South India Tour

HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy the cultural highlights of South India or join us for an additional week of in-depth exploration
Witness the exotic pooja at Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple, complete with musicians and temple elephants
Enter the inner sanctum of certain Hindu temples and participate in spiritual rituals with the locals
Explore little known Chettinad villages
Cruise the languid Kerala backwaters in a houseboat

Explore the magnificent architecture and intriguing history of South India as you enjoy the peaceful ambiance of its abundant natural beauty. On this trip to India, we visit the most significant ancient ruins and living Hindu sites, connect with craftsmen and villagers. We also see how Christians, Jews and Muslims have left their mark on the culture and landscape. There will be ample time to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the local ecology as we visit a wildlife sanctuary and spend the night on a houseboat in the tranquil Kerala backwaters.

South India In-Depth
For those who desire the consummate South India tour, join us for an additional eight days as we complete our route from Mysore to Hyderabad, venturing into less-touristed areas which contain remarkable ruins and well preserved mosques, forts, palaces and temples.

Resident elephant at Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjore

ITINERARY

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Day 1: Arrival in Chennai (Madras)
City tour of Chennai.

Day 2-3: Mahabalipuram
A one hour drive to beautiful Mahabalipuaram and an excursion to Kanchipuram, one of India's seven sacred cities.

Day 4-5: Pondicherry - Tanjore
Enroute to Pondicherry, visit the great temples of Tamil Nadu: Chidambaram's Nataraja Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram and the grand Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjore. Participate in pujas and other traditions.

Day 6: Tanjore - Trichy - Chettinad
We will visit the temples and monuments of Trichy before arriving in Chettinad, homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars.

Day 7-8: Madurai
Explore the quaint villages of Chettinad with fabulous mansions. Exotic Madurai, center of Tamil culture; its history dates back to the 6th century BC. Attend evening ceremony at Minakshi Temple and tour the vast temple complex.

Day 9-10: Periyar - Kerala Backwaters
Enjoy a pleasant stay at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with a boat excursion to view wildlife. Then to the glorious backwaters where we overnight on traditional riceboats converted into deluxe houseboats.

Day 11-12: Cochin
Tour the bustling old world port city of Cochin where the influence of colonial Portugal, Holland and England can still be seen. Highlights include Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets and a kathakali dance performance.

Day 13-14 Mysore
Mysore, a magnificent Royal city, is the site of the Chamundeswari Temple and Chamundi Hill with its Palaces built by Tippu Sultan.

Day 15: Hassan
Admire the Belur and Halebid temple complexes built by the Hoysala kings. Return to Bangalore.

Day 16: Depart
Return to Bangalore to depart for home.

IN-DEPTH

Day 15-17: Hassan - Hospet - Hampi
Admire the Belur and Halebid temple complexes built by the Hoysala kings. An in-depth exploration of the superb ruins of Hampi, one of the most fascinating historical sites in south India.

Day 18-19: Aihole - Pattadakal - Badami
The three Chalukyan capitals, 4th - 8th centuries. In Pattadkal the temples illustrate the crossroads of North and South Indian traditions with southern Dravida temple architecture and North Indian Nagara style. Rural Badami is set in beautiful countryside amongst red sandstone hills, lakes and peaceful farmlands.

Day 20-22: Bijapur - Gulbarga - Bidar - Hyderabad Our In-Depth tour ends with an exploration of Islamic cities and their mausolea, mosques and palaces.

Day 23: Depart for Home

Note Nov Tour Only Day 12-13: Conoor
Explore nearby villagews of the Toba tribal community who live on the isolated Niligiri Plateau.