Great South India tour 26 days

Flight to Chennai

After arriving in Chennai our representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to Mamallapuram. Lying on the coast of the Sea of Bengal, Mamallapuram was once a port city of the Pallava Empire. After checking into the hotel, we take a historical walk through Mamallapuram. This 3-hour tour takes you to the sculptural wonders of a bygone era. We visit the famous monument Arjuna's Penance with its rare bas-relief, the Group of Five Rathas - consisting of five monolithic temples, each built in a different style and the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Shore Temple on the beach. One of the oldest temples in South India, it was built in the Dravidian style and is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. After lunch we visit the Tiger’s Cave, a former open-air theater where cultural programs were performed. A visit to the crocodile park is optional. Overnight in Mamallapuram.

In the morning, drive to Kanchipuram - a temple town known for its silk saris. In Kanchipuram, visit the famous Varadaraja Perumal Temple with its 1000-pillar hall (dedicated to the god Vishnu) and the Ekambareshwara Temple (dedicated to the god Shiva). Followed by a visit to a silk weaving factory for saris. Lunch at local restaurant. Return to Mamallapuram. Leisure on the beach. Overnight in Mamallapuram.

After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry, a former French colony. With its promenade, wide boulevards, temples, monuments, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and the associated Auroville with its lingering remnants of French culture and architecture, Pondicherry is incomparable to any other city in South India. Overnight in Pondicherry.

Heute besichtigen Sie das französische Viertel und das Auroville Village. Mittagessen im lokalen Restaurant. Abendessen und Übernachtung in Pondicherry.

After breakfast the journey continues to Kumbakonam. On the way we visit the holy city of Chidambaram, known for the large temple complex of Nataraja the dancing Shiva. Inside this Dravidian architectural structure, you will find the Shivaganga (temple dike) with a colonnade, four colorful gate towers (gopuram) and unusual golden roof of the inner sanctum. We further visit two fantastic Chola temples “Brihadeshwara Temple” in Gangaikondacholapuram, built by the Chola ruler Rajendra I, with beautiful high towers, full of many small sculptures that tell stories of ancient epics and the “Airatesvara Temple” in Dharasuram. After checking into the hotel, the rest of the day is free for your own activities. Overnight in Kumbakonam.

Today you will explore the temple complexes around Kumbakonam. Overnight in Kumbakonam.

The journey continues to Tanjore, the former capital of the Chola kings. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and we will visit the magnificent Brihadishwara Temple, which is a World Heritage Site. From there we go to Thanjavur Royal Palace, which was built partly by the Marathas and partly by the Nayaks. The Royal Palace contains a museum that houses a rare collection of Cholas statues dating from the 9th to the 18th centuries. Overnight in Tanjore.

The journey continues to Madurai. On the way you will visit Trichy, a city ruled by various dynasties over a long period of time and is known for the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. With its seven concentric walled parts and 21 gopurams, it is one of the largest complexes in India. You'll take a look at the spectacular Rock Fort Temple, which sits atop a massive rocky formation. 437 stone steps lead you up to the Ganesha shrine, from where you have a fabulous view over the whole of Trichy. Continue to Madurai. Welcome to the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and the former capital of the Pandya Kingdom. In the evening you will take part in a fantastic night ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple. Overnight in Madurai.

After breakfast we explore the city of Madurai on foot. The name Madurai comes from the Sanskrit word “Madhuram” which means “sweet”. According to legend, a sweet drop of Lord Shiva's hair fell on the earth at this very spot. The tour takes us through interesting, narrow streets of Madurai and shows you how the people live here. We visit the Meenakshi Temple in daylight and the Tirumalai Nayak Palace - a graceful building in the Indo-Saracenic style. If you are interested in the history of the Gandhian era, we can visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which offers an impressively detailed account of India's struggle for independence in the period 1757-1947. You will then gain an insight into Madurai's small-scale industries such as clothing weaving. Overnight in Madurai.

Today we continue to Periyar. The wildlife sanctuary offers the opportunity to observe wild animals in their natural environment. The land surrounding the wildlife sanctuary is used to grow tea, coffee, cardamom, cloves, pepper and other Indian spices. On the way we visit a tea factory where you get an insight into the tea production process. After checking into the hotel, you will have free time, for example for an Ayurveda massage. Overnight in Periyar.

Early in the morning we take a guided jungle tour through the national park. This 3-hour one-way walk is very interesting and offers the chance to see wildlife at a short distance. If you're lucky, you might even see leopards and tigers. Then return to the hotel to rest. In the evening you will visit a spice garden with an experienced guide. During this tour you will learn about the different types of spices, medicinal plants and their use in the Indian household. In the evening you can treat yourself to an Ayurvedic massage to relax. Overnight in Periyar.

After breakfast, drive through the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes of forests and plantations to a small hill station, Munnar. At an altitude of 1,600 m above sea level, this place is breathtakingly beautiful and offers a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Vast tea plantations, pristine mountains and valleys, exotic species of flora and fauna in the wildlife sanctuaries and forests, scents of spices in the fresh air and much more awaits you in Munnar. After arriving in Munnar, you have the day at leisure to collect your first impressions of the breathtaking surroundings. Overnight in Munnar.

After breakfast we hike along wonderful paths to Chokkamundi Hill. From there you have spectacular views over the mountains of the Western Ghats. Highlights of the day Eravikulam National Park, tea plantations, and tea museum. Overnight in Munnar.

After breakfast, continue to Ooty – a hill station in the Blue Mountains, also called Udagamandalam. In the well-known hill station, your heart will be filled with romance with the breathtaking views, the tranquil atmosphere and the green forest. Overnight in Ooty.

After breakfast, transfer to the train station from where you will board a historic steam train that will take you to Coonoor. During the journey you will be accompanied by the fantastically beautiful landscapes of the Nilgiri rainforests. In the afternoon return to Ooty. Overnight in Ooty.

In the morning you drive to Mysore, the former political capital of the Wodeyar dynasty is now a city of palaces, gardens, silk, sandalwood and incense. After checking into the hotel, you will have a refreshment break. In the afternoon you visit the colorful flower and fruit market. Overnight in Mysore.

After breakfast, visit the famous Indo-Saracenic style “Maharajah Palace” which was once the residence of the kings of Wodeyar. The interior rooms are colorfully decorated with glass and mirrors, housing an unimaginable selection of exquisite carvings and art objects from all over the world. Afterwards, drive to the top of Chamundi Mountain and visit the 2,000-year-old Chamundeshwari Temple. It is dominated by a 40m high Dravidian tower and is dedicated to all powerful goddesses. On the way back along the mountain, stop to see the huge 5m high monolithic Nandi (bull). Overnight in Mysore.

After breakfast, continue to Wayanad - the green paradise in the mountains of the Western Ghats. Known for its wildlife sanctuary, Wayanad is rich in biodiversity and is a remote rainforest comparable to Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Amidst the utter silence of the forest, you can spot elephants, bison, horse deer, peacocks, langur monkeys and even leopards. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. The rest of the day is free for your own activities. Overnight in Wayanad.

In the afternoon the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, located 16 km east of Sultan Bathery. It is an ideal place to watch the wild elephants. Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary borders with the Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the neighboring state of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu. The entire protected area is spread over 345 km2 and is rich in fauna and flora. Overnight in Wayanad.

After breakfast, drive to Cochin, a city of mixed cultures (Dutch, Portuguese and English). Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight in Cochin.

After breakfast we go on a city tour. The program includes the Jewish Synagogue, the crystal chandeliers, carved wood paneling decorated with blue and white tiles, the St. Francis Church - the oldest European church in India, the Santa Cruz Basilica, which has a striking pastel interior, the Dutch Palace, the spice market and the Chinese fishing nets (once brought to India by Chinese traders). In the evening we attend a performance of Kerala's famous dance drama “Kathakali”. This dance is characterized by impressive costumes, very elaborate make-up, passionate body movements and is performed exclusively by men. Overnight in Cochin.

After breakfast we drive to Alleppey - the land of the “backwaters”. In Alleppey, take a houseboat tour (Kettu Valam). You sail through the narrow, quiet canals lined with coconut palms, past small villages, in a water landscape with a canal labyrinth that is over 900 km long. You will be served typical Kerala food on the houseboat. You can sunbathe, far away from the usual daily hustle and bustle. On this trip, you will experience the usual activities of the rural population in building boats, producing coconut oil or making toys from coconut shells. Overnight on the houseboat in Alleppey.

After breakfast check out from the houseboat in Kumarakom. Here the wonderful landscape of the Western Ghats opens up in the lagoon landscape. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Kumarakom.

This day is free for you to relax. Nestled among lush paddy fields, plateaus and extensive rubber plantations, Kumarakom has an excellent bird sanctuary that is an ornithological paradise. Elathur, Canoli Canal and Kallai River are popular boating spots. Your eyes will feast on the picturesque backwaters of Valiyaparamba, dotted with numerous small islands. Also treat yourself to an authentic Ayurveda massage from Kerala. Overnight in Kumarakom.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and your driver will take you to Trivandrum airport. - End of our services. (Optional extension at the seaside resort is possible)