Overview of 16 Days Best of South India Tour Package

Discover the vibrant heritage of South India on this immersive 16-day Best of South India Tour & Kerala Backwaters journey through Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Travel through diverse landscapes stretching from the Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean, while exploring remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, centuries-old temples, and culturally rich cities. This thoughtfully designed itinerary offers deep insights into India’s spiritual traditions, architectural brilliance, and living heritage, along with authentic interactions that reflect the rhythm of local life. From exploring serene wildlife sanctuaries and tranquil backwaters to experiencing the charm of mist-covered hill stations and scenic mountain vistas, the journey perfectly combines culture, nature, and history into one unforgettable travel experience.

Itinerary at a Glance
DAY 1: CHENNAI ARRIVAL
DAY 2: CHENNAI SIGHTSEEING
DAY 3: EXCURSION TO KANCHIPURAM AND MAMALLAPURAM
DAY 4: CHENNAI TO BANGALORE BY TRAIN
DAY 5: BANGALORE TO HASSAN BY ROAD
DAY 6: HASSAN TO MYSORE BY ROAD
DAY 7: MYSORE TO COONOOR BY ROAD
DAY 8: COONOOR TO OOTY BY TOY TRAIN & RETURN CONNOR BY CAR
DAY 9: COONOOR TO MUNNAR BY ROAD
DAY 10: MUNNAR TO PERIYAR BY ROAD
DAY 11: PERIYAR TOUR
DAY 12: PERIYAR TO ALLEPPEY (HOUSEBOAT) BY ROAD
DAY 13: ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM BY ROAD
DAY 14: KUMARAKOM TO COCHIN BY ROAD
DAY 15: COCHIN SIGHTSEEING
DAY 16: DEPARTURE COCHIN

Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: CHENNAI ARRIVAL
Upon arrival in Chennai airport, to be received and met by our representative and transferred to our hotel.

DAY 02: CHENNAI SIGHTSEEING
We commence our tour of Chennai city this morning starting with a visit to Marina Beach, which stretches for over 13km, making it the second longest beach in the world. We then head to Fort St. George, We also visit St. Mary’s Church, this is the india’s ancient church surviving British church consturcted in 1680. Later we head to the Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in Mylapore, it is more than 350 years old and is considered by Hindus to be one of the holy Places in southern India

DAY 03: EXCURSION TO KANCHIPURAM AND MAMALLAPURAM
This morning we drive 64km south to Kanchipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallavas, we will visit The 7th-century Kailasnatha Temple is the oldest and also considered the most beautiful of the town’s temples. Next we will visit The Varadaraja Temple – it was constructed by Kings of Vijayanagara.in the 16th Century. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk textiles so before leaving we visit the Shreenivas Silk House.

Next we drive to the coastal temple town of Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram, to see the rock carvings which date from the 7th and 8th centuries. Here we will see the Shore Temple, the Panch Pandava Rathas and Varaha Cave before returning to Chennai.

DAY 04: CHENNAI TO BANGALORE BY TRAIN
We rise early this morning to catch our day train, the Shatabdi Express, to Bangalore. You will be provided with a simple, light breakfast however if you require additional food make sure you pre-purchase it before boarding.

Upon arrival at Bangalore railway station and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon we enjoy a city tour of Bangalore including the Bull Temple, one of Bangalore’s oldest temples, and Tipu Sultan’s Palace.

DAY 05: BANGALORE TO HASSAN BY ROAD
Today we head 163km west to Hassan with our first stop being a visit to Sravanabelagola, one of the most revered Jain pilgrimage centres.
Our day finishes with a visit to the 12th-century temples of Belur and Halebid. We will explore The Chennakeshava Temple of Belur.

DAY 06: HASSAN TO MYSORE BY ROAD
Morning breakfast at Hotel and start our Journey to south to Mysore en-route we will visit the Srirangapatnam Fort . When we reach Mysore and check-in at hotel, Afternoon we will enjoy city tour of Mysore with Local Guide a visit the Maharaja’s Palace, consturcted between 1910 and 1913 some of palace still in use part of which is still in use.
We drive drive up the 1,062 meter high Chamundi Hill to visit oldest temple Sri Chamundeshwari Temple it was built in 12th Century. On our way back to the hotel we will stop and visit the Nandi Bull statue which was fixed out of solid rock in 1659.

DAY 07: MYSORE TO COONOOR BY ROAD
Today we head to the hills and drive to the beautiful hill station of Coonoor. Nestled in the Western Ghats at an elevation of around 1,900 meters, Coonoor is the second-largest hill station in the Nilgiri Hills. This charming destination is renowned for its rich biodiversity, especially its vibrant wildflowers and diverse birdlife, making it a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike. In the evening you have some option to walk around this charming hill station.

DAY 08: COONOOR TO OOTY BY TOY TRAIN & RETURN CONNOR BY CAR
This morning we catch the miniature, narrow gauge Toy Train from Coonoor and travel 18km to Ooty, another Nilgiri hill station also known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. There you have some time to 15 minute walk uphill to a local village located on top of the botanical gardens, where we can get insight into the lives of the local people and enjoy the incredible view over Ooty and the nearby mountains. Later this afternoon we return to Coonoor by car.

DAY 09: COONOOR TO MUNNAR BY ROAD

We have a long day of driving today through windy and hilly roads as we continue our descent from the highlands and head to Munnar, a hill station with vast expanses plantations of tea near to Munnar. Continue drive to Munnar we enter the border to Kerala. When you reach Munnar and check-in at Hotel. Situated on the side of a mountain, it gives you spectacular views over the valley.

DAY 10: MUNNAR TO PERIYAR BY ROAD
Before leaving Munnar this morning, we visit a local tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum to learn about the timeless cultivation of tea. Afterwards we commence our drive to Thekkady, where Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located.

DAY 11: PERIYAR TOUR
Enjoy a walk through the park this morning, searching for the local wildlife such as elephants, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer or the rarely seen tiger.
Before lunch we also visit a local spice village and market in Thekkady. The afternoon is at your leisure before we enjoy a Kalaripayattu show this evening, a traditional form of martial arts that started in south India.

DAY 12: PERIYAR TO ALLEPPEY (HOUSEBOAT) BY ROAD
This morning we leave Thekkady and drive to Pallathururuthy (Houseboat). On arrival we board our houseboat, While cruising to Alleppey we will witness the village life around the backwaters of Kerala. We will enjoy dinner on board and stay overnight on the houseboat

DAY 13: ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM BY ROAD
After breakfast we disembark and drive to Kumarakom. En route we stop at the local market in Alleppey, a coir factory – a fibre obtained from the husk of a coconut. Afternoon is free at leisure.

DAY 14: KUMARAKOM TO COCHIN BY ROAD
Breakfast at hotel, later drive to Cochin, Kochi is Kerala’s most mixed city and its major business centre for spices and seafood. The city constructed around a saltwater lagoon of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is a group of slender islands and peninsulas. On arrival in Cochin, check in the Cochin hotel.
After Lunch visit Kumbalangi fishing Village which is about 20 Kms. from Cochin

DAY 15: COCHIN SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy a full day tour around Kochi today starting with a visit to St. Francis Church. Our next stop is the Santa Cruz Basilica and from here we will view the unique cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. Continuing our tour of the city, we visit the Jewish synagogue

This evening we enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, a story with characters divided into the noble, wicked and grotesque wearing extravagant costumes. Kathakali is renown for its elaborate and decorative make – up and costumes, detail gestures and extremely define body movements that are performe in tune to percussion and music.

DAY 16: DEPARTURE COCHIN
check-out from hotel and transfer to the airport to board our overnight flight home

Included and Excluded