South India Heritage Travel Package

Tour Duration: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Destination Covered: Chennai - Madurai - Periyar National Park - Alleppey - Cochin - Coonoor - Ooty - Mysore - Chennai - Mamallapuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai

Day 01: Arrival at Chennai
As your flight lands at Chennai’s international airport, you’ll be welcomed by our tour guide who’ll help you with the immigration formalities. Thereafter, you’ll be accompanied to the hotel. Make a check in and spend the free time at leisure. Dinner and night stay will be at the hotel.

Day 02: Chennai
You’ll be taken for Chennai city tour after breakfast. Visit will be made to Fort St. George. The fort houses a large collection of different buildings, such as Fort Museum, St. Mary’s Church, and Wellesley House. The museum is well-equipped with an array of sculptures and paintings dating back to both traditional and modern times. Post lunch, you’ll move on to Valluvar Kottam, Snake Park, Kapaleeswarar Temple and Marina Beach. Return to the hotel to spend the night.

Day 03: Chennai - Madurai
After having a delicious breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Chennai railway station to board the train for Madurai. Our representative will receive you at Madurai and escort you to the hotel. Check in and freshen up. The remaining time will be at your disposal. Enjoy the dinner before bidding adieu to the day.

Day 04: Madurai
Madurai has been sobriquetted as the City of Junction, City of Jasmine, Temple City, City that Never Sleeps, and City of Four Junctions. Post breakfast, you’ll leave for local city tour, wherein you can explore fascinating temples and monuments. Major attractions include Meenakshi Amman Temple, Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara, Koodal Azhagar Koil, Thiruparankundram, St. Mary’s Cathedral Church, Goripalayam Dargah, Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Theppakulam, Gandhi Museum, Hawa Valley and Eco Park. In the evening, you’ll be driven back to the hotel for night stay.

Day 05: Madurai - Periyar National Park
Early in the morning, you’ll journey to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, after breakfast. Find yourself amidst the laps of nature and experience the flora and fauna of Periyar. The most admired Periyar Lake lies in the heart of the sanctuary, where you can sight all kinds of birds and animals like deer, tigers, wild dogs, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar squirrel and sloth bear. To explore the sanctuary deeply, you can hire an elephant. Spend the night at a hotel in Periyar.

Day 06: Periyar National Park - Alleppey
Day six will begin with an early morning boat ride in the Periyar River. This will be followed by drive to Alleppey. A check in at a rice barge will be made upon arrival. Soon after, you’ll proceed for local sightseeing. You’ll visit other rice barges, which are cargo boats but have now been modified into live-in houses. They are great places to dine in and indulge in complete entertainment in a closet. You’ll also visit Alleppey Beach, a wonderful place to hang out, though not really commercialized like the beaches of Goa and Mumbai. Return to the houseboat in the evening for overnight stay.

Day 07: Alleppey
This day will mark an excursion to the backwaters of Kerala. You’ll be driven to the backwaters, where your houseboat will be waiting for you to board. Here, you will enjoy different sights of the backwaters - connecting lakes, coconut shaded canals and estuaries. At lunch, you’ll be served with delicious traditional delights. In the evening, capture the lovely sunset, when your boat halts. At late evening, feel the romance of the white moonlight and relish the lavish dinner.

Day 08: Alleppey - Cochin
After breakfast at the houseboat, you’ll be dropped at the start point of the backwaters and journeyed to Cochin, the commercial city of Kerala. When you reach, make a check in at the hotel and proceed to explore the city. Your excursion will begin from the most useful and ancient style of catching the fish, Chinese Fishing Nets. You’ll then move on to Fort Kochi and beach, St. Francis Church, Vasco House and Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica. Though old and ancient, these heritage sites still exhibit the glorious history. Come back to the hotel for sleepover.

Day 09: Cochin
On day nine of the tour, visits to other tourist destinations of Cochin will be made. The amusement park of Veega Land is outfitted with all sorts of entertainment - rides, castles, food etc. As an alternate, you can visit Dutch Palace, wherein you can check out the collection of paintings from the great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The palace was also a coronation venue for the Rajas in the bygone era. You can visit some emporiums to view the silk collection and traditional paintings of Kerala. Post lunch, you can visit Jewish Synagogue and Jew Tom, built in an artistic style. The evening can be given a romantic twist with a boat or cruise ride, which crosses through 18 small islands and touches the Indian Ocean as well. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10: Cochin
Spend another day at Cochin. Start off with a sumptuous breakfast and head on for a city tour to the remaining tourist attractions. These include Bolghatty Palace, Palliport Fort, Hill Palace, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary and Museum of Kerala. Drive back to the hotel for dinner and night’s rest.

Day 11: Cochin - Coonoor
Post breakfast at the hotel, you’ll continue your tour to the next city in-line - Coonoor, about 167 km ahead of Cochin. This astounding hill station is referred to as the “Twin of the Nilgiris” along with Ooty. On arrival, a quick check-in at the hotel will be followed by a sightseeing tour. Silk Rearing Stations, Laws Falls, Pomological Stations, Lamb’s Rock, Lady Canning Seat, The Droog, Sim’s Park, St. Catherine Falls and Dolphin’s Nose are the most popular places to see. Return to the hotel to spend the night.

Day 12: Coonoor - Ooty - Coonoor
On day twelve of the tour, an excursion to Ooty will be made after a delectable breakfast. Throughout the 17 km distance journey, you’ll be treated with splendid natural sights of green peaks, waterfalls, gardens, and valleys. Return from Ooty will be in late evening. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel will end the day.

Day 13: Coonoor - Mysore
After an early morning breakfast, you’ll board the cab for a drive to Mysore. Picturesque views of the place will keep your engaged all through the voyage. For all you nature aficionados, your camera sure will thank you! A check in at the hotel in Mysore will be followed by a luxurious supper. Thereafter, you can provide some rest to your eyes with a peaceful sleep.

Day 14: Mysore
After a tummy-filling meal, you’ll head for a tour of Mysore - the City of Palaces. The famous Mysore Palace will be the first stop. The palace is a magnificent piece of different architectures derived from Muslim, Hindu, Gothic and Rajput styles. A spectacular contribution by history, it is one of the largest palaces in India. Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant. Drop in to get a taste of the original Karnataka flavors. Thereafter, you’ll visit the temple at Chamundi Hills, dedicated to Sri Chamundeshwari, the deity of the Mysore Royal Family, also described as ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ for having killed the buffalo headed demon Mahishasura. The temple has a very beautiful idol of the goddess wearing a garland of skulls. Brindavan Gardens are another notable attraction in Mysore. Travel back to the hotel for night’s rest.

Day 15: Mysore
Day fifteen will begin with a relishing breakfast, after which you are free to explore the city on your own. Mysore Zoo, Jaganmohan Palace, Railway Museum, and Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion are some suggested sites. The mansion is a zenith of architecture for those who’ve got deep knowledge of designing and construction. The lakes can be paid a visit in the evening. Enjoy boating amidst the cool breeze of the hills. Drive back to the hotel at night for overnight stay.

Day 16: Mysore - Chennai
You’ll be dropped at the railway station to board the train for Chennai. When you will arrive at Chennai railway station, you’ll be accompanied by our tour guide to the hotel. After making a check in, freshen up and have your meal before going to bed.

Day 17: Chennai - Mamallapuram - Kanchipuram
After having breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head for an excursion to Mamallapuram. Popular tourist destinations include Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Sculpture Museum, Arjuna’s Penance, and Krishna’s Butterball. The second half of the day will be spend in Kanchipuram - the Land of Thousand Temples. Here, you’ll visit various temples, like Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple. You’ll be accommodated in a hotel at Kanchipuram for overnight stay.

Day 18: Kanchipuram - Chennai Departure
Early in the morning, you’ll be driven back to Chennai. If time permits, you can complete your last minute shopping. Thereafter, you’ll be transferred to the airport to board the flight for onward travel.