Our Trips - Cultural Tours - Southern Temple Trail

Season : September to April
Best : November to March
Duration : 21 Days


The Ancient dynasties of the Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas have left their magnificent imprint in South India. Their elaborately carved temples and the temple towns transport the visitor back into a culture and way of life that has remained unchanged despite the inroads of modern technological age. The ancient temple of Kancheepuram was the citadel of the pallava Kings between 6th to 8th century AD, later suceed by the Chola and Vijaya Nagar rulers, have all left behind a legacy of magnificent temples and one can witness an evolution of Dravidian temple at Tanjore is decalred as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. This tour will definitely leave a deep imprint in your mind for a long, long time.

Day 01
Arrive Mumbai airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02
Breakfast transfer to Gateway of India Pier. Motor Launch excursion to Elephanta Caves Island. Afternoon city tour visiting Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan ( Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial) Hanging Garden, Kamla Nehru Park, Mahalaxmi Temple. Drive through Marine drive the commercial hub Nariman Point and Crawford Market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Hyderabad. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon visiting Char Minar, Mecca Mosque, Museum Golconda fort. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04
Breakfast. Full day tour of Salan Jung Museum containing the private collection of the Nizam of Hyderabad Nawab Sultan Jung II.

Day 05
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Bangalore. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of city visiting high court, museum, Lal Bagh garden. Overnight at hotel

Day 06
Breakfast. Proceed to Hassan enroute visit the Hoysala temples and Belur and Halebid. Transfer to hotel and overnight.

Day 07
Beakfast. Proceed to Mysore enroute visit the Jain Shrine at Shravanabelagola, Tipu Sultan’s fortress at Srirangapatnam. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Mysore and Chamundi Hills, Nandi Bull Temple and Brindavan Garden. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08
Breakfast. Proceed to Ooty. Transfer to hotel. This charming hill resort in the Nilgiri mountains will remind you of the Sussex Dorsus . Afternoon visit the Botanical Garden, Dodda Betta Peak ( the highest point in Ooty for a picturesque view of Ooty.

Day 09
Breakfast. Ooty at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10
Breakfast. Proceed to Coimbatore enroute visit the Hill resort of Coonoor. Transfer to hotel for overnight. Afternoon city tour of lively bustling city. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11
Breakfast. Proceed to Madurai on the banks of river Vigai. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Naicker Palace, Mariamman Tank, Koodal Azhagar Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12
Breakfast. Proceed to Tanjore enroute visit Trichy. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Brahadeewarier Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13
Breakfast. Proceed to Pondicherry enroute visit Chidambaram. Transfer to hotel. at leisure. This former French Colony still has a strong French influence in its cuisine, names of the streets. The local police are still wearing the red Kepis inform. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14
Breakfast. Visit the Auroville Ashram of Aurobindo and mother. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15
Breakfast. Proceed to the beach resort of Mahabalipuram. Transfer to hotel. Once the flourishing port of ancient Pallava Kingdom, this small town is a perfect gem of Pallava art. Afternoon visit shore Temple, Anjuna’s penance Cave Temples and Panch Pandawa Rathas. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16
Breakfast. At leisure on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17
Breakfast. Proceed to Chennai (Madras). Transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 18
Breakfast. City tour visiting Fort St. George. St Mary’s Church, Museumg, St. Tomas Mount, San Thome Basilica, Parthasarathy temple, National art Gallery. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 19
Breakfast. Full day trip to the Pilgrimage city of Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara temple located on the Tirumalai Hills. Thereafter visit the shrine of goddess Alamelumanga at Tiruchanur. Return to Chennai. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20
Breakfast. Morning at leisure. Afternoon visit the temple city of Kanchipuram, former capital of the Pallava dynasty from 6 to 8th century AD. Visit Ekambareswarar Temple, Vaikundaperumal Temple and Kamakshi Amman temple. Return to Chennai. Overnight at hotel.

Day 21
Breakfast. Transfer to Chennai airport for onward journey.

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