13 Days Tour of Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu [South India]

Arrive in the morning and transfer to your pre-booked hotel for an overnight stay. The afternoon is free at leisure.

After breakfast drive to Mysore ( Approx. 140 km / 4 – 5 hours including sightseeing ) exploring the island of Srirangapatnam, abode to the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan ( the Tiger of Mysore ), as well as the 15th century fort and prison and one of the most important Vaishnavite pilgrimage spots in Southern India.

A morning tour of the city’s highlights embraces the regal Maharajah’s Palace, the Nandi Bull and the colourful Devaraja market. The palace, constructed at the turn of the 20th century, is unquestionably Mysore’s chief attraction, merging the diverging styles of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic together in a 3 – storied edifice of grandiose luxury.

Once the official home of the former royal family of Mysore, it is occupied with classily carved halls and elaborate gilded columns and houses a rich gathering of Indian and European sculptures and artefacts. The afternoon is at leisure.

In the evening revisit the Maharajah’s Palace to see the illumination that happens each weekend. Lit by roughly 97,000 light bulbs the palace at night is a beautiful sight.

This morning drive to Ooty ( Approx. 125 km / 4 – 5 Hours ) a well – liked hill station of the British Raj situated amongst the forested landscapes of the Nilgiri Hills, check-in to the Hotelfor 2 nights.

After breakfast take a ride on the amazing Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a narrow – gauge track that has been chosen a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is without hesitation, it is one of the most extraordinary rail journeys on earth ( Approx 1 hour ).

( Train reservation is subject to availalibity at time of reservation)

On arrival in Coonoor you will visit a tea garden “ Tranquil Tea ” to enjoy tea tasting including a tour around the estate and lunch. Return to Ooty in the afternoon for sightseeing, captivating in the local church, the botanical gardens and the artificial lake.

Drive today to Cochin ( Approx 282 km / 9 – 10 Hours including stops ) and stay for 2 nights.

Cochin has been defined as the ‘ Queen of the Arabian Sea ’ and on this daylight, we visit some of the highlights of this captivating port, taking in the countless styles and cultural inspirations that attest to Arab, Jewish and European tenure.

There will be time to discover the 16th century Portuguese erected Mattancherry Palace and its superb murals, as well as the Church of St Francis, which was temporarily the repository for the body of Vasco de Gama, before viewing the remarkable cantilevered Chinese fishing nets en-route back to the hotel. This afternoon is at leisure.

Watch Chinese fishing nets similar to aliens from Ridley Scott sci-fi film, are functioning endlessly for past six hundred years, in Cochin, Kerala
Go for famous Kerala Fish curry where seer fish from the ocean, cooked in coconut milk with green chillies and curry leaves makes the fish utterly delicious to eat, in Cochin, Kerala

In the morning drive towards Alleppey to board the house boat ( Approx. 70 Km / 2 hours including sightseeing ). En-route visit the historical Arthunkal Church and a handicrafts centre. Arrive in Alleppey where you will board a conventional houseboat in time for lunch.

Enjoy cruising on the backwaters passing through the villages and spend the night on a captivating backwaters boat cruise. As your houseboat floats along the shady canals, realise the scenic beauty, enjoy realistic local food, watch the villagers go about their local daily tasks and whizz at the beauty of the backwaters.

Sailing the backwaters – one of the most beautiful experiences! Perceive village life on the shore while cruising on the backwaters.

After breakfast, disembark the houseboat at the Alleppey and drive by road to Periyar ( Approx. 150 Km / 4 hours ) and an overnight stay. On arrival visit spice plantations and also enjoy boat ride in Lake Periyar which is inside Periyar Tiger Reserve.

If you are lucky then you might watch the tiger in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. There are chances of watching hers of elephants in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary while you are taking boat ride in Lake Periyar. Overnight stay is Periyar.

Visit Periyar which offers a vantage point for visitors to get close to the wildlife in Thekkady, Kerala

Morning at leisure and afternoon chance to visit a spice garden before continuing to Madurai ( Approx. 138 Km / 4 hours 30 min ) for 2 nights in Madurai.

Madurai is the directorial headquarters of Madurai District in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the second largest city and the second largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu.

Located on the banks of River Vaigai, it has been a major commune for two millennia and is one of the oldest incessantly inhabited cities in the world.

A morning tour of Madurai, one of India’s oldest cities, takes in the celebrated Meenakshi Temple, and the colourful flower and vegetable market. The central point of the city, the Meenakshi Temple is vital to a city that can trace its history back two and a half millennia, taking in the golden ages of the Chola and Pandya dynasties and netting itself the privileged title of the ‘Athens of the East’.

The afternoon is free for further discovering of this colourful town. Take part in an optional visit to a potter’s village or a walk through the streets of Madurai. In the evening, there is the opportunity ( no extra cost ) to return to Meenakshi Temple to observe the evening ‘ puja ’ ( prayers ) when the idol is ‘ put to bed ’ at the temple.

Depart Madurai this morning and fly to Chennai ( 75 Min ). On arrival at Chennai drive to Mamallapuram ( Approx 2 hours ), located on the sea shores of the Bay of Bengal. A port city that flourished under the auspices of the Pallavas, Mamallapuram dates from the 7th to 9th centuries and its mix of Dravidian architectures, Buddhist styling and Pallava artwork has seen it elected a World Heritage Site.

Visit the Five Rathas, the five monolithic chariot temples devoted to Hindu gods, each shaped in a different style. Visit Arjuna’s Penance, amassive relief made on two huge boulders – one of the biggest open-air rock canvases in the world.

Transfer to Chennai airport for your flight to onwards journey. Tour Ends.