The Best Of south India

When you arrive at Bangalore Airport or Railway Station, our team will welcome you and help you get to your hotel. Once you’ve checked in, take some time to settle down before we begin exploring Bangalore, also known as the Silicon Valley of India, on your first day here.

Our tour starts at the Bangalore Palace, a stunning 19th-century building surrounded by beautiful gardens right in the city centre. This palace is a favourite spot for both locals and tourists, known for its remarkable architecture with detailed carvings on its wooden structures. Here, you’ll get a glimpse into the medieval era and learn about the royal families who once lived here.

Next, we’ll visit the Sri Radha Krishna Temple, just 15 minutes from the palace. This temple is one of the largest ISKCON temples in the world, built with top-quality materials like granite, marble, and glass from Korea.

Close by, we’ll explore the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Established in 1960, this site functions as a museum preserving Bangalore’s rich culture and art. It features a variety of modern and traditional artworks, including pieces by students from The College of Fine Arts and The Bengaluru School of Visual Arts. The museum is renowned for its Indian Gold Leaf artwork and Mysore paintings.

The Lal Bagh Botanical Garden is our next stop. This beautiful garden, known for its vibrant red roses that bloom throughout the year, was formerly called the Rose and Cypress Garden. It’s one of the most diverse botanical gardens in South Asia and has a rich history, having been established in 1760.

Later in the day, we’ll visit the Vidhana Soudha, a majestic building constructed in 1956. Standing at 46 meters tall, this Dravidian-style structure was built with white granite by about 5,000 workers and is located across from the High Court of Karnataka.

As evening falls, enjoy some free time. You could explore local shops, take a leisurely walk around the city, or check out the nightlife at a local pub. After a delightful evening, you’ll spend the night at your hotel in Bangalore, ready for more adventures the next day.

Have a hearty breakfast today before we leave the hotel in Bangalore. We are set for a 3.5-hour drive to Mysore, also known as “The City of Palaces,” covering about 150 kilometers. Along the way, we’ll stop at several interesting sites to make our journey enjoyable and enriching.

Our first visit will be to Srirangapatna, once the capital under Tipu Sultan’s rule. The town is named after the ancient Ranganthaswamy Temple, established in 984, which holds both religious and historical significance. It was the heart of Mysore during Tipu Sultan’s reign. Here, we’ll explore the renowned Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Ranganatha. This temple is a major pilgrimage site in Sri Vaishnavism and is notable for housing Karnataka’s largest reclining statue of Vishnu.

Next, we’ll visit Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, famous for its Indo-Islamic architecture. This wooden two-story palace, set amidst a beautiful garden, served as the summer retreat for Tipu Sultan. The interior walls are adorned with floral designs, giving us a glimpse into the leisurely royal lifestyle of its time.

Our journey continues to the Srirangapatna Fort, a significant historical fortification built in 1454 in the Indo-Islamic style by Kempe Gowda. Located about 23 kilometers from Mysore, the fort is fortified with multiple walls and moats, historically protected by crocodiles and snakes as natural defenses.

We will also stop at the Gumbaz, or Gol Gumbad, the resting place of Tipu Sultan. This Muslim mausoleum, set amidst a garden of cypress trees and exotic plants from various countries, marks a significant historical site. The original carved doors are now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, while the current doors feature intricate ebony and ivory work donated by Lord Dalhousie.

After the tour, we’ll return to the hotel in Mysore for check-in and an overnight stay.

Wake up a bit early today as it’s going to be a busy day. Have your breakfast at the hotel by 8 am and check out. We’ll start by exploring Mysore, beginning with the Mysore Palace, also known as the Maharaja’s Palace. This impressive three-story building, set amidst beautiful gardens, was once home to the Wadiyar dynasty. It features elegant gray granite and vibrant pink marble.

Next, we’ll visit Chamundi Hills, famous for its height and the Chamundeshwari Temple located on top. Standing at about 3,500 feet, the temple offers a breathtaking view of Mysore below, along with a cooler, refreshing breeze. The temple, about 13 km from the city, is an important pilgrimage site where devotees worship the goddess Chamundeshwari in her powerful form. You’ll also see the Big Bull statue, the third largest Nandi in India, carved from granite.

Our next stop is St. Philomena’s Church, a beautiful Gothic-style building with 175 ft tall towers that remind one of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and the Cologne Cathedral.

After Mysore, we’ll head to Ooty, a popular hill station in Tamil Nadu, which is about a four-hour drive. The journey will take us past the scenic Bandipur National Park and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Upon reaching Ooty, we’ll visit Ooty Lake where you can enjoy horse riding and boating at an additional cost. We’ll then check into our hotel and relax after an eventful day.

After breakfast, embark on a delightful day tour to Ooty and Coonoor, the charming gems of the enchanting Nilgiri Hills. These two picturesque hill stations are just 20km apart and can easily be explored in a single day.

Start your morning at Sim’s Park, perched at an altitude of 1780 meters. Founded in 1874, this botanical garden is home to over 1000 types of plants, including the exotic Queensland Karry Pine, Rudraksha, and various ornamental trees. Take a leisurely stroll among the vibrant blooms and lush greenery, enjoy some boating, or capture the beauty with your camera.

Next, visit Lamb’s Rock on your way to Dolphin’s Nose in Ooty. Also known as Echo Rock, this popular spot offers breathtaking views of the Coimbatore Plains and dense green forests. The path to Lamb’s Rock is perfect for those who enjoy trekking.

Then, head to Dolphin’s Nose, about 10 km from Coonoor. This peak provides a stunning panorama of the Nilgiri Hills and Catherine Falls. Named for its distinctive dolphin-shaped nose, this viewpoint is truly mesmerizing.

Explore the expansive Botanical Garden, which feels like a large, sloping golf course dotted with a diverse range of trees and shrubs. Don’t miss the ancient fossilized tree on display, which dates back about 20 million years according to carbon dating.

Don’t forget to visit the Rose Garden, the largest of its kind in India, showcasing over 20,000 rose varieties from around the world, including rare black and green roses. From here, enjoy a spectacular view of Ooty.

In the evening, make your way to Ooty Lake, a man-made lake and a popular tourist attraction. Here, you can go boating, ride a mini toy train, cycle, or take photographs (activities are chargeable). Nearby, you can shop for local specialties like chocolates, shawls, and eucalyptus oil. After a full day, return to your hotel in Ooty for some relaxation and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, leave the hotel and head towards Kodaikanal (250 km/6 hours), a peaceful and charming hill station in Tamil Nadu known for its misty mountains, picturesque waterfalls, pristine lakes, and lovely valleys.

Then, make your way to Kodai Lake—a star-shaped lake situated at the heart of Kodaikanal, framed by the Palani Hills. This man-made lake is a favourite spot for tourists. Here, you can enjoy activities like boating, horse riding, and cycling (charges apply directly). Check into your hotel and unwind. Spend the night at the hotel.

After breakfast, set out to explore the beautiful town of Kodaikanal. Start your day by visiting the famous Pillar’s Rock, which provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the area. Then, relax by the peaceful Kodai Lake and enjoy the natural scenery. Next, head over to Fairy Falls, a charming waterfall surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for some quiet time.

As you continue your day, stroll along Coaker’s Walk where you can enjoy stunning views of the mountains and valleys. The peaceful atmosphere here is perfect for soaking in the beauty of Kodaikanal.

After a fulfilling day of sightseeing, spend your evening relaxing. Kodaikanal is known for the mysterious ‘Devil’s Kitchen’ at Guna Caves, a fascinating yet precarious spot with unique rock formations and deep chambers. It’s a great location for nature and wildlife photography.

Make sure to visit Moir Point, a serene viewpoint that offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. After lunch, consider a trip to the Shenbaganur Museum, which is closed on Thursdays. The museum showcases artifacts from the ancient Paliyans tribes and houses an impressive collection of over 300 exotic orchid species and a remarkable taxidermy collection.

Visit the Kurinji Andavar Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, famous for its rare Kurinji flowers that bloom once every twelve years. From here, you can see the Palani hill and Vaigai dam.

In the evening, take some time for personal activities like shopping for medicinal oils, homemade products like cheese, wild honey, herbal tea, and chocolates.

End your day by returning to your hotel for a relaxing night in Kodaikanal.

On the final day of our trip, we’ll head to Coimbatore after breakfast. Once we arrive, you will be taken straight to the airport or railway station, where you can board your flight or train to continue your journey.