Tour of Tamilnadu – Pondichery – Kerala – Karnataka

Once the plane has landed at Chennai Airport, you will be driven to Mahabalipuram.

After having visited Mahabalipuram in depth, you can go to the beach for a relaxing time.

In the morning, drive to Pondicherry (1h30) and visit the futuristic village of Auroville and Pondicherry visit Aurobindo Ashram, Manakula Vinayagaar temple, Pondicherry Museum and the French Quarter.

In the morning, travel to Kumbakonam on the road visit the Chidambram Natraja Temple, (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Dharasuram on site visit a weaving workshop of hand-made silk Saries and Swamimali known in the whole world for his workshops of bronze statues.
Tanjore is proud of the ancient Temple of “Brihadeshvara”, whose frescoes, full of refined details, are a jewel of Chola architecture.

In the morning, drive to Tanjore for about 15min, to visit the big temple and the palace at 10am. museums of stone and bronze statues. Then drive to Karaikudi which is the land of the Chettiars, who were once wealthy financiers, visit the mansions they built and stay in one of the old mansions.

Upon arrival in Madurai, guests can visit local markets as well as Meenakshi Amman Temple and Nayak Palace.

In this place, it is not the statues that will charm you, but the beautiful reservoirs, lakes, tea plantations and beautiful forests.

Excursion to Munnar, visit of tea factory (subject to authorization), Mattupetty Dam: there is possibility of boating (payable locally) Echo Point, etc. Then visit Munnar town and market. Later in the afternoon trekking of 3h in the mountains of Munnar

Once in Periyar, you can make a discovery of the spice market. In the evening, you can participate in a traditional Keralias evening.

Road to the elephant orphanage, elephant ride, meal and bath elephants, then visit the spice plantations. “Kalaripayat” martial arts evening and possibility of an Ayurvedic Massage

Alleppey is where you will go. There you can sail on the backwaters.

After observing these waterfalls, you can then go to Mettupalayam, and if time allows you to visit Bharadhanatiyam Dance School.

Departure by train (toy train) at 7am, 5h drive. Arrival at 12 pm at Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty, considered the most popular hill station in southern India, located at an altitude of 2268 m in the Nilgiris mountains of Tamil Nadu.
Visit of the forest. Mudumalai “Wildlife Sanctuaries” is India’s recognized category IV protected area by the World Commission on Protected Areas. India has classified more than 500 areas, including 28 Tiger reserves and bird sanctuaries. Some areas, because of the importance of their wildlife have been declared national areas as the “National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary”.
This sanctuary is located at an altitude of 1140 meters (Kerala / Karnataka / Tamil Nadu junction, a variety of landscapes to discover.

Mysore known for its magnificent palaces and majestic buildings, vast gardens, sandalwood, shimmering silks, the “Royal City” remains a must for tourist itineraries.
Breakfast at the hotel. Mysore is the capital of the great Tipu sultan called the Mysore Tiger, who was killed fighting against the British in 1799. His remains rest in a magnificent mausoleum, the Gumbaz. Nearby is the Tipu Summer Palace, Daulat Dariya.

En route, visit the Jain site of Sravanabelgola (the white hermit). To reach the colossal statue of Bahubali, considered the largest monolith in the world (17 m), you have to climb 614 steps and have left his shoes down. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the region. Not far from this statue, you will visit several temples Jains.
Afternoon discovery of several temples: the temple Channekeshava marvel bequeathed by the Hoysala dynasty; Halebid Hoysaleswara Temple, the most outstanding specimen of Hoysala art. The walls are covered with bas-reliefs representing countless Hindu gods and sages, stylized animals, as well as friezes depicting the lives of the Hoysala rulers.

This is the day you will be driven to Bangalore where you can fly back.