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South India Tour Package: Mumbai to Chennai Highlights

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Overview

The South India Tour Package from Eaze Tours offers a captivating journey through the cultural and natural wonders of the region. Starting in Mumbai, you'll explore its iconic landmarks before traveling to Bangalore, Hassan, and Mysore, delving into historical sites and stunning landscapes. The tour continues through Ooty, Cochin, Kumarakom, Periyar, and Madurai, highlighting the beauty of Kerala's backwaters, wildlife sanctuaries, and temples. This comprehensive package promises a blend of heritage, nature, and adventure across South India's most cherished destinations. Each destination promises a unique and unforgettable experience.

What to Expect

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Day 1 : Arrive Mumbai
- Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.
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Day 2 : Explore Mumbai
- Begin your journey in Mumbai, discovering its bustling markets, colonial architecture, and the iconic Gateway of India.
- Half day city tour of Mumbai will include a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive, Mani Bhawan (Gandhi House), Flora Fountain, Kamla Nehru Park, and finally to the Hanging Gardens.
- Experience the vibrant nightlife and explore the culture-rich city.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 3 : Mumbai to Bangalore
- Morning check-out of the hotel and transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Bangalore.
- Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
- Later, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Bangalore, one of India’s most pleasant cities.
- Explore the central area, known for its beautifully laid-out parks, gardens, wide tree-lined avenues, imposing buildings, and lively bazaars.
- Visit the Vidhana Soudha, one of India’s most spectacular buildings, constructed in granite with neo-Dravidian architectural style.
- Discover Cubbon Park, a beautifully landscaped area with flowering trees, covering 120 hectares, and known as the lung of the city, established in 1864.
- Explore other notable attractions like the Lalbagh Gardens, Tipu Sultan’s Palace, and the Bull Temple, one of the oldest temples in Bangalore.
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Day 4 : Bangalore – Hassan (Drive: 190 km / 5 hrs approx)
- Morning check-out of the hotel and drive to Hassan, en-route visit Shravanbelagola, a small village nestled between two hillocks.
- Arrive in Hassan and check-in at the hotel.
- Later, visit Belur & Halebid.
- Belur – Situated on the banks of the Yagachi River, Belur was the capital of the Hoysala Empire 800 years ago. The town is home to one of the greatest monuments of medieval India, the 12th-century Chennakesava Temple, which commemorates the victory of the Hoysalas over the Cholas in the Battle of Talakad. The temple’s exterior is adorned with intricate sculptures and friezes, while its interior features exquisite panels and richly carved pillars. A tall stone pillar in the temple courtyard is balanced only by its center of gravity.
- Halebid – Halebid, once the capital of the Hoysala Empire known as Dwarasamudra, was founded in the early 11th century AD. After being raided by the Delhi Sultanate armies in 1311 and 1327, the city was deserted and came to be known as Halebid or the Old Capital. The Hoysaleswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a prominent surviving structure from the ancient city.
- In the evening, return to the hotel.
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Day 5 : Hassan – Mysore (Drive: 120 km / 3 hrs approx)
- Morning check-out of the hotel and proceed to Mysore.
- En-route, visit Srirangapatna, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, an island fortress encircled by the River Cauvery, featuring high stone walls, moats, temples, palaces, and a great mosque.
- Upon arrival in Mysore, check-in at the hotel.
- Visit the Maharaja’s Palace, an Indo-Saracenic style palace, elaborately decorated with a jewel-studded golden throne.
- Explore the Jaganmohan Palace, converted into an Art Gallery in 1875, showcasing paintings dating back to that era.
- Visit the fabled Brindavan Gardens, famous for its dancing fountains and colorful lights, a major attraction for visitors.
- Evening at leisure.
- Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 6 : Mysore – Ooty (Drive: 160 km / 5 hrs approx)
- Check-out of the hotel and drive to Ooty, a popular hill station in the Nilgiris, also known as the Blue Mountains due to the mist that envelops the range.
- Ooty is situated at an elevation of 2286 meters and offers various breathtaking natural landscapes, each with its own unique grandeur.
- Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
- Enjoy the evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 7 : Ooty
- Morning: Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Ooty, exploring the picturesque hill slopes covered with tea estates, lush downs, and placid lakes, all set against a salubrious climate.
- Visit the Botanical Gardens, laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweeddale, showcasing a variety of exotic and ornamental plants. See a fossil tree trunk, believed to be 20 million years old.
- Experience the charm of Ooty Lake, where you can indulge in paddle boating, though the lake is increasingly weed-locked.
- Visit the Rose Garden, home to 1919 varieties of roses.
- Explore the town’s historic British buildings, including the gothic St. Stephen’s Church (built in 1820), the Stone House bungalow, and Raj Bhawan (built in 1877).
- Discover the Roman Catholic shrine, Kandal Cross, which is said to bear a relic of the True Cross, earning Ooty the title of the 'Jerusalem of the East.'.
- Evening: Free time to relax and enjoy at leisure.
- Overnight: Stay at the hotel.
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Day 8 : Ooty– Cochin (Drive: 285 km / 8 hrs)
- Morning check-out of the hotel and proceed for Cochin.
- Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
- Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 9 : Cochin – Kumarakom (Drive: 51 km / 1.5 hrs approx)
- Morning: Explore Cochin, a port city rich in history and vibrant present-day life.
- Visit the serene backwaters, golden sunsets, and lagoons surrounded by feathery coconut palms.
- Discover picturesque islands such as Vypeen, Willingdon, Ramanthuruth, Vallarpadam, and Bolghatty, contributing to Cochin's stunning cityscape.
- Tour the Jewish Synagogue, the oldest in India, and the Mattancherry Palace, once home to the former Maharajas.
- See the iconic Chinese fishing nets, a technique that dates back to Kubla Khan’s court and still in use today.
- Later in the day: Check out from the hotel and drive to Kumarakom.
- Arrive and check-in at the hotel.
- Overnight: Stay at the hotel in Kumarakom.
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Day 10 : Kumarakom – Periyar (Drive: 122 km / 4 hrs approx)
- Morning at leisure.
- Later in the day, check-out from the hotel and proceed to Periyar, renowned for its wildlife and a must-see destination in Kerala.
- Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake, situated at the heart of the sanctuary, offering a unique opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Spot animals like wild elephants, majestic gaur, deer, wild boar, Nilgiri langur, and water birds along the lake.
- The sanctuary is home to diverse wildlife including tigers, sambars, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri tahr, wild dogs, porcupines, lion-tailed macaques, Malabar squirrels, and sloth bears.
- Bird watchers can delight in spotting hornbills, blue-winged parakeets, whistling thrushes, flycatchers, and a variety of water birds.
- Evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 11 : Periyar – Madurai (Drive: 160 km / 5 hrs approx)
- Morning check-out from the hotel and proceed to Madurai.
- Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
- In the afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Madurai.
- Visit the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, located in the heart of the town. Admire the immense gopurams towering over the city and explore the intricately carved temple complex, a major pilgrimage and tourist destination.
- Explore the Tirumalai Nayak Temple, known for its Indo-Saracenic architectural style, built in the 17th century. See the impressive pillars, ranging in height from 4m to 12m, and the 15 domes, three of which are enormous.
- Visit the Palace Building within the Tirumalai Nayak Temple, featuring beautiful arches and unique ornamental workmanship.
- Visit Vandiyur Mariamman Tank, a vast temple tank measuring 304.8 meters on each side, with a central mandapam.
- Discover Madurai’s traditional handicrafts, particularly those made from brass and bronze, as the city is also a business hub for these crafts.
- Evening at leisure to explore the local market.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 12 : Madurai – Tiruchirapali (Drive: 128 km / 3 hrs approx)
- Morning: Check-out of the hotel and proceed for Tiruchirapalli.
- Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
- Afternoon: Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Tiruchirapalli, starting with the Rock Fort, perched on a massive rock that rises 83 meters above the plains.
- Visit the Rock Fort Temple, built by the Nayak of Madurai, and learn about its historical significance during the Carnatic battles in the 18th century.
- Explore Srirangam, a picturesque island between the Cauvery river and its tributary Kollidam, located north of Tiruchirapalli.
- Visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest Vaishnavite temples in South India, dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries.
- Marvel at the 21 magnificent towers, stone pillars adorned with intricate carvings, and the seven walls surrounding the temple, within which the town is situated.
- Evening: Leisure time to explore the local town.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 13 : Tiruchirapali – Thanjavur (Drive: 54 km / 2 hrs approx)
- Morning: Check-out from the hotel and drive to Thanjavur.
- Upon arrival: Check-in at the hotel.
- Later: Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Thanjavur, known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu and home to many ancient temple wonders.
- Visit the Brihadeeswara Temple (Big Temple of God), an architectural marvel built by the Cholas. The temple's tower rises 15 meters from a 28.8-meter square base, tapering to a total height of 64.8 meters, capped by an 81.3-tonne monolithic stone slab with winged niches on four sides.
- Explore The Palace near the temple, a grand structure partly built by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and later expanded by the Marathas. The palace features vast corridors, spacious halls, and two towers: the armory and observation towers visible from all parts of the city.
- Visit Saraswathi Mahal Library, which houses over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages.
- Evening: Leisure time to explore the local town.
- Overnight: Stay at the hotel.
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Day 14 : Thanjavur – Pondicherry (Drive: 210 km / 7 hrs approx)
- Morning check-out of the hotel and drive to Pondicherry.
- Arrive in Pondicherry and check in at the hotel.
- Later, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, visiting the former French colony's famous landmarks.
- Visit the Aurobindo Ashram, which promotes a synthesis of Yoga and modern science to unite spirit and matter.
- Explore Auroville, a unique township founded by Shree Aurobindo and The Mother in 1926, dedicated to yoga, meditation, and spiritual growth.
- Evening at leisure to explore the local town.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 15 : Pondicherry – Mamallapuram (Drive: 74 km / 2 hrs approx)
- Morning at leisure.
- Later in the day, check out of the hotel and drive to Mamallapuram.
- Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
- Proceed for a sightseeing tour, starting with The Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples, known for housing shrines dedicated to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
- Visit The Five Rathas, five monolithic temples, each created in a different style, also known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas. Four out of the five rathas are carved from a single rock.
- Explore Arjuna’s Penance, the world’s largest bas-relief measuring 27m x 9m, depicting gods, demigods, men, beasts, birds, and almost all of creation.
- Evening at leisure to explore the local market.
- Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 16 : Mammalapuram – Kanhipuram – Chennai (Drive: 74 km / 2 hrs approx)
- Morning check-out of the hotel and drive to Kanchipuram, one of India’s seven sacred cities, known as the Golden City.
- Kanchipuram was historically the capital of the Pallavas, later the Cholas, and the Rayas of Vijayanagar.
- Visit the Ekambareswarar Temple, an ancient temple featuring the 57-meter high Rajagopuram, one of the tallest towers in South India.
- Explore other important temples such as the Kamakshi Amman Temple, a major site for Shakti worship in India.
- Continue your journey to Chennai (72 km / 2 hrs).
- Upon arrival in Chennai, check-in at the hotel.
- Evening at leisure to explore the local town.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 17 : Chennai – Mumbai Departure
- Morning: Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai, exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage, ancient traditions, festivals, fine crafts, and classical music and dance.
- Visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple, a stunning example of Dravidian architecture, with inscriptions dating back to 1250 AD.
- Explore the Parthasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century.
- Visit Fort St. George, built in 1640 AD, the first stronghold of British power in India.
- Stop by St. Thomas Mount, the site where the Apostle St. Thomas was martyred in 72 AD.
- In the afternoon, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai.
- Upon arrival in Mumbai, receive assistance and transfer directly to the International Airport for your onward journey.