Overview

Start in Kochi (Cochin) and end in Chennai (Madras)! With the romantic tour 12 Days Southern India Tour with ancient Temples , you have a 12 day tour package taking you through Kochi (Cochin), India and 9 other destinations in India. 12 Days Southern India Tour with ancient Temples includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.

 

When it comes to exploring India, no trip can be complete without a sojourn to the south. And if you really wish to strike-off the country’s name from your holiday to-do list then Glimpses of South India package is just perfect for you! Starting from the sandy beaches and blissful sunsets of Kochi, our carefully crafted itinerary will take you to the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom. Cruising on a house boat, you reach the Periyar National Park where your eyes relish the exotic wildlife of the south. And as the landscape unfolds, you find yourself amidst the enchanting hallways of the majestic temples of Trichy, Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram. At the end your journey, we are sure that the loving locals and the delicious South Indian cuisine will make you come back to this paradise again.

 

South India where thousands of picturesque places make theirs appearances in the form of Cloudless sky, azure water, white sandy beaches and palm trees. Your happiness is combined by famous historical monuments and elephants and tigers lurked in Periyar wildlife sanctuary. You are impressed with the cardamom hills and its floral aroma are spreaded throughout the pleasant climate. Besides, the cultivation of Coffee and Pepper add more fragrances and permeate through the wild atmosphere. South India is a home to a rich and glorious history and its impressions can be seen in the majestic grandeur of South Indian Architecture.

Highlights

  • Full day temple tour in Kanchipuram including Ekambareswarar temple, Kamakshi Amman temple, Varadharaja Perumal temple, Devarajaswami temple etc.
  • Excursion to famous Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram
  • Visit the Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry
  • Guided tour to the famous Nataraja temple, in Trichy
  • Sightseeing tour to the prime tourist attractions of Trichy including Jambukeshwar Temple, Srirangam temple and Rock Fort temple.
  • Visit the prime tourist attractions in Madurai including King Tirumala’s Palace, Gandhi Museum and Great Tank.

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Cochin

Day 02: Cochin

Day 03: Cochin to Kumarakom

Day 04: Kumarakom to Thekkady

Day 05: Thekkady / Periyar National Park Safari

Day 06: Thekkady to Madurai

Day 07: Madurai to Trichy

Day 08: Trichy to Pondicherry

Day 09: Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram

Day 10: Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram

Day 11: Mahabalipuram to Chennai

Day 12: Departure from Chennai

Details Itinerary

DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT COCHIN

Your Glimpses of South India tour begins when you arrival takes place at the Cochin airport and you are greeted by our representative who will ensure that you get settled in your hotel comfortably. In the meantime, he hands over travel documents and briefs you about the tour. Your afternoon is at leisure and you can make a visit to the local market on your own or with your driver. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 02: SIGHTSEEING IN COCHIN

After breakfast, your Tour Guide will meet you in the lobby and take you for a full day city tour of Kochi and places includes to visit are Fort Kochi, St.Francis' Church, The Dutch Cemetery, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace. Later you can buy spices to bring memories from this ancient spice trade city. In the evening, if you wish, then your driver can take you out to enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance program. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

DAY 03: JOURNEY FROM COCHIN TO KUMARAKOM (60 KMS/1.5 HOUR)

After leisure breakfast, you drive to Kumarakom and once you reach here, the rest of the day is at leisure. The life of Kumarakom lies at the backwaters of Vembanad Lake. So enjoy lush paddy fields and spice trails on your own and visit Bird Sanctuary which is close to Vembanad lake. Overnight at the hotel / backwater houseboat.

 

DAY 04: JOURNEY FROM KUMARAKOM TO THEKKADY (125 KMS/3 HOURS)

After leisurely breakfast, you are headed towards Thekkady and our representative will be there to assist you to do check-in formalities once you reach your hotel. Today we have not scheduled any program but you can enjoy having a boat ride on Periyar Lake and watch the animals bathing or playing at the edge of the water. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 05: PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

After breakfast, Your Tour Guide will take you to Periyar National Park to enjoy the scenic beauty of South India’s exotic wildlife. The park is home to rare varieties of deer, elephants, bison, sambars and many more animals. The most exciting one is to spot Tigers which are plenty. Later, if time permits, then you can explore the spice plantations of Periyar. Famous for its huge spice fields, the city is one of the biggest producers of pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 06: JOURNEY FROM PERIYAR TO MADURAI (170 KMS/3 HOURS)

After breakfast, you begin your journey to reach to Madurai. Rest of the day is at leisure and you can plan it the way you want. The free time can also be utilized to taste South Indian cuisine and buy Colourful Saris. Overnight at the Hotel.

 

DAY 07: JOURNEY FROM MADURAI TO TRICHY (135 KMS/2 HOURS)

After leisure breakfast, Visit Meenakshi Temple which is the heart of this ancient and historic city. The rest of the time you can spend while exploring Tirumalai Nayak (just 1.5 Km from the Meenakshi temple), The Gandhi Museum, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam which is an artificial reservoir and just 5 Kms away and Koodalazhagar Temple. Later in the day, you are headed towards Trichy. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 08: TRICHY TO PONDICHERRY(205 KMS/4 HOURS)

After breakfast, Visit Rock Fort Temple which is considered to be one of the oldest rocks. Later Srirangam Island also known as the Temple Town. It is believed to be the India's largest temple and a bridge connects to its complex. You can also visit St. Lourdes Church, Thiruvanaikkaval Temple. Later proceed to Pondicherry. Overnight at the Hotel.

 

DAY 09: PONDICHERRY TO MAHABALIPURAM (100 KMS/1.5 HOUR)

After breakfast, Explore the Beach Road which holds exciting memories of the french impressions like Ashram Press, the Town Hall, The Warm Memorial. You can also stretch your leg at Rue Dumas, the oldest street in the city and ends at Rue du Bazar St Laurent. Later visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram which holds an excellent atmosphere and attracts automatically for meditation seekers. Rest of the time, you continue your walk at looking Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Bharathi Park (French financial and administrative buildings), Gandhi Statue and Botanical Garden. Later in the day, continue your drive to the city of Mahabalipuram. Overnight at the Hotel.

 

DAY 10: SIGHTSEEING IN MAHABALIPURAM AND KANCHIPURAM

After an early breakfast, We have scheduled a full day tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram with your Tour Guide. Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock-cut and monolithic monuments that represent the early stages of Dravidian architecture. They constitute cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples. Here you will see the Shore Temple which is the trademark of this ancient city, Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest bas-relief panel, Family of Monkeys, Krishna's Butterball, Mahishasuramardini Cave. Later, Take a tour of Kanchipuram, another city famous for its Dravidian architecture and picturesque temples like the Kamakshi temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashanathar Temple,Kanchi Kudil (Museum) and Kamakoti Mutt. Overnight at the Hotel.

 

DAY 11: MAHABALIPURAM TO CHENNAI (55 KMS)

After breakfast, you drive to Chennai so that you can have a sightseeing tour in the afternoon. Once you comfortably settled at your hotel, be ready for an exciting city tour with your Tour Guide. Later, after you have freshened up, begin your guided tour of the city covering places like the Fort of St. George, Fort Museum, St. Mary Church, Madras High Court, Egmore which is the Government Museum Complex and holds important symbols of Chennai, the majestic Basilica of Santhome and Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world. Overnight at the Hotel.

 

DAY 12: DEPARTURE FROM CHENNAI

After leisurely breakfast, the rest of the time is spent at leisure or enjoy facilities at the hotel. Our representative will assist you with the checkout formalities and then drive you to the Chennai airport in time for your flight back home.


Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.

Inclusions/Exclusions

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

  • Accommodation on bed & breakfast basis based on double/twin occupancy.
  • Excursions and touring as specified in itinerary, all on private basis.
  • All airport and ground transportation on private basis.
  • Driver allowance and all presently applicable taxes.
 
*Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described, items of a personal nature.

Add-ons

Contact us for more details.