Highlights Of South India

Alleppey Backwaters, Kerala

Formed by the 40 odd rivers that flow down to the Arabian Sea from the Cardamom Hills, this network of canals, lakes and estuaries comprises one of India’s most enchanting areas - a rural, revering expanse of verdant coconut groves and rice paddies. The scene is idyllic and the mood – romantic and the experience unforgettable.

Bangalore, Karnataka

Bangalore – Capital of Southern states of Karnataka is the land of flowers or nicknamed Garden City offers a gentle climate, broad streets and green public spaces. It is also the entry exit point for the international tourists to Karnataka.

Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep

India's tiniest Union Territory, the Lakshadweep Archipelago, is a cluster of 27 idyllic islands set in the Arabian Sea, between 200 and 400 kilometres west of the Malabar Coast. Accessible by domestic flight this island offers total privacy for the guests.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Capital city of Tamil Nadu it offers a fine legacy of architecture. This city opens the door for the entry to other major tourist destination of Tamil Nadu.

Chettinad, Tamil Nadu

Chettinad is the ancestral homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars renowned for its mansions & palaces. Exploring this heritage town on your own you will find a quiet spiritual atmosphere, however you will soon be joined by lots of curious villagers.

Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

Chidambaram falls enroute between Pondicherry & Tanjore famous for the Sabhanayaka Temple where you where you see idol of Dancing Shiva in the golden hall. (Sabhanayaka is dedicated to ether; the others represent fire, earth, wind and water).

Cochin, Kerala

Cochin has the oldest European settlements in India. Highlights include Chinese fishing nets, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace. Its also the shoppers paradise for handicrafts and other interesting items which you can find in the famous Jews Street.

Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

The once favoured summer escapes for the British situated at a height of 1850 metres above sea level is the favourite of the local domestic crowd who try to escape here for the hot summers in the plains.

Darasuram, Tamil Nadu

The Airatesvara Temple, one of the three Chola temples, is the main attraction situated very near to the great temple town of Kumbakonam. A visit to this little town is worth the sight.

Gangaikondacholapuram, Tamil Nadu

The Brishadishwara temple stands in this tiny village of Gangaikondacholapuram. The tongue twisting name means “the town of the Chola who took the Ganges”. The ornate tower is almost 55m high and is said to weigh 80 tonnes.

Gokarna, Karnataka

A quiet Hindu holy town, blessed with a series of exquisite white sand beaches with forest-covered foothills of the Western Ghats forming a blue-green backdrop. Ideal place for relaxing your mind, body & spirit.

Hampi, Karnataka

A journey into the past. Set amidst an awesome boulder-strewn landscape is the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagar Empire that ruled the region in the 14th century. Hampi is all about palaces, temples, pavilions and massive fortifications.

Halebid & Belur, Karnataka

Halebid is the home to the remains of ancient surviving temples Hoyasaleshwara & Kedareshwara which are covered with exquisite carvings. Belur was the Hoysala capital where Chennakeshava temple, still in use, remains in its fine forms. Built in 1117 by the King to celebrate his conversion from Jainism.

Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

70 km southwest of Chennai lies this tempe town famous for silk saris, shrines and saints. It remains one of the seven holiest cities of the Subcontinent. Kanchipuram holds less appeal although th etemles are undeniably impressive.

Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Situated at the Southernmost extremity of India is the meeting point of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Watching the sun set & rise is the biggest attraction. Situated 90 km northwest of Kovalam.

Kovalam, Kerala

The coastal village of Kovalam lies 14 km south of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. Kovlam offers the most developed beach resorts of Kerala

Kumarakom, Kerala

Kumrakom forms a cluster of islands on the Vembanad Lake, surrounded by a tangle of lush tropical waterways and lowlying paddy fields. Most of the luxury backwater resorts of Kerala are situated here.

Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

74 km southwest of Chidambaram and 38 km northeast of Thanjavur – Kumbakonam is the believed to the place where the water pot (Kumba) of amrita, the ambrosial beverage of immortality, was washed up by a great deluge atop sacred Mount Meru in the Himalayas. Bronze-casting at Swamimalai is very near and worth a visit.

Madurai, Tamil Nadu

The oldest cities of South Asia – this temple town – is the abode of Sri Meenakshi temple.

Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Tamil Nadu

Scattered around the base of colossal mound of boulders on the Bay of Bengal, Mamallapuram is dominated less by sea, as you might expect, than the smooth volcanic rocks that surround the town. Given the location os so many stunning archeological remains right next to a long white-sand beach.

Mararikulam, Kerala

Nestled under the palm trees behind an endless golden-sand beach strewn with fishing boats.

Mysore, Karnataka

The sandalwood city – is charming, old fashioned and undaunting town, dominated by the spectacular Maharaja’s Palace, around which the boulevards of the city radiate.

Neeleshwar, Kerala

Neeleshwar is a tranquil area of empty beaches fringed by coconut plantations, uncrowded inland waterways and lush hillside spice gardens set against the immensity of the ocean. The long beach is both clean and great for swimming.

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

South India’s most famous hill station established by the British in the early 19th century as th summer headquarters of Madras (Chennai). Ooty resembles a combination of Southern England and Australia: single storey stone cottages, bijou-fenced flower gardens & leafy winding lanes.

Palakkad, Kerala

Surrounded by paddy fields this is a important point into the Western region. Palakkad’s square fort the best preserved in Kerala, is the main attraction.

Periyar, Kerala

Periyar wildlife sanctuary encompasses 777 sq km, with 26 sq km artificial lake is the home to bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, elephants and tigers.

Pondicherry, Karnataka

With a seafront promenade, wide boulevards, enduring pockets of French culture and architecture, and a popular ashram, charming Pondicherry is unlike anywhere else in South India. Sultans Battery, Kerala This beautiful, peaceful area of coffee and cardamom plantations is a true slice of rural Kerala. It was once known as Ganapathivattom - "the fields of Ganapathi" (or Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva)

Tanjore, Tamil Nadu

Dominated by the superb World Heritage listed Brihadishwara temple, and a sprawling palace coplex, Tanjore is an easy-going town and well worth detour off the Chennai-Madurai route.

Taragambadi (Tranquibar), Tamil Nadu

Taragambadi was, established in 1620. the seafront Danesborg Fort was occupied by the British in 1801. It has a small but fascinating museum on aspects of Danish history.

Tellicherry, Kerala

Tellicherry Black Pepper is the most famous product of this little coastal town in northern Kerala, which became a busy port under the British East India Company exporting cardamom, coffee, coconut and sandalwood.

Trichy, Tamil Nadu

Is a sprawling but extremely satisfying city with two extraordinary temples – one perched high above the town on a rocky mount.