Classical South India

  • Brihdeshwara temple
    Brihdeshwara Temple, Tanjore. Image: Route Makers, India

– Route –

Bengaluru,Hassan, Mysore, Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar, Kochi


Tour Detail:

Day 01   Bangalore

Arrival Bangalore and transfer to Hotel. In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of the Bengaluru city: Visit  Nandi (bull) temple, Tipu’s palace, and fort and In the evening visit Indira Nagar shopping area. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 Bangalore/Hassan

After breakfast, drive to  Hassan (180 kms/04 hrs) via Sravana Belgola. Sravana Belgola: A center of Digambar Jains is presided over by a colossal rock statue, 57 feet high (ad 983) of Jain Saint Gomateswara. Thereafter continue drive to Hassan & evening: visit Belur & Halebid Temples.

Day 03 Hassan/Mysore

After breakfast, drive Hassan/Mysore (160 kms/04 hrs) en-route to visit the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatanam. Thereafter continue drive to Mysore. On arrival check-in at the hotel.  If you are visiting on Sundays then you can admire one of the most unforgettable images of the illuminated Mysore Palace, almost ninety-seven thousand light bulbs are used to produce this beautiful image of the Palace. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Mysore/Chennai/Mahabalipuram

After Breakfast city tour of Mysore is a city of palaces, but the most magnificent of them all is the Mysore Palace, The Palace is situated in the middle of the city and is a reminder of the grandeur of a bygone era.  Thereafter transfer to the railway station to connect train to Chennai.
Dep: Mysore 1420 hrs 2008 Shatabdi express
Arr: Chennai 2125 hrs A/C Chair Car

Meet upon arrival & transfer to hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Day 05 Mahabalipuram

After breakfast enjoy the sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram – The important monuments to be seen are the Five Rathas, the bas – relief on huge rock popularly known as Arjuna’s penance, the Mahisasura Mandapam, the Krishna Mandapam, and the beautiful Shore temple.

Day 06 Mahabalipuram/Pondicherry

After breakfast, Drive to Pondicherry (130kms/03 hrs) a French colonial town. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. In the afternoon walk around the white town to see its beautiful houses, church, and Ganesh temple. 

Day 07 Pondicherry/Tanjore

Drive to Thanjavur visiting Kumbakonam and Darasuram temples en route. On arrival check-in at the hotel.

Day 08 Tanjore

After breakfast, visit Brihadishvara temple – The magnificent Brihadishvara temple which has been called India’s greatest temple built in Dravidian style during 11the century. The gateway is more than 200 ft. High in the familiar pyramid style, but its crowning dome rests on a single block of granite weighing 80 tons. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the afternoon excursion to Trichy (65 kms/1 hr) to visit The rock fort and  Srirangam, a massive Vishnu Temple with seven walls.

Day 09 Tanjore/Chettinad

After Breakfast drive to Chettinad visiting Ranganatha temple complex en-route. Stay at the heritage Chettiyar mansion. Evening walk around the Chettinad to see the Chettiar bungalows.

Day 10  Chettinad/Madurai

After breakfast,  drive to Madurai. Check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon noon visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Evening: witness the Pooja ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple.

Day 11  Madurai/Periyar

After breakfast drive to Periyar (160 km, 4 hrs). check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon enjoy the plantation tour and evening boat cruise on Lake Periyar to see the wildlife.

Day 12 Periyar/Houseboat

After breakfast drive to Kumarakom. In the afternoon check at the houseboat and enjoy the night on the houseboat.

Day 13 Houseboat/Kochi

After breakfast drive to Kochi (Cochin). Check-in at the hotel. In the evening witness, the classical Kathakali Dance shows.

Day 14 Cochin

After a breakfast city tour of Cochin. Cochin: visit the Cochin Harbour Terminus, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jew Town, Fort Cochin area- St. Francis Church, Chinese fishing nets.  Afternoon: free to walk around on your own.

Day 15 Departure Cochin

Departure to the international airport for flight to onward destination.