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Chennai to Bangalore South India Rich Temples, Tea Estate & Palaces Tour

0/5
Duration

12 Nights / 13 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

8 people

Languages

English

Overview

This South India tour from Chennai to Bangalore explores a rich blend of ancient temples, colonial heritage, lush tea estates, and royal palaces. Experience the architectural marvels of the Chola, Hoysala, and Vijayanagar dynasties through UNESCO sites and active shrines. Discover serene hill stations Munnar and Ooty with scenic views and the iconic Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Enjoy vibrant temple rituals, colorful local culture, and heritage towns like Pondicherry and Mysore. The journey concludes in cosmopolitan Bangalore, offering botanical gardens and historic landmarks. A perfect mix of spirituality, nature, and history in southern India.

Highlights

  • Mahabalipuram Monolithic Temples – Stunning examples of early Dravidian architecture.
  • Meenakshi Temple, Madurai – Majestic and sprawling temple complex dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi.
  • Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train Ride – Scenic UNESCO World Heritage train journey through mountains.
  • Hoysala Temples of Belur & Halebeedu – Intricately carved stone temples showcasing medieval artistry.
  • Mysore Palace – Grand royal residence with impressive architecture and rich history.

Bulk discount (by Percent)

Bulk discount adult
# Discount group From adult To adult Value
1 Discount on 2-person group 2 2 45.0%
2 Discount on 3-person group 3 3 43.4%
3 Discount on 4-person group 4 4 50.1%
4 Discount on 5-person group 5 5 48.1%
5 Discount on 6-person group 6 6 54.2%
6 Discount on 7-person group 7 7 52.2%
7 Discount on 8-person group 8 8 57.3%

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Chennai

Arrival transfer to hotel (early check-in subject to availability)
Visit Fort St. George – British East India Company’s first fortress in India
Visit St Mary’s Church – Historic church inside Fort St. George
Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple – Ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva
Visit Vadapalani Murugan Temple – Popular temple devoted to Lord Murugan
Visit Government Museum – Indo-Saracenic building with art by Raja Ravi Varma
Visit Dakshinachitra Museum – Living-history museum showcasing South Indian culture
Visit Santhome Cathedral – Historic pilgrim center built by Portuguese
Drive past Prakasam Salai – Cluster of colonial-era churches and shrines
Drive past Marina Beach – 13 km long natural urban beach by Bay of Bengal
Overnight at hotel

Day 2: Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (150 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Mahabalipuram
Visit Five Rathas – Monolithic rock temples illustrating Dravidian style
See Krishna’s Butterball – Massive granite boulder balanced on a slope
Visit 7th-century Cave Temples – Rock-cut sanctuaries with Mamalla style carvings
Visit Shore Temple – Ancient granite temple overlooking the sea
View Arjuna’s Penance – Largest rock-cut relief depicting mythological scenes
Drive to Pondicherry
Visit Auroville – Spiritual township with golden Matrimandir temple
Visit Pondicherry Museum – Collection of bronze sculptures and artifacts
Walk through French Quarters – Charming colonial streets and villas
Relax at Pondicherry Beach in the evening
Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Darasuram – Thanjavur (180 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Chidambaram
Visit Nataraja Temple – Famous for its depiction of Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance
Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple – Chola-era temple with Tamil architectural style
Visit Darasuram – Exquisite Airavateshwarar Temple with chariot-shaped mandapam
Drive to Thanjavur
Check-in at hotel
Overnight at hotel

Day 4: Thanjavur – Trichy (60 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Visit Brihadeshwara Temple – UNESCO-listed grand Chola temple with massive tower
Visit Vijayanagar Fort – Historic fort built by Nayaks and Marathas
Visit Thanjavur Art Gallery – Ancient sculptures and coins in the palace complex
Visit Saraswathi Mahal Library – Repository of 30,000+ ancient manuscripts
Drive to Trichy
Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – Largest functional temple complex with 22 gopurams
Visit Rock Fort Temple – Ancient rock outcrop with panoramic city views
Visit Jambukeswarar Temple – Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with concentric walls
Overnight at hotel

Day 5: Trichy – Madurai (140 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Madurai
Visit Meenakshi Temple – Vast temple complex dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi
Visit Thirumalai Nayakar Palace – Blend of Dravidian and Rajput architecture
Visit Alagar Koil – Temple set in a scenic forested valley
Visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple – Ancient hill temple dedicated to Lord Murugan
Visit Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple – One of the six sacred Murugan temples
Overnight at hotel

Day 6: Madurai – Munnar (160 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Munnar hill station
Check-in at hotel
Visit Tea Estate – Learn about tea cultivation and tasting
Overnight at hotel

Day 7: Munnar

Breakfast at hotel
Visit Pothamedu Viewpoint – Panoramic views of tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations
Visit Mattupetty Dam – Scenic reservoir with boating options
Visit Rajamala in Eravikulam National Park – Habitat of endangered Nilgiri Tahr
Visit Mattupetty Dairy Farm – Specialized Indo-Swiss dairy farm
Visit Echo Point – Natural echo phenomenon spot
Visit Tea Museum – History of tea industry in South India
Overnight at hotel

Day 8: Munnar – Ooty (250 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Ooty hill station
Check-in at hotel
Relax or explore the colonial hill station with your driver
Overnight at hotel

Day 9: Ooty

Breakfast at hotel
Visit Botanical Gardens – Over 1,000 plant species including rare shrubs and trees
Ride Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train – Scenic UNESCO World Heritage steam train journey to Coonoor
Boat ride on Ooty Lake – Leisure boating amidst picturesque surroundings
Overnight at hotel

Day 10: Ooty – Mysore (150 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Mysore
Check-in at hotel
Visit Mysore Palace – Lavish royal palace of the Wodeyar dynasty
Visit Chamundi Hills – Temple dedicated to Goddess Chamundeswari with panoramic views
Visit City Palace – Indo-Saracenic architecture with paintings and stained glass
Visit St. Philomena’s Church – Neo-Gothic style church and one of Asia’s tallest
Visit Jaganmohan Palace – Former royal residence and art gallery
Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Mysore – Somanathapura – Srirangapatna – Shravanabelagola – Hassan (135 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Hassan with stops
Visit Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura – Fine example of Hoysala architecture
Visit Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna – 10th-century Vaishnav temple with tall gopuram
Visit Shravanabelagola – Jain pilgrimage site with 17m monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali
Climb Vindhyagiri Hill – Reach the statue via 30-minute steep walk
Check-in at hotel, Hassan
Overnight at hotel

Day 12: Hassan – Belur – Halebeedu – Bangalore (250 km)

Breakfast at hotel
Visit Chennakeshava Temple, Belur – Exquisite black stone carvings from 12th century
Visit Kappe Chennigaraya Temple – Majestic temple with ornate pillars and sculptures
Visit Lakshmi Temple, Sowmyanayaki Temple, Ranganayaki Temple – Other temples in Belur complex
Visit Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebeedu – Intricately sculpted temple with detailed stonework
Visit Kadareswara, Lakshmi Narasimha, Ishvara, Koravangala Temples – Important Hoysala shrines
Visit Jain bastis – Ancient Jain heritage sites
Drive to Bangalore
Check-in at hotel
Overnight at hotel

Day 13: Bangalore – Departure

Breakfast at hotel
Visit Lalbagh Botanical Gardens – Home to 1,800+ plant species and glasshouse
Visit Cubbon Park – Urban green space with century-old trees
Drive past Bangalore Fort – Historic fort from Mysore Empire era
Visit Tippu’s Summer Palace – Ornate palace of Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan
Visit Bangalore Palace – Tudor-Scottish Gothic architectural marvel
Visit Bull Temple – One of Bangalore’s oldest temples
Visit ISKCON Temple – Modern Krishna temple with cultural programs
Drive past Government buildings, Vidhana Soudha, Secretariat
Transfer to airport for onward flight

Included/Excluded

  • Assistance on arrival at airport.
  • 12 Nights' accommodation in 5-star hotels.
  • Daily breakfast and meal as per day plan.
  • Private air-conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
  • English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
  • Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Bottled drinking water in car.
  • Government taxes.
  • Any flight tickets.
  • Camera charges at monuments.
  • Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
  • Gratuities & optional activities.
  • Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Tour's Location

FAQs

What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

Q: What kind of hotel accommodation is included in the package price?

We provide accommodation at carefully selected 5-star hotels, chosen for their comfort, location, and service standards. In regions where 5-star hotels are not available, the best available boutique, heritage, resort, or 4-star options are provided to ensure a comfortable stay. If the mentioned hotel is unavailable, an equivalent property of a similar standard will be offered.

Hotels Used or Similar for 12 Nights Accommodation:

✔ Chennai – 1 Night: Radisson Blu Hotel GRT Chennai / Hilton Chennai
✔ Pondicherry – 1 Night: Palais De Mahe / La Villa (Note: Boutique luxury properties are provided as the region offers limited large 5-star hotel options.)
✔ Thanjavur – 1 Night: Svatma (Note: Heritage boutique accommodation is provided as per best available standards, as traditional 5-star hotels are not available in this region.)
✔ Trichy – 1 Night: Courtyard by Marriott
✔ Madurai – 1 Night: The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
✔ Munnar – 2 Nights: Chandys Windy Woods / Blanket Hotel & Spa
✔ Ooty – 2 Nights: Savoy, Ooty - IHCL SeleQtions
✔ Mysore – 1 Night: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
✔ Hassan – 1 Night: Hosyala Village Resort / Rosetta By Ferns – Sakleshpur (Note: 5-star hotels are not available in this area; hence, the best available resort options are provided.)
✔ Bangalore – 1 Night: ITC Gardenia, a Luxury Collection / Vivanta Bengaluru, Residency Road

Q: Can I request a specific hotel or upgrade the hotel category?

Yes, we offer flexibility to upgrade hotels to luxury five-star or boutique properties at an additional cost, subject to availability. You can also request specific hotels during the booking process, and we will do our best to accommodate your preference.

Q: Are breakfast and other meals included at the hotels?

Breakfast is generally included with hotel stays unless stated otherwise. Lunch and dinner are optional and can be added to your package upon request. You can also explore local dining during the tour.

Q: Will I get confirmation for the exact hotels before my trip?

Yes, once your booking is confirmed, we will share the final list of hotel names and contact details along with your tour confirmation documents.

Q: I’m looking for a more budget-friendly tour. Can you provide prices with standard or 4-star hotels?

Absolutely! We understand that every traveler has different preferences and budgets. If you prefer standard accommodation or 4-star hotel options instead of the default 5-star hotels, we can customize the tour and provide a tailored quote based on your requirements.

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