Welcome to the tech hub of Bangalore! Upon arrival at the airport, make your way to your respective hotel to check in and relax after your flight.

You’re free to spend today catching up on some shut-eye, unwinding in your hotel or heading out on an evening walk to buzzing areas such as MG Road, Cantonment area, Brigade Road, St Mark’s Road or UB City – a great place for shopping and one of Bangalore’s biggest commercial centres. Make your way back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT IN BANGALORE

After breakfast, check out at 10.30am and proceed to Mysore – a distance of 144km which takes 3.5 hours. En route, visit Srirangapatna Fort – an important historical site in Karnataka and boasting Indo-Islamic style architecture dating back to the 15th century. This fort owes its strength to the double walls and four majestic gates. Within it, you’ll find Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and characterised by magnificent Vijayanagar and Hoysala style architecture.

After visiting the fort and temple, make your way to St Philomena’s Cathedral in Mysore – one of India’s largest churches and the second largest in all of Asia. Tourists swarm to see its exceptionally beautiful Neo-Gothic and Victorian style architecture.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN MYSORE

After a hearty hotel breakfast, venture out into the splendid city of Mysore for a sightseeing tour commencing at around 10 00 am. First, visit the famous Mysore Palace, characterised by Indo-Saracenic architecture and one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. Built in 1912, it attracts visitors from far-flung corners of the globe.

Next, head to Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and feast your eyes on Japanese furniture, paintings, woodcarvings, musical instruments and other artefacts spanning decades. 

Today you will also take a tour of the Mysore Railway Museum, home to vintage locomotives and established in 1979. Then, continue to Chamundi Hill for a spellbinding view of the city from 1000 metres up. If you have the energy, climb the 1008 steps up to the sacred Chamundeshwari Temple and Bull Statue. 

Finally, visit Brindavan Gardens – home to unique species of flora and fauna and terrace gardens with colourful fountains.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN MYSORE

After breakfast, check out around 9am and head to Kabini – 96km away and a 2-hour journey. Upon arrival in Kabini, check in and relax before heading out to the famous Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary. This sprawling sanctuary covering 55 acres is home to dense forests, steep valleys, peaceful lakes and wild streams.

Here, keep your eyes peeled for rare and exotic flora and fauna, including leopards, panthers, sambhars, spotted deer, chital and more than 250 species of birds. Enjoy an exciting boat or Jeep ride through the picturesque sanctuary during your stay too (subject to weather conditions).

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN KABINI

Hunker down over a delicious breakfast before checkout. Depart for Coonoor at around 10:30 am – a journey totaling approximately 5 hours and covering a distance of 142 km. Coonoor is well known for its beautiful tea estates, peppering the surrounding Nilgiri Hills.

En route, take a lunch break at Ooty, after Lunch visit the Botanical Garden in Ooty and Proceed to Coonoor, check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN COONOOR

Kick-start today with an early, nutritious breakfast before heading to Sim’s Park, one of Coonoor’s most popular attractions. This sprawling park/botanical garden is brimming with a wide range of vegetation and 150-year-old trees. 

Later Visit the Tea factory & Tea Garden. At Tea Factory you will learn about the origins of tea in the world and India.  You can witness the entire process of tea making right from plucking of tea leaves to the final product. Tea Garden comprises of tea plantation spread across vast area of land. You can understand the whole process of tea gardening which taking a tour through it.

Take lunch break at around 1 pm and later take a scenic train ride from Coonoor to Ooty. Built in 1908 by the British, it travels through undulating mountain landscapes, eerie tunnels and picture-perfect scenes. 

Once you arrive at Ooty railway station at 17:15 pm, driver will pick you from Ooty railway station and transfer you to the hotel in Coonoor at 18:15 pm.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN COONOOR

After breakfast, check out of the hotel around 10:30  and head to Madurai, your next destination. This 6-hour drive is very scenic. Upon arrival in Madurai, check in to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India located in Tamil Nadu. It is also considered to be the cultural capital of the state. The 2,500 plus years old city, is known for its rich cultural heritage and strong mythological history. The city not only has a glorious past but also lively and busy present. 

The magnificent temples here flaunt the architectural brilliance of the artisans, culture and architectural marvels speak of the grandeur of this place. Most of these temples and monuments are constructed by Nayaka rulers during their reign    

The kingdom of Madurai passed hands between the Pandyas,  Kalabhra dynasty, Cholas, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara empire, Nayaks and finally by Britishers before independence. 

OVERNIGHT IN MADURAI

Kick off your day with a hearty breakfast before proceeding to the culturally abundant city of Madurai – starting with the very famous Thirumalai Nayakar Palace. Built in the year 1635 by the King Thirumalai Nayak, the palace is a masterpiece for royal stay. It features an artistic blend of Dravidian and Islamic styles of architecture. Later head to St. Mary's Cathedral Church which over is over 150 years old. The church is known for its architectural brilliance and religious significance.

Around 12.30 pm, take lunch break and then visit the Gandhi Museum. It is home to writing material and other objects relating to Gandhi’s life. After delving deep into Gandhi’s history at the museum, make your way to Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of India’s oldest and most important Hindu temples. Dedicated to the Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, thousands of devotees visit the temple on a daily basis. 

OVERNIGHT IN MADURAI

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Kumbakonam – 219km away and a 4-hour drive. En route, stop off at Thanjavur and its sensational palace – home to Thanjavur paintings and statues from the Chola, Pallava, Pandiya and Nayaka periods. Thanjavur is also home to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Brihadisvara Temple – boasting unparalleled architecture and established by the Chola rulers in the 16th century.

Visit Thanjore Grand Maratha Palace and later visit Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjore. Around 1pm, take lunch break and then check in at Kumbakonam Heritage Resort. In the evening, enjoy a Bullock Cart ride at Kumabakonam subject to weather conditions.

OVERNIGHT IN KUMBAKONAM

Following a hearty breakfast, Check out at 10:30 Hours  make your way to Airavatesvara temple, also known as Darasuram Temple. This World Heritage Site was built back in the 12th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Afternoon  head in the direction of Pondicherry – a total distance of 131 km and likely to take around 3 hours 10 minutes. Once you arrive in Pondicherry, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day unwinding. You’ll also have the chance to watch a cooking demonstration and learn a thing or two about South Indian cuisine.

OVERNIGHT IN PONDICHERRY

Pondicherry is full of French colonial architecture – the French have had the greatest influence by far out of all the city’s visitors over the years. Pondicherry is also a buzzing cosmopolitan hub full to the brim with wonderful sights and delights such as the Sri Aurobindo Ashram premises, the Grand Bazar, Pondicherry Museum, the French War Memorial, the Aayi Mandapam Park Monument, the Promenade and Pondicherry Beach.

Kick start your tour with a visit to the Auroville (Matrimandir) and the Aurobindo Ashram. Matrimandir is spiritually significant for those who practice Integral Yoga, while Sri Aurobindo Ashram houses the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo. Later visit Vinayaka Ganesh Temple. Also known as Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam, this ancient temple was constructed over 500 years ago and it still stands in all its magnificent glory.

Later take a lunch Break at White Town, a popular shopping market,. Later on, proceed to the French War Memorial and pay respect to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during WWI. Then, visit Our Lady of Angels Church and marvel at the rare oil painting of Our Lady of the Assumption and the fabulous Greek/Roman architecture.

Your next stop will be the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a church known for its opulent, elegant exteriors and neo-Gothic architecture. Founded in 1908, it is Pondicherry’s first basilica. After, make your way to the Seaside Promenade Beach and relax on this 1.5km stretch of glorious sand – home to iconic landmarks such as the Old Lighthouse, French War Memorial and Town Hall. Marvel at the mighty Mahatma Gandhi statue here, surrounded by eight granite pillars.

Later visit the Grand Bazar.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN PONDICHERRY

After breakfast, check out at 11 am and proceed to the last Destination Mammallapuram. Known affectionately as “The Temple City,” Mamallapuram is extraordinary to say the least – a glistening haven of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, surf spots and backpacker hangouts. Here, you can find some of India’s most popular beaches and luxurious resorts. It was also an important artistic, architectural and cultural hub between the 3rd and 7th century CE. 

On arrival, visit the Mammallapuram Shore Temples, Pancha Rathas, Ganesha Rathas & Sculpture Museum. Later, check in at your high-end beach resort.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN MAMALLAPURAM

You’re free to spend today however you please, making the most of your beach resort facilities.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN MAMALLAPURAM

Spend today relaxing by the pool or lapping up the scenic beach views from your resort. Alternatively, head out to explore the surrounding areas and sample some of the region’s delightful cuisine.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN MAMALLAPURAM

Today, after breakfast and check-out, head off shopping and sightseeing in Pondicherry before your flight from Chennai Airport. We hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday!

END OF TOUR