It’s all about intrinsic richness – be it in picturesque settings, vibrant culture, authentic cuisine, splendorous monuments or all those special experiences one would love to come across in a soul-seeking journey. Get to know the Grand Tour of South India and go through all the rich experiences that you will cherish for a lifetime. It will be a holiday, vacation and trip that you will never forget.

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It’s all about intrinsic richness – be it in picturesque settings, vibrant culture, authentic cuisine, splendorous monuments or all those special experiences one would love to come across in a soul-seeking journey. Get to know the Grand Tour of South India and go through all the rich experiences that you will cherish for a lifetime. It will be a holiday, vacation and trip that you will never forget.

Tour Highlights:

  • Heritage & Cultural Sites of South India
  • Ancient Temples
  • Scenic Backwaters, Wildlife of Kerala
  • Beaches of Goa

Trip summary

  • Travel style Tailor-made travel
  • Departure Chennai
  • End Bangalore
  • Countries
    • India
  • City
    • Chennai
    • Tirupati
    • Kanchipuram
    • Mahabalipuram
    • Pondicherry
    • Tanjore
    • Trichy
    • Chettinad
    • Madurai
    • Kanyakumari
    • Trivandrum
    • Alleppey
    • Kumarakom
    • Munnar
    • Cochin
    • Ooty
    • Mysore
    • Hassan
    • Hospet
    • Badami
    • Goa
    • Bangalore
  • Theme Art, history and cultural trips
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Chennai
    Day 1

    Arrival in Chennai, After the customs formalities, Meet with MTA Representative. Our Representative will be waiting for You Outside the exit gate of International Airport.

    Start Your Day with the panoramic tour of the city with the Marina Beach and the church of Saint Thomas, who came to India in 3rd century AD. In the afternoon excursion to Kanchipuram to visit the famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Particularly the Temples of Kailashanataha and Ekanbaranathara.

    Please Note: The Tour Starts at 9 AM in the Morning, please plan your arrival accordingly. Hotel Checkin would be  After the sightseeing.

    Inclusions: Accommodation, Transport, Tour Guide, Monument Entrances

    Tour Highlights : St Thomas Church, Kanchipuram Temple, Kailashanatha Temple’

    Visited places:
    • Chennai
  • 2
    Chennai – Tirupati
    Day 2

    After breakfast, proceed to Tirupati, famous temple town of Andhra Pradesh in South India.

    Check in at your hotel and in the evening visit Balaji Temple - the richest temple of the world.

    Overnight in Tirupati.

    Visited places:
    • Chennai
    • Tirupati
  • 3
    Tirupati - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
    Day 3

    Morning drive (120kms/3hours) to Kanchipuram - one of the seven sacred cities in India.

    Visiting of the Temples of Kanchipuram, includes Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunda Perumal temple and Ekambareshwarar Temple.

    After lunch drive (65kms / 2hours) to Mahabalipuram.

    Check-in to your hotel and rest of the day free. Overnight in Mahabalipuram

    Visited places:
    • Tirupati
    • Kanchipuram
    • Mahabalipuram
  • 4
    Mahabalipuram
    Day 4

    Morning tour of Mahabalipuram visiting the Shore temples, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna’s Butter Ball and Five Rathas.

    The afternoon will be free. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

    Visited places:
    • Mahabalipuram
  • 5
    Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
    Day 5

    After breakfast drive to Pondicherry, formerly a French Colony.

    Check-in to your hotel and in the afternoon sightseeing of Pondicherry. The main attraction here, is the Aurobindo Ashram which was founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926. The ashram is one of the most popular in India with westerners, and is also one of the most affluent. Later, visiting of Manakula Vinayagar Temple.

    In the evening explore the French buildings.

    Overnight in Pondicherry.

    Visited places:
    • Mahabalipuram
    • Pondicherry
  • 6
    Pondicherry - Tanjore
    Day 6

    After breakfast departure for Tanjore.

    Enroute visiting of Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram; later visit Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram temple listed in UNESCO as heritage sites.

    Overnight in Tanjore.

    Visited places:
    • Pondicherry
    • Tanjore
  • 7
    Tanjore
    Day 7

    Morning tour of Tanjore visiting the Brahadeeswara temple which was built by Chola King Rajaraja and is termed as the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture, listed in world heritage monuments and also visiting the Tanjore Palace which was constructed in 16th Century. It boasts huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers.

    In the afternoon you will visit Kumbakonam Temples, Sarangapani Temple, Kumbeshwara Temple and Mahamaham Tank.

    Overnight in Tanjore.

    Visited places:
    • Tanjore
  • 8
    Tanjore – Trichy
    Day 8

    After breakfast drive to Trichy.

    Check-in to your hotel and in the evening you will visit the Srirangam Temple, superb temple complex surrounded by seven concentric walls with 21 gopurams and probably the largest in India.

    Later visiting of Rock Fort Temple - dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

    Overnight in Trichy.

    Visited places:
    • Tanjore
    • Trichy
  • 9
    Trichy – Chettinad – Madurai
    Day 9

    After breakfast drive to Chettinad to witness the hidden treasures of the Chettinad region.

    Your excursion includes a visiting to the Chettinad Palace, a textile weaving village, a tile making village and an antique's market enjoying special Chettinad lunch.

    Later, drive to Marudai, check-in to hotel and witness the temple ceremony at Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple.

    Overnight in Madurai.

    Visited places:
    • Trichy
    • Chettinad
    • Madurai
  • 10
    Madurai
    Day 10

    Day visiting Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Tiruparamkundram Temple, Alagarkoil, Palamudir Cholai & Vandiyur Mari Amman Teppakulam.

    Overnight in Madurai.

    Visited places:
    • Madurai
  • 11
    Madurai - Kanyakumari
    Day 11

    After breakfast drive to Kanyakumari where you will meet the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

    Check-in to your hotel and in the afternoon visiting of Kumari Amman Temple, sanctity dedicated to the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of India.

    Evening enjoy the beautiful sunset over the Arabian Sea.

    Overnight in Kanyakumari.

    Visited places:
    • Madurai
    • Kanyakumari
  • 12
    Kanyakumari – Trivandrum
    Day 12

    During the early morning we will witness the sunrise.

    After breakfast transfer to Trivandrum, check-in to your hotel and in the afternoon you will visit Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum and Sri Chitra Art Gallery.

    Overnight in Trivandrum.

    Visited places:
    • Kanyakumari
    • Trivandrum
  • 13
    Trivandrum -Alleppey
    Day 13

    After breakfast departure for Alleppey – an enchanting backwater village.

    You will go by your houseboat at 12.30pm in order to cruise along the canals of Vembanad Lake to witness the traditional Kerala village life remained unchanged for many years. There your crew will prepare you delicious Kerala meal.

    Overnight at the houseboat.

    Visited places:
    • Trivandrum
    • Alleppey
    Accommodation offered:
  • 14
    Kumarakom – Periyar
    Day 14

    After breakfast, departure for Periyar, on the arrival check-in at your hotel.

    In the afternoon boat safari on the lake of Periyar to view the wild life and take spice tour – you will actually see the spices of Kerala in their natural habitat.

    Overnight in Periyar.

    Visited places:
    • Alleppey
    • Kumarakom
    • Thekkady
  • 15
    Periyar – Munnar
    Day 15

    After breakfast drive to Munnar through tea, cardamom & pepper plantations.

    Check-in to your hotel and afternoon visiting to Mattupatti dam, Tea Museum, Echo Point, Top Station and other scenic spots.

    Overnight in Munnar.

    Visited places:
    • Thekkady
    • Munnar
  • 16
    Munnar – Cochin
    Day 16

    After breakfast drive to Cochin - known as Queen of Arabian Sea.

    Check-in to your hotel and in the afternoon visiting of the historic Fort Cochin including St. Francis Church - the oldest European Church in India. We will walk through Fort Cochin area to witness the operation of huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.

    Then, we will visit Mattancherry Palace – houses lots of mural paintings and explore the Jew Town and its spice markets.

    In the evening watch Kathakali Dance Show – traditional dance of Kerala. Overnight in Cochin.

    Visited places:
    • Munnar
    • Cochin
  • 17
    Cochin – Ooty
    Day 17

    After breakfast drive to Ooty and stop at Coonoor to take the Toy Train journey.

    The train departure is set at 4.30 pm in order to enjoy the scenic beauty of Nilgiri Hills.

    Arrival to Ooty at 5.45pm and a car will pick you and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free.

    Overnight in Ooty.

    Visited places:
    • Cochin
    • Ooty
  • 18
    Ooty
    Day 18

    Day tour of Ooty visiting botanical garden, Totabetta peak, and explore of tea plantations that spread as green carpet over the mountains.

    Overnight in Ooty.

    Visited places:
    • Ooty
  • 19
    Ooty – Mysore
    Day 19

    After breakfast drive to Mysore.

    Check-in to your hotel and afternoon visiting of Mysore Palace. This palace was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore.

    Visiting of Chamundi Hill - overlooking Mysore from 1062m summit of the hill, it is home of the Sri Chamundeeswari temple and Brindhavan Gardens.

    Overnight in Mysore.

    Visited places:
    • Ooty
    • Mysore
  • 20
    Mysore - Hassan
    Day 20

    After breakfast leave for Hassan.

    Enroute visit Sravanabelagola.

    Hotel check-in in the afternoon and visiting of Belur and Halebid Hoysala temples.

    Overnight in Hassan.

    Visited places:
    • Mysore
    • Hassan
  • 21
    Hassan - Hospet
    Day 21

    After breakfast, we will leave to reach Hospet and check-in to your hotel.

    Rest of the day free, overnight in Hospet.

    Visited places:
    • Hassan
    • Hospet
  • 22
    Hospet
    Day 22

    Full day tour of Hampi, which holds many delightful surprises. Visiting of the UNESCO’s heritage site at Hampi.

    The temples of Hampi boast monolithic sculptures and monuments and attract the traveler because of their excellent workmanship.

    The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi reflects the splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site.

    Overnight in Hospet.

    Visited places:
    • Hospet
  • 23
    Hospet - Badami
    Day 23

    After breakfast drive to Badami and check-in to your hotel.

    The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Badami.

    Visited places:
    • Hospet
    • Badami
  • 24
    Badami
    Day 24

    Badami, dramatically sited in a gorge between two sandstone hills. In the afternoon visit the remarkable temples at Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole was the first Chalukyan capital and is regarded as the birthplace of Indian temple architecture. Overnight in Badami.

    Visited places:
    • Badami
  • 25

    After breakfast lead to Goa and check-in to your Beach resort.

    Rest of the day free and overnight in Goa.

    Visited places:
    • Badami
    • Goa
  • 26

    Transfer to Goa airport for your flight to Bangalore.

    The end of our tour has come. After breakfast, you will have freetime until the transfer to the airport.

    Visited places:
    • Goa
    • Bangalore
  • Prices and conditions

    Price includes
    • Accommodation in above Specified Hotels or similar
    • Breakfast in all hotels
    • Special Chettinad Lunch at The Bangala
    • Dinner at Munnar & Badami 
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner on board houseboat  
    • Kathakali Show in Cochin
    • Boat Ride, Spice Plantations Tour & Elephant Ride in Thekkady
    • 1st Class Toy Train Journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty 
    • All transfers and sightseeing by Air Conditioned Car with English speaking driver for the entire tour
    • Driver’s allowances, diesel / parking charges and all expenses related to car & driver
    • Assistance at arrival and departure points
    • All taxes
    Price does not include
    • Entrance fee, Guide fee & Camera fee (Video / still) & Guide fee at the sightseeing places
    • Any other meal, tips, portage
    • International Flight fares, Visa, Insurance
    • Any items of personal nature