Step into the depths of Southern India on this 16-day vacation that will show you the range of the landscape and the reach of history. Your journey will take you alongside the golden sands of the Arabian Sea and into the depths of cave temples. Witness the immaculate gilded tiles in a maharaja’s summer palace before cruising down a river in search of elephants. From colonial forts to regal murals, mystical carvings to mountain villages, on this trip you will find luxury and discovery to be one...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Chennai – The Southern Gateway
Welcome to Chennai, India’s fourth-largest city. The diverse neighborhoods create an eclectic ambiance that emanates from the locals. The people beam with enthusiasm about their town, ready to treat everyone as a guest in their home. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you to your luxurious hotel. Golden sand stretches over Marina beach. A quiet rush of emerald waves hits the coastline. Traditional colorful boats rest on the shore. You find charm in the old British Fort St George. Narrow streets and old bazaars add a classic image of India in the historic neighborhood of George Town.
What's Included:
Day 2
Chennai – Through the Varied Streets of Chennai
Day 3
Bangalore – The Cosmopolitan South
Day 4
Mysore – Regal Remains
Day 5
Mysore – Flowers and Hills
Day 6
Nagarhole National Park – Rich Wildlife of the South
Day 7
Nagarhole National Park – The Staggering Beauty of a River
Day 8
Coonoor – Capital Summers
Day 9
Kochi – Coming to the Seaside
Day 10
Kochi – Seashore to Canals
Day 11
Kodaikanal – The Mountains of Kodaikanal
Day 12
Kodaikanal – Lakes and Rocks
Day 13
Madurai – The Soul of the Mountains
Day 14
Chennai – A Return to the Cosmopolitan
Day 15
Mahabalipuram – More than Karsts
Day 16
Chennai – Southern Departures
Trip Highlights
- Visit the ancient Indian City of Madurai that dates back to Roman times
- Witness the exceptional temples of Mahabalipuram each carved from a single stone
- Discover the regal history of Bangalore with a tour of Tipu Sultan’s opulent summer palace
- Scour the wilderness at Nagarhole National Park in search of elephants and tigers
- Explore the unparalleled alpine landscape of Kodaikanal
- Cruise through the backwater canals of Alleppey, known as the “Venice of India”
- Revel in the historical streets of Cochin, home to the original port of the famed spice trade
Detailed Description
The splendor of India is a mixture of ancient temples and lavish royalty, undulating mountains and the historic spice trade. On this custom tailored tour you will go beyond the cosmopolitan streets of the cities and find stunning canals, stunning tigers resting in the jungle, and summer palaces filled with tremendous style. From silk drapery flowing in the light breeze to reflective mountain lakes, lavish gardens to exquisite gateway towers, discover the incredible diversity of India by exploring the tropical south.
Your excursion begins with your arrival in Madras. The ancient city has always been considered the “Gateway to the South.” The following day your private guide will meet you and escort you through the city on a private tour. You can see the continued display of the city’s British Colonial past. Your third day brings you to Bangalore where your private transfer will escort you through the city to view the famous tree lined avenues and energetic bazaars. The city’s regal history is also prominent in the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and Tipu Sultan’s summer palace. Outside of Bangalore you will come to Srirangapatna where you will find the ruins of the 18th century capital city while en route to Mysore.
Once in Mysore you will visit the fabulous Chamundeswari Temple and the marvelous vista on Chamundi Hill. Your next destination is Nagarhole National Park, home to a magnificent population of wildlife, including tiger, elephant, and crocodile. You will spend two days exploring the remarkable biosphere before arriving in Ooty. The hillside town sits atop the Nilgiris Mountains and is home to Toy Train station. In Cochin you will find the historic remnants of the Spice Trade that has left cultural reminders of its Portuguese affiliations. Soon you will find yourself cruising along the celebrated canals of Alleppey until reaching Periyar National Park in the late afternoon.
An early evening cruise allows you to enjoy the vibrant wildlife alongside the riverbanks. After you make your way up the mountains to Kodaikanal you will have two days to enjoy the magnificent landscape that has never lost its tranquility. In Madurai you will find the exquisite Meenakshi Temple that dates back to the 17th century and dominates the old city center. When you return to Madras you will travel to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram to witness the incredible cave temples and an amazing bronze relief. On your final day in Southern India you will transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Zicasso offers a variety of India trip packages. For more options, also read the reviews of Indian travel agents.
Starting Price
$4,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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