Arrival at Chennai - Tamil Nadu’s capital and one of the largest metros in India. After a hearty welcome proceed to ‘Mahabalipuram’, a centuries old port city near Chennai, for an insight into the priceless Dravidian culture & heritage. At Mahabalipuram view some splendid specimens of Dravidian architecture & art forms - testimonies of former Pallava Kings, who were great patrons of arts / crafts - such as, ‘Pancha Rathas’ (‘Five Chariots’ - monolithic structures, each carved from one single large piece of stone - named after the five ‘Pandavas’ of the great epic Mahabharata), ‘Arjuna's Penance’ (a massive relief sculpture illustrating an episode from the epic Mahabharata), ‘Descent of the Ganges’ (another giant open-air bas relief, depicting a famous scene from Hindu mythology), ‘Varaha Cave Temple’ (a rock-cut-temple with fine carvings), ‘Shore Temple’ (a very old shrine with entry from the seashore) … As the daylight paves way for nightfall get in to your lodgings and settle down in its soothing environs. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.

Today morning, depart Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry (a French Colony for centuries before merging with India) - more of a journey from Dravidian times to Colonial times! After reaching the destination, set out for a city sightseeing… Thought the French left Pondicherry about half-a-century ago, you can see that the city still bears a remarkable colonial influence. In fact, it consists of two major sections such as, the French 'White town' and the Indian 'Black Town'. Experience French ambience in Pondicherry‘s numerous heritage buildings and monuments viz., Le Café, Dupleix Statue, Governor’s Palace, Romain Rolland Library, Puducherry Museum… watch the well-laid out European-styled avenues. Enjoy the bygone Colonial charm in full. Stay overnight at Pondicherry.

From the colonial charm make a return to Tamil Nadu’s deep rooted Dravidian traits. Travel to ‘Kumbakonam’, nicknamed as the ‘temple town’, due to presence of many beautiful shrines. After visiting some of Kumbakonam’s most elegant temples, proceed to ‘Darasuram’, an ancient location nearby. At Darasuram you can find remnants of Airavateswar Shiva Temple. View some exclusive architecture, sculptures & paintings at this Temple.

Later - subject to time and convenience - make an optional visit to ‘Swamimalai’ - one of the six most important abodes of Lord Subramanya, also famous for its indigenous bronze sculptures. Overnight stay at Kumbakonam.

Leave Kumbakonam and travel to another important Dravidian city - ‘Tiruchirapalli’ alias ‘Trichy’. After reaching Trichy, check in to your hotel and get refreshed. Then proceed for Trichy sightseeing. Start with the most important landmark in the city - the ‘Rock Fort Ucchi Pillayar Temple’ (a combination of two shrines located atop a high rock, 83 meters tall - one shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and other to his son, Lord Ganesha, known as ‘Pillayar’ in Tamil). In these shrines, which are regarded as one of the oldest in the world, watch the awe inspiring rock architectures bearing ancient traits.

Afterwards visit Trichy’s most elegant Christian monument, the St John's Church - a colonial styled church that dates back to almost two centuries. Experience the vintage air that engulfs the Church. Also visit the neighboring cemetery… all these will remind you about some fairy tale scenes. As night falls, return to your hotel at Trichy and stay overnight.

Today, make a visit to the largest functioning temple complex in the world - ‘The Ranganathaswamy Temple’. Located at Srirangam near Trichy, this overwhelmingly massive shrine is regarded as one among the holiest Vaishnavite (followers of Lord Vishnu) Temples in India. Watch in awe the fascinating architecture and sculptural beauty of this gigantic shrine. Don’t forget to see the interesting ‘One Thousand Pillar Hall’ (actually 953 intricately carved stone pillars) in the temple complex. Though the Ranganathaswamy Temple complex is very vast, you won’t miss its most striking feature - the ‘Rajagopuram’ - built by the Vijayanagara Emperors this is the tallest temple tower in Asia.

Afterwards leave Trichy for another significant Temple city - Madurai, one of the oldest & continuously inhabited cities in the world. After reaching Madurai, check into your hotel and wash off your journey marks. If time permits take a quick look-around the surrounding city area. Overnight stay at Madurai.

Spend the morning at leisure, readying for Madurai sightseeing... Start with visiting one of India's greatest cultural & architectural landmarks - the ‘Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple’ (dedicated to Meenakshi - Goddess Parvathy). Watch the looming temple towers, each studded with carvings of Gods, Goddesses, mythological figures and even depictions from fairy tales. Explore the sprawling temple complex... Visit the inspiring ‘Thousand Pillar Hall’ (in fact 985 now). Then see the ‘musical pillars’ - each one, when struck, produces a different musical note!

Later visit the ‘Mariamman Teppakulam’, a huge water tank located near the Meenakshi Temple. The tank is known as Mariamman Teppakulam due to the presence of Goddess Mariamman Temple there (Teppakulam means water tank in Tamil). At the center of the tank is a Lord Ganesh temple - accessible only by water. The area of the tank and the island pavilion is approximately equal to the area of the great Meenakshi Temple.

Afterwards, as time permits, visit Madurai’s other landmarks like, the ‘Thirumalai Nayakar Palace’ (a splendid palace of the former Madurai King, who made this city a memorable one). Get a brief outlook this ageless city’s royal legacy. At nightfall, get back to your lodgings at Madurai for overnight stay.

Get to know more about the versatility of Tamil landscapes... Add some thrills & chills to your trip with the feel of Tamil Nadu’s magnificent high ranges. Depart from Madurai for an excursion to a very well known hill station in the world, Ooty. First take a drive to ‘Coimbatore’ - a major industrial city in Tamil Nadu as well as a transit-destination to Ooty. In a drive that takes several hours; enjoy the charm of rural Tamil landscapes that adorn both sides of the road. On reaching Coimbatore, check in to your lodgings, take own time to freshen-up and settle down. Overnight stay at Coimbatore.

Time to experience the beauty of southern high ranges… From Coimbatore proceed to the ‘Queen of Hill Stations in South’ - Ooty. A pleasurable drive with many exciting hair-pin curves plus heartwarming views of greenery & occasional waterfalls brings you to the hill station queen.

Upon reaching, check in to the Hotel at Ooty and take own time to settle in the coolish environment. As time permits, just roam around in the town area and do some shopping - as at times you cannot restrict buying some cute things typically unique to this place. Overnight stay at cozy comforts of the Ooty’s lodgings.

A full day especially for Ooty sightseeing… Set out to experience the hill station’s prized attractions like, the ‘Ooty Lake’ (where you can avail boating options or horse riding along the banks), ‘Botanical Gardens’ (where you can find some of the treasured plants & flowers in the world), ‘Dodabetta Peak’ (the highest point in Ooty, where you can experience a spellbinding view of the misty mountains & valleys), ‘Echo Rock’ (a rock that naturally took the shape of a lamb; also known as Lamb’s Rock)…to name a few. After plenty of visual entertainments return to your Hotel in late evening for overnight stay.

From one glamorous region to another ... Bid farewell to Ooty and travel to Tamil Nadu’s neighboring state, Karnataka. Proceed to ‘Mysore’, former capital of the legendary Mysore Kingdom. Enjoy the trip thru some pristine landscapes; get absorbed in Southern India’s rural charm. After several hours of drive you will find amongst the proud environs in the city of Mysore. Check in to the Hotel at Mysore; relax for some time. In the evening, as time permits, visit a major attraction in the outskirts of Mysore - the ‘Brindavan Gardens’ & ‘Krishnarajasagar Dam’. Built across the river Cauvery, Krishnarajasagar Dam is an important irrigation project in South India. Roam around the Brindavan Gardens, a beautifully laid out terrace garden enriched with fountains, terraces, cascading water-channels, trees, green lawns and flower beds. Don’t miss its prime attraction - the ‘musical & dancing fountain’. Watch how the beauty is technicality mingled with nature! At night, return to your hotel at Mysore for overnight stay

Today spend some more time sightseeing the post-royal city of Mysore. Pay a visit to the Mysore Palace - once the official residence of the Wodeyar Kings, erstwhile rulers of Mysore Kingdom. Watch the magnificent architectural brilliance of the palace, where you can find a blend of various noted construction styles in medieval India era, moreover a typical Indo-Saracenic style!

After experiencing Mysore’s legacy, it’s time to get more insight into the glorious times of bygone royal dynasties that once held sway in Deccan. Depart Mysore and travel to ‘Hassan’ -known as the ‘Poor Man's Ooty’ for its scenic locations also the base of some fabulous heritage sites (Belur, Halebid). En route visit the historic place, ‘Srirangapattana’ (Capital of former Mysore King, Tipu Sultan). Visit its famed monuments like, Tipu’s Fort and Palace. See the spot where the Sultan was killed during the fatal battle between Mysore and the British (which paved way for the British dominance in South India).

Continue your journey… Next halt at ‘Shravanabelagola’ one of the holiest Jain pilgrimage sites; renowned for its colossal monolithic statue of Jain saint Gomateshwara. Created around 983 AD, the statue, standing at a height of 18 meters, is regarded the tallest monolithic statue in the world. Then proceed to Hassan… on arrival check in to your hotel for overnight stay.

From Hassan, start a tour to a pair of breathtakingly beautiful temple towns - Belur & Halebid - that are second to one anywhere else in architectural brilliance. Popularly known as Southern Banaras (Dakshina Varanasi), ‘Belur’ was the former capital of Hoysala Kings who were great patrons of temples. Visit the most stunning trademark of Belur, the ‘Chennakeshava Temple’. This star shaped temple will leave its onlookers spell-bound with sublime structural beauty. Its peculiar structure, vastly contrasting from other traditional Dravidian temples, together with fantastically carved temple-walls will always keep the visitors glued to this place!

With a refreshed mindset, proceed to ‘Halebid’ - another erstwhile capital of the Hoysalas. At Halebid visit other superb testimonials of Hoysala temple architecture such as the Hoysaleshwara Temple and the Kedareshwara Temple. After seeing all these magnificent monuments you will surely wonder; is there any such temples in the world outclass the classy ones in Belur & Halebid?

Afterwards visit ‘Basadi Halli’ where you will find a number of serene Jain monasteries. Understand that Jainism was a dominant region in ancient India. As night falls, return to your lodgings at Hassan for overnight stay.

Last but not the least; give a fitting climax to your tour with a feel of Karnataka’s urban life. Leave Hassan and drive to Bangalore, the state capital as well as a vibrant city. After a long drive check in to your hotel at Bangalore… settle down to wash off your journey hangover. Soon set out to a quick city sightseeing tour… Visit Bangalore’s prime spots of attraction like the imposing ‘Vidhana Soudha’ buildings, the majestic ‘Bangalore Palace’, the shady ‘Cubbon Park’, etc. At nightfall return to your Hotel at Bangalore for overnight stay.

It’s time for departure… Check out from your hotel and embark your return journey - tour concludes.