India · UNESCO Heritage Sites

Discover The Best Kept Secret of South India's

20 Days Round trip from Bengaluru Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 20-day journey across South India’s heritage cities, temples, wildlife, and landscapes
  • 02 Visit UNESCO-listed sites including Hampi, Pattadakal, Mahabalipuram, and the Great Living Chola Temples
  • 03 Explore iconic landmarks such as Mysore Palace, Meenakshi Temple, and Kapaleeshwarar Temple
  • 04 Cruise Kerala’s backwaters with an overnight houseboat stay in Alleppey
  • 05 Enjoy Kathakali and martial arts performances in Kerala
  • 06 Take a boat safari in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • 07 Discover hill scenery, tea country, and Eravikulam National Park in Munnar
  • 08 Travel with private AC transport, guided sightseeing, and daily breakfast

Discover South India on a 20-day journey through grand temples, UNESCO World Heritage sites, royal cities, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, and backwaters. From Bangalore and Mysore to Hampi, Badami, Kochi, Thekkady, Munnar, Madurai, Thanjavur, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, and Chennai, this itinerary brings together architecture, spirituality, culture, and nature in one extensive experience.

Explore celebrated landmarks including Mysore Palace, Meenakshi Temple, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, the Great Living Chola Temples, Hampi’s ruined temple complexes, and the cave temples of Badami. Along the way, enjoy local cultural performances, a houseboat stay in Alleppey, a boat ride in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and scenic visits through tea country and the Kerala highlands.

With private transport, daily breakfast, guided sightseeing, monument entrances, and accommodation included if selected, this tour is designed for travellers who want a broad and immersive introduction to the heritage and landscapes of South India.

Discover South India on a 20-day journey through grand temples, UNESCO World Heritage sites, royal cities, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, and backwaters.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 20 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Gadag, Kochi, Alappuzha, Pondicherry, Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Tanjore, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Hampi, Munnar, Darasuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Chidambaram, Thekkady, Eravikulam National Park, Pattadakal, Periyar National Park, Badami
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrive Bangalore

On arrival at Bangalore airport, assistance and transfer to hotel check in (check in/out time 12pm). Rest time free and easy to relax. O/n at hotel.

2
Day 02

Bangalore

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Lal Bagh Garden, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Fort, Tippu Summer Palace & Bull Temple. Drive pass Vidhana Soudha & Secretariat. O/n at hotel.

3
Day 03

Bangalore - Mysore (150kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Mysore enroute visit Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple a 10th century beautifully carved temple complex located in Srirangapatna. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit Mysore Palace, Chamundeswari Temple, Nandi Bull Temple, City Palace & St. Philomenas Church. O/n at hotel.

4
Day 04

Mysore - Shravanabelagola - Hassan (140kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to visit Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura. Thenafter Drive to Hassan via visiting Shravanabelagola one of the most important Jain pilgrim enters. Arrive Hassan check in at hotel. O/n at hotel.

5
Day 05

Hassan - Hampi (330kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Hampi enroute visit Chennakeshava Temple built by Hoysala Empire in 1117 AD in Belur. Next visit Hoysaleshwara Temple a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Halebidu. Continue drive to Hassan check in at hotel. 
O/n at hotel. Meal plan: B.

6
Day 06

Hampi

Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Hampi an UNESCO world Heritage sites dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire on the bank of the River Tungabhadra. Visit Hazara Rama Temple, Kings Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Vithala And Lotus Mahal, Vithala Temple Complex and ASI Museum. O/n at hotel.

7
Day 07

Hampi - Lakkundi - Gadag - Badami (150kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Badami via visiting Trikuteshwara & few ruined Temples in Gadag. And Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara temples in Lakkundi. Continue drive to Badami check in at hotel. O/n at hotel.

8
Day 08

Badami, Aihole & Pattadakkal

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to visit Aihole a historical site & home to over 125 beautiful Chalukyan temples and monuments from 6th to 12th century. And Pattadakal a treasure trove of Hindu and Jain temples complex built-in 7th and 8th century CE. Return to Badami visit cave temples, Badami Fort and Agastya Lake. O/n at hotel.

9
Day 09

Badami - Hubli (110kms)/ Cochin (Flight)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Hubli airport to board flight for Cochin. On arrival assistance & transfer hotel, check in. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc. O/n at hotel.

10
Day 10

Cochin - Alleppey (60kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour visiting Fort Cochin St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutchs Palace & Chinese fishing nets. Later transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver. O/n in houseboat.

11
Day 11

Alleppey - Thekkady (160kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Disembark from houseboat and drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show. O/n at hotel.

12
Day 12

Thekkady

Breakfast at hotel. Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee etc. O/n at hotel.

13
Day 13

Thekkady - Munnar (100kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Munnar via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi. Continue drive to Munnar check in at hotel. O/n at hotel.

14
Day 14

Munnar

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Dairy Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum. O/n at hotel.

15
Day 15

Munnar - Madurai (160kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. O/n at hotel.

16
Day 16

Madurai - Trichy - Thanjavur (190kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Thanjavur, via visiting Trichy Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rock Fort Temple & Jambukeshwara temple. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit Brihadeshwara Temple built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Also visit Thanjavur Palace & Museum. O/n at hotel.

17
Day 17

Thanjavur - Darasuram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Chidambaram - Pondicherry (180kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram, Airavateshwarar Temple a storehouse of art and architecture and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple complex which includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Also visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple dedicated to the dancing posture of Lord Shiva. Arrive Pondicherry check in and o/n at hotel.

18
Day 18

Pondicherry

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets and colonial villas which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools. Rest time free and easy to rtelax on the beach. O/n at hotel.

19
Day 19

Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai (240kms)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Chennai enroute visit Mahabalipuram Monolithic Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance. Next visit Kanchipuram Kailasanathar temple, Ekambareswarar temple, Varadharaja temple, Vaikundhaperumal temple & Kamakshiamman temple. Continue drive to Chennai check in  and o/n at hotel.

20
Day 20

Chennai - Departure (Flight)

Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Chennai visit Fort St. George, St Mary's Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach.
Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Bengaluru 23 cities · 20 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Assistance on arrival at airport.
  • 19 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
  • Daily breakfast at hotels.
  • Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
  • English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Bottled drinking water in the car.
  • Government taxes.

What's Not Included

  • Hubli - Cochin flight ticket approx ₹5500 per person in economy class.
  • Camera charges at monuments if any.
  • Meals other than mentioned in inclusions.
  • Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
  • Gratuities and optional activities.
  • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.

Know before you go

  • Minimum age
  • 0
  • Guided language
  • English

  • Tour time zone
  • Asia/Kolkata

  • Ticket
  • Ticket information
  • Hotels used or similar for 19 nights accommodation

    Bangalore x 2 nights
    3* - Ramada/ The Rialto
    4* - Fortune Select JP Cosmos/ Lemon Tree Premier Ulsoor Lake
    5* - ITC Gardenia, a Luxury Collection/ ITC Windsor a Luxury Collection

    Mysore x 1 nights
    3* - Southern Star/Sandesh The Prince
    4* - Fortune Park JP Palace/ Grand Mercure
    5* - Royal Orchid Brindavan Garden/The Windflower Resort & Spa

    Hassan x 1 night
    3* - Candy Southern Star/ Pavanputra Resort & Spa
    4* & 5* - Hosyala Village Resort/ The Ashok

    Hampi x 2 nights
    3* - Malligi Hotel/ Krishna Palace
    4* - Heritage Resort / Royal Orchid Central Keerti
    5* - Hyatt Place/ Hampi Boulders

    Badami x 2 night
    3* - Rajsangam Hotel/ The Heritage Resort
    4* & 5* - Badami Court/ Krishna Heritage

    Cochin x 1 night
    3* - The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza
    4* - Casino Hotel/ The Avenue Regent
    5* - Xandari Harbour/ Le Meridien

    Alleppey x 1 night
    3* - Deluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats)
    4* - Premium Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats)
    5* - Luxury Houseboat (Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons)

    Pariyar (Thekkady) x 2 night
    3* - Abad Green Forest/ Hotel Treetop
    4* - The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County
    5* - Spice village/ Cardamom County

    Munnar x 2 nights
    3* - Fort Munnar/ Abad Copper Castle
    4* - Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar
    5* - Chandys Windy Woods/ Tea County

    Madurai x 1 night
    3* - Astoria by Sparsa/ Madurai’s Residency
    4* - GRT Regency/ Fortune Pandiyan Hotel
    5* - Heritage Madurai/ The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai

    Thanjore x 1 night
    3* - Grand Gardenia/ Oriental Towers 
    4* - Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa
    5* - Svatma

    Pondicherry x 2 night
    3* - Shenbaga Hotel/ Annamalai International
    4* - Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa
    5* - Palais De Mahe/ La Villa

    Chennai x 1 night
    3* - Raj Park/ MGM East Woods
    4* - The  Raintree/ Accord Metropolitan
    5* - ITC Grand Chola/ The Leela Palace

  • Barcode format
  • QR_CODE

  • Ticket per person
  • No

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Bengaluru, IN
Tour start
Bengaluru, IN
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 20 days finish where they began, in Bengaluru.

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