Chennai - Mahabalipuram(1) - Pondicherry(2) - Thanjavur(2) - Madurai(1) - Thekkady(1) - Alleppey(1) - Cochin (Fort Cochin)(1) - Wayanad (Kalpetta)(2) - Mysore(1) - Hassan(1) - Hampi(3) - Badami(1) - North Goa(3) - Mumbai(1)
Day-1 Arrive at Chennai and proceed to Mahabalipuram Arrive at Chennai and straightaway proceed to Mahabalipuram (60 kms - 1.5 hours). Mahabalipuram is a heritage area by the Bay of Bengal renowned for its shore temple, a UNESCO heritage site.
Day-2 Explore Mahabalipuram and Proceed to Pondicherry After Breakfast, Visit Heritage areas of Mahabalipuram (Shore Temple, Five Ratha Temple, Krishna Butterball), visit craft making units (Sculptures) and proceed to Pondicherry (100 kms - 2 hours). Pondicherry is an erstwhile French colony, renowned for its heritage hotels and confluence of Tamil & French cultures. International travellers prefer to stay in French quarters area around the Promenade which is characterised by neatly preserved heritage homes with French architecture in a small bylanes. In the evening enjoy a walk on the french quarters heritage area of Pondicherry and the promenade in the evening. A romantic evening meal at a restaurant serving French, European or Chettinad cuisine could be a good experience.
Day-3 Explore Pondicherry During first half sightseeing options in and around Pondicherry town comprise Aurobindo Ashram, Ashram's handmade paper factory, Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Manakula Vinayagar Koil, Pondicherry Musuem, the Botanical Gardens and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Afternoon proceed to Auroville commune on outskirts of Pondicherry that is home to a unique self-sufficient international community.
Day-4 Travel to Thanjavur via Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram After Breakfast travel to Thanjavur (also known as "Tanjore" - 174 kms - 3.5 hours) via UNESCO heritage temples of Gangaikonda Cholapuram (1000+ years old) and Darasuram (900+ years old). Thanjavur is a renowned stopover for International travellers for exploring local craft, history and UNESCO heritage temples. Reach Thanjavur by evening.
Day-5 Explore Thanjavur After Breakfast visit Brihadeeswara Temple, a UNESCO heritage temple (1000+ years old). In the afternoon visit Handicraft gallery, Tanjore Painting workshops, musical instrument units and Tanjore Palace.
Day-6 Travel to Madurai. Visit Meenakshi Temple complex After Breakfast, Travel to Madurai (188 kms - 3.5 hours). Madurai is renowned for Meenakshi Temple complex and is a gateway to plantation highlands of Kerala. Evening visit to Meenakshi Temple complex having 14 gateway towers, each 45-50 meters tall. It is one of the most visited temples by heritage travellers and must visit for every traveller.
Day-7 Madurai to Periyar. Spice Plantation visit / Elephant Experience After Breakfast, travel to Periyar (2500 ft asl - 140 kms - 3 hours) via countryside areas that comprise farms, vineyards and fruit plantations. Periyar is entry point into Kerala for heritage travellers and one that is renowned for its Spice Plantations, elephant experience and periyar lake boat ride. In the afternoon visit Spice Plantation, enjoy elephant experience and then visit periyar lake for a boat ride in evening.
Day-8 Travel to Alleppey for Overnight Houseboat experience After early breakfast depart for Alleppey (145 kms - 4 hours) by 8 AM to reach Houseboat jetty by 12 noon for the check in for the overnight Houseboat experience. Backwaters in South of Alleppey is what gives Kerala the name "Venice of the East". The overnight houseboat cruise is where travellers are able to experience upclose the backwater lifestyle (Markets, Church, sights and sounds etc). Houseboat is parked in the evening on the shores of the Vembanad lake or along backwater canals.
Day-9 Fort Cochin Heritage area After Breakfast depart for Fort Cochin (75 kms - 2 hours). Fort Cochin heritage area is an extension of Cochin mainland (Ernakulam), renowned for its heritage hotels, restaurants serving International cuisine, beach front, harbour views and is very popular with International travellers. Explore locoal heritage areas (Church, Synagogue). Evening Visit to Greenix Village for cultural performance.
Day-10 Travel to Wayanad (North Kerala) After Breakfast depart for Wayanad (240 kms - 6 hours), a rainforest area in North Kerala and one that connects Kerala with Wildlife areas of Kabini / Bandipur and other heritage areas of Karnataka.
Day-11 Explore Wayanad Wayanad (4500 ft asl) is renowned for its nature centric experiences such as waterfalls, rainforests, nature park (Kuruvadweep), Wildlife (Muthanga and Tholpetty Sanctuaries), Heritage (Edakkal Caves), Lakeside (Banasurasagar). After breakfast, Spend full day exploring Wayanad.
Day-12 Travel to Mysore. Visit Mysore Palace After Breakfast, Travel to Mysore (150 kms - 3 hours), a popular stopover on heritage itineraries, renowned for Mysore Palace, a royal family residence renowned for its style and opulence and one of the most visited palaces in India.
Day-13 Travel to Hassan. Visit Halebid and Belur Temples After Breakfast, Travel to Hassan (128 kms - 3 hours), a popular stopover to visit Halebid and Belur Temples (85 kms round trip from Hassan - renowned for its Hoysala era architecture)
Day-14 Travel to Hampi After Breakfast, Travel to Hospet (315 kms - 6 hours), base point (12 kms) to visit Hampi, a UNESCO world heritage site, visited for the city in ruins from the Vijaynagara era.
Day-15 Explore Hampi After Breakfast, Full day exploration of Hampi to Visit monuments in Hampi such as Hampi Ruins, Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple, Virupaksha Temple, Hazara Rama Temple Complex, Vittala Temple Complex etc.
Day-16 Explore Hampi After Breakfast, Visit monuments that could not be visited earlier day. In late afternoon visit Hampi Bazaar.
Day-17 Travel to Badami. Explore Badami - Excursions After early Breakfast, travel to Badami (127 kms - 2.5 hours). Badami is renowned for temples with styles belonging to different eras and times. Afternoon visit to Local Badami monuments such as Badami Caves and Badami Fort.
Day-18 Aihole and Pattadakal Excursions before proceeding to Goa After breakfast proceed for excursions to Aihole and Pattadakal (UNESCO heritage site), two 1000+ year old heritage sites offering experience of wide ranging temple architectures. Thereafter proceed to Goa (250 kms - 5 hours), a prime beachside tourist destination in India.
Day-19 North Goa Experience Areas of Vagator, Anjuna, Ashwem are prime for those who want to relax by the Arabian Sea for a day. Spend the day by the Vagator / Anjuna beach.
Day-20 Day visit to Old Goa heritage sites After Breakfast, understand visit to the heritage sites of Panjim and Old Goa (UNESCO world heritage site). Monuments to visit include Se Cathedral, St Francis Church, Reis Magos Church and Reis Magos Fort. Return by late afternoon.
Day-21 Fly to Mumbai After Breakfast, travel to Goa Airport (45 kms - 1.5 hour) for a flight to Mumbai. Stay around Mumbai International Airport for a transit stay before taking the International flight.
Day-22 International Departure Homeward departure.
Chennai - Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is a metro city of India and the largest in South India. Chennai is starting point for many itineraries of Taminadu and South India.
Mahabalipuram - Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram is situated 60 km south Chennai on the famous East Coast Road. It has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th century, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pondicherry - Pondicherry is a popular destination in South India for Inbound guests on the heritage itinerary covering other areas like Mahabalipuram, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Madurai etc. Pondicherry is a popular weekend getaway ex-Chennai and Bangalore.
Thanjavur - Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian art and architecture. The Brihadeeswara Temple is located in the center of the town, which is UNESCO World Heritage site.
Madurai - Madurai today is one of the busiest towns in Tamilnadu. The Meenakshi temple is awe-inspiring and is a must visit for any South India itinerary for both Indian as well as Overseas guests
Thekkady - Thekkady (2500 ft asl) is a stopover on the South India Itinerary on Madurai - Kottayam route known for nature centric experiences connected with Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Alleppey - Alleppey is renowned for its backwaters and is known as the Venice of the east. Overnight houseboats in Alleppey lake and backwaters are considered an experience.
Cochin (Fort Cochin) - A heritage area a few kilometers from Willingdon Island. With many charming heritage hotels in the area, its perhaps the best area of accommodation for leisure and experience oriented travelers.
Wayanad (Kalpetta) - Kalpetta (2800 ft) is the main town in Wayanad region of North Kerala. Kalpetta is where most moderately priced stays are found in the area and is central to most sightseeing areas.
Mysore - Mysore is a heritage destination and well visited for the Mysore Palace and located most centrally to visit a wide ranging destinations around it.
Hassan - Hassan is an industrial town located mid-way between Mangalore and Bangalore and base point for guests to visit Halebid and Belur Temples, which are world known for their Hoysala era architecture.
Hampi - Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being home to Vijayanagara ruins and Monuments around it.
Badami - Badani is a heritage destination and home to rock cut temples and other heritage monuments. From here one also visits Pattadakal and Aihole heritage monuments.
North Goa - “North Goa” as its referred comprises Baga-Calangute-Candolim-Sinquerim, all different ends to a single stretch of beach, which gets visitors from all over India and has made Goa the world renowned destination.
Mumbai - Mumbai is financial capital of India and a major International airport, second only to Delhi in terms of flight connectivity. Mumbai is a major business hub for trade in Asia and a transit point for others destinations in India such as Goa, Kerala, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
