Grand Tour of South India with India's Golden Triangle Extension - Private Tour

On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner and settle in to your surroundings.

If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.

The British colonial presence in India was established in Chennai, formerly known as Madras, by the East India Company in 1639. Today, Chennai is India’s fourth largest city and hub of technology, but there are many interesting stories behind the city’s modern facade. Begin your tour with a drive along Chennai’s elegant promenade, admiring the world-famous Marina Beach en route to Mylapore, the old heart of the city. See the San Thome Basilica, resting place of “Doubting Thomas”, the Apostle who ended his days preaching on the nearby beach. Visit Fort St. George, completed in 1653 as a stronghold of British power: its museum gives a fascinating insight into colonial life, as does nearby St Mary’s, the oldest Anglican church in India. In the afternoon, proceed to Mahabalipuram, situated between the Bay of Bengal and the Great Salt Lake in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The town is known for its rock-cut temples and monuments, built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries.

Today, visit the breathtaking monuments of Mahabalipuram, beginning with the city’s oldest monument, the Shore Temple - a splendid UNESCO World Heritage site comprised of shrines, carved granite monuments, and the 7th-century Five Rathas pagoda temples, recalling the five Pandava brothers named in the Mahabharata. Continue to the world’s largest open-air rock relief, Arjuna’s Penance, 27 metres long by 9 metres high, carved with intricate sculptures of birds, animals, gods, and saints. Admire the adjacent Krishna Mandapam monument, where bas-relief carvings depict village and pastoral life, before returning to your hotel.

Following breakfast, drive to Puducherry, a French colonial settlement until 1954, now a Union Territory town. Its French legacy is preserved in its charming French Quarter, with tree-lined streets, mustard-coloured colonial villas, and chic boutiques evoking a bygone era. En route, visit Auroville (the 'City of Dawn') an ongoing experimental town where men and women of all countries, social classes, and cultures are encouraged to live in harmony.

This morning, proceed to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, renowned for its serene and self-sufficient community dedicated to spiritual and cultural education. Enjoy an afternoon to explore Pondicherry’s attractions at your own pace or relax at your hotel.

After breakfast drive to Chidambaram to visit the magnificent Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Shiva as the Nataraja - Lord of the Dance - and a representation of the exuberance of creation. Continue your journey to Tanjore and on arrival, check in at your hotel before an evening visit to the incredible Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built at vast expense by the Chola King Rajaraja a thousand years ago. Witness its fortified walls, rich in elaborate carved artworks.

Today, proceed to Madurai, travelling via Trichy, one of Tamil Nadu’s most famous temple towns. Visit Srirangan temple complex, the largest functioning temple complex in the world and a major pilgrimage site. Drive to Madurai and wander the vibrant Madurai flower market for an insight into local life.

Madurai is one of the oldest cities in the world. Following breakfast, your day begins at the great Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva, with its towering gopurams (entrance towers) rising high above the surrounding township. Visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, an impressive building in the Indo-Saracenic style, famous for the elaborate stucco work on its domes and arches. In the evening, return to the Meenakshi Temple to witness the closing ceremony, where idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are carried in a riotous procession, to be confined to their bedchamber for the night. Please note: non-Hindus are not allowed in the sanctum of the temple but can view the ceremony.

Drive to the scenic hills of Munnar, South India's largest tea-growing region, nestled in the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats. The rest of the day is at leisure, soaking in the cool mountain air and lush green landscapes.

Embark on a tour of Munnar, a nature lover's paradise, beginning at Mattupetty Lake, Echo Point, where calm waters are surrounded by scenic hills. Continue through thriving tea plantations to a tea museum and processing factory and visit Eravikulam National Park. famous for its large surviving population of Nilgiri Tahr (wild goat).

Eravikulam National Park is closed between February-April to protect the breeding season of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. During affected tours you will watch a Kalarippayattu show instead. Kalarippayattu is the traditional martial art practiced in Kerala. Famed as the mother of all martial arts, this ancient art-form is believed to have been adapted into various martial art forms like karate, kung fu and judo.

After breakfast, proceed to Alleppey and board a traditional houseboat, which will be both your transport and accommodation. A leisurely cruise takes you through the serene winding backwaters of Kerala, enjoying the regional cuisine and stunning rural scenery of the surrounding villages and waters. Meandering through these beautiful lagoons, rivers, and canals is truly an unforgettable experience.

Beckoning merchants and explorers for over 500 years, the port city of Kochi offers a dynamic cultural blend of Portuguese houses, ancient mosques, and crumbling remnants of British colonialism, all overlooking the tropical Malabar Coast. Check in at your hotel and, in the early evening, head to a Kathakali cultural show - a traditional dance performance based on themes of Hindu mythology.

Begin a tour of Kochi, the historic centre of India's spice trade. Discover the influence of ancient Chinese explorers in Kochi harbour’s impressive fishing nets, still used daily by locals, and take a ride along village roads in a tuk-tuk. See the Mattanchery Dutch Palace and the oldest European church in India, St. Francis, before returning to your hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure.

After an early breakfast, travel to the Ernakulam railway station to catch the train to Coimbatore. On arrival, proceed onward to Ooty (short for Udhagamandalam), a resort town in Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats mountains. Founded as a summer resort for the British Raj. Enjoy time to relax or explore the town at your own pace.

Visit the Government Botanical Garden, covering 22 hectares and divided into six sections each with its own theme and collection of beautiful plants and flowers. See the St Stephen Church, one of the oldest churches in Ooty, before an afternoon ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train), completed in 1899 by British colonial forces. On a winding and steep track passing through the Nilgiri hills, travel along a series of narrow gauges, across over 200 lofty bridges, and past picturesque tea plantations – a truly memorable journey.

Travel to Kabini, where wild wetlands surround the vibrant Kabini River. The biodiverse riverbanks boast a rich variety of wildlife, particularly in summer, when receding waters reveal luscious meadows. After lunch, embark on your first thrilling safari, keeping an eye out for varied birdlife, including Malabar Pied Hornbills, Indian bison, and majestic Bengal tigers pacing amongst evergreen bamboo.

Discover the striking wildlife of Kabini further with a second safari. Spot the country’s largest congregation of Asiatic elephants, a variety of water birds, and marsh crocodiles stalking shallow waters - your safari route gives you the best chance to observe South India's most intriguing natural inhabitants. Return to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Following breakfast, proceed to the ancient city of Mysore, or Mysuru, in India's southwestern Karnataka state, the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947. After some time to relax, take an evening visit Devaraja Market, celebrated for its cultural significance and vibrant atmosphere: browse over 800 shops filled with flowers, fruits, colourful spices, and souvenirs.

Considered one of India's most flamboyant cities, Mysore boasts a glittering royal heritage, bustling marketplaces and a thriving yoga centre. Your full day tour brings you to the heart of the city and one of India's grandest royal abodes, the sprawling Mysore Palace. Discover the palace's Marriage Pavilion, with its painted glass ceiling and peacock motifs, the treasured royal paintings lining the Public Durbar Hall, and a glistening Golden Howdah used to carry the Maharaja. Atop the nearby Chamundi Hills, visit the Chamundi Temple, famed for the intricate carvings that crown its towering ‘gopuram’ entrance. Stop for photographs of the area’s panoramic vistas over Mysore. In the afternoon, travel to the 18th century fort town of Srirangapatnam, former stronghold of ruler Tipu Sultan before his defeat by colonial forces. Cross the town’s main bridge over the Cauvery River to discover intriguing monuments documenting South India's power struggles, including a striking marble church built by French missionaries, before returning to your hotel in Mysore.

Today brings you to the hub of India's booming IT industry, peppered with Victoria-era architecture - Bangalore. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, including the atmospheric Bull Temple, home to an enormous granite monolith of Nandi the celestial bull. Wander through the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens to admire some of the world's most diverse and rare plant species, and marvel at Vidhan Soudha, home of the state government, a colossal Neo-Dravidian building. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure or relax at your hotel.

Transfer to Bangalore Airport to take a connecting flight to Hubli, then travel to Hospet, near Hampi. A UNESCO World Heritage site in Karnataka, Hampi is famous for its stunning ruins belonging to the mighty Vijayanagara Empire of the 14th-16th centuries, comprising elaborate temples, palaces, and markets, amidst a unique landscape of giant boulders and the Tungabhadra River. These monuments represent a historic peak of South Indian art, architecture, and wealth, before the site’s eventual destruction and abandonment. The day is free to settle in to your surroundings.

After breakfast embark on a sightseeing tour of Hampi, a highlight of which is the Vittala Temple. See the Hampi Stone Chariot, a stunning monolithic shrine within the Vijaya Vittala Temple complex. Built in the 16th century by the Vijayanagara Empire, the shrine was dedicated to Garuda (Lord Vishnu's mount) and features beautiful intricate carvings. After walking through the Vittala Temple, proceed to the Royal Enclosure, which is home to many ancient attractions such as the outstanding Mahanavami Dibba, a richly-decorated granite platform over 40ft in height. The Queen's Bath, Lotus Mahal, and elephant stables are among some of the iconic wonders that remain. There's also an open museum, where many artifacts found and collected from Hampi can be seen.

Continue your tour of Hampi at Hampi Bazaar, where popular attractions like the Virupaksa Temple, the oldest still-functioning temple in the region, and other important Hindu structures can be seen. In the evening, travel to the Hemakuta Hill, where you can witness a beautiful sunset alongside panoramic views of the Hampi landscape and iconic Virupaksa Temple tower.

Following breakfast, proceed to Goa, stopping for lunch en route at Hubli. Enjoy time to rest and unwind in Goa or explore the surroundings of your hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

A full day tour of Delhi commences after breakfast, beginning with the historic Old Delhi in the morning. Lying side by side, Old Delhi dates back to the Mughal period, whilst New Delhi was built just over a hundred years ago. Travelling through the arrow and crowded streets on a rickshaw will transport you back in time, whilst a visit to the regal Red Fort gives you a sense of the lavish life once led by the former rulers. After lunch your tour will continue on to New Delhi to see the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and the 12th century Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India.

After breakfast you will be driven to Agra, arriving at your hotel in time for lunch. Despite being a small city, Agra was once the capital of the might Mughal dynasty whose strength manifested itself in the huge forts and buildings built to maintain its power. During the afternoon you will visit the vast red sandstone Agra Fort, which was built in 1565 and boasts grand palaces, gigantic pavilions and spectacular courtyards.

This magical day starts after breakfast with a tour of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Words do not do this remarkable palace justice; it really must be seen to be appreciate its stupendous beauty. Taking 17 years to build, the heartbroken Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan, dedicated this monument of love to his deceased wife to enshrine her mortal remains. Following a break for lunch, you will then continue on to visit Fatehpur Sikri, a magnificent fortified ghost city, en-route to the Pink City of Jaipur where you will arrive in the early evening.

Begin your first day in Jaipur with a visit to the spectacular Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the royal family until 1728 located just 11km from Jaipur. Spanning over four huge courtyards, you will travel to the centre of the fort by either elephant or jeep, passing snake charmers, harems of the Maharajah and the Palace of Mirrors along the way which all make for a truly unforgettable morning. An afternoon city tour of Jaipur takes in the major sights including the home of the royal family of Jaipur - The City Palace and the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory. Lastly, marvel at the hundreds of tiny windows on the facade of the Hawa Mahal, known to many as the Palace of Winds, where it is said that the women of the royal family could once watch the streets below without being seen.

The morning is left free so that after breakfast you can visit some of the local bazaars and stalls for some last minute shopping. Try the M1 Road and Chameliwala market for jewellery, handicrafts, textiles and more, or wander the streets and sample the delicious and unique Rajasthani street food that Jaipur has to offer. You will then begin your return journey to Delhi, stopping for lunch on the way. A final farewell dinner in Delhi will bring your trip to a close, celebrated by a cultural dance show to round off this unforgettable tour.