Southern India
Anyone familiar with Imprint Tours knows we have a passion for the dazzling tapestry of experience, sights, colors, culture, and history of India. Until recently, we have focused on the popular destinations of the north. But the south of India boasts an equally impressive array of “tapestry” elements. We want to expose our travelers to the great Dravidian temples of Tamil Nadu, the placid backwaters of green Kerala, the impressive palace of Mysore, the unique temple architecture of the Hoysala dynasty, the remarkable sights of Hyderabad, mighty Golconda Fort, and much more. For those able to participate in the optional Bandhavgarh extension, we will explore India’s best tiger safari option. If you have experienced the cultural intoxication of India’s north, your travel resume is incomplete without adding the wonders of the south.
Day 1 Mahabalipuram
Namaste - Welcome to South India. As usual, we’ll have our get-acquainted meeting in our resort hotel and then enjoy a classic Tamil Nadu seafood dinner together.
Chariot Beach Resort (2 nights) https://www.chariotbeachresorts.com/
Day 2 Mahabalipuram
Shore Temple; Arjuna’s Penance
After breakfast we will enjoy a guided tour of the town’s main sights. We begin with the incredible 8th-century Shore Temple and its mandapams (carved pillars) to pay our respects to the deity Shiva. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must see. This will be followed by a visit to Arjuna’s Penance – a relief carved out of stones depicting a story from the Mahabharata. Your afternoon is free to further explore or relax at the resort.
Day 3 Trichy
Brihadeeswara Temple
Today is a travel day as we proceed southwest to Trichy. Enroute we will visit the World Heritage-listed Brihadeeswara Temple, an awesome, thousand-year-old Hindu marvel. Also dedicated to Shiva, it is one of the largest temples in India and was completed 1000 years ago.
SRM Hotel (2 nights) https://www.srmhotels.com/tiruchirappalli/
Day 4 Trichy
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple; Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort
We begin this day with a visit to Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, one of the most important Vishnu temples in India. The architecture is a classic example of the Dravidian style, boasting huge granite walls with carvings of deities and enormous pillared halls. Next up, the Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort, a historic fort and temple perched high upon an ancient rock. In the afternoon we’ll visit Hazarath Thable Alam Badhusa Nathervali Dargah, an important Shrine. Tonight’s dinner is the local specialty: biryani.
Day 5 Kodaicanal
Dindigul Fort
After breakfast we hit the road again, heading for the hill station of Kodaikanal. We’ll break up the drive with lunch and a visit to Dindigul, an 18th century fort maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The huge pillow like structure of the fort is unique and got its name from Dindu Kal which means “pillow rock” in the local language.
Great Trails Resort (2 nights) https://grthotels.com/kodaikanal
Day 6 Kodaicanal
Free Day
You’ll be ready for some relaxation at the end of this first week, so we have nothing planned for this day. Hiking is plentiful and varied with parks, lakes, forests, and waterfalls to explore.
Day 7 Kumarakom
Kathakali Performance
Our destination today is green Kerala and its storied Backwaters. Kumarakom is a typical Keralan village once known for its rubber plantations. After dinner together we’ll enjoy a Kathakali Dance performance, a unique and dramatic dance that combines storytelling with prescribed artistic movement.
Abad Whispering Palms Resort (2 nights) https://www.abadhotels.com/luxury-resort-in-kumarakom/
Day 8 Kumarakom
Village Walk; Backwaters Canoe Excursion
This morning we will explore the Backwaters in small, easily maneuvered boats. Then we’ll partake in a village walk, a great cultural connection opportunity to meet and talk with the locals.
Day 9 Mysore
Kesava Temple
A morning flight (included) whisks us north to Mysore in Karnaktaka. Upon our arrival we will transfer directly to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somnathpur on the outskirts of Mysore. This 13th century temple is the best preserved Hoysala temple in the region. Built in the form of a 16-pointed star, the exterior walls are carved with lines of elephants, floral scrolls and geese, as well as episodes from Indian epics.
Royal Orchid Metropole (2 nights) https://www.royalorchidhotels.com/royal-orchid-brindavan-garden-palace-spa-mysore/overview
Day 10 Mysore
Mysore Palace; Chamundi Hill
Today greets us with a sightseeing tour of fascinating and elegant Mysore. We’ll begin with the Palace of the Maharaja, built in 1897. One of the largest palaces in the country and beautifully restored, it houses many art treasures, wall paintings and ivory inlaid doors. The palace is a harmonious synthesis of Hindu and Saracenic styles with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures. Next is Chamundi hill to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga, celebrating her victory over the buffalo god. The views from this vantage point are wonderful. Your afternoon is free to further explore or do some shopping, as Mysore is famous for its parks and bazaars.
Day 11 Hyderabad
Shravanabelagola; Flight (included)
On our way to Bengaluru airport and our flight to Hyderabad we will squeeze in a stop at Shravanabelagola, a historic destination with a collection of Jain temples. The temples are lovely, but our goal is the commanding Gommateshvara Bahubali, the world’s tallest monolithic stone statue.
The Park Hotel (2 nights) https://www.theparkhotels.com/hyderabad/
Day 12 Hyderabad
Golconda Fort; Char Minar; Mecca Masjid; Lal Bazaar
As our final day of sightseeing we’ve planned a blockbuster day of exploring bustling Hyderabad together. Hyderabad, often called the gateway to the south, blends north and south Indian identities and is famous for its art, jewelry, pearls, and architecture. We begin with nearby Golconda, one of the greatest medieval fortresses in India. Built in the 12th century, the huge citadel boasts 5 kilometers of double walls, 87 bastions, and 8 great entrance gates. Next up, the Charminar – the symbolic centerpiece of the city and often called the Arc de Triumph of the East. We proceed with nearby Mecca Masjid, the largest mosque in south India. This 400-year old building houses the decorative and monumental tombs of past rulers of the city. We conclude our activities with a visit to the Lal Bazaar, Hyderabad’s frenetic city market.
Day 13 Hyderabad
Tour over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.
[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]
What’s Included:
12 nights accommodation; All breakfasts, 5 dinners, 4 lunches; All tour transport (bus, boat, airplane); All tips (escort, tour director, local guides, drivers, boat captains, group meals, hotel staffs); Full-time services of an Indian tour manager, Imprint escort; local guides; All entrances/fees: Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, Brihadeeswara Temple, Sri Ranganatha Swamy, Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort, Hazarath Thable Alam Badhusa Nathervali Dargah, Dindigul Fort, Keshava Temple, Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Palace, Gommateshvara Bahubali statue, Golconda Fort, Charminar, Mecca Masjid; All activities: Kathakali Dance, Backwaters village walk & canoe excursion, Chamundi hill, and more.
Important exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, expenditures of a personal nature, camera fees, and flight baggage overage fees.
Banghavgarh Tiger Safari Extension
Day 1 Our safari adventure begins with a morning flight to Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. We’ll be met and transferred to Bandhavgarh, arriving late afternoon. You’ll have time to settle in and relax by the pool before we share dinner together in our resort.
Tiger’s Den Resort (2 nights) https://www.tigerdenbandhavgarh.com/
Day 2 Today is safari day. We’ll have morning and afternoon game drives, seeking the elusive Bengal tiger. With steep cliffs and rocky hills covered with dense forests, this compact park was once the private game reserve of the Maharajas of Rewa. It hosts the highest concentration of tigers in India. Other species found here include the Nilgai (blue bull), Panther, Wild Boar, Gaur, Chital (spotted deer), Sambar, Chinkara, Barking deer and many types of birds.
Day 3 In case we’ve had no tiger spotting luck on day 2, we’ve scheduled a morning game drive before we check out. Afterwards, we’ll be transferred back to Jabalpur airport for our evening flight departure to New Delhi (included). The extension ends upon our arrival at Indira Gandhi Airport. Shared day-use rooms for freshening up are provided.
[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]
What’s Included:
2 nights accommodation, day use rooms at Delhi airport; All breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1 lunch; All extension transport (bus, jeep, airplane); All tips (escort, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotel staffs); Full-time services of Imprint escort; local guides; All entrances/fees: Bandhavgarh National Park; All activities: 3 safari game drives
Important exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, expenditures of a personal nature, camera fees, and flight baggage overage fees.
