Southern Heritage & Sacred Sites β€” 15-Day Private Tour | Vedhantaa Tours
Sacred Pilgrimages Β· Imperial Heritage Β· Kovalam Beach

Southern Heritage &
Sacred Sites Tour

15 days through Bangalore, Puttaparthi, Tirupati, Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari & Kovalam β€” exploring sacred ashrams, royal forts, ancient stone relief carvings, and tropical ocean horizons.

14 Nights / 15 Days
Private Tour
Bangalore Β· Tirupati Β· Chennai Β· Madurai Β· Rameshwaram Β· Kanyakumari Β· Kovalam
English
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15
Days
11+
Destinations
4
States
3
Oceans Confluence
∞
Memories

Southern Heritage & Sacred Sites β€” A 15-Day Private Journey across Temples, Ashrams & Coastal Borders

This 15-day private tour connects the most revered spiritual centers and historic kingdoms of Southern India. Your pilgrimage begins in the garden city of **Bangalore**, visiting royal gardens and wooden palaces. Travel north into Andhra Pradesh to visit the ashram of **Puttaparthi** and the holy hill temple of **Tirupati**, before heading down to the historic coast of **Chennai**. Traverse Tamil Nadu's architectural heartland, stopping at the UNESCO relief carvings of **Mahabalipuram**, the ancient silk capital of **Kanchipuram**, and the French colonial quarter of **Pondicherry**.

Explore the 1000-year-old Brihadeeswarar Temple in **Tanjore**, drive past **Trichy's** grand Rock Fort, and experience the towering Meenakshi Amman Temple in **Madurai**. Continue your sacred trail to the holy island of **Rameshwaram** to see its famous corridors, then head to **Kanyakumari** at the southernmost tip of India, where three oceans meet. Conclude this epic journey relaxing on the sandy beaches of **Kovalam** before departing via Trivandrum Airport. Travel comfortably with a dedicated private driver in an air-conditioned vehicle, staying in premium handpicked accommodations.

Duration
14 Nights / 15 Days
Tour Type
Multi Day Β· Private Β· Guided
Destinations
Bangalore Β· Puttaparthi Β· Tirupati Β· Chennai Β· Madurai Β· Rameshwaram Β· Kanyakumari Β· Kovalam
Language
English
Tour Map
Itinerary
DAY
01
Abroad – Bangalore
Welcome to Karnataka
  • Meeting and assistance on arrival at **Kempegowda International Airport** in Bangalore
  • Transfer to your pre-booked hotel in a comfortable private AC vehicle (Hotel check-in time is 12 Noon)
  • Spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax and recover from your flight
  • Overnight at the hotel in Bangalore
Airport Assistance Private Transfer Leisure Day
DAY
02
Bangalore
Gardens, Palaces & Ancient Shrines
  • Morning proceed for the half-day sightseeing tour of **Bangalore**
  • Visit **Lalbagh Botanical Gardens** β€” laid out by Haider Ali and expanded by Tipu Sultan, boasting rare species brought from other countries
  • Walk through **Cubbon Park** β€” a lush 100-year-old park housing the High Court and State Library
  • Explore **Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace** β€” a double-storeyed ornate wooden structure completed in 1789
  • Visit the 16th-century **Nandi Bull Temple** in Basavanagudi β€” featuring a grand monolithic bull polished with charcoal and groundnut oil
  • Visit the modern **ISKCON Temple** β€” internationally famous for spreading Krishna Consciousness
  • Afternoon at leisure for shopping or local exploration
  • Overnight at the hotel in Bangalore
City Tour Tipu Palace Nandi Temple ISKCON Temple
DAY
03
Bangalore – Puttaparthi
Spiritual Sai Baba Ashram
  • Morning checkout and drive from Bangalore to **Puttaparthi** in Andhra Pradesh
  • Arrive in Puttaparthi and check in to the hotel
  • Rest of the day at leisure to visit **Prasanthi Nilayam** (the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba) or engage in spiritual activities
  • Overnight at the hotel in Puttaparthi
Prasanthi Nilayam Spiritual Ashram Andhra Pradesh
DAY
04
Puttaparthi – Tirupati
To the Holy Hills of Tirumala
  • Morning checkout and leave Puttaparthi for **Tirupati**
  • Drive through scenic country roads ascending towards the Eastern Ghats
  • Arrive in Tirupati, check in to the hotel, and spend the afternoon at leisure
  • Prepare for the holy temple visit at Sri Venkateswara Temple on Tirumala hills
  • Overnight at the hotel in Tirupati
Tirupati Hills Pilgrim Town Sacred Travel
DAY
05
Tirupati – Chennai
Drive to the Coastal Capital
  • Morning departure by road from Tirupati to **Chennai** (Tamil Nadu's capital)
  • Arrive in Chennai and check in at the hotel
  • Spend the rest of the day at leisure for shopping, beach walks, or independent activities
  • Overnight at the hotel in Chennai
Coastal Highway Chennai Drive Leisure
DAY
06
Chennai
Historic Fort St. George & Mylapore
  • Morning half-day sightseeing tour of **Chennai**
  • Visit **Fort St. George** β€” founded in 1639, marking the birth of Chennai, now housing the Secretariat
  • Explore the **Government Museum and Art Gallery** β€” housing a rich collection of traditional and modern sculptures and paintings (closed on Fridays and national holidays)
  • Drive past **Marina Beach** β€” the second-longest beach in the world
  • Visit **Kapaleeshwarar Temple** in Mylapore β€” an 8th-century Pallavan-style architectural marvel dedicated to Shiva
  • Afternoon at leisure for shopping or relaxation
  • Overnight at the hotel in Chennai
Mylapore Temple Fort St. George Marina Beach
DAY
07
Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Kancheepuram – Pondicherry
UNESCO Rock Carvings & Silk Temples
  • Morning checkout and drive from Chennai to Pondicherry, stopping at **Mahabalipuram**
  • Visit **Arjuna's Penance** β€” a colossal 27-meter long relief carved on two huge boulders
  • Explore **Varaha Cave**, **Dharmaraja Cave**, and **Mahisasurmardini Cave** with Somaskanda and reclining Vishnu sculptures
  • Visit the rock-cut 7th-century **Tiger Cave** shrine
  • See the monolithic **Pancha Pandava Rathas** (five stone chariots) and the coastal **Shore Temple**
  • Continue to **Kanchipuram**, the "City of 1000 Temples" β€” explore ancient 7th-century shrines like **Ekambaswara**, **Kailasanatha**, **Sri Kamakshi**, and **Varadarajaswamy**
  • Browse famous Kanchipuram silk weaving showrooms
  • Continue driving to the French colonial town of **Pondicherry** and check in to the hotel
  • Overnight at the hotel in Pondicherry
Shore Temple Kanchipuram Silk UNESCO Carvings
DAY
08
Pondicherry – Tanjore
French Quarter, Auroville & Chola Lands
  • Morning sightseeing tour of **Pondicherry**
  • Visit **Sri Aurobindo Ashram** β€” established in 1926, showcasing the spiritual vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
  • Explore **Pondicherry Museum** β€” displaying Arikamedu Roman ruins and Chola bronzes
  • Visit **Auroville (the Universal Town)** β€” envisioned as a progressive community where people of all faiths and nationalities live in harmony
  • Afternoon departure by road from Pondicherry to **Tanjore** (Thanjavur)
  • Arrive in Tanjore, check in to your hotel, and relax
  • Overnight at the hotel in Tanjore
Sri Aurobindo Auroville Dome Tanjore Drive
DAY
09
Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai
Chola Masterpieces & River Temples
  • Morning sightseeing tour of **Tanjore**
  • Marvel at the **Brahadeeswarar Temple** β€” a massive Chola structural temple constructed over 1,000 years ago by King Raja Raja I
  • Visit the Tanjore **Art Gallery** and the historic **Saraswathi Mahal Library**
  • Drive to **Madurai**, en-route visiting **Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)** on the banks of the Kaveri River
  • Visit the famous **Ranganathaswamy Temple** in Srirangam, **Rock Fort Temple** standing on a 23m rock, and **Jambukeshwar Temple**
  • Continue the drive to the ancient temple city of **Madurai** and check in to the hotel
  • Overnight at the hotel in Madurai
Brahadeeswarar Temple Srirangam Temple Trichy Rock Fort
DAY
10
Madurai
Sheer Magnificence of Meenakshi
  • Morning half-day sightseeing tour of **Madurai**
  • Explore the famous **Meenakshi Amman Temple** β€” a spectacular, highly detailed Dravidian temple with towers looking over the old city
  • Visit **Thirumalai Nayak Mahal** β€” built in 1523 AD, showcasing great Indo-Saracenic columns, arches, the entrance gate, and dancing hall
  • Afternoon at leisure to stroll through the bazaars or rest
  • Overnight at the hotel in Madurai
Meenakshi Temple Indo-Saracenic Palace Madurai Bazaars
DAY
11
Madurai – Rameshwaram
Holy Char Dham Island Pilgrimage
  • Morning departure by road from Madurai to **Rameshwaram**
  • Cross the Pamban Bridge onto the sacred island and check in at the hotel
  • Visit **Ramanathaswamy Temple** β€” one of the four most sacred Hindu Char Dham pilgrim centres associated with Lord Rama
  • Marvel at the longest temple corridor in the world and the 1000-Pillared Mandapam
  • Spend the evening walking along the beach (No guide provided for the temple tour)
  • Overnight at the hotel in Rameshwaram
Char Dham site Pamban Bridge Ramanathaswamy Temple
DAY
12
Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari
Southernmost tip where three oceans meet
  • Morning checkout and drive from Rameshwaram to **Kanyakumari**
  • Check in to the hotel upon arrival
  • Afternoon proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kanyakumari
  • Visit **Kumari Amman Temple** dedicated to Goddess Parvati as Devi Kanya (the Virgin Goddess)
  • Visit **Goddess Bhagavathi Temple** β€” picturesquely located at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea
  • Take a ferry ride to the offshore **Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial** where he meditated in 1892
  • Overnight at the hotel in Kanyakumari
Vivekananda Rock Bhagavathi Temple Oceans Confluence
DAY
13
Kanyakumari – Kovalam
Travel to the Beaches of Kerala
  • Morning checkout and drive from Kanyakumari to **Kovalam** beach resort
  • Arrive in Kovalam and check in to the hotel
  • Spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax on the sandy beaches or watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea
  • Overnight at the hotel in Kovalam
Kovalam Beach Kerala Coast Sunset Views
DAY
14
Kovalam
Leisure on the beach
  • Full day at leisure for independent activities
  • Sunbathe on Kovalam's famous crescent beaches, try local fresh catch, or treat yourself to an optional rejuvenating Ayurvedic body massage
  • Overnight at the hotel in Kovalam
Leisure Day Ayurvedic spa Lighthouse Beach
DAY
15
Leave Kovalam
Onward flight from Trivandrum
  • Check out from the hotel in Kovalam
  • In time transfer from Kovalam to **Trivandrum Airport** (Thiruvananthapuram) in a private AC vehicle
  • Connect to your onward flight back home, carrying peaceful memories of Southern India's sacred hubs
Private Transfer Airport Departure End of Tour
Inclusions & Exclusions
What is Included
14 Nights accommodation in handpicked premium hotels on twin-sharing basis
Daily buffet breakfast at all hotels
Private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver for all transfers, sightseeing, and intercity drives
Ferry ticket to Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari
Local English-speaking spot guides in major historical sights (Bangalore, Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, Madurai)
All toll taxes, state taxes, driver allowance, parking fees, and fuel costs
Airport meeting, assistance, and transfers on arrival and departure
What is Excluded
International flights, airport taxes & visa fees
Lunch, dinner & drinks
Monument & temple entrance fees (including Tirupati and Rameshwaram entry)
Camera/video fees, tips & personal expenses
Travel or medical insurance
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions list
14 Nights accommodation in handpicked premium hotels on twin-sharing basis
Daily buffet breakfast at all hotels
Private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver for all transfers, sightseeing, and intercity drives
Ferry ticket to Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari
Local English-speaking spot guides in major historical sights (Bangalore, Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, Madurai)
All toll taxes, state taxes, driver allowance, parking fees, and fuel costs
Airport meeting, assistance, and transfers on arrival and departure
International flights, airport taxes & visa fees
Lunch, dinner & drinks
Monument & temple entrance fees (including Tirupati and Rameshwaram entry)
Camera/video fees, tips & personal expenses
Travel or medical insurance
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions list
Tips for These Locations
Weather icon
Best Time to Visit
October to March is ideal. Days are warm and dry in Tamil Nadu's and Andhra's temple towns, perfect for exploration. Kovalam enjoys tropical, sunny skies and sea breezes.
Clothing icon
What to Wear
Light cotton clothing is recommended for the entire tour. Modest attire is mandatory in holy shrines (Tirupati, Rameshwaram, Madurai) β€” cover shoulders and knees, and remove footwear.
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Currency & Tipping
Indian Rupee (INR). ATMs are widely available across major stops. Tipping guides and drivers is customary (β‚Ή300–500 per day for drivers is standard). Carry cash for temple offerings.
Camera icon
Photography Tips
Capture Mahabalipuram and Kanyakumari's Vivekananda Rock at sunrise. Note that photography inside active temple inner sanctuaries (especially Tirupati, Rameshwaram) is strictly banned.
Transport icon
Getting Around
Your private AC vehicle handles all inter-city transfers and local sightseeing. In Kanyakumari, a government ferry is taken to reach the Rock Memorial.
Food icon
Food & Water
Drink only bottled water. Try Tirupati's famous laddu prasadam, traditional Tamil Nadu meals (sambhar, rasam, kootu), and coastal Kerala seafood in Kovalam.
Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour customisable?

Absolutely. Every Vedhantaa tour is fully customisable β€” adjust the duration, add destinations, upgrade hotels, or bolt on spiritual and heritage experiences. Just tell us what you'd like and we'll build a bespoke itinerary.

What is the best season for this tour?

October to March offers the most pleasant weather. The plains of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are comfortable for temple visits, while the coast of Kovalam enjoys sunny, warm days.

Do I need a visa for India?

Most nationalities need a visa. Citizens of 160+ countries can apply for an e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in β€” typically approved within 72 hours.

Are meals included?

Daily breakfast at your hotels is included. Other lunches and dinners are at your own expense to allow you to experience local South Indian delicacies.

Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?

Yes! All our tours are private, so you'll have your own vehicle and driver whether you're solo, a couple, or a family group.

How do I book?

Send us an enquiry via the form on this page or message us directly on WhatsApp. We'll get back to you within 24 hours with a detailed proposal.

What's the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. Between 15–30 days, a 25% fee applies. Within 15 days, 50%. No-shows are non-refundable.

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