Essence of South India Tour Package

IF YOU WERE TO look for a definition of South India, it would be found in the smells, sights and sounds; in its distinctive cuisine, people and temples, – women in bright silk sarees, their hair threaded with white and orange flowers; the men in white dhoti-kurtas, foreheads smeared with vibhuti. The restaurants smell of curry leaves and coconut, temples of white mongra flowers and sandalwood incense; the rhythmic chanting of prayers reverberates in the atmosphere.

Your journey begins on a beach resort at Varkala, followed by a fine wild life reserve in the hills of Kerala at Periyar. The tour includes a visit to the famed Meenakshi temple at Madurai. It goes through the tea gardens of Munnar to reach the port city of Kochi. The tour goes on to the North of Kerala at Calicut and famous home stay at Sultan Batthery. You get to enjoy the local hospitality. Visit the medieval towns of Mysore and Bangalore and the ancient temples at Somnathpur.

A long tour covering each state in South India, but one that gives you a well-rounded experience.

DAY 01: ARRIVAL THIRUVANATHAPURAM

Reception and welcome at Thiruvanathapuram airport. Proceed to Varkala, a seaside resort and spa, 55km north of the city.

DAY 02: VARKALA

Make the most of a long sandy beach and soothing mineral springs.

DAY 03: VARKALA / PERIYAR BY SURFACE

Leave for Periyar in the morning. Spending the afternoon exploring the magnificent natural treasures of this wildlife sanctuary.

DAY 04: PERIYAR

The entire day is given over to appreciating nature at this hugely popular sanctuary.

DAY 05: PERIYAR / MADURAI BY SURFACE

Drive out to see the Meenakshi temple in what is one of the South India’s most celebrated temple towns.

DAY 06: MADURAI / MUNNAR BY SURFACE

Leave Madurai for Munnar, located amidst a sprawl of tea estates and, at 1600m above sea level, one of the most popular hill stations in the country.

DAY 07: MUNNAR / KOCHI BY SURFACE

Drive to Kochi (Cochin), a cluster of islands dotting a lagoon that is one of the finest natural harbours in the world.

DAY 08: KOCHI

Tour the diverse cultural heritage of this fascinating city, once the major centre of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch.

DAY 09: KOCHI / CALICUT / SULTAN BATTHERY BY SURFACE

Fly from Kochi to Calicut and make a journey to Sultan Batthery by road.

DAY 10: SULTAN BATTHERY

The day is spent with a local family. Watch your evening meal being prepared.

DAY 11: SULTAN BATTHERY / MYSORE BY SURFACE

A pleasurable day sightseeing in and around Mysore.

DAY 12: MYSORE

Full day excursion to Srirangapatnam and Ranganathitoo bird sanctuary.

DAY 13: MYSORE / BANGALORE BY SURFACE

Take the time to see the ‘garden city’ as well as the ‘software capital’.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE BANGALORE

Transfer to the airport in time for your direct flight out, or a connecting flight via Mumbai or Chennai.