14 Days Classic Southern India: From Chennai to Bangalore

Arrive at Chennai airport. Check into the hotel. Relax for the day. Overnight stay at hotel.

Today, we're going to take a sightseeing tour of Chennai. We'll go to Fort St. George, St. Thomas Mount, and San Thoma Basilica. We'll then see the Kapaleeswara temple.

Kapaleeswara Temple is in Chennai, a shrine to Siva, and the goddess there is Karpagambal. You can see many streets surrounding the temple.

Drive to Mahabalipuram and then stop at Kanchipuram. The first place you should visit is Varadharaja Perumal Temple, followed by Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamatchi Amman Temple.

Next, Varadaraja Perumal Temple is one of the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu, which was visited by 12 poet saints or Alwars.

Next,  The Ekambareswarar Temple is the largest in Kanchipuram and is found on the north side of town. The large gopuram (gateway tower) is 59 meters high and was constructed over 1200 years ago. It represents one of five major Shiva temples, and here it stands for the earth. Other four temples include Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara, Chidambaram Natarajar, Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara, and the Kalahasti Nathar temple.

Next Visit Kamakshi Amman Temple is one of the most important temples in Tamil Nadu for worshipping goddess Parvati as the mother goddess.

Drive to Mahabalipuram. Check-in at the hotel and overnight stay there.

After breakfast, you can explore Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, and the Shore Temple during your visit to Mahabalipuram.

The Pancha Rathas complex is a group of 5 monuments in the form of chariots that resemble temples. They're named after five Pandavas with Draupadi and are made out of a single monolith.

Arjuna's Penance is the story of a Pandava brother performing austerities to obtain a weapon from lord Shiva.

The Shore Temple is so named because it overlooks the Bay of Bengal. It was built with blocks of granite that dated back to the 18th century and were a busy port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty.

Next, visit Pondicherry with a stop at a salt farm to see how the salt is extracted.

Arrive at Pondicherry, Check in at the hotel, and Later visit the museum and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Walk by the Botanical Garden, Poste, Alliance Francais, and French War Memorial. After exploring the colonial architecture of Pondicherry, visit Chunnambar Boat House on the banks of the Ariyankkupam River.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Tanjore and visit Chidambaram and Gangaikanda Cholapuram.

The Chidambaram temple is widely revered as a holy place. For over 2,000 years, it has been influential in worship and architecture.

Gangaikanda Cholapuram was built in 1020 and took about nine years to finish its construction. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was erected by King Rajendra Chozhan, son of Raja Raja Chozhan.

Continue your drive to Tanjore and later visit Brihadeswara Temple. This temple is a grand example of Chola architecture. The Brihadeeswarar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the greatness of this temple is attributed to its patron, Raja Raja Chola.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, drive to Madurai via Trichy en route. At Sri Rangam, visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. This temple is probably the largest in India, surrounded by seven concentric walls and 21 gopurams dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The Meenakshi Temple, built in the Dravidian style, is a magnificent example of the old town's architecture, nearly 2000 years old. Later, visit Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, constructed in 1523.

Attend the 'Bedtime of the God' ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple in the late evening. In this colorful procession, Shiva's image is carried from his shrine to Parvati's (Meenakshi's) by musicians, temple singers, and priests.

Overnight stay at the Madurai Hotel.

After breakfast, we take a 5-hour drive to Thekkady.

In Thekkady, you can visit aromatic spice gardens and enjoy a ride on an elephant. You will have the opportunity to see amazing animals in their natural habitat.

Overnight at the Periyar Resort.

After breakfast, drive to the jetty to board a houseboat on the famous Kerala Backwaters (Kettuvallom).

Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers worldwide, this backwater country is also home to diverse animals and bird life. A unique feature of this land is Kuttanad, a region with lush paddy fields referred to as the Rice Bowl of Kerala.

Kerala is described as God's own Country because of its palm-fringed waterways and houseboats that glide down them. One can expect an enchanting holiday while cruising along those waterways on a houseboat. Along the way, you will see ancient Chinese fishing nets, lilies and paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples, and coconut groves.

Overnight stay in Houseboat.

After breakfast, check out from the houseboat and go to Cochin. Check-in at the hotel. Later, go for a sightseeing tour of Cochin city with St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays), Dutch Palace, and the Chinese Fishing Nets.

In the evening, experience the Kathakali dance show, and then spend the night at the hotel.

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and drive to Ooty (Ootacamund). At approximately 2200 meters above sea level, Ooty is a popular tourist destination for British Raj's expatriate population members. The evening is free for leisure activities.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

You can start your morning with a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Ooty. The Botanical Gardens provide cool weather and have been used as a summer retreat by British officers. Have some time to explore the markets where you can buy spices and tea.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Wayanad, a region renowned for its ancient ruins, mysterious mountain caves, aborigine tribes, hidden treasures, treehouses, jungle trails, and exotic wildlife.

You can visit Banasura Sagar Dam, Pookode Lake, Edakkak Caves, Chain Trees, and tea, coffee, and pepper plantations.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive Mysore. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and see the city's palaces, museums, and the silk factory.

During evening hours, visit Mysore Palace and Brindavan gardens.

Check out from the hotel and drive to Bangalore. En route Visit Srirangapatnam, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan and Chamundi Hills territory, watching the Nandi Bull, which is 4.8m high.

Check-in your Bangalore hotel and later proceed for city sightseeing, including buildings from the Vidhan Soudha (Government) to Public Library, Government Museum and Cubbon Park, Lalbagh garden, and finally, the Bangalore Palace.

Overnight stay at Bangalore Hotel.

After breakfast, Check out of your hotel and transfer airport to catch your connecting flight.