South India
Overview
Highlights
- Enjoy sightseeing tours lead by local experts through each region.
- Witness a traditional ceremony while visiting one of India's most iconic temples.
- Make sure to pick up a souvenir while wandering through India's many colorful and enchanting markets.
- From the savory Masala dosa to the subtle sweetness of banana curry, indulge in the flavors of India.
- Go out with a bang and enjoy a traditional Indian show on your last night, including actors, elaborate costumes, song, and dance.
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Chennai (MAA), out of Cochin (COK)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 2 nights in Mahabalipuram at MGM Beach Resort, or similar
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram
- 1 night in Pondicherry at Hotel Atithi, or similar
- City tour of Pondicherry with Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville
- 2 nights in Tanjore at Sangam Hotel, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Tanjore with Brihadeeswara Temple
- Tour to Trichy with Rock Fort and the Island of Srirangam
- 2 nights in Madurai at Poppys Hotel, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Madurai
- Aarti Ceremony at temple in Madurai
- 2 nights in Periyar at Mountain Courtyard Hotel, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Periyar with boat ride on the lake and visit to the spice plantation
- 1 night in Kumarakom at Abad Whispering Palm, or similar
- 1 night in Cochin at Casino Hotel, or similar
- Sightseeing tour of Cochin with Mattancherry with Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, and St. Francis Church
- Kathkali dance show
- Breakfast daily
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Itinerary
Arrive in Chennai airport (MAA) where you'll be met and transferred to your first hotel. Get ready to begin your South India adventure!
A Tip For Your Trip: The transfer from Chennai Airport to your Mahabalipuram hotel is approximately 2 hours. Please be mindful of this when selecting your flight schedule.
Transfer to Mahablipuram hotel
Today after breakfast, embark on an extensive sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram.
Explore the highlights of Mahabalipuram during your sightseeing tour today! You'll see the city's most iconic structure, including the Arjuna's Penance, also known as the Descent of the Ganga. This open-air rock relief is the world's largest bas-relief, measuring at 7...
This morning after breakfast, you'll drive to Pondicherry, India's former largest French colony, where you can still see remnants of its French influence today.
Unwind, then embark on your Pondicherry city tour! After the tour, explore the rest of the city at leisure; why not pop over to the city's popular market and pick up a snack or souvenir?
Transfer to Pondicherry hotel
Explore historic quarters, centers of solitude, and diverse living communities on this interesting city tour! Known as The French Riviera of the East, Pondicherry manages to retain evidence of its past as India's largest French colony.
Learn more about the Sri ...
After breakfast, enjoy a drive over to your next destination: Tanjore. Unwind at your hotel, then head off on your special sightseeing tour!
Transfer to Tanjore hotel
Thanjavur, formerly Tanjore, is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. See some of its most famous icons on your sightseeing tour today. Pass by the famous for the Brihadeeswara Temple, with its massive towers, standing over 90 feet high ...
After breakfast, it's time for your day-trip to Trichy, including a visit to the Island of Srirangam!
Discover Trichy, a historical town former capital of the Chola rulers. You'll visit the Rock Fort which dominates the landscape, standing at 300 high, which dominates the landscape. Climb to the top and enjoy sweepign views of the city below!
You'll then pay a ...
Today you will head to Madurai, India's ancient home of culture. Your sightseeing tour is tomorrow, so today you can spend the day exploring at leisure; perhaps you'd like to stop by the Gandhi Museum and Memorial, or head to a local market to find a souvenir or something to snack on.
Transfer to Madurai hotel
Today is your sightseeing tour of Madurai - make sure your camera is charged and ready to go!
In the evening, you'll have the chance to witness the special Aarti Ceremony at the temple.
Explore Madurai and discover why it's known as "the Temple City." Although it served as the former capital of the Pandya Kingdom, it was during the reign of the Nayaks (10th - 18th century) that the city's most iconic structure was built: the magnificent Meenakshi Tem...
Often called the "ceremony of light," Aarti is one of the most important and popular ceremonies of the Hindu faith. The prayerful ceremony involves waving lighted wicks before the sacred images to infuse the flames with the Deities’ love, energy and blessings. It is performed by sadhus (Hindu monks) and pujaris (attendants to the Deities).
Today you head to Periyar park and sanctuary. On your way you'll drive through Thekkady, which will enchant you as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations, and thick jungles.
Transfer to Periyar hotel
Another lovely day in South India. First breakfast, then enjoy your Periyar tour today, including a boat ride and visit to a spice plantation!
Your morning starts with a scenic boat ride on Lake Periyar, where you can observe the region's wildlife and water birds! Perhaps you'll encounter elephants bathing or a herd of bison nearby. You can spot the spotted and sambhar deer as well.
Later in the day y...
Breakfast starts early today! Enjoy your meal, then begin the drive to your next destination, which lies on the eastern shore of the Vembanad Lake bird sanctuary. This region is home to waterfowl, cuckoo, and wild duck.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure; why...
Today after breakfast you will head to Cochin, a natural harbor built by the Portuguese with lagoons, canals, and fishing hamlets! Enjoy a sightseeing tour in this port city.
In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali dance show - an amazing way to spend your last night in South India!
Transfer to Cochin hotel
Your Cochin sightseeing adventure starts with a visit to the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the year 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In the ancient rooms are 17th century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayan...
Experience a form of classical Indian dance with your included Kathkali show! This story-based form of art features elaborate costumes, makeup, and masked dancers. Traditional themes of the shows focus around local mythology, legends, and spiritual ideas from Hindu st...
Enjoy a transfer to the airport in accordance with your departure flight home.
Transfer to Cochin airport (COK)
Fly home!
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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