All the Information You Need About South India
Deeply woven in a complex tapestry of history, culture, and legacy lies South India, sometimes known as Southern India. For many thousands of years, this community has thrived south of the Vindhyas, providing each guest with their own amazing encounter. In many respects, including topography, color, language, weather, cuisine, celebrations, and architectural legacy, Southern India is different from the North. Geographical and cultural variations abound even throughout South India. Kerala, for example, is known for its backwaters and the lush Western Ghats, whereas Tamil Nadu, the state next door, is called the Land of Temples. While Karnataka is known for its coastal beauty, hill stations, and thick tropical forests, Andhra Pradesh is well-known for the Eastern Ghats. To discover some of South India’s best natural landscapes, cultural and historical legacy, cuisine, and wildlife, check the Aarav & Aadhya’s South India vacation packages. For a personalized itinerary, message us on Instagram—we’ll be pleased to help. South India encompasses five states: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, plus a Union Territory, Puducherry (Pondicherry). Some classifications would include the islands of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar. This peninsular region is structured like an inverted triangle with mountain ranges on both sides, suitably termed the Western and Eastern Ghats. On the west it borders the Arabian Sea; on the east the Bay of Bengal; on the south the Indian Ocean. South India is blessed with a diversified geography. Apart from the two mountain ranges, the Deccan Plateau shapes the heartland of the area, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. Unlike in the North, rivers in the South depend on the rain, diminishing during the summer and expanding during the monsoon. The Godavari, which flows from Maharashtra and finishes in Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal, is the largest river in South India. Other rivers in South India include Krishna, the second largest river; Kaveri; and Tungabadra. As for Kerala, the rivers travel westward and into the Arabian Sea. They include Periyar, Netravati, Mandovi, Tapti, and Narmada. Kerala is also home to Vembanad, the largest lake in India. It covers three districts: Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.
Arrive in Chennai, set on the Bay of Bengal on India’s southeast coast, where you are met and privately transferred to your hotel.
After a relaxing morning at leisure, set out with your private guide on a city tour of Chennai, beginning at Fort St. George. Built in 1640, the fort was the first bastion of the British East India Company in southern India; today, it houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. See St. Mary's Church, consecrated in 1680 and one of the oldest British buildings in India. Next, explore the National Art Gallery whose exhibits feature all major South Indian periods, including the Chola, Vijayanagar, Hoysala and Chalukya. Continue to Kapaleeswara, a Shiva temple and the biggest in Chennai, noted for its beautifully carved gopuram (monumental tower). Stop at the peaceful Portuguese-built Santhome Cathedral, named after St. Thomas the Apostle, whose tomb is said to be beneath the basilica. A historic pilgrimage center built in Gothic style,its cool white spire rises 155 feet above the bustling city.
After breakfast, journey overland to visit the coastal town of Mahabalipuram to see its Group of Monuments, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See Bhagiratha’s Penance, a bas-relief sculpted over enormous rocks that depicts life-size figures of animals, gods and saints, all watching the holy Ganges River flow from the Himalayas. Nearby, see its shallow mandaps (pillared halls), sculpted out of the rocky hillside and portraying stories of Indian mythology. Finally, stop at the Shore Temple, surrounded by gardens designed according to ancient texts. Return to Chennai, stopping for lunch on the way.
Fly to Trichy and transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. Join your private guide for a tour of this thriving riverfront city in the heart of Tamil Nadu. Visit Srirangam, famous for its massive Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, which has 49 separate shrines dedicated to Vishnu and is so large it feels like its own city. You also view the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcropping that towers over the old city. Continue to Thanjavur, former capital of the Chola Dynasty.
The Cholas were great temple builders, and Thanjavur
bears witness to this with its 74 temples. Today, you visit its most famous,
the Brihadeeswarar Temple, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, stop
by an art gallery to view its extraordinary collection of antique bronze
statues. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.
After breakfast, journey overland to Chettinad, ancestral
homeland of the Chettiars. Home to wealthy business tycoons who made their
livelihood in Burma during the last century, the area is renowned for its
mansions and rich, distinctive cuisine. See these extraordinary homes with
their teak pillars and marble detailing. After lunch, continue to Madurai,
where you check in to your hotel. This evening, visit Meenakshi Temple to
witness a pooja ceremony, in which an idol of Shiva is carried
in a colorful procession accompanied by musicians.
Join your private guide for an early morning walking tour of Madurai. Discover equal parts legend and history as you wander through this ancient Tamil capital. Return to your hotel for breakfast before exploring Madurai’s great 17th-century Meenakshi Amman Temple. The largest temple complex in southern India, and as significant to the region’s architectural legacy as the Taj Mahal is to northern India, this 15-acre complex is a joyful homage to Shiva and the triple-breasted goddess, Meenakshi.
After breakfast, travel overland into the state of Kerala to Periyar, checking in to your accommodation on arrival. Your journey takes you into the Western Ghats, a lush mountain range that rises parallel to India’s Arabian Sea coast. Later, visit a local spice plantation, where you enjoy the sights and smells of fresh spices and learn about their cultivation process.
After a leisurely breakfast, descend a dramatic escarpment as you journey overland to the village of Kumarakom. Stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant in Kanjirappally, a gateway to Kerala’s hill country. Upon arrival, check in to your beautiful lakefront hotel.
Today, visit several traditional villages near Kumarakom,
accompanied by a specialized guide. Interact with villagers as you learn about
traditional crafts and agricultural practices such as toddy tapping, climbing
coconut trees, weaving coconut leaves and fishing.
After a morning at leisure, board a traditional houseboat
for a day cruise on the beautiful backwaters surrounding Kumarakom. Glide
through canals and lagoons shaded by coconut palms and pass sleepy rural
villages. You are treated to a lunch of local specialties as you cruise.
Disembark this evening and journey overland to Kochi, where you check in to
your hotel.
Rise early this morning for a walking tour of Kochi, exploring local markets, taking a ferry ride, and observing fishermen at work. Savor a traditional south Indian breakfast. Spend the day exploring the tropical coastal city of Kochi, where you discover an intriguing mix of cultural influences. Visit one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in India, decorated with blue ceramic Chinese tiles and surrounded by an aromatic spice market. See the story of Ramayana depicted in the wonderful murals at charming Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) and visit St. Francis Church, both of which were erected by the Portuguese in the 16th century. At the entrance of Kochi harbor, see the cantilevered fishing nets brought from southern China by traders — a testament to the centuries-old link between these regions. Tonight, visit Greenix Theater for a performance by the extravagantly costumed Kathakali dancers.
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Transfer to the international airport for your flight
home.
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