South India Cultural Tour
South India cultural tour is a carefully planned travel program that introduces you to the historical wonders of the four Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry. You get to explore rich travel destinations with deep-rooted traditions that so very distinctly defines South India. Besides visiting the archaeological sites, you even get a chance to maintain close contact with nature and wilderness in your excursion to Periyar Wildlife sanctuary. Every historical monuments and cultural heritages you come across en route tell the saga of a bygone era. The tour brings together the multi-faceted glory of South India.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Chennai
- Day 2 Sightseeing in Cochin
- Day 3 Cochin - Mahabalipuram
- Day 4 Drive from Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
- Day 5 Drive from Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
- Day 6 Sightseeing in Pondicherry
- Day 7 Drive from Pondicherry to Tranquebar
- Day 8 Drive from Tranquebar to Tanjore
- Day 9 Drive from Tanjore to Trichy
- Day 10 Drive from Trichy to Madurai
- Day 11 Sightseeing in Madurai
- Day 12 Drive from Madurai to Periyar
- Day 13 Sightseeing in Periyar
- Day 14 Drive from Periyar to Alleppey
- Day 15 Houseboat
- Day 16 Drive to Cochin
- Day 17 Sightseeing in Cochin &
- Day 18 Departure
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive Chennai
As soon as you land at Chennai airport, our staff will be at your warm reception to escort you to your hotel. After getting thoroughly briefed about the travel plan, you can make all the apt travel preparations accordingly. You get to have free time to indulge in any kind of activities of your choice..
- Day 2
Sightseeing in Cochin
Right after breakfast, your professional guide takes you to the major attractions like Fort Cochin, St. Francis Church, Museum etc. After the insightful tour, you return to your hotel for meals and good night sleep..
- Day 3
Drive from Cochin to Mahabalipuram
1 hour morning drive brings you to Mahabalipuram, a 7th century port city founded by the dynasty of Pallavas. After proper rest and refreshment, you set out to explore the cultural highlights of Mahabalipuram. There are several monuments that date back to the era of Dravidian architecture. Shore temple, Five Rathas and Arjuna's Penance are the cultural prides. Eventually, after dinner you overnight at the hotel..
- Day 4
Drive from Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
Shortly after breakfast, you will be escorted to Kanchipuram on an 1 hour scenic drive amidst the gorgeous backdrops. The name Kanchipuram is synonymous to temples and hand-woven silk sarees. After religious journey and shopping, you will be driven back to your hotel in Mahabalipuram for meals and overnight stay..
- Day 5
Drive from Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
On this day, you will be driven to Pondicherry after breakfast. It takes an hour to reach Pondicherry, the former French colony and now the united territory of India. On arriving at your hotel you surrender to the exotic ambience and finally after meals you spend the night at the hotel..
- Day 6
Sightseeing in Pondicherry
Pondicherry sightseeing tour starts immediately after breakfast. Visits to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, museum, churches and temples immerse you deeper into the culture and tradition of Pondicherry. With the warm memories of the trip, you eventually return to the comforts of your hotel..
- Day 7
Drive from Pondicherry to Tranquebar
Transversing past Pondicherry for about 100 km to the south along Kaveri River, Tranquebar springs into picture. Tranquebar is situated in Nagapattinam district and is a former Danish port. You will be escorted to your hotel where after meals you can spend the night..
- Day 8
Drive from Tranquebar to Tanjore
After breakfast you head away from Tranquebar towards Tanjore which is situated at an average elevation of 2 m. Tanjore is reknowned for Brahadeeswara Temple, a Unesco World Heritage site. Vijayanagara fort, a Bell Tower and Saraswathi Mahal Library are other sought after travel destinations. The trip of the day ends with an overnight stay at your hotel in Tanjore..
- Day 9
Drive from Tanjore to Trichy
Tanjore blurs out of vision as you near Tricky. Religious significance and architectural splendors make the temples of Tricky so fascinating. As soon as you reach your hotel, you succumb to the high quality services of the hotel and enjoy hearty meals and good night sleep..
- Day 10
Drive from Trichy to Madurai
2-hour drive in the morning takes you to Madurai. Upon arriving at your hotel, you can unpack your language, freshen up, rest and then enjoy meals. You will spend the night at the hotel..
- Day 11
Sightseeing in Madurai
Being one of the ancient cities of India, its glory remains unfathomable pride of India. It is documented in the India history that Madurai dates back to pre Christian era. After breakfast, you get plenty of time to explore Madurai and visit its Sir Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Temple, Museums etc. Embracing the insightful travel experience, you return to your hotel for meals and accommodation..
- Day 12
Drive from Madurai to Periyar
Periyar is at a distance of 128 km away from Madurai. After breakfast, you will be driven for 3 hours to your hotel in Periyar where you get the high quality meals and accommodation..
- Day 13
Periyar
Periyar is most popular for its wildlife sanctuary. In an area of 777 sq.km, Periyar wildlife sanctuary is accommodating elephants, gaur, sambhar, tigers, bison, spotted Deer, leopards, malabar flying squirrels, stripe necked Mongooses etc. The sanctuary also offers an ideal vantage point to bird watch over 260 species of birds like nilgiri wood Pigeons, blue-winged parakeets, white bellied tree pies, laughing thrushes, fly catchers etc. After basking in the splendors of nature you head back to your hotel for meals and good night sleep..
- Day 14
Drive from Periyar to Alleppey
The hotel arranges a delicious breakfast. Thereafter, you march towards Alleppey on a drive. The very mention of Alleppey brings forth the images of canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons. Snake boat race is a famous event that takes place in Alleppey. Upon arriving in Alleppey, you begin your leisurely sailing on your house boat along the lakes and canals. You even have to overnight at the house boat..
- Day 15
Houseboat
You spend the entire day sailing. Meals are also served on the house boat. On this day also you have to overnight at the houseboat..
- Day 16
Drive to Cochin
After unboarding the house boat, you will be driven to Cochin. You get to spend leisure time at your hotel in Cochin, enjoy delicious meals and finally grasp a good sleep..
- Day 17
Sightseeing in Cochin
Shortly after breakfast, you can visit the sites that remain to be explored. When the night approaches, you return to your hotel for dinner and accommodation..
- Day 18
Departure
You will be driven to the airport in time for your flight back to Mumbai airport and from Mumbai back to your hometown. .
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Happy Explorers
I felt the staff did their best to provide good service- even the higher in altitude we went- and I must say, were extremely friendly and courteous.
Community Service
We work with the motto "Tourism for Development". Explore Himalaya Community Service Project was conceived to empower underprivileged segments of Nepal.
