offers one of the best views of the valley. Nature lovers, adventurists, experience seekers and even casual travelers will love the view from the Ketti valley viewpoint. There is also a telescope room to get a closer view of the valley and surroundings. Overnight stay in Coonoor [B, D]

Day 05

Visit to Ooty and Tea Estate

After breakfast visit to Doddabetta Park and he Nilgiri region is renowned for its tea and most of the areas in Ooty are surrounded with the tea plantation. The tea estate or plantation is one of attractions and you can enjoygoing for a walk in the tea estate which gives them peacefully. The place which is most popular for its tea estates is Glenmorgan which is one of the old tea estates and also Glenmorgan is one of the famous picnic spots.

In Ooty, there are own tea factories for their tea plantations. The tourist is even allowed inside the tea factories and has ainflict. You can snap photographs and make it as a memorable moment in your lifetime, so that you can enjoy the view of the tea estate.The establishment of several numbers of tea estates made Ooty famous. Most of the hotels, resorts, cottages are all located near tea estates because it gives a wonderful view to the tourist. So if you are a nature lover you can inflict tea estate which gives you a peaceful and blissful trip.[B, D]

Day 06

Ooty – Kochi

After breakfast we travel by air condition Vehicle to Cochin– Capital oasis state of Kerala & on to the Malabar Coats & Kochi, one of the India’s most colorful cities, the Dutch palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and renovated by the Dutch from 1663 with its beautiful murals and Jew town including the antique warehouses and shops, spices trading house and the Jewish synagogue built in 1568, the oldest in the commonwealth. This inter, connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures & Religions; Kochi is the only place in the country where you can see Portuguese Churches, a Jewish Synagogue, Hindu Temples, Dutch Architecture & Mosque nearly side by side.

This evening a Boat Trip along the Palm Fringed Lakes& Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing netsaround cochin Harbour. From our launch, we enjoy use of narrow produced – Laden dugouts & the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters and Spectacular sunset. Later we attend the performance of the Kathakali, one of India’s most famous Classical dances. Overnight stay[B, D]

Day 07

Kochi - House Boat Cruise

After breakfast transfer to Alleppey, where we board a Kettuvalam, or houseboat, A scenic cruise journey through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of the world’s truly unforgettable experiences, myriad network of silent lagoons, freshwater river, and hyacinth covered canals that wind their way through colorful corridors of forests, palms and fruit trees. We disembark at Kumarakom, where we stay at the Coconut Lagoon[B, D]

Day 08

Kumarakom - Thekkady 164 kms/4 hrs

Drive to a tranquil hill retreat, the Spicy Village. Along the way we pass through Tea, Cinnamon, and Clove & Cardamom plantations – beautiful to see & smell!. Today's visit to an aromatic spice plantation, we enjoy a guided walking tour, uncovering the secrets of southern India's spices. This evening enjoy Safari Cruise with best trained guide in Periyar Game Sanctuary– the best way to see & enjoy the Wildlife Activities, Cruise in the Periyar Lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around tropical jungles, Wild elephants & birds of myriad varieties. With an area of 777 sq kms in the hills of Western Ghats amongst the animals are wild elephants which can be seen and photographed at close quarters, Wild boar, Sambar, Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog and langur monkey. Overnight stay [B, D]

Day 09

Thekkady – Madurai 130 kms /3 hrs

After breakfast we travel by road to Nectar City of Madurai – where this evening we venture out to the Meenakshi Templewhere Dravidian Temple architecture may be seen in its exuberant baroque phase. Its hall of thousand pillars is fabulous & is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day, another terrific photographic opportunity here, we are invited to watch a religious ceremony.Madurai is surrounded by Coconut Grooves & Rice Paddies.[B, D]

Day 10

In Madurai

Today visit the 17th-century Thirumalai Nayak PalaceThirumalai Nayak Palace is a 17th-century palace erected in 1636 AD by King Thirumalai Nayak, a king of Madurai's Nayaka dynasty who ruled Madurai from 1623–59, in the city of Madurawhich is in a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 - foot high stone pillar, still standsand the Gandhi Memorial Museum, established in 1959, is a memorial museum for Gandhi located in the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India. Known as Gandhi Museum, it is now one of the five Gandhi Sanghralayas in the country Overnight stay.[B, D]

Day 11

Madurai - Chettinad / Karaikudi 85 kms/ 1.30 hrs

This morning disembark to Chettinad -is rich in picturesque cultural heritage, art and architecture village in Tamil Nadu and is well known for its houses, embellished with marble and Burma teak, wide courtyards, spacious rooms, and for its 18th century mansions. Local legend has it that their walls used to be polished with a paste made out of egg whites to give a smooth texture. Today sightseeing of Chettinad Places to visit include the huge country homes of the Chettiars, Chettinad museum.Local saree (Saari) weaving house, local markets and a street with antique shop etc Rest of the time is kept free to explore the village and take a bulk cart ride into the streets, through a world of forgotten grace and a unique architectural legacy. Overnight stay[B, D]

Day 12

Chettinad – Puducherry 150 kms/3 hrs

After breakfast drive to Puducherry En route visit to Thanjavur and Kumbakonam. Thanjavurwe visit the 9th century Chola Temple of Brahadeshwarar TempleAn UNESCOWorld Heritage Site in Thanjavur later drive to Kumbakonam 34 kms from Thanjavur.Kumbakonam is located among the two rivers Cavery & Arasalar. The town is famous for brass, vessels, bettel leaves. It is primarily a market town for the predominately agriculture based villages surroundings itexplore the unique village of Kumbakonam you will visit the UNESCO monument at Dharasuram, the famous Iravadeeswar Temple, the handicraft making units etc.You may go for a bullock cart ride through the village which will be an amazing experience. We reach in the evening at Puducherry for overnight stay at your hotel

Pondicherry presents an unusual combination of European Culture & Indian traditions. An added attraction fair is the township of Auroville, an Oasis of Peace & Enlighten. Another hallowed spotted Aurobindo Ashram which drowse devotees from all over the world. After breakfast we drive to Pondicherry & visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Overnight stay Pondicherry [B, D]

Day 13

Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram 100 kms /2 hrs

After breakfast drive to the little Sea Side town of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram),known for its UNESCO-listed templessituated on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu has pris time beaches, spanning 20 kms, bright Sun & Crisp Sand, Wrapping up untold tales of the 7th Century. Here time stands still; and presents meet the past. A serene town nested amidst the historical stone sculptures and medieval architecture, that stands witness to the rich heritage – Mahabalipuram.

Shore Temple: The most renowned landmark of Mamallapuram is the Shore Temple. Standing alone on the shore, this temple is protected by a wall constructed to minimize erosion. It is believed that at one point in time there were seven such temples, six of them were victims to the natural elements of erosion.

Arjuna's Penance: This quaint little town of Mamallapuram in enriched with ancient with ancient and splendid sculptures. Each of the beautiful works of art has a story to tell. Like the large 27 m by 9 m bas-relief that narrates the tale of Arjuna's Penance. Arjuna here is shown standing on one leg to please Lord Shiva into helping him winback the Pandeva Empire. A fascinating combination of humans, animals and celestial beings seem to be rushing to the revered scene. Most prominent among them is a 4.8 m majestic elephant leading a procession. Also known as the Descent of the Ganga, this impressive canvas portrays the life giving River Ganges flowing out from its high source in the Himalayas. Enchanting stories from the Panchatantra are also a part of this magnificent bas-relief. Your home for 2 night’s Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram [B, D]

Day 14

Mahabalipuram – Chennai 70 km / 1 hrs

After leisure morning drive to Chennai - is the gateway of South India will put you in touch with a different phase of India – Classical, Ancient, Gentle. Chennai the 4th largest city in India Spread over 50 miles and features a large and beautiful waterfront on the Bay of Bengal. This afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour, including some of the city's colonial heritage, seen in the architecture that remains. Overnight stay at hotel[B, D]

Day 15

Onward Destination

Say good bye to fascinating Kerala and South India, departure transfer to International airport for flight to onward destination / home town [B]

Hotels Used

Destination Hotel Name Category Room Type
Mysore Radisson Blu Plaza 5 star Superior
Coimbatore Vivanta By Taj Surya 5 star Superior Charm
Coonoor Gateway Coonoor 5 star Standard
Kochi Brunton Boatyard 5 star Sea facing
Kumarakom Coconut Lagoon Heritage Heritage Bungalow
Periyar Spice Village 5 star Standard Vila
Madurai Gateway Hotel Pasumalai 5 star Standard
Chettinad Visalam Heritage Standard
Puducherry Palais de Mahe 5 star Standard
Mahabalipuram Radisson BLU Resort Temple Bay 5 star Chalet- Garden View / BayRoom
Chennai Radisson BLU Hotel GRT 5 star Standard

Inclusions

Accommodation

  • 02 Night stay in  Mysore
  • 01 Night stay in Coimbatore
  • 02 Night stay in Coonoor
  • 01 Nights stay in Cochin
  • 01 Nights stay in  Kumarakom
  • 01 Nights stay in Periyar
  • 02 Nights stay in Madurai
  • 01 Night stay in Chettinad
  • 01 Night stay in Puducherry
  • 02 Night stay in Mahabalipuram  

Meal

  • 14 Breakfast at hotel
  • 14 Dinner at hotel

Transportation

  • All transfers & sightseeing by air conditioned vehicle
  • Toy train fare  from Metupalayan to Coonoor 
  • Monument entry fees wherever applicable as per the itinerary
  • English speaking local guided tour at all places
  • Auto Rickshaw ride in Pondicherry & Madurai to see the ceremony
  • Bulk cart ride in Karaikudi
  • Motor Lunch at Periyar wildlife
  • Back water cruise in Alleppey
  • Kathakali Dance performance entry
  • All applicable taxes

Exclusions

Laundry, Insurance, Tips, hard drink, meal not specify in tour, Telephone Calls, Hard Drinks Still & Video Camera fees in Monuments and Expenses like Personal Nature

Abbreviations Used

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner

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