Heritage & Hills Escape
Duration
04D / 03N
Temperature
20–32°C
Region
South India
Best Time
Oct – Mar
Currency
INR (Indian Rupee)
Capital
Trivandrum
Language
Malayalam, English
Code
+91
Top Activity
Backwater Houseboat Cruise
Arrival
Kochi
Departure
Trivandrum
Day-Wise Itinerary
Option 1 – Chennai, Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry (Heritage + French Charm)
Day 1: Arrive Chennai – City Tour
- Pickup from Chennai Airport/Railway Station.
- Begin sightseeing in Chennai:
- Marina Beach – world’s second-longest urban beach, perfect for a stroll.
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple – 7th-century Dravidian architecture dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Fort St. George – India’s first British fortress, now a museum of colonial history.
- Drive past San Thome Basilica (optional visit).
- Evening free to explore local markets or enjoy South Indian cuisine.
- Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 2: Chennai → Mahabalipuram Sightseeing → Pondicherry
- Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Mahabalipuram (approx. 1.5–2 hours).
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage monuments:
- Shore Temple – ancient temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
- Five Rathas – monolithic rock-cut chariots.
- Arjuna’s Penance – massive rock carving depicting Hindu mythology.
- Krishna’s Butterball – gravity-defying boulder.
- Lunch en route, then continue to Pondicherry (approx. 2 hours).
- Check-in at hotel, evening free for a walk along the Promenade Beach.
- Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Day 3: Pondicherry Sightseeing
- After breakfast, explore the French charm and spiritual side of Pondicherry:
- Auroville – experimental township promoting harmony and sustainable living.
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram – spiritual center with peaceful ambience.
- French Quarter – stroll through colorful colonial streets and cafes.
- Rock Beach or Paradise Beach for relaxation.
- Visit local markets for handicrafts and French-inspired goods.
- Evening free to enjoy French/Creole cuisine at heritage cafés.
- Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Day 4: Pondicherry → Chennai Departure
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive back to Chennai (approx. 3–4 hours).
- Depending on departure time, quick shopping or short city visit.
- Transfer to Chennai Airport/Railway Station for onward journey.
Option 2 – Madurai, Rameswaram & Kanyakumari (Temple & Coastal)
Day 1: Arrive Madurai – Temple & Heritage Tour
- Pickup from Madurai Airport/Railway Station.
- Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple – iconic Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, famous for its towering gopurams and intricate carvings.
- Explore Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace – 17th-century palace blending Dravidian and Islamic styles.
- Optional evening visit to Gandhi Memorial Museum or shopping for silk sarees and handicrafts.
- Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 2: Madurai → Rameswaram
- Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Rameswaram (approx. 3–4 hours).
- Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple – one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples, renowned for its long corridor and sacred bathing wells (teerthams).
- Explore Dhanushkodi – the ghost town at the tip of Rameswaram, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean.
- View Pamban Bridge – India’s first sea bridge and a major engineering marvel.
- Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
Day 3: Rameswaram → Kanyakumari
- Early breakfast and drive to Kanyakumari (approx. 5–6 hours).
- Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial – situated on a rock island, accessible by ferry, offering panoramic sea views.
- Witness the confluence at Triveni Sangam – meeting point of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.
- Optional visits: Thiruvalluvar Statue, Gandhi Mandapam, and Kanyakumari Temple.
- Enjoy sunset views over the ocean.
- Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
Day 4: Departure from Trivandrum / Madurai
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depending on your departure city:
- From Trivandrum – visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple or city highlights if time permits.
- From Madurai – free time for shopping or a quick temple revisit.
- Transfer to airport/railway station for onward journey.
Option 3 – Ooty & Coonoor (Hill Station Escape)
Day 1: Arrive Coimbatore → Ooty
- Pickup from Coimbatore Airport/Railway Station.
- Scenic drive to Ooty (approx. 3–4 hours) through winding hill roads, lush valleys, and tea gardens.
- En route, stop at picturesque viewpoints like Ketti Valley View or Pykara Falls (if time permits).
- Check-in at your Ooty hotel/resort.
- Evening free to stroll through local markets or enjoy a quiet walk near the lake.
- Overnight stay in Ooty.
Day 2: Ooty Sightseeing
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit:
- Government Botanical Garden – spread over 55 acres with rare plants and flowers.
- Ooty Lake – enjoy a boat ride or simply relax by the lakeside.
- Doddabetta Peak – the highest point in the Nilgiris with panoramic views.
- Optional: Visit Rose Garden or Tea Factory & Museum to learn about tea processing.
- Evening leisure time to explore Ooty town.
- Overnight stay in Ooty.
Day 3: Ooty → Coonoor Sightseeing → Ooty
- Breakfast and short drive to Coonoor (approx. 1 hour).
- Visit:
- Sim’s Park – botanical garden with exotic plants and flowers.
- Dolphin’s Nose – viewpoint offering a breathtaking view of Catherine Falls and surrounding valleys.
- Lamb’s Rock – another stunning viewpoint overlooking tea estates and the Coimbatore plains.
- Optional ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO heritage toy train) between Ooty and Coonoor.
- Return to Ooty in the evening.
- Overnight stay in Ooty.
Day 4: Ooty → Coimbatore Departure
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive back to Coimbatore (approx. 3–4 hours).
- Depending on departure time, short sightseeing or shopping in Coimbatore.
- Transfer to Airport/Railway Station for onward journey.
Inclusions
- All Sightseeing Tours
- Accommodation
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner
- Arrival & Departure transfer
- Basic English Speaking Driver
- All Tours & Transfers on Private Basis as per the program
- Travel Insurance
Exclusions
- 5% GST
- Any other transport mentioned other than above.
- Any meals except breakfast from the Hotel
- Any services not included in the above itinerary.
- Any Increase in the airfare charged by the airlines.
- 5% TCS
- Any optional tour and all items of personal nature
- Tips and gratis.
- Late checkout Charges if any. Any Gala Dinner.
- Hard Liquor/Beer/ Mineral water, Soft Drinks, Juices, Mini-bar in the rooms,
Local/STD/ISD telephone call, rooms service, Porterage etc. in rooms are all chargeable
and would have to be paid at the time of check-out by the clients. - Please note that anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions is excluded from the package.