Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly to Bangalore Fly direct from your chosen airport to Bangalore.
Disembark and check in at the 4-star Lake Canopy Resort. (B, L) Day 9 | Travel to Periyar and enjoy an optional martial arts show Travel to Periyar (4 hrs), stopping for a home-cooked lunch with a local family, offering a taste of authentic Kerala cuisine and visit a spice plantation en route. Overnight at Cardamom County, a 4-star eco-resort. Optional evening Kalaraipayattu martial arts show (pre-bookable). (B) Day 10 | Take a morning boat ride before travelling to Madurai Enjoy a boat ride on Periyar Lake, where you may spot the local wildlife. Then drive to Madurai (5hrs), one of India’s oldest cities. Check in for two nights at the 3-star Fortune Pandiyan. (B) Day 11 | Visit the local monuments and enjoy a rickshaw ride Visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a 17th-century marvel of Dravidian architecture. Take a rickshaw ride to the iconic Meenakshi Temple. End the day at the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which chronicles India’s struggle for freedom. (B) Day 12 | Tanjore Temples and Kumbakonam Drive to Kumbakonam (5hrs), stopping at Tanjore to explore the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeshwara Temple and the Tanjore Palace Museum. Continue to Mantra Koodam by CGH Earth, a 4-star heritage resort. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B, D) Day 13 | Visit the museums of Pondicherry Travel to Pondicherry (4hrs) and visit the Pondicherry Museum, then continue to Mahabalipuram (3hrs). Explore the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay two nights at WelcomHotel Kences Palm Beach. (B) Day 14 | Enjoy the temples of Mahabalipuram and an optional Kanchipuram visit Visit the ancient rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram, including the Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance. Optional afternoon excursion to Kanchipuram, famed for its silk and 1,000 temples (pre-bookable). (B) Day 15 | Chennai city tour and farewell dinner Drive to Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital. Enjoy a city tour including Marina Beach and Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Check in at the 5-star Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels. Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B, D) Day 16 | Fly home from Chennai Transfer to Chennai Airport for your return flight home. For the full itinerary for this tour visit: vjv.com/south-highlights
Day 2 | Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Mysore Enjoy a welcome breakfast with access to wash and change facilities. Begin your journey to Mysore (4hrs), stopping en route at Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace in Srirangapatna. Arrive in Mysore and check in for two nights at the 5-star Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. (B) Day 3 | Discover Mysore’s Heritage Take a guided heritage walking tour, exploring Mysore’s colonial architecture and bustling Devaraja Market, famous for its vibrant flower stalls and spice vendors. After breakfast at the hotel, visit the opulent Mysore Palace. Continue to the Jagmohan Art Gallery, showcasing traditional Indian art, and the Mysore Railway Museum. In the afternoon, ascend Chamundi Hill to visit the sacred temples and admire panoramic views of the city. Return to Mysore Palace in the evening to see it beautifully illuminated. (B) Day 4 | Travel to Bandipur National Park and enjoy a jungle safari Travel to Bandipur National Park, nestled in the Western Ghats and known for its rich biodiversity. Check in at the Windflower Resort & Spa, a tranquil 3-star retreat surrounded by nature. After lunch, embark on a jungle safari by canter, where you may spot elephants, deer, and possibly tigers in their natural habitat. (B, L, D) Day 5 | Optional safari and journey to Ooty Enjoy a relaxed morning or opt for a second safari (pre- bookable). Drive to Ooty, a charming hill station in the Nilgiris. Check in at the 4-star Fortune Sullivan Court. Visit the Botanical Gardens, St. Stephen’s Church, and the local market. (B) Day 6 | Travel on the Toy Train and transfer to Cochin Board the iconic Toy Train to Coonoor, a scenic one-hour ride through lush hills and tea plantations. Continue by road to Cochin (7hrs), a coastal city with a rich colonial past. Check in for two nights at the CGH Earth Casino Hotel, known for its eco-conscious ethos. (B) Day 7 | Explore Fort Cochin Take a guided walking tour of Fort Cochin. The afternoon is free for personal exploration or relaxation. In the evening, consider attending a Kathakali dance performance (optional, pre-bookable), a classical art form known for its elaborate costumes and expressive storytelling. (B) Day 8 | Cruise the backwaters on a Keralan houseboat Travel to Alleppey, the gateway to Kerala’s backwaters. Board a traditional Keralan houseboat for a serene cruise through palm-lined canals and villages, with lunch served onboard.
Extend your trip – Bangalore or Chennai Stay in Bangalore before you start your tour or spend extra nights in Chennai before flying back to the UK. Bangalore per night from £85pp
Single supplement from £70 Chennai per night from £60pp Single supplement from £47
41 For more information & to book online visit vjv.com or call us on 020 3553 3945
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