South India Travel Itinerary Ideas Crafted by Pettits Travel

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Kochi

Arrive into Dubai and connect onto the Emirates flight to Kochi. Founded by Vasco-da-Gama in 1502, Kochi quickly developed into a principle port and the centre of the spice trade on the Malabar Coast. A picturesque town of tumble-down buildings, vibrant bougainvillea and a languid palm-fringed harbour, Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers have all influenced this charming city. (N)
Accommodation in Kochi: Eighth Bastion
Upgrade option: Malabar House
Alternative upgrade option: Brunton Boatyard Hotel

Day 3 Kochi

Spend the day exploring the famous Fort Kochi with your guide. Start at the church of St Francis, India's oldest European church before walking to the town's waterfront where you will find the iconic Chinese fishing nets and many fish stalls. In the afternoon visit Mattancherry Palace, which was built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift to the Raja of Kochi. Finish the day with a sunset cruise around the bustling harbour as you watch the sun set behind the famous fishing nets. (B)
Accommodation in Kochi: Eighth Bastion
Upgrade option: Malabar House
Alternative upgrade option: Brunton Boatyard Hotel

Day 4 Kochi to Coimbatore – 200kms

At leisure this morning to further enjoy Kochi before leaving in the afternoon for the drive to Coimbatore. Known for cotton manufacturing, Coimbatore commands a strategic location between the plains of Tamil Nadu, the plateaus of Mysore and the coastal ports of Kerala. Coimbatore is also close to Mettupalayam, the starting point of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty. (B)
Accommodation in Coimbatore: Vivanta by Taj – Surya

Day 5 Coimbatore to Mettupalayam – 35kms/ Mettupalayam to Ooty – by train

This morning transfer by car to Mettupalayam Railway Station in good time to catch the Nilgiri Mountain Railway train to Ooty. Travelling a distance of 26 miles, this spectacular journey encounters 16 tunnels and crosses 250 bridges. One of the steepest lines in Asia, the views and scenery are breathtaking. Ooty once enticed the British to escape the summer heat of the plains and, later today, visit the well-maintained botanical gardens. (B/D)
Accommodation in Ooty: Savoy Hotel

Day 6 Ooty to Sultans Battery – 160kms

After breakfast leave Ooty and drive to Sultan's Battery, a small town in the Western Ghats and the centre of a region which produces some of India's finest coffee, cardamom and vanilla. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sultan’s Battery: Amaryllis
Alternative option: Tranquil

Day 7 Sultans Battery

You have the day at leisure to enjoy Amaryllis and the surrounding area. Swim in the beautiful pool or relax with a good book in the scenic resort. There are also excellent bird watching opportunities at Amaryllis, for the more energetic, there are several walking trails. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sultan’s Battery: Amaryllis
Alternative option: Tranquil

Day 8 Sultans Battery to Mysore – 125kms

Leaving Sultan's Battery, drive to pretty Mysore. In the afternoon take a two hour specialist heritage walk in the city which starts at the Town Hall, visits the Devaraja Market and ends at the Jagan Mohan Palace. During the walk the guide will share various stories from Mysore's past and there will also be a chance to taste ‘Mysore Pak’, the city's famous sweet. (B)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Day 9 Mysore

Today explore Mysore with your guide starting at Chamundi Hill, site of the Chamundeswari Temple and famous Nandi Bull. From here continue to the vast City Palace. Re-built by Henry Irwin during 1897 in an Indo-Saracenic style, the palace contains extraordinary wall paintings, stained glass work and inlaid doors. In the afternoon leave the city and visit the temple complex at Somnathpur including the exquisite Keshava Vishnu temple, one of the finest in India, and over 700 years old. (B)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Day 10 Mysore to Bangalore – 190kms/ Bangalore to Chennai – by air

This morning leave Mysore and visit Srirangapatnam where Tipu Sultan was killed in battle against an East India Company army including Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. Later continue to Bangalore Airport and fly to Chennai. One of India's largest cities, Chennai remains a principle port and a major gateway to the south and retains an elegant colonial heritage. (B)
Accommodation in Chennai: Taj Coromandel
Upgrade option: Taj Connemara

Day 11 Chennai

This morning take a guided heritage walk through the historic heart of the city and discover colonial Madras through the buildings the British left behind. St Mary’s (1678), the first Anglican church east of Suez, and the homes of Clive and Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) stand rather neglected within the ramparts of old Fort St George (now a museum). They recall the East India Company, just as the later raj is epitomised in the mixture of neo-classical and Indo-Saracenic administrative buildings, banks and railway stations. Later in the afternoon take a further guided walk through the bustling bazaar of George Town. Walk through the by lanes, where plenty of history, mythology and folklore intertwine to give you a true glimpse of living India teeming with life and spilling over with colour, noise and exuberance. (B)
Accommodation in Chennai: Taj Coromandel
Upgrade option: Taj Connemara

Day 12 Chennai to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram – 170kms

Today leave Chennai and drive south to the former French colony of Pondicherry stopping en-route in Mahabalipuram to visit the beach-side temple complex – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Pondicherry explore the town which still retains its typically French atmosphere. (B)
Accommodation in Pondicherry: Maison Perumal
Alternative option: Palais de Mahe

Day 13 Pondicherry to Tanjore via Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram – 170kms

Leave Pondicherry this morning and drive Chidambaram to see the Nataraja Temple complex and then continue to nearby Gangaikondacholapuram, which is renowned for its Chola temple art and was part of a hydraulic lay-out that seems to anticipate Cambodia’s Angkor. From here continue to Tanjore. Situated in the lush green delta of the Kaveri River Tanjore is a pretty town and home to one of the most impressive monuments of South India – the Brihadisvara Temple. (B)
Accommodation in Tanjore: Ideal River View Resort
Upgrade option: Svatma

Day 14 Tanjore

This morning explore Tanjore and the surrounding area starting your day at the spectacular Brihadisvara Temple which was constructed between 1003 and 1010 AD by the Chola King Rajaraja I. Later drive to Kumbakonam, visit the 1,200 year old Nagesvara Swami Temple then continue to the Sarangapani Temple, one of the largest in Kumbakonam with a 44 metre tall gopuram. End the day at the nearby town of Swamimalai which has a renowned school teaching the art and craft of making bronze idols. (B)
Accommodation in Tanjore: Ideal River View Resort
Upgrade option: Svatma

Day 15 Tanjore to Madurai – 180kms

After an early breakfast head to Trichy which is dominated by its Rock Fort and, after visiting the Rock’s temple, continue to Srirangam – a religious complex spread over an island in the nearby Cauvery River. Leaving Trichy drive south to Madurai, a hub of learning and pilgrimage for many centuries. A centre for Tamil culture, the main attraction of this crowded but vibrant pilgrimage centre is the famous Sri Meenakshi temple complex located in the heart of the city. (B)
Accommodation in Madurai: Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Upgrade option: Heritage Madurai Resort

Day 16 Madurai

Start the day with a morning visit to the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace then make your way to the impressive 17th century Sri Meenakshi temple. An exact contemporary of the Taj Mahal in Agra, this exceptional temple complex dominates the old city and is instantly recognisable. With its nine gopurams, profusion of multi-coloured images, flower sellers, musicians and a decorated temple elephant, the temple is a hive of activity from dawn until late into the night. (B)
Accommodation in Madurai: Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Upgrade option: Heritage Madurai Resort

Day 17 Madurai to Munnar – 160kms

After breakfast leave Madurai and continue by road to the Munnar. Situated in a part of the Western Ghats known as the High Ranges, Munnar is home to some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates. Being 1524m above sea level the ascent up to the town is punctuated with spectacular scenery, sandalwood forests and tea plantations. (B)
Accommodation in Munnar: Windermere Estate

Day 18 Munnar

Today explore Munnar. Visit Christ Church which was built in 1910 and has fine stained glass windows, the local Tea Museum or the Munnar Supply Association, the oldest department store in the area that has been a feature of the town now for over one hundred years. Another place of interest is the town market which comes to life in the evenings. Alternatively, Munnar and the surrounding countryside of the Western Ghats is also perfect for walkers with excellent treks and hikes. (B/D)
Accommodation in Munnar: Windermere Estate

Day 19 Munnar to Alleppey – 170kms

This morning leave Munnar and continue towards the Keralan backwaters to join a private Houseboat for a two night cruise. Authentic and comfortable, all meals are cooked on board and the boat is staffed with a captain, a deck hand and a cook. Spend the remainder of day cruising the beautiful and peaceful backwaters. (B/L/D)
Accommodation: Spice Coast Houseboat

Day 20 Keralan Backwaters

Today is at leisure to enjoy the backwaters. Consisting of a network of lakes, canals and estuaries, sit back and relax on your boat as you pass tiled and thatched cottages and cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. Witness local life as children swim and play in the water, women attend to their daily chores and men fish from their wooden canoes. (B/L/D)
Accommodation: Spice Coast Houseboat

Day 21 Alleppey to Mararikulam – 15kms

After breakfast depart your houseboat and travel the short distance to the beach resort of Mararikulam. Spend the next three nights close to Marari Beach. (B)
Accommodation in Mararikulam: Marari Beach Resort

Days 22 & 23 Mararikulam

The next two days are at leisure to relax and enjoy the Marari Beach Resort. (B)
Accommodation in Mararikulam: Marari Beach Resort

Day 24 Mararikulam to Kochi – 65 kms/ Kochi to the UK

Today transfer back to Kochi Airport to catch the Emirates flight to Dubai. On your arrival connect onto the onwards Emirates flight to the UK. (B)

A Journey through South India

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Itinerary: A Journey through South India

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