7-Day Southern India Tour: Bangalore, Ooty, Pondicherry, Rameshwaram

1. Day 1: Bangalore
   30 minutes (24.7 km) from Kempegowda International Airport

   Start your day with a visit to the historic Bangalore Palace, then stop by the ISKCON Temple and Lalbagh Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. In the evening, take a stroll through the vibrant streets of the MG Road area and sample some delicious local cuisine.

2. Day 2: Ooty
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   7 hours (300 km) from Bangalore

   Explore the beautiful hill station of Ooty, starting with a visit to the Government Botanical Garden and the Rose Garden in the morning. In the afternoon, take a scenic ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor and stop by Sim's Park. Finish your day with a peaceful boat ride on Ooty Lake.

3. Day 3: Pondicherry
   8 hours (400 km) from Ooty

   Start your day with a walk along the Promenade Beach and then head to the Aurobindo Ashram to learn about its history and teachings. In the afternoon, visit the French Quarter to see the charming colonial architecture and stop by the Ganesh Temple. End your day with a relaxing stroll through the Botanical Garden.

4. Day 4: Rameshwaram
   7 hours (350 km) from Pondicherry

   Explore the holy city of Rameshwaram, starting with a visit to the Ramanathaswamy Temple and the Agnitheertham in the morning. In the afternoon, take a dip in the sea at Dhanushkodi Beach and then head to the Pamban Bridge to catch a stunning sunset. In the evening, visit the House of Kalam, the former residence of India's former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

5. Day 5: Rameshwaram
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   Spend the day at your leisure. Consider taking a boat ride to the Kurusadai Islands to see the marine life or visiting the Kothandaramaswamy Temple. In the evening, stroll through the local markets and sample some delicious street food.

6. Day 6: Bangalore
   11 hours (600 km) from Rameshwaram

   Return to Bangalore and spend the day exploring some of the city's hidden gems, such as the Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace and the Bangalore Fort. In the evening, head to the UB City Mall for some shopping and dining.

7. Day 7: Bangalore
   30 minutes (39 km) from Kempegowda International Airport

   Before departing, visit the iconic Vidhana Soudha building and the nearby Cubbon Park. End your trip with a visit to the famous Sri Siddhartha Art Gallery and Museum, showcasing traditional Indian art and artefacts.

Recommendations:

Consider taking a day trip to Mysore from Bangalore to see the Mysore Palace and Brindavan Gardens. Another option is to visit the hill station of Yercaud from either Bangalore or Pondicherry for a peaceful getaway.

Don't miss out on trying the local filter coffee, masala dosa, and biryani during your trip!

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Bangalore Palace (2 hours, £5)
• ISKCON Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Lalbagh Botanical Gardens (2 hours, £2)
• Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2 hours, £10)
• Sim's Park (1 hour, £3)
• Ooty Lake (1 hour, £2)
• Promenade Beach (1 hour, Free)
• Aurobindo Ashram (1 hour, Free)
• French Quarter (2 hours, Free)
• Ganesh Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Botanical Garden (1 hour, £2)
• Ramanathaswamy Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Agnitheertham (1 hour, Free)
• Dhanushkodi Beach (2 hours, Free)
• Pamban Bridge (1 hour, Free)
• House of Kalam (1 hour, £1)
• Kurusadai Islands (4 hours, £10)
• Kothandaramaswamy Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace (1 hour, £2)
• Bangalore Fort (1 hour, Free)
• UB City Mall (2 hours, £10)
• Vidhana Soudha (1 hour, Free)
• Cubbon Park (1 hour, Free)
• Sri Siddhartha Art Gallery and Museum (2 hours, £5)
• Total Estimated Costs: £60

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