The finest-preserved customs and legacy from antiquity are found in South India. Throughout its history, the area has amassed an immense collection of temples, forts, palaces, and the abandoned remnants of ancient communities and civilizations.
The South India Heritage Tour pays homage to the rich cultural legacy of the area. This comprehensive endeavor encompasses the legacy of Tamil Nadu's temple towns, Pondicherry's French colonial past, Kerala's beautiful beaches and backwaters, and the heritage-filled regions of Karnataka.
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in the southeast of the country, is one of India's four main metropolises. It is difficult to comprehend today how such a tiny fishing village could grow into such a massive and stunning metropolis.
Located along the Bay of Bengal's coast, Chennai is arguably India's most tranquil and environmentally conscious city. There are lots of tourist attractions in Chennai. Among these is the stunning Marina beach, where golden sands and the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal blend together. The city is home to several forts and palaces that serve as reminders to visitors of the splendor of bygone ages.
A friendly representative will meet you at the airport, welcome you, and escort you by private chauffeur to the hotel. While the hotel staff handles the check-in process, the representative will provide you with a "Welcome Folder" and brief you on the tour program.
After breakfast, embark on an immersive city tour of Chennai, the capital city often referred to as the 'Gateway to the South'. The culture here distinctly differs from that of northern India.
Explore captivating sites like Kalakshetra, a renowned school showcasing the exquisite art forms of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving, and design. Visit the historic Fort St. George, constructed during the British rule and now home to the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu.
Admire the architectural grandeur of St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican church in India, and the revered Sri Parthasarathy and Kapaleeshwarar Temples dating back to the 8th century Pallava era. Discover the St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, rebuilt in 1606 and later designated a basilica in 1896.
Complete your tour at the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society, a hub for the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science. In the evening, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, depart for Pondicherry, a delightful destination. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel.
Pondicherry, meaning "the new settlement," was once a French colonial outpost comprising Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, in addition to the main town. A unique aspect of Pondicherry is its spread across multiple states - Karaikal in Tamil Nadu, Mahe in Kerala, and Yanam in Andhra Pradesh. Situated approximately 200 kilometers south of Chennai, Pondicherry is now a union territory where the French influence on architecture and culture remains strongly evident, a testament to its long-standing association with France.
However, Pondicherry's true fame lies in its connection to the revered saint-philosopher Sri Aurobindo, who established his ashram here. Aurobindo, a former political revolutionary, created a place of peaceful and harmonious living in Pondicherry. Today, the ashram attracts visitors from around the world seeking solace and tranquility. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart for Ooty by surface transportation. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Ooty, nestled among the hills of Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill, and Club Hill in the Nilgiri ranges, is the queen of southern hill stations and a popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu.
The history of Ooty can be traced back to around 900 years, when it was ruled by Vishnu Vardhana, the Hoysala king from AD 1104 to 1141. The city is also mentioned in the writings of Jacome Ferico, the first European to visit this place in 1603.
In 1799, this hilly region came under the control of the British East India Company. The British established Ooty to serve as the summer headquarters of the Madras government. They built a government house and, embracing the English lifestyle, set up cottages and clubs with facilities for tennis, golf, and horse riding.
With the establishment of numerous tea estates in the subsequent years, Ooty became a prominent tourist destination in India. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart for the charming city of Mysore. Upon arrival, check into your hotel.
Mysore has a rich history, having been ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty since the 14th century, except for a brief 40-year period in the late 18th century when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were in power. The Wodeyar family later regained control of the kingdom when Tipu Sultan surrendered to the British in 1799.
The benevolent rule of the Wodeyar kings is evident in the city's meticulous planning and well-preserved architectural heritage, as well as its vibrant traditions of music, dance, art, and literature that flourished under their patronage. Mysore, often called the "Jewel of Karnataka," still retains its grandeur, with tree-lined boulevards, grand palaces, and beautiful gardens that make it one of India's finest cities.
The pace of life here is calm and measured, punctuated by lively celebrations of festivals. Today's program includes a city tour featuring the Maharaja's Palace, which was built as recently as 1897. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart by surface transport to Bangalore. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel.
Bangalore, often called the "Garden City of India," is one of the most popular destinations in southern India. The city has many fascinating stories and legends associated with it, and its distinctive lush, green appearance dates back to the 16th century. Owing to its pioneering role in the country's Information Technology revolution, Bangalore has also earned the nickname "Silicon City of India." Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel.
After a morning city tour, some of the top attractions to visit in this garden city include the Vidhana Soudha, a grand neo-Dravidian style building that serves as the state legislative assembly, the lush Cubbon Park in the city center, the famous Lal Bagh with its vibrant red roses, and the Bangalore Palace.
When the tour is finished, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight for your next destination.
Thank you for visiting!
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South India
Visitors to Hampi are spoiled for choice, with approximately 3,700 monuments, ancient ruins, and temples to explore. These ornate palaces and places of worship were constructed in the 14th century, before the city was conquered, looted, and abandoned by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565.
Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka, the outstanding architecture, detailed carvings, and elaborate sculptures among the remnants evoke vivid images of the past.
This captivating World Heritage Site offers a wealth of attractions, including the elephant stables, a 15-foot-tall statue of Ganesha, and the Vittala Temple with its music-making pillars.
Pattadakal, believed to have been a significant testing ground for the evolution of South Indian temple architecture, houses nine Hindu shrines and a Jain sanctuary.
Dating back to the 7th century, this site showcases masterful medieval architecture, blending design techniques and styles from both northern and southern regions of India. The largest and most elaborate of these temples is Virupaksha, constructed in the Dravidian architectural style and dating to around 740 CE.
The ruins here are a veritable storybook of history, with intricate friezes depicting wrestling, yoga, and a trapped elephant, as well as inscriptions that provide insights into the society and culture of 8th-century India.
The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas comprises three Hoysala-style temples in South India, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temples located in Somanathapura, Belur, and Halebidu were constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries during the Hoysala Empire's reign. In 2023, UNESCO inscribed these three temples on the World Heritage List, commending their exceptional architecture, hyper-realistic sculptures, and intricate stone carvings.
The architectural style of these three temples was developed by the early Hoysala rulers who established their new kingdoms and regimes in South India. This distinctive and innovative sacred architecture sets the Hoysala temples apart from those of contemporary kingdoms and dynasties. The temples included in this ensemble are:
The Great Living Chola Temples were erected during the 11th and 12th centuries by the rulers of the extensive Chola dynasty in southern India. Renowned for their impressive architecture, metalworking, painting, and sculpture, this celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site features three magnificent temples.
The towering granite Brihadeeswara is one of Tamil Nadu's most popular tourist attractions, renowned for its exceptional statuary and shrines to numerous Hindu deities. Boasting one of the tallest structures in southern India, this temple is a stunning architectural achievement.
Both the Brihadisvara and Airavatesvara temples are well worth visiting, featuring spacious walled enclosures surrounding imposing, pyramid-shaped towers.
Nestled along the stunning Coromandel Coast, the deserted town of Mamallapuram captivates visitors year-round with its architectural marvels. Once the domain of the Pallava King, Mamallapuram boasts a collection of temples commissioned in the 7th and 8th centuries, hewn from granite and showcasing diverse architectural styles – chariots, cave sanctuaries, lion pillars, and grand open-air reliefs, including the renowned 'Descent of the Ganges' depicting the sacred river's celestial journey to Earth. The intricately carved Shore Temple, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, provides the perfect vantage point to witness the sunset.
One of the most delightful experiences for our customers during their holidays is riding the renowned Nilgiri Hill Train. There's no better way to admire the stunning vistas than by journeying through the hillsides aboard a historic steam locomotive.
The British-built Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu, constructed over a century ago in 1908, is the only 'rack railway' of its kind. This charming 'toy train' takes passengers on a scenic adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Ooty and Coonoor, crossing quaint bridges, winding through small hillside tunnels, and surrounded by rolling green hills and lush, shady forests.
Predating even the towering Himalayas, the Ghats stretch from the Satpura Range in the north to the southern state of Tamil Nadu, winding through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. Spanning a vast 60,000 square kilometers, this region boasts a wealth of tourist attractions and monsoon retreats, as well as plantations cultivating coffee, tea, and spices.
Recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site, the Western Ghats is one of the globe's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity, home to an astounding array of life, including 9,200 plant species, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insect species, 290 freshwater fish species.Many of these are yet to be discovered, and at least 325 are globally threatened.
The Ghats play a crucial role in moderating the region's tropical climate, acting as a barrier that intercepts moisture-laden clouds during the monsoon season from June to September.
If you enjoy swimming, Goa is not the best destination between March and May, as the winds pick up and the sea becomes rough during this period. Many businesses also close down. However, during the monsoon season from mid-June to October, Goa transforms into a lively party state, with local people celebrating the arrival of the rains. One such festival is Sao-Joao, which takes place in late June.
The ideal time to visit Karnataka is from November to April, as there is very little rainfall, making it perfect for hiking in the Ghats or wildlife watching in Bandipur National Park.
Hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, such as Ooty, can get quite cold between October and February, with temperatures dropping as low as 5°C in February. Conversely, these areas can also become very humid from April to June.
Kerala's houseboats are not as enjoyable during the rainy season, with the monsoon reaching its peak from June to August.
The best time to observe elephants in Periyar National Park, Kerala or Bandipur National Park, Karnataka is during the hotter months of March and May, when they spend more time near the waterfront.
If you plan to take a rail holiday in South India, be aware that prices tend to be higher during the peak season, which is typically from December to February.
South India is a culinary paradise, brimming with eateries that cater to diverse palates. The region's cuisine boasts subtle yet brilliant flavors, infused with coconut, cardamom, banana, and fresh mangoes, as well as a myriad of tangy spices that set Southern Indian fare apart from the rest of the country.
To immerse yourself in the delectable Kodava cuisine, a visit to Coorg is a must. Their fare heavily relies on locally sourced ingredients and regional flavors, including Bamboo shoot curry, Kaad Mange curry, Koovale Puttu, and the iconic 'Pandi Curry' or 'Pork Curry'. This tender, light, and succulent dish offers a harmonious blend of flavors that are both soothing to the palate and can tantalize the senses with its spice. This must-try dish is a true testament to the region's culinary diversity.
South India boasts a wealth of scenic beauty and cultural diversity, with an abundance of archaeological and architectural marvels representing various faiths. From the grand temples of Hampi and Thanjavur to the diverse religious sites like the Jewish Synagogue in Kochi, the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, and the Namdroling Nyingmapa Tibetan Monastery in Karnataka, the region offers a plethora of options for visitors. Wildlife enthusiasts can also marvel at the largest populations of elephants and tigers found in the Bandipur, Mudumalai, and Periyar National Parks.
The ancient city of Hampi, known for its Vijayanagar empire temples, forts, and monuments, provides multiple ways to explore its rich heritage. Adventure-seekers can discover the ruins on a non-gear cycle, go bouldering on the undulating rock surfaces, or climb to the top of Hemakuta Hill to witness the most scenic sunsets.
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