About This Tour
Overview
This 18-day grand circuit is the definitive southern sweep of India - four states in one private journey. Begin in colonial Chennai with Fort St. George and Mylapore, then the UNESCO Pallava monuments of Mahabalipuram, silk-weaving Kancheepuram, and the French quarter and Auroville at Pondicherry.
The Chola capital of Tanjore and Madurai's Meenakshi temple lead into Kerala: the spice plantations and Periyar lake cruise at Thekkady, lake-resort leisure at Kumarakom, a night aboard a private houseboat through the backwaters, and heritage Cochin with its Chinese fishing nets. Then ascend the Nilgiri tea hills to Ooty - with the option of the UNESCO Nilgiri Mountain Railway - descend to the Indo-Saracenic Mysore Palace and finish amid the gardens of Bangalore. Private AC vehicle throughout with a dedicated driver.
Duration
17 Nights / 18 Days
Tour Type
Multi Day · Private · Guided
Destinations
Chennai · Pondicherry · Madurai · Periyar · Kumarakom · Cochin · Ooty · Mysore · Bangalore
Signature Experiences
Houseboat night · Periyar cruise · Spice plantation · Toy train option
Language
English-speaking driver & local guides
Route
Chennai in · Bangalore out · No backtracking
Top Experiences
Highlights
Private Kerala Houseboat
Board your own kettuvallam at Kumarakom jetty - private chef, en-suite bedrooms and a sunset mooring in the Vembanad backwaters
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Madurai's rainbow-gopuram Dravidian masterpiece and the Indo-Saracenic Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
Periyar Lake Cruise & Spice Hills
Guided spice-plantation walk through cardamom, pepper and vanilla, plus a boat safari for wild elephants on Lake Periyar
UNESCO Mahabalipuram
Arjuna's Penance, the five Rathas and the sea-washed Shore Temple - 7th-century Pallava granite
Ooty & the Nilgiri Toy Train
Tea-hill leisure day with the option of the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway steam climb
Heritage Cochin & Mysore Palace
Dutch Palace murals, the 1568 Jewish Synagogue and Chinese fishing nets - then Mysore's golden-domed Indo-Saracenic palace
Visual Journey
Backwaters, Temples & Tea Hills
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- 16 nights hotels + 1 night private houseboat
- Daily breakfast + all meals on board the houseboat
- Private AC vehicle Chennai → Bangalore with dedicated driver
- Periyar boat cruise & guided spice-plantation walk
- Airport transfers: Chennai arrival, Bangalore departure
- Driver allowance, parking, tolls & transport taxes
✕ Not Included
- Airfare or train fare (international and domestic)
- Lunch, dinner & drinks unless mentioned
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway tickets & monument fees
- Kathakali show, Ayurvedic spa & personal expenses
- Travel or medical insurance
- Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions
Day01
Arrive Chennai - Welcome to Tamil Nadu
Airport pickup · Leisure day
Chennai International Airport
- Meeting and assistance on arrival at Chennai International Airport.
- Transfer to your pre-booked hotel in a comfortable AC private vehicle (hotel check-in time is 12 Noon).
- Rest of the day at leisure to relax, adjust to the climate and settle in.
- Overnight at the hotel in Chennai.
Day02
Chennai - Historic Fort & Sacred Temples
Half-day city sightseeing
Fort St. George · Mylapore · Marina
- Morning half-day sightseeing tour of Chennai.
- Fort St. George - founded in 1639, marking the birth of Chennai, now housing the Secretariat building.
- Government Museum & Art Gallery - paintings and traditional/modern sculptures (closed Fridays & national holidays).
- Drive past Marina Beach and visit the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple at Mylapore.
- Overnight at the hotel in Chennai.
Day03
Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Kancheepuram – Pondicherry
~165 km / 4.5 hrs · UNESCO en route
Shore Temple · Arjuna's Penance · Kanchi Silk
- Morning check-out and drive to Pondicherry, stopping first at Mahabalipuram.
- Arjuna's Penance - 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 and the sea-washed Shore Temple.
- Continue via the silk town of Kancheepuram to Pondicherry. Overnight at the hotel.
Day04
Pondicherry – Tanjore - French Quarter, Auroville & Chola Lands
~245 km / 5.5 hrs
Sri Aurobindo · Matrimandir
- Morning sightseeing tour of Pondicherry.
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram - established in 1926, showcasing the spiritual vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
- Pondicherry Museum - Arikamedu Roman ruins, Chola bronzes and French colonial heritage.
- Visit Auroville - the universal township, and view the golden Matrimandir.
- Afternoon drive to Tanjore (~4.5 hrs) and check in. Overnight at the hotel.
Day05
Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai - Chola Masterpieces & River Temples
~200 km / 5 hrs · Trichy en route
Brihadeeswarar · Srirangam · Rock Fort
- Morning sightseeing tour of Tanjore.
- Brihadeeswarar Temple - a massive Chola structural temple built over 1,000 years ago by King Raja Raja I (UNESCO).
- Tanjore Art Gallery and the historic Saraswathi Mahal Library.
- Drive to Madurai (~4 hrs), en-route visiting Trichy - the island temple of Srirangam and the Rock Fort temples.
- Arrive in Madurai and check in. Overnight at the hotel.
Day06
Madurai - Magnificent Meenakshi Temple
Half-day temple sightseeing
Meenakshi Amman · Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
- Morning half-day sightseeing tour of Madurai.
- Meenakshi Amman Temple - a spectacular, highly detailed Dravidian temple with towers looking over the old city.
- Thirumalai Nayak Mahal - built in 1523 AD, showcasing grand Indo-Saracenic columns, arches, the entrance gate and dancing hall.
- Afternoon at leisure in the temple bazaars.
- Overnight at the hotel in Madurai.
Day07
Madurai – Periyar - Crossing into Kerala Spice Country
~160 km / 4 hrs
Spice Plantation · Elephant Ride
- Morning checkout and drive from Madurai up to the Western Ghats to Periyar (Thekkady) (~4 hrs).
- Arrive in Periyar and check in at the hotel.
- Afternoon guided spice plantation tour - walk through gardens of vanilla, black pepper, cardamom and cinnamon.
- Enjoy an optional elephant ride along the plantation trails.
- Overnight at the hotel in Periyar.
Day08
Periyar – Kumarakom - Lake Cruise & Backwater Resort
~135 km / 4 hrs
Lake Periyar Boat Safari · Kumarakom Resort
- Morning boat cruise on Lake Periyar for wildlife viewing (subject to availability) - look for elephants, wild boar, otters and birds.
- Drive down the spice hills to Kumarakom, a peaceful village on the shores of Lake Vembanad.
- Check in at the resort and relax.
- Overnight at the resort in Kumarakom.
Day09
Kumarakom - Leisure on the Lake
Full day at leisure
Bird Sanctuary · Ayurveda · Canoe
- Full day at leisure to enjoy the resort's amenities.
- Optional: traditional Ayurvedic massage, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, or a sunset canoe ride on the Vembanad.
- Overnight at the resort in Kumarakom.
Day10
Kumarakom – Houseboat - Cruising the Backwaters
Overnight on board · All meals
Private Kettuvallam · Onboard Chef
- Morning transfer to the Kumarakom Jetty to board your private luxury houseboat.
- Cruise the peaceful Kerala backwaters, gliding past rustic canals, green paddy fields and coconut trees.
- Enjoy traditional Kerala meals prepared onboard by your private chef.
- Overnight on board the houseboat, moored at sunset.
Day11
Houseboat – Alleppey – Cochin - Disembark & Travel to historic Cochin
~65 km / 2 hrs
Fort Kochi · Chinese Fishing Nets
- Morning disembarkation at the Alleppey Jetty.
- Private road transfer to the historic spice-trade port of Cochin (Kochi).
- Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore Fort Kochi on your own.
- Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.
Day12
Cochin - Portuguese, Dutch & Jewish Heritage
Half-day city sightseeing
Dutch Palace · Jewish Synagogue · Kathakali
- Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin.
- Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) - built by the Portuguese in 1555 and gifted to the Raja of Kochi, containing fine Ramayana murals.
- The 1568 Jewish Synagogue - copper plates of privileges and hand-painted Chinese tiles (closed Fridays & Saturdays).
- St. Francis Church - India's oldest European church, and the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi.
- Optional evening Kathakali performance. Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.
Day13
Cochin – Ooty - Drive to Nilgiri Tea Hills
~280 km / 6.5 hrs · Ghats in daylight
Nilgiri Ascent · Tea Plantations
- Morning checkout and drive from Cochin to the hill station of Ooty (Udhagamandalam) (~6.5 hrs).
- Ascend the winding mountain roads of the Nilgiris, looking over tea plantations.
- Arrive in Ooty and check in to your hotel.
- Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the cool climate.
- Overnight at the hotel in Ooty.
Day14
Ooty - Leisure in the Blue Hills
Full day at leisure · Toy train option
Botanical Gardens · Rose Garden · Toy Train
- Full day at leisure in Ooty.
- Explore the town on your own - Ooty Lake, the Botanical Gardens and Rose Garden.
- Optional: book tickets on the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train.
- Overnight at the hotel in Ooty.
Day15
Ooty – Mysore - Mysore Palace & Chamundi Monoliths
~160 km / 4.5 hrs
Mysore Palace · Devaraja Market
- Morning checkout and drive from Ooty down the hills to Mysore in Karnataka (~4.5 hrs).
- Check in at the hotel upon arrival.
- Afternoon half-day sightseeing of Mysore: the magnificent Indo-Saracenic Mysore Palace - royal carvings, glasswork and the jewel-studded golden throne - and Devaraja Market spice stalls.
- Overnight at the hotel in Mysore.
Day16
Mysore – Bangalore - Drive to the Garden City
~145 km / 3.5 hrs
Garden City · Overnight
- Morning departure from Mysore by road to Bangalore (Bengaluru) (~3.5 hrs).
- Arrive in Bangalore and check in at the hotel.
- Rest of the day at leisure to relax, shop, or explore Bangalore's local dining scene.
- Overnight at the hotel in Bangalore.
Day17
Bangalore - Lalbagh, Palaces & Bull Temple
Half-day city sightseeing
Lalbagh · Cubbon Park · Nandi Temple
- Morning half-day sightseeing of Bangalore: Lalbagh Botanical Gardens laid out by Haider Ali with its Victorian Glass House, Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace and the monolithic Nandi Bull Temple.
- Overnight at the hotel in Bangalore.
Day18
Depart Bangalore - Onward Flight Journey
Airport drop · Tour concludes
Kempegowda International Airport
- Check out from your hotel in Bangalore.
- Private vehicle transfer from your hotel to Kempegowda International Airport.
- Tour concludes - connect to your onward flight back home, carrying wonderful memories of Southern India. Safe travels & namasté!
Where You'll Stay
Hotels
Chennai · Pondicherry · Tanjore
4-Star City Hotels - 4 Nights (D1-D4)
Colonial-era charm in Chennai, French-quarter boulevards in Pondy
Colonial-era charm in Chennai, French-quarter boulevards in Pondy
Madurai · Periyar
Temple-Town Hotel + Spice-Hill Resort - 2 Nights (D6-D7)
Walking distance from Meenakshi; Periyar wildlife setting
Walking distance from Meenakshi; Periyar wildlife setting
Kumarakom · Houseboat
Lake Resort + Private Kettuvallam - 2 Nights (D8-D10)
Lake-view resort leisure plus the signature houseboat night with all meals
Lake-view resort leisure plus the signature houseboat night with all meals
Cochin · Ooty · Mysore · Bangalore
Heritage & Hill Hotels - 6 Nights (D11-D17)
Fort Kochi heritage, cool Nilgiri climate, royal Mysore, garden city
Fort Kochi heritage, cool Nilgiri climate, royal Mysore, garden city
We will arrange and confirm your hotels as per the trip and budget - stay options are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
Good to Know
FAQs
What is the best time for this odyssey?
- October to March is ideal - pleasant plains for the temple circuit, cool Nilgiris for Ooty, and calm seas for the Cochin leg. The backwaters are beautiful even in light monsoon, but June–August hill driving can be wet.
What is the houseboat night like?
- Your private kettuvallam (traditional rice-barge houseboat) has en-suite bedrooms, a shaded deck and an onboard chef. You cruise the Vembanad backwaters past paddy fields and villages, mooring at sunset. All meals are served on board.
How long are the drives?
- Most hops are 3–5 hours in a private AC vehicle. The longest day is Cochin–Ooty (~6.5 hrs) climbing the Nilgiri ghats - broken by tea-plantation stops. Hill sections are done in daylight only.
Is the Nilgiri Mountain Railway included?
- The toy train is optional and seats are limited - we book it as an add-on when IRCTC opens tickets (usually 4 days ahead). The Ooty leisure day is designed around it.
Can the tour start in Bangalore instead?
- Yes - the circuit can run in reverse (Bangalore → Mysore → Ooty → Cochin → backwaters → Madurai → Chennai) with the same inclusions. Just tell us your arrival city.
Can I extend this tour?
- Yes - popular add-ons include Munnar's tea hills, Kanyakumari, a Golden Chariot luxury-train segment, or a Maldives beach finale. Just share your dates.
Full Route
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