Dravidian Legacy: A South India Cultural Trail

Duration: 14 Nights - 15 Days
Places Covered: Chennai - Mahabalipuram –Tanjore – Madurai - Periyar- Kumarakom – Alleppey - Cochin – Ooty – Mysore – Bangalore

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Chennai

Arrive by international flight. After a traditional Indian-style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by an Exceptional Escapes representative, you will be assisted at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and temple architecture. The region has served as an important administrative, military, and economic center since the 1st century. The Portuguese arrived in 1522 and built a port; the Dutch followed in 1612. On 22 August 1639, the British East India Company was granted land here, laying the foundation for a permanent settlement.
Optional Evening: Enjoy a leisurely Marina Beach visit, the second longest urban beach in the world, followed by a drive past the colonial buildings of the Indo-Saracenic era.
Overnight Hotel – Chennai

Day 02: Chennai – Mahabalipuram (70 km / 2 hrs)

Post-breakfast, guided half-day sightseeing tour of Chennai:

• Fort St. George: Built in 1640 AD by the British East India Company, under Francis Day and Andrew Cogon.
• St. Mary's Church: Built in 1680, it is the oldest Protestant Church in the East.
• Fort Museum: Exhibits uniforms, coins, prints, and palanquins.
• Santhome Cathedral: Built over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, who came to India in 52 AD.
• Government Museum & National Art Gallery: Established in 1857, one of India's finest museums.

Later drive to Mahabalipuram, a 7th-century port city of the Pallava dynasty and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
En route: Visit DakshinaChitra, a living history museum showcasing South Indian heritage and traditional architecture.
Evening: Free to explore the beachfront markets or enjoy the sunset by the Shore Temple.
Overnight Hotel – Mahabalipuram (B)

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Day 03: Mahabalipuram – Excursion to Kanchipuram (65 km / 1½ hrs each way)

Morning guided tour of Mahabalipuram:

• Shore Temple: 8th-century Dravidian architecture designed to catch the first rays of the sun.
• Arjuna's Penance: World's largest bas-relief sculpture.
• Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas): Monolithic rock-cut temples, each carved from a single granite stone.
• Krishna’s Butter Ball: A giant natural rock balanced on a slope, defying gravity.

Noon excursion to Kanchipuram – City of Thousand Temples:

• Kailasanatha Temple: 8th-century Pallava architecture, adorned with intricate carvings.
• Ekambaranatha Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva; features a 57-meter high gopuram and a 3,000-year-old mango tree.
• Kamakshi Amman Temple: A revered Shakti temple with architectural brilliance.

Evening: Return to Mahabalipuram.
Overnight Hotel – Mahabalipuram (B)

Day 04: Mahabalipuram – Tanjore (300 km / 6 hrs)

Post breakfast, drive to Tanjore (Thanjavur), known as the "Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu" and for its rich legacy in art and music.
Afternoon sightseeing of Tanjore:

• Brihadeshwara Temple (Big Temple): A UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Rajaraja Chola I in 1010 AD, showcasing magnificent Dravidian architecture.
• Thanjavur Palace Complex: (Optional) Visit the Saraswathi Mahal Library, one of Asia’s oldest libraries with palm-leaf manuscripts.
• Thanjavur Art Gallery: (Optional) Known for bronze sculptures and antique South Indian art.

Evening: Free to explore local markets for Tanjore paintings and handicrafts.
Overnight Hotel – Tanjore (B)

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Day 05: Tanjore – Madurai via Trichy (200 km / 4 hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Madurai with en route sightseeing in Trichy (Tiruchirapalli):

• Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple: A vast temple complex dedicated to Lord Vishnu with 21 gopurams, including the tallest in South India.
• Rock Fort Temple: Built atop an 83-metre ancient rock, older than the Himalayas (approx. 3.8 billion years old), offering panoramic views of the city.

Continue to Madurai, one of India’s oldest cities, with a history dating back over 2,500 years. Known for its temples, literature, and rich cultural traditions.
Evening: Attend the evening Aarti ceremony at Meenakshi Amman Temple, a spectacular spiritual experience with drums, lights, and chanting (if time permits).
Overnight Hotel – Madurai (B)

Day 06: Madurai

Post breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Madurai, visiting the Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple, originally built over 2000 years ago and substantially expanded between 1623–1655 AD. Initially, only the Shiva temple existed. A striking feature of the temple is the Ayiramkaal Mandapam (Hall of a Thousand Pillars) in the outermost corridor, each pillar sculpted with intricate figures.
Later, visit the Tirumalai Nayakkar Palace, a blend of Dravidian and Islamic architecture, famous for its majestic pillars and courtyard.
Also visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, housed in the historic Tamukkam Palace, showcasing the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
Overnight Hotel – Madurai (B)

Day 07: Madurai – Periyar (136 km – 3½ hrs)

Post breakfast, drive to Periyar, a picturesque destination nestled around Periyar Lake, and home to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s most renowned reserves. It offers a chance to spot elephants, tigers, leopards, bison, antelope, wild boar, monkeys, and a wide range of bird species.
In the evening, enjoy a spice plantation visit to learn about Kerala’s famous spices like cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon.
Overnight Hotel – Periyar (B)

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Day 08: Periyar – Kumarakom (135 km – 4 hrs)

Early morning boat safari on Lake Periyar (approx. 2 hours) to spot wildlife and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the forest.
Post breakfast, drive to Kumarakom, a scenic village famous for its backwaters, the Vembanad Lake, and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
In the evening, visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a haven for migratory birds. From October to February, expect to see cormorants, teals, and ducks, while from February to July, darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, and even Siberian storks arrive. Resident birds include golden-backed woodpecker, white-breasted water hen, and tree pies.
Overnight Hotel – Kumarakom (B)

Day 09: Kumarakom – Alleppey (Overnight in AC Houseboat)

Post breakfast, drive to Alleppey, known as the "Venice of the East" for its charming canals and lagoons. On arrival, board a traditional Kerala houseboat (Kettuvallam).
Enjoy a serene cruise through the backwaters, witnessing daily village life, lush paddy fields, coconut groves, and fishermen at work.
Overnight on Houseboat – Alleppey (B, L, D)

Day 10: Alleppey – Cochin (53 km – 1 hr)

After disembarking the houseboat at Alleppey, drive to Cochin (Kochi), a historic port city on the Arabian coast. A melting pot of cultures, it reflects the influence of Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese, and British.
Post-lunch guided sightseeing tour of Cochin, covering:

• Jew Town & Paradesi Synagogue (built in 1568), decorated with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers.
• Spice Market, with its exotic aroma of cardamom, clove, and cinnamon.
• St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, and the original burial site of Vasco da Gama.
• Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), known for its stunning murals and royal exhibits.
• Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheenavala), unique to Cochin’s coast.

In the evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance, including a glimpse of the elaborate make-up ritual.
Overnight Hotel – Cochin (B)

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Day 11: Cochin – Ooty (300 km – 7 hrs)

Post breakfast, drive to Ooty (Udhagamandalam), fondly called the Queen of Hill Stations. Located in the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), it was a favorite retreat for the British during colonial rule.
En route, enjoy views of lush green tea estates, forested valleys, and misty hills.
Evening at leisure to explore the local markets or take a walk through Botanical Gardens or Ooty Lake.
Optional: Experience the scenic Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train) ride if time permits, a UNESCO World Heritage experience.
Overnight Hotel – Ooty (B)

Day 12: Ooty

Day is at leisure to explore the Queen of Hill Stations.
Recommended sightseeing (optional):

• Botanical Gardens – spread over 22 acres with rare species of trees and a fossil tree trunk believed to be 20 million years old.
• Ooty Lake – a picturesque man-made lake ideal for boating.
• Doddabetta Peak – the highest point in the Nilgiris offering panoramic views.
• Rose Garden – one of the largest rose gardens in India.
• Tea Factory & Museum – showcasing the history and process of tea production in Ooty.
  

Overnight Hotel – Ooty (B)

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Day 13: Ooty – Mysore (150 kms / approx. 03 hours)

Post breakfast, drive to Mysore – the cultural capital and former seat of the Wodeyars Kingdom. The city enchants visitors with its rich heritage, majestic palaces, sacred temples, and ornate gardens.
En-route visit:

• Srirangapatna – the historic capital of Tipu Sultan.
• Daria Daulat Bagh – Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, adorned with exquisite frescoes and surrounded by scenic gardens.

Evening Recommendation:

• Witness the Mysore Palace Illumination (on Sundays and public holidays). Arrive early for the full lighting experience.
  Note: Illumination may be cancelled during state mourning.

Overnight Hotel – Mysore (B)

Day 14: Mysore

Post breakfast, Half Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mysore:

• Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace) – a masterpiece designed by British architect Henry Irwin, completed in 1912, famous for its indo-saracenic architecture.
• Chamundi Hill – topped with a 12th-century Chamundeshwari Temple and the 5-meter tall Nandi statue, carved from a single granite block in 1659.
• Brindavan Gardens – sprawling gardens with dancing musical fountains, located below the Krishnarajasagar Dam.

Evening is free to relax or explore local markets like Devaraja Market for Mysore silk, sandalwood, and handicrafts.
Overnight Hotel – Mysore (B)

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Day 15: Mysore – Bangalore (136 kms / approx. 03 hours)

Post breakfast, drive to Bangalore – the Garden City and Silicon Valley of India. The city blends historic landmarks with modern innovation.
Post-lunch Half Day Guided Tour of Bangalore:

• Tipu Sultan’s Palace – an elegant structure showcasing Indo-Islamic architecture, now a museum.
• ISKCON Temple – a modern architectural marvel with Dravidian influences.
• Lalbagh Botanical Garden – established by Hyder Ali in 1760 and later developed by Tipu Sultan; famous for its glass house and rare plant species.

In-time transfer to airport to board your flight back home with wonderful memories of South India.

Tour Concludes
Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist with airport transfer.
We hope you had a memorable journey through the cultural, natural, and historic wonders of South India.