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Grand Tour of South India

33 Days / 32 Nights from £4995/ $6494 per person

The Grand Tour of South India is an epic journey is designed to offer a comprehensive insight into the region's fascinating history, grand monumental architecture, and distinct Dravidian and Indo-Islamic culture; as well as its remarkably varied scenery which ranges from misty hills, to sun-baked plains, and densely forested jungles that are the preserve of wild elephant and tiger. Over the course of 33 days the Grand Tour of South India travels from Chennai (Madras) on the Coromandel Coast up through the Western Ghats to the great Deccan Plateau and on to Hyderabad located at the heart of India. Starting in Tamil Nadu, you will discover the great living Chola temples in Tanjore and explore colonial Chennai (British) and Pondicherry (French). Then, cross into Kerala, renowned as ‘God’s Own Country’ and explore the charming tea estates in Munnar, the serene backwaters and the historic Fort Cochin. Next, relive the Raj while staying in a Maharaja’s Palace in ‘Snooty Ooty’ and embark on a scenic train ride through the Nilgiri Hills on the ‘toy train’. Game drives through the dense jungle of Bandipur National Park, will be followed by visits to sites associated with Tipu Sultan – the once feared Tiger of Mysore. Continue into the much overlooked state of Karnataka to explore the striking temples in Belur and Halebid as well as the dramatic Vijayanagar ruins in Hampi. Next up, is the glorious Indo-Islamic architecture that is the legacy of the 15th century Deccan Sultanates. Concluding the Grand Tour of South India, are four nights exploring the stunning sites of Hyderabad, capital of a kingdom that once possessed proverbial wealth, and was known as the City of Pearls.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day Location/Route Overnight Sapphire Hotels Diamond Hotels
Day 1 Arrive Chennai Airport. Afternoon walking tour of Mylapore. 2 nights Chennai The Leela Palace Chennai Taj Coromandel
Day 2 Morning tour of Chennai. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 Mahabalipuram, Auroville, arrive Pondicherry. 1 night Pondicherry Maison Perumal Palais De Mahe
Day 4 Pondicherry, Gangai Konda Cholapuram, arrive Tanjore. 2 nights Tanjore Svatma Svatma
Day 5 Tanjore. Afternoon tour of Kumbakonam, Darasuram.
Day 6 Tiruchirapalli, Arrive Chettinad. 2 nights Chettinad Chettinadu Mansion Visalam
Day 7 Visit local markets, cooking lesson.
Day 8 Arrive Madurai. 1 night Madurai Heritage Madurai Heritage Madurai
Day 9 Arrive Munnar. 2 nights Munnar Talayar Valley Bungalow The Windermere Estate Plantation & Retreat
Day 10 Visit Tea Gardens and tea factory.
Day 11 Arrive Kumarakom. 3 nights Kumarakom Zuri Kumarakom Kumarakom Lake Resort
Day 12 At leisure.
Day 13 Cochin.
Day 14 Kerala backwater cruise. 1 night Kerala Backwaters Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat Kumarakom Traditional Houseboat
Day 15 Arrive Ooty. 2 nights Ooty Fernhills Palace Fernhills Palace
Day 16 Ooty sightseeing and toy train ride.
Day 17 Arrive Bandipur. Afternoon game drive. 2 nights Bandipur National Park The Serai Bandipur The Serai Bandipur
Day 18 Early morning and late afternoon game drives.
Day 19 Morning game drive. Somnathpur. Arrive Mysore. 2 nights Mysore Royal Orchid Metropole Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore
Day 20 Mysore and Srirangapatna.
Day 21 Arrive Chikmagalur. Afternoon plantation walk. 2 nights Chikmagalur The Serai Chikmagalur The Serai Chikmagalur
Day 22 Belur and Halebid temples.
Day 23 Drive to Hampi. 3 nights Hampi Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace Hampi Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace Hampi
Day 24 Hampi.
Day 25 Hampi.
Day 26 Arrive Badami. 1 night Badami Badami Court Badami Court
Day 27 Visit Aihole, Pattadakal, arrive Bijapur. 1 night Bijapur Basava Residency Basava Residency
Day 28 Explore Bijapur, arrive Gulbarga. 1 night Gulbarga Sun International Sun International
Day 29 Visit Gulbarga and Bidar, arrive Hyderabad. 4 nights Hyderabad Taj Krishna Taj Falaknuma Palace
Day 30 Golconda Fortress, Qutb Shahi Tombs. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 31 White Mughals of Hyderabad.
Day 32 Morning tour of Old Hyderabad. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 33 Farewell to India.
Tour Highlights
  • Explore colonial Chennai (Madras).
  • Discover the shore temples at Mahabalipuram.
  • Wander around Pondicherry’s ‘White Town’, unambiguously French in its character.
  • Discover the 11th century Chola temples.
  • Peek into neglected yet palatial 19th century Chettinad mansions.
  • Stroll through historic Fort Cochin.
  • Cruise through the fascinating backwaters.
  • Take a scenic train ride aboard the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
  • Wildlife safaris in Bandipur National Park.
  • Explore Mysore’s iconic Amba Palace.
  • Admire the 12th century temples at Belur and Halebid.
  • Discover the historic ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi.
  • Visit the temples at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.
  • Discover Indo-Islamic architecture of Bidar, Bijapur and Gulbarga.
  • Explore the impressive Golconda fortress and the Qutb Shahi tombs.
  • Stroll through Old Hyderabad’s bustling markets.
Extend Your Stay
  • 5 nights: Discover the Andaman Islands.
  • 3 nights: Relax in Dubai.
  • 5 nights: Camp amongst the dunes in Oman.
Route Map - Grand Of South India
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