What to expect
Our South India Splendour is an intriguing journey through fascinating South India staying in a collection of heritage and boutique hotels. Travel across fertile plains along the Coromandel Coast to cosmopolitan Puducherry with its French colonial architecture, up and over the scenic Western Ghats into lush, green and tropical Kerala. Journey through the south with its temple towns, ancient architecture, specialty cuisine, wildlife, birdlife and colonial towns. Take a leisurely cruise in a converted rice boat, Kettavulum, on tranquil backwaters and a nature trek through a verdant forest.
Your Journey Begins
Arrive at Chennai International Airport where a Wildlife Safari representative will meet you with a warm welcome and escort you by private vehicle to your heritage hotel. Chennai, a bustling metropolis, established in 1639 on the site of a fishing village, was the first British settlement in India.
Overnight – Taj Connemara
After a leisurely breakfast venture out on private sightseeing with your guide visiting the Museum, National Art Gallery and the Bronze Gallery. Continue to the brilliantly painted 16th century Kapaleeshwarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Overnight – Taj Connemara
Set off with your driver to Puducherry, the former French colonial outpost, a cosmopolitan town of tree lined boulevards, police in crisp white uniforms and gendarme caps, blue enamel street signs and European style of architecture.
Overnight – Palais de Mahe
After breakfast meet your guide for a private walk and visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram followed by a leisurely stroll through the French Quarter, where the French influence is most evident with its Mediterranean style houses and boulevards.
Overnight – Palais de Mahe
Depart with your driver by road heading south to Tanjore, stopping to view the Chidambaram Temple also known as Nataraja Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Continue to your boutique heritage hotel.
Overnight – Svatma
This morning meet with your guide for private sightseeing of Thanjavur, the former ancient capital of the Chola Empire. Visit the bronze sculpture museum with its impressive collection of artifacts, and the Brihadeshwara Temple, a World Heritage site built by Rajaraja Chola. Continue by road to Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu.
Overnight – Heritage Madurai
Meet with your guide for private sightseeing and admire the impressive Meenakshi Amman Temple brilliantly decorated with figures of deities, mythical animals and monsters. The temple is dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva and houses a 1,000 pillar hall, temple art museum, holy golden lotus tank, musical pillars and many smaller shrines. Continue to the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, built in 1635 by King Thirumalai Nayak, the ruler of Madurai. Later in the evening make a return visit to Meenakshi Amman Temple for the significant night ceremony.
Overnight – Heritage Madurai
Depart Madurai and continue on your scenic road journey through Tamil Nadu and into the state of Kerala for a unique stay and nature based experience in the picturesque hills of Thekkady.
Overnight – Shalimar Spice Garden
Up early to meet your local guide for a nature walk in the nearby Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with its variety of forests, marshes and aquatic habitats. This afternoon go on a guided walk through a spice plantation to see spices growing and to learn about their many uses.
Overnight – Shalimar Spice Garden
Early morning departure for Alleppey to board your exclusive use converted rice boat. The stylish houseboat offers an unhurried mode of travel as you cruise the tranquil backwaters and meander through narrow canals observing daily life.
Overnight – EXCLUSIVE USE House Boat
After a leisurely breakfast, disembark and continue your journey to Fort Kochi, the colonial spice port to your delightful boutique hotel.
Overnight – Brunton Boatyard
Meet your guide for a sightseeing morning of Fort Kochi with its rich trading past with Jewish, Portuguese, British and Dutch influences. Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, the famous Jew Street and its delightful blue and white Synagogue, St. Francis’ Church where Vasco Da Gama was first buried and the unique cantilevered Chinese fishing nets.
Overnight – Brunton Boatyard
Transfer by private vehicle to Cochin International Airport for your onward travel arrangements.
Take a domestic flight from Kochi to Hyderabad for a sensational stay at Taj Falaknuma Palace. Set high above the royal city of Hyderabad, the former Nizam’s residence and now Taj Palace Hotel is filled with rare antiques, Venetian chandeliers, marble staircases and priceless statues surrounded by Mughal, Rajasthani and Japanese gardens. The palace has a fascinating connection with Australia as the last Nizam, who inherited one of the largest fortunes in the world, left India for Western Australia moving to a remote sheep station in the Murchison and eventually lost his massive fortune. Speak to one of our India Experts who will add a stay at the legendary Taj Falaknuma Palace to your South India Splendour journey.
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For over 5 decades, Wildlife Safari has been curating luxury safaris and tours for the discerning traveler. We would love to chat about your next adventure. Leave us your details below to get in touch about this journey.
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Wildlife Safari established the Perth, Australia office in 1987 offering a portfolio of destinations within Africa, the Indian Ocean and India.
