19 DAYS
CHENNAI
BANGALORE
CULTURE, HERITAGE AND NATURE
OCT TO MARCH
CHENNAI, MAHABALIPURA, PONDICHERRY, THANJAVUR, TRICHY, MADURAI, THEKKADY, MUNNAR, ALLEPPEY, COCHIN – BANGALORE – MYSOR – HASAN – HOSPET (HAMPI)
Tailor-made as per hotel category and travel date
When you arrive in Chennai, India, our representative will assist you to your hotel and brief you on your tour. After handing over all relevant documents and details, our assistant will leave you to enjoy a comfortable overnight stay.
After breakfast, start your panoramic city tour with Fort St. George, the first British outpost in India, followed by a visit to the San Thome Church. Then drive to Marina Beach, the longest natural urban beach in India. After spending some leisure time here, please proceed to Mahabalipuram and, en route, explore Kanchipuram, the religious capital of South India. The city is famous for its rich historical, religious and cultural background and has many beautifully sculpted temples. After exploring Kanchipuram, continue your drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival, check in to the hotel. And spend the rest of the time at your own leisure. An overnight stay at the hotel will remain scheduled.
After breakfast, start exploring the city, which showcases the best art and architecture of South India. Best known for its exotic shore temples, the city is also referred to as an ‘open-air museum’ because of its artistic and sheer architectural design of temples and rock-cut caves. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is famous for its Chariot-designed temples and cave sanctuaries featuring monolithic architecture and sculptural engravings. An overnight stay will remain scheduled in the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel in Mahabalipuram, proceed to your next destination, Pondicherry, formerly a French colony. The city offers a tranquil atmosphere and retains the essence of the French-colonial era. It’s clean, quiet, and shady, with cobbled streets and well-arranged shops and buildings that still reflect its strong French connection. On arrival, check in to the hotel and, after a short break, visit the world-famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded in 1926 and renowned among spiritually minded people. Evenings are free to enjoy the peaceful beaches. An overnight stay is scheduled at the hotel.
Pleasebeready to leave for Tanjore by car in the morning. En route, halt at Chidambaram. This quaint town of Tamil Nadu is known as the seat of Lord Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer. Here, you visit the Chidambaram Temple, also known as the Thillai Nataraja Temple, which spans around 40 acres. Thereafter, continue to Tanjore. On arrival in Tanjore, check in at your pre-booked hotel. After some rest, the rest of the day is for sightseeing in Tanjore, including the very well-known Brihadeshwara Temple.
Return to the hotel in the evening and enjoy dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thanjavur.
After breakfast, depart for Madurai via Trichy (Tiruchirappalli). Once you reach Trichy,visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and home to one of India’s largest temple complexes. Later, visit Rock Fort, and continue driving to Madurai. Situated on the banks of the river Vigai, the city is said to be 2500 years old and is also known as the Athens of the East. On arrival, check in to the hotel and stay overnight.
After breakfast, visit the Meenakshi Amman temple. Dedicated to goddess Parvathi, the temple has twelve beautifully carved Gopurams, with the 48.8 m-high southern Gopuram featuring the most attractive sculptures. The opulent architecture and magnificent beauty make it a must-visit. Evenings are free, or you can visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Museum to explore the city’s rich culture and heritage. Stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart for Thekkady, located on the banks of the Periyar River. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Then enjoy wildlife viewing at the sanctuary on Lake Periyar by boat cruise. Later, take a guided tour of a spice plantation, exploring green farms to experience the true taste and aroma of the spices. Return to the hotel. The evening is free for leisure before your overnight stay.
After breakfast, leave Thekkady and head to Munnar, one of Kerala’s most popular hill stations. Munnar has a lot to mesmerise, lush scenery, refreshing surroundings, amazing weather, a cool breeze, various wonderful tourist attractions, verdant tea and coffee estates, and so on. When you arrive, please check into the hotel. After freshening up, the day is free for you to relax or take a short walk at a scenic spot.
After breakfast, prepare for a sightseeing tour of Munnar. Begin at the Tea Museum to learn about processing India’s favourite brew. Then explore Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Kundale Lake. In the afternoon, visit Eravikulam National Park, famous for its Nilgiri Tahr and Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once every 12 years. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, depart for Alleppey. Famous for its palm-fringed canals, picturesque lakesides, and tranquillity, it is best experienced with an overnight houseboat journey. Upon arrival, board a traditional Kerala houseboat to explore life on the backwaters. Stay overnight on the houseboat and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat. And then depart to Cochin. On arrival, check into the hotel after freshening up, visit India’s oldest Synagogue, then take a tour of the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India – the St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried. Evening, enjoy a Kathakali Dance show; later, return to the hotel and stay overnight.
Upon your arrival in Bangalore, India, our driver will meet you and take you to Mysore. Along the way, we will stop at Srirangapatnam, a picturesque island nestled in the Cauvery River, famed for its majestic Ranganathaswamy Temple and the historic summer Palace of Tipu Sultan. Following a short exploration of the temple, we continue our scenic drive to Mysore. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and unwind for the night.
After breakfast, begin your tour at the majestic Mysore Palace, a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture and the city’s crown jewel. Continue to the Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery, where rare and exquisite artworks await your discovery. Wander through the awe-inspiring St. Philomena’s Church before heading to Brindavan Garden in the evening. Here, the musical fountains and vibrant lights turn the gardens and the nearby Krishna Raja Sagar Dam into a dazzling wonderland. Your overnight stay at the hotel promises comfort and relaxation.
After breakfast, set out for Hassan, your next adventure. Along the way, pause at Shravanabelagola, where the awe-inspiring 57-foot statue of Lord Gomateshwara Bahubali rises above the landscape. Take in the spiritual atmosphere before continuing to Hassan. Once you arrive and settle into your hotel, venture out to explore the ancient temples of Belur and Halebidu, each over a thousand years old. Marvel at temple walls alive with intricate carvings of Hindu legends and graceful dancers. These remarkable temples are on the path to becoming UNESCO World Heritage sites. After a day of discovery, unwind at the Hoysala village resort for a restful night.
After breakfast, set out for Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captures the enchanting spirit of ancient Karnataka. This remarkable destination unfolds like an open-air museum, brimming with majestic architecture, echoes of history, and timeless temples. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and enjoy the day at your own pace. Your overnight stay awaits at the hotel.
After a hearty breakfast, set out to feast your eyes on the wonders of Hampi’s architecture. Once the proud capital of the Vijaya Nagar Empire, Hampi was once considered even grander than Rome, with palaces, temples, and sculptures scattered across its landscape. Highlights include the elegant two-storied Lotus Mahal with its graceful archways, the impressive Elephant Stables, and the breathtaking Vittala Temple, home to a majestic pillared hall and the iconic Stone Chariot. The Virupaksha Temple, still alive with worship, draws visitors from near and far. Do not miss the towering 6.7-meter Ugra Narasimha monolith and the historic Mahanavami Dibba before returning to your hotel for a restful overnight stay.
After breakfast, drive to Bengaluru. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for your own individual activities, or simply relax and unwind at the hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your flight back home, carrying with you unforgettable memories of your journey through India with Intense India Tours.