The Great South of India

Day 1: Mahabalipuram, first step in South India

You have just arrived at Chennai airport, your driver welcomes you with a warm ” Namaste “, hello in Hindi. You go directly to the charming town of Pondicherry, a former French trading post. Halfway, stop at the village of Mahäbalipuram , a former port of the Pallavas dynasty dating back to the 7th century. You discover the bas-relief representing “the descent of the Ganges” whose precision of the sculptures of the time is astonishing. On foot, you reach the beautiful beach where a magnificent set of sculpted temples stand. The opportunity also to enjoy a pleasant sea bath to relax from your trip. When you return to your hotel, you have a smile on your face.

Day 2: Pondicherry

Discovery of the city

This morning you meet Thomas, our representative in Pondicherry, who will be happy to share with you his good addresses and his expat advice on your trip. You then set off to explore the city with your local French-speaking guide. Start by visiting the old French quarter known as “the white city”. Between pastel-colored houses, Greek-style colonnades and flower gardens, overflowing with bougainvillea, you are truly charmed as you stroll through these streets with French names such as Dumas, La Bourdonnais or Guibert. Then, change the atmosphere by crossing a district of traditional Tamil houses towards the large market where all your senses are awakened. You are delighted to be told the story of Pondicherry with multiple influences. Night at the hotel.

Day 3: Pondicherry – Thanjavur

Velankanni, land of healings

This morning, why not start your day with an Idli Vada , a good Tamil breakfast, renowned for its health benefits, consisting of fermented flour, chickpeas and rice. You continue your itinerary in South India towards Thanjavur , capital of the ancient Chola dynasty, between the 10th and 12th centuries. On the way you visit the beautiful white basilica “Our Lady of Good Health” in Velankanni , erected in this place in honor of the Virgin Mary, due to several extraordinary phenomena. An unmissable place of pilgrimage, people of all faiths come today to address their prayers there. Night at the hotel.

Day 4: Tanjore – Chettinad

Window on the Indian countryside

Wake up early to allow you to discover masterpieces of religious architecture, in the Dravidian style. Magnificent temples erected by the kings of the Chola dynasty, classified by UNESCO, whose calm and tranquility will delight you. Your driver then takes you on the winding roads of the Indian countryside, through several small villages where you discover the traditional life in South India. As you get closer to Chettinad you see through your window small forgotten palaces, characteristic of the region which is very little explored. In the evening, why not enjoy an excellent Indian chicken curry before returning to your hotel.

Day 5: Chettinad

The Chettiars, a wealthy Tamil trading community

Today, discover the cultural splendours of Chettinad . You visit the fortress of Thirumayam and the temple of Sri Gokarneshwara . As you walk through the city, you get a closer look at these very unique Baroque palaces or grand residences. Built by the Chettiars , today they serve mostly as movie sets. You also visit the sumptuous palace-museum of the city which gives you a very complementary vision of Tamil Nadu apart from its religious sanctuaries. The artisanal tradition is still very present in this region. At the entrance to the village, you can visit a bronze statue workshop and a beautiful earthenware tile factory. Night at the hotel.

Day 6: Chettinad – Madurai

Tamil cultural capital

This morning, you leave for Madurai , a major Hindu pilgrimage site, recognizable by the large number of pilgrims and Sadhus you meet. First visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and its many columns, the details of which are worth seeing. At the end of the afternoon, you admire the temple of Sri Meenakshi, one of the most alive temples of South India , dedicated to Parvati, the wife of Shiva. Cross the enclosures through gopurams , portal towers characteristic of Dravidian architecture, decorated with thousands of colorful statues and reaching up to 60m. In the evening, you attend the symbolic procession of Shiva to his wife, by the priests. Night at the hotel.

Day 7: Madurai–Munnar

First step in Kerala

Today you leave the religious fervor of Tamil Nadu for the lush nature of Kerala . You pass from the plains and rice fields to the reliefs and the different cultures of the mountain of the Western Ghats, the verdant mountains of South India . The road is winding but fantastic. Take a breath of fresh air and stroll through the heart of the tea plantations, an invigorating calm after the fervor of Indian cities. You visit Top Station, one of the region’s tea roasting factories, in which you discover all the stages. From harvest to tasting, through drying and fermentation. Night at the hotel.

Day 8: Munnar

Eravikulam National Park

Day of discovery and exploration of the magnificent Eravikulam National Park , known for its sholas, dense tropical forests of southern India , which form a unique ecosystem complex with the grasslands that separate them. You have the opportunity to make a Trek in this beautiful natural setting which is home to many Nilgiri Thars , wild goats from the mountains of South India in danger of extinction. Why not take a tour with an English-speaking naturist guide who will tell you all about the complexity and wonder of this very rare ecosystem. At the turn of a small peak, you can contemplate a magnificent view of the plains of Tamil Nadu . Night at the hotel.

Day 9: Munnar – Thekkady

Spice gardens

Today, you will travel through the various tea and spice plantations, lakes and eucalyptus forests, where small hamlets are hidden in the heart of the Western Ghats mountain . You visit a spice garden in the region, renowned throughout the world. Between cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, chilli, vanilla and star anise, all your senses are awakened. Discover the manufacturing secrets of the famous Indian Masala which flavors most Indian dishes. These spices also have many benefits, used in particular in Ayurvedic medicine. Stock up on spices for you and your loved ones and head to Thekkady , a village on the edge of the Periyar Nature Reserve.

Day 10: Thekkady – Allepey

Backwaters Cruise

This morning, join Allepey , your boarding point aboard a House-boat, a real traditional floating house, made of reeds and braided rice mats. Navigate the tranquility of the backwaters , an immense network of lagoons and canals lined with palm trees, coconut palms and rice paddies. Observe the life of the villages that line the shores. Exchange warm smiles with the locals. The schoolchildren, who are waiting for their boat to go home, wave to you from their pontoon. You are delighted by this day which rocks you over the Backwaters in a truly authentic atmosphere. Night in a houseboat.

Day 11: Houseboat – Kochi

The cultural capital of Kerala

Have your breakfast on board your House-boat, with the only background sound of birdsong. Then, meet your driver who takes you to Köchi , also called Cochin , an old colonial city founded in the 16th century by Vasco de Gamma, which you find very pleasant. Due to its historical past, this city is a true example of cultural diversity. An unusual mix of medieval Portugal, Dutch architecture, English countryside and Indian mosque. With the tropical coast of Malabar as a backdrop . In the evening, why not attend a performance of Kathakali , a dance theater of Kerala art . Night at the hotel.

Day 12: Kochi Airport – Bangalore

Flight to Karnataka

Get up in the morning to take a walk on the famous bay of the city and admire the spectacle of the large “Chinese plaice”, traditional fishing nets which are deployed in the sea. Then, your driver takes you to Köchi airport . Off to Karnataka ! You arrive in Bangalore where your driver welcomes you and you immediately hit the road. You drive through fields of sugar cane, vegetables, rice fields, coconut groves as far as the eye can see and small villages with well-maintained dirt roads. You then arrive in Mysore , known for its glittering royal heritage and magnificent buildings. Enjoy your evening and night at the hotel.

Day 13: Mysore

Mysore Palace, Madness of the Maharajas

This morning, why not try a yoga class? The city is also renowned worldwide as one of the best places to practice Ashtanga yoga. You walk to Chamundi hill where you visit the Chamundeshwari temple and its imposing statue of the bull Nandi, the sacred mount of Shiva. Then, you explore the extravagant palace of the Maharaja which lights up with a thousand lights every Sunday evening. At the end of the day, stroll through the vibrant and colorful Dejavara market. Adorn yourself with beautiful garlands of flowers and smell the sandalwood that abounds in the stalls before returning to the hotel.

Day 14: Mysore-Hassan

The Hoysala civilization

Today, you take the road to Hassan and drop off your belongings at your hotel where you will spend the night. Then, you go to visit the marvels of the Hoysala empire at the temples of Halebid and Belur , important masterpieces of Indian architecture and sculpture. The facades are covered with sculptures of animals, deities, Hindu sages and friezes representing sacred texts. Sometimes there are traces of the conversion of the Hoysala people to the Jain religion alongside Hindu deities. You are impressed by the finesse of these sculptures. You return to Hassan where the carriages that mingle with traffic are the charm of India.

Day 15: Hassan-Hospet

At the gates of the lost kingdom

This morning, your driver takes you to Hospet . You make a long day’s drive and cross the Deccan plateau. Around you, rice paddies, cultivated fields and small hamlets inhabited by local farmers. On the small roads with little traffic you see the first pink granite rocks as if fallen from the sky, surrounded by brilliant rice fields of sparkling green, a unique landscape that marks the region of Hampi. Why not stop for a while and sip a Chai , a blend of tea and spices, accompanied by a splash of milk and share a moment with the locals who are delighted to welcome you. Night at the hotel.

Day 16: Hospet-Hampi

Little piece of Indian paradise

Today, continue your journey back in time by visiting Hampi, a UNESCO heritage site after remaining hidden for over 4 centuries. This set of legendary remains of the Hindu Vijayanagar empire from the 14th to the 17th century is today one of the most fascinating sites in the country. A magnificent architectural gem set in a natural setting. You appreciate the pastoral atmosphere which bathes the site, where herds of cows walk quietly followed by their shepherdess draped in colorful sari and which gives it a unique charm. You are fascinated by this timeless day, one of the most beautiful of your trip. Night at the hotel.

Day 17: Hampi – Badami

The troglodyte temples

Early in the morning, visit the ancient capitals of the Chalukya dynasty . And, make a first stop at Pattadakal , listed by UNESCO for its Hindu temples. The contrast between the color of the rough stones dating from the 8th century with the green vegetation and the cliffs, on the banks of the Malaprabah river , forms all the beauty of the site. Then, you continue to the picturesque village of Aihole and its many temples before reaching the charming town of Bâdâmi , located in the heart of the countryside and at the foot of a red sandstone cliff. You will discover troglodyte temples, carved into the cliff and dominating the lake. Night at the hotel.

Day 18: Badami – Wildnest

Goa Jungle Road

This morning, you leave Badami and take the road to the west coast of India. You drive in the middle of crops of sunflower, pepper, cotton and fields of banana trees and coconut trees as far as the eye can see. The road is long but beautiful. You arrive at Wildernest where you discover another aspect of the Goa region, unjustly unknown. At an altitude of 800 meters, you can admire the Nilgiris chain and have the opportunity to discover its rich biodiversity (bears, deer, leopards, flying squirrels, etc.) during a hike. Night at the hotel.

Day 19 Wildnerst – Goa

White sands and coconut palms as far as the eye can see

Early rise to reach your hotel in Goa where you can drop off your belongings. This small country is a former Portuguese enclave, which became a favorite haunt of hippies in the 1970s. A paradise of white sand lined with coconut palms that stretches for miles and places your day under the sign of idleness, rest and of relaxation. If you are more of an adventurous soul, you can also go on an excursion to the White Waterfalls. In the evening, nothing beats dining in the Portuguese quarter and its delightful restaurants in Panaji , the capital. Goan cuisine is delicious and in the evening some areas are very lively. Night at the hotel.

Day 20: Goa International Airport

Indian smiles in your suitcases

Your vacation is coming to an end. Depending on the schedule of your return flight, take the time to satisfy your last desires. Whether it’s a last Indian massage, a swim in the Arabian Sea or an excellent chicken curry. Also take advantage of this time to walk the narrow streets of the old town or the Anjuna market in search of souvenirs to bring back for you and your loved ones. Take a last deep breath of sea air then your driver will drive you to Goa International Airport . Our services are ending. The entire Shanti Travel team says see you soon for new adventures in Asia.