Southern Odessey 15N/16D

2N Bangalore – 1N Chennai – 1N Tirupati -1N Mahabalipuram – 1N Puducherry- 1N Madurai – 1N Rameswaram- 1N Kanyakumari – 2N Kovalam – 1N Alleppey -1N Thekkady -2N Munnar

Starting Rs 33000 per person on twin sharing

Fondly referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala is a state located on the Malabar coast of Southern India. Classical art forms, colourful festivals, exotic cuisine are some of the cultural marvels that await travellers. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine and Panchakarma, the rejuvenation therapy makes it a worth-visit destination. Season never ends in Kerala, thanks to the year-long moderate climate and numerous festivals and events. The timeless beauty of the palm fringed beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, the majesty of the undulating hills of Munnar and Vagamon, the serenity of the pristine backwaters of Kumarakom & Kuttanad and the enchanting woods and forests of Thekkady and Silent Valley will have you bowled over. That such a small terrain can hold diverse geographical features and cultures is a wonder in itself. The beauty that this land holds is cannot be described in words alone and must therefore be on the bucket list of every traveller.Known as the temple city of India, Tamil Nadu is one place in South India where the elaborate architecture and brilliant sculptures of its ancient temples, leave all its tourists spellbound with their astounding beauty. Known to be one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the people of Tamil Nadu belong to the prestigious Dravidian Family. Tamil Nadu is a perfect place for a pilgrimage tour where the vibrant Hindu temples are not only the haven to seek spirituality but to be in awe of the imposing architecture and rich culture as well. Otherwise a sultry destination, Tamil Nadu is sparsely dotted with some of the most beautiful hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal that make an ideal escape during the peak summer season. The famed UNESCO World Site, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, monuments of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Chola temples at Thanjavur, Darasuram, and Gangaikondacholapuram simply add to Tamil Nadu’s tourism.

Known as the temple city of India, Tamil Nadu is one place in South India where the elaborate architecture and brilliant sculptures of its ancient temples, leave all its tourists spellbound with their astounding beauty. Known to be one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the people of Tamil Nadu belong to the prestigious Dravidian Family.

Blessed with natural abundance, Karnataka attracts huge number of tourists every year. Karnataka has many captivating hill stations such as Coorg, Nandi Hills and Chikmagalur. People in search of pristine beaches enjoy its scenic coastal destinations like the famous Blue Lagoon Beach and Ladies Beach in Karwar, dotted with Casuarina trees. In addition, Karnataka is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Hampi and Pattadakal, ideal for heritage tours. Gommatesvara statue at Shravanabelagola and Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur are two other remarkable heritages that have drawn visitors for ages to Karnataka. This state also has wildlife sanctuaries and national parks including the well-known Bandipur National Park in Mysore. 

Andhra Pradesh India is known for its glorious past. The ancient temples, monuments, forts, palaces, old markets are the testimony to its rich history, culture and architecture. There are many sacred pilgrimage shrines in Andhra Pradesh of which Tirumala and Puttaparthi are visited by millions of devotees from all across the world. Andhra Pradesh is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty. Surrounded by misty hills, dense forests, undulating mountains, silvery cascades, and shimmering rivers, Andhra Pradesh is home to many famous hill stations, wild life sanctuaries, national parks and, virgin beaches.

Shravanabelagola is famous for the Bahubali Statue which is supposed to be the tallest monolithic stone statue in the world with a height of 58 feet carved out of a single block of granite. The Gomateswara temple is built on top of a hill at an altitude of 3347 feet, called as Vindhyagiri hill (also known as Doddabetta or Indragiri). About 620 steps provide access to this temple from bottom of the hill. Lord Gomateshwara (Lord Bahubali) was son of the first Jain tirthankara named Lord Adinatha. Lord Adinatha had 99 other sons and when he renounced his kingdom, there was a big fight between the two brothers, Bahubali and Bharatha, over the kingdom. Bharatha lost this battle, but Bahubali did not feel any happiness on seeing his brother’s defeat. He then gave the kingdom to his brother and then attained Kevalagnana. The town of Shravanabelagola is famous with several Jain temples and historical sites. It usually takes one full day to visit all the historical monuments in Shravanabelagola. For those who can’t trek the hill, Dolis are available at the entrance of the temple that charge about Rs. 800 including return. Once in 12 years, Shravanabelagola celebrates the Mahamastakabhisheka festival which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over India. The great emperor of Mouryan Dynasty Chandragupta Mourya has spent his last days in Shravanabelagola after becoming a follower of Jainism. His grandson Emperor Ashoka has built a basadi for him on Chadragiri hill in 3rd Century BC. There are more than 800 well preserved inscriptions dated between 6th and 19th century in Shravanabelagola.

Tirupati is a Hindu temple town that draws millions of devotees every year. People come to this city to pay homage at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is perched on top of the Tirumala Hills, with the Tirupati town lying at its foothills. This holy city also houses numerous other temples and monuments. Your stay in this divine destination will begin with the sweet sound of temple bells and melodious mantras. Tirupati is considered as one of the holiest Hindu cities in the world and is referred to as the ‘Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Madurai or the “City of Nectar” is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. This pilgrimage and tourist destination could be easily compared to Athens due to the number of myths that are associated with all its marvels. This politically important city has a rich and exciting past. Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple is the most prominent draw for tourists in Madurai. It was originally built by Nayak rulers 1200 years ago and is thronged by devotees from all over

Rameswaram, A small island, popularly known as the “Varanasi of the South” is located in the southern part of Tamilnadu, at the tip of Indian peninsula and Gulf of Mannar. Away from Srilanka by just 35 miles, this place is a symbol for communal harmony. The first sea railway bridge, “Pamban bridge” connects to the island to the mainland. It is believed that Lord Rama built the bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. The presiding deity is the Linga of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Hindus consider the visit to Rameswaram as momentous. Major places around is Danushkodi, Thangachimadam and Pamban. Popular tourist attractions in Rameshwaram are Agniteertham, Gandhamadhana Parvatam, Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Five-laced Hanuman Temple and St.James church. The bounteous sea inhabits the rare sea species and coral reefs. 

It is also known as Cape Comorin, Kumari and Kumari Munai. This is a ‘rocky mainland‘ on the Indian Ocean in the State of Tamil Nadu and located at the Southern Most tip of the Indian Subcontinent. Many call it KOODAL meaning it is situated at the Confluence of three oceans Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Kanyakumari is popular because it is the only places on earth, where you can see the Sun Rise and Sun Set from the ocean. It is the only place in India where one can enjoy the unique spectacle of Sunset and Moonrise simultaneously on full moon days. It is even more special and spectacular on Chitra Paurnami [full moon that occurs in Apr-May] when one can view both the sun and the moon facing each other on the same horizon, a rare sight of unique grandeur, which seems to happen by prior arrangement.

Running parallel to the Arabian Sea, the coastline of Kerala, boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in India such as Varkala, Kovalam and Marari. Adorned with array of swaying palms and coconut trees, the beaches are the picture perfect for sunrise and sunset view and is something that can remain etched in the memory forever. With Western Ghats on its side, Kerala is a delightful specimen of rich flora and fauna. Lush green surroundings and climatic conditions make Kerala an ideal habitat for a large number of migratory birds. A wide array of Ayurveda treatments that are based on Ashtangadhridaya text, make Kerala an important hub for wellness tour in India. The state is famed for its five-pronged treatment, Panchkarma. Kerala’s beach and backwaters are accompanied by its lush and surreal hill stations, of which Munnar, Wayanad and Vagamon