Day 1 : Bangalore
You are welcomed at Bangalore Airport by the representative of our local agency or by your French speaking guide to welcome you to India. He ensures with you the transfer to the hotel that we have booked for the night.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Bangalore / Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary / Mysore (150 km / 3h)
After breakfast, depart for Mysore.
On the way, visit the bird sanctuary of Ranganathittu.
Arrival and check in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 : Mysore / Nagarhole (60 km / 1h15)
Today, after breakfast, you depart for Nagarhole.
The park was once an exclusive hunting reserve for the kings of the Wodeyar dynasty, former rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore. It was established in 1955 as a wildlife reserve and later expanded to 643.39 km².
It is one of the most beautiful forested areas in southern India, with a mix of moist deciduous forests and dry thorny areas.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Bird watching around the station.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 : Nagarahole
After breakfast, you go for a Jeep safari in Nagarhole National Park.
Nagarhole offers excellent bird watching opportunities.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : Nagarahole / Mudumalai (105 km / 2h25)
After breakfast, you depart for Mudumalai.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Afterwards, observe the birds in the nearby area.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 : Mudumalai
After breakfast, you will visit Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to see a variety of wildlife species and birds.
Mudumalai is a paradise for bird watchers.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 : Mudumalai / Palakkad (170 km / 5h20)
After breakfast, you depart for Palakkad.
Arrival and check-in at the Tharavad Heritage Home.
Bird watching around the house.
Dinner and overnight at the Tharavad Home.
Day 8 : Palakkad / Madurai (220 km / 4h20)
After breakfast, depart for Madurai.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum and the most famous temple in South India: Meenakshi Amman, dedicated to the fish-eyed goddess Meenakshi.
In the evening, attend the sunset ceremony of Shiva. Afterwards, explore the local markets of Madurai around the Meenakshi Temple.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 : Madurai / Chettinad (95 km / 1h45)
After breakfast, depart for the Chettinad region.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel, then visit the village and the Chettiar houses.
Chettinad is the region of the Chettiar community, which prospers in business and banking, with many members having emigrated to South or Southeast Asia in the 20th century.
Visit the Ayyanar Temple, also known as the Terracotta Horse Temple. Locals worship Ayyanar for his protection and blessings, symbolized by sacred representations of terracotta horses.
Then, visit an Indian cement tile factory, where tiles are made according to a centuries-old artisanal tradition. Introduced during the British colonial period in the 19th century, this technique was adopted and adapted by the prosperous merchants of Chettinad. Today, these tiles still adorn traditional houses and local temples, blending artisanal tradition and historical influences to create colorful and intricate patterns on floors and walls.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Chettinad /Trichy / Tanjore (135 km / 2h30)
After breakfast, depart for Tanjore.
On the way, stop in Trichy to visit the Rock Fort Temple and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Then, visit the Brihadisvara Temple, a marvel of 10th-century Chola architecture, and the remarkable bronze gallery.
In the evening, attend a Bharatanatyam dance performance.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Tanjore / Darasuram / Gangaikondacholapuram / Chidambaram / Pondicherry (190 km / 4h25)
After breakfast, depart for Pondicherry.
On the way, visit the Dravidian temples of Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram, and Darasuram, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
In the late afternoon, explore the city of Pondicherry by bicycle rickshaw, the seafront, and the historic city. Afterwards, you are free to wander through the French Quarter.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Pondicherry
After breakfast, visit the Pondicherry Flower Market, also known as Goubert Market, located in the Grand Bazaar.
This is a must-see place to discover the local culture. From dawn, the stalls overflow with fresh flowers of enchanting colors and scents. This market offers an authentic glimpse of daily life, with welcoming vendors. It is a paradise for taking photos. It is advisable to visit early in the morning to enjoy the freshest flowers.
Then, visit Auroville, Matrimandir, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram (Auroville is closed on Sunday afternoons).
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Pondicherry / Mahabalipuram (95 km / 2h)
After breakfast, depart for Mahabalipuram.
On the way, visit the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial, the temples of Kanchipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallava dynasty, as well as the Ekambareswarar and Kailasanathar temples.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
In the afternoon, visit Arjuna’s Penance, a bas-relief depicting the descent of the Ganges, and Krishna’s Butterball.
In the evening, explore the city of Mahabalipuram and enjoy the beach.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Mahabalipuram / Chennai (156 km / 1h30)
After breakfast, depart for Chennai.
Arrival and check in at the hotel.
Later,, you will visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, dedicated to the god Shiva, before continuing to Fort St. George and its museum.
Later, you will discover the splendid San Thom Cathedral. Built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, it was once a basilica. In 1893, the British, during its reconstruction, gave it the status of a church.
In the evening, you will enjoy a stroll on Marina Beach, a beautiful beach lined with local merchants and artisans.
You also visit the Chennai Museum, Fort St. George (seat of the state government), as well as the splendid San Thom Cathedral. Built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, it used to have the status of Basilica. It was during its reconstruction in 1893 that the English gave it the status of Church.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 : Chennai / Flight back
After breakfast, you are free until your departure for Cochin, and you can relax on the beach and enjoy your last day on Indian soil.
You will then head to Cochin before being transferred to the international airport for your return flight.
Go for the discovery of south India with this delightful itinerary.
Between the frenzy of the big cities and the calm of paradisiac beaches, this circuit leads you to a colorful culture and a friendly population.
From Mumbai to Goa, going through the wonderful backwaters of Allepey, various landscapes are following each other for the pleasure of your eyes.