India15 days
South India: Temples, Backwaters & Hill Stations — 15 Days
Chennai to Mysore via Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, the Western Ghats, and Kerala's backwaters
This 15-day itinerary traces the architectural and natural landmarks of South India's four primary states. The route begins in Chennai, moves through the Pallava temple sites of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram, then south to the former French colonial port of Puducherry. From there it follows the Chola heartland—Darasuram, Tanjore, and Trichy—before reaching the Meenakshi temple complex in Madurai. The second half descends through the Western Ghats to Periyar wildlife sanctuary, then west to the backwater lagoons of Alleppey and the historic port of Kochi. The final leg climbs back into the Nilgiris to the hill station of Ooty, then south to Mysore before returning to Chennai.
Highlights
- Rock-cut temples and Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Arjuna's Penance
- Kanchipuram's silk-weaving workshops and temple architecture from the Pallava dynasty
- Auroville township and Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry
- Brihadeeshwara Temple in Tanjore, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to the 11th century
- Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple in Madurai, known for its gopuram architecture and temple art
- Tirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai
- Periyar Lake wildlife sanctuary in the Western Ghats, with opportunity to spot wild elephants
- Alleppey's backwater lagoons, coconut plantations, and paddy fields
- Kochi's historic spice markets and colonial-era port infrastructure
- Ooty's botanical gardens and lake in the Nilgiris
- Mysore Palace and Brindavan Gardens
- Devraja Flower Market in Mysore
Day by day
1Arrival in ChennaiChennai airport
Arrival at Chennai airport with transfer to hotel. The remainder of the day is unscheduled.
2Mahabalipuram & KanchipuramMahabalipuram · Kanchipuram · Arjuna's Penance · Five Rathas
A full-day excursion covers Mahabalipuram, known for its rock carvings and the Shore Temple. The site includes the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Arjuna's Penance and the Five Rathas. The afternoon continues to Kanchipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallava dynasty, where silk and cotton weaving remains central to the local economy. The city contains numerous temples spanning centuries of South Indian architecture.
3Chennai & Transfer to PuducherryChennai · Auroville · Chennai to Puducherry
Morning sightseeing in Chennai covers the city's principal sites. The afternoon drive to Puducherry, the former French colony, arrives at this destination. The town sits on a 32-kilometer coastline marked by palm-fringed beaches, fishing villages, and backwater inlets. Colonial-era buildings, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and the planned township of Auroville are among the defining features of the region. Overnight in Puducherry.
4Puducherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram & AurovilleSri Aurobindo Ashram · Auroville · Puducherry Museum
Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in the morning. Afternoon visits the Puducherry Museum and Auroville, an experimental township dedicated to human unity.
5Darasuram, Tanjore & TrichyTrichy · Airavetisvara Temple · Brihadeeshwara Temple
The route proceeds inland to Darasuram, home to the Airavetisvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the 12th century. Continuing to Tanjore, the itinerary includes the Brihadeeshwara Temple, a World Heritage monument. The day concludes with transfer to Trichy.
6Trichy: Rock Fort & TemplesRock Fort complex
Visit the Rock Fort complex and its impressive temples overlooking the Cauvery River.
7Trichy to MaduraiTrichy to Madurai · Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple · Tirumalai Nayak Palace · Temple Art Museum
Morning transfer to Madurai. The afternoon includes a half-day city tour centered on the Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple, one of South India's largest temple complexes, known for its towering gopurams and intricate stone carving. The itinerary also covers the Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the Temple Art Museum.
8Madurai to Periyar Wildlife SanctuaryPeriyar wildlife sanctuary · Periyar Lake
Morning drive to Periyar wildlife sanctuary in the Western Ghats. The sanctuary encompasses a lake. An afternoon wildlife cruise on Periyar Lake offers the possibility of sighting wild elephants, gaur, and sambar deer on the grassy banks.
9Periyar to Alleppey: Spice Plantations & BackwatersAlleppey · Western Ghats to Alleppey · backwater resort
The route descends westward from the Western Ghats to Alleppey, passing through spice plantations. Alleppey sits on a network of lagoons, canals, and backwater inlets formed between the Arabian Sea and the mainland. The landscape is characterized by coconut palms, paddy fields, and fishing villages. The town's nickname, 'Venice of the East,' reflects its water-based geography. Accommodation is at a backwater resort. Optional activities include water sports and Ayurvedic treatments available at the resort.
10Alleppey to KochiKochi · old spice market · colonial-era warehouses · markets along M.G. Road
Morning transfer to Kochi, a historic port city. Sightseeing covers the old spice market, colonial-era warehouses, and the markets along M.G. Road. The city's architecture reflects centuries of Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence.
11Kochi to OotyKochi to Ooty · heritage hotel · Ooty Lake · Botanical Gardens
Morning drive toward the Nilgiris Hills to reach Ooty, one of India's best known hill stations. Ooty is one of South India's principal hill stations, developed during the British colonial period. On arrival, check-in at a heritage hotel. Evening visit to Ooty Lake and the Botanical Gardens, which contain specimens from across India and the world.
12Ooty to MysoreOoty to Mysore · Ooty lake · Ooty gardens
Morning sightseeing in Ooty covers the lake, gardens, and surrounding hill terrain. The afternoon transfer to Mysore. Mysore is historically known for its palace, sandalwood trade, and silk production. Evening is unscheduled.
13Mysore: Palace, Gardens & MarketsMysore Palace · Brindavan Gardens · Chamundi Hills · Mysore Zoo · Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation
Sightseeing in Mysore includes the Mysore Palace, the Brindavan Gardens, Chamundi Hills, and the Mysore Zoo. The itinerary may also include the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation, where silk-weaving looms operate, subject to production schedules at the time of visit.
14Mysore to ChennaiMysore to Chennai · Devraja Flower Market · Mysore railway station · hotel in Chennai
Morning visit to the Devraja Flower Market, a wholesale market supplying flowers to temples and households across the region. Mid-morning transfer to Mysore railway station to board an afternoon train to Chennai. On arrival in Chennai, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
15Departure from ChennaiChennai international airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Chennai international airport for your onward journey home. The tour concludes.