12-15 Day South India Scenic and Cultural Tour: Mysore, Ooty, Coonoor, Coimbatore, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi & Tirupati

Day 1: Explore Mysore

Mysore, India on June 14, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Vinayaka Mylari

Enjoy Mysore’s famed soft dosas and filter coffee to start your day deliciously.
INR150, 1h0m

9:30am

Visit Mysore Palace

Explore the grand Mysore Palace, a stunning example of Indo-Saracenic architecture open from 10:00am to 5:30pm. Don’t miss the intricate interiors and regal collections.
INR70, 2h0m

12:00pm

Stroll Brindavan Gardens

Relax at the beautifully landscaped Brindavan Gardens, known for its musical fountain shows in the evening (show times: 7:00pm and 7:45pm).
INR50, 1h30m

1:30pm

Lunch at RRR Restaurant

Taste authentic Karnataka meals featuring mysore masala dosa and ragi mudde.
INR300, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery

View exquisite traditional Mysore paintings and sculptures inside this historic palace gallery open till 5:30pm.
INR60, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Green Hotel

Dine at this eco-friendly hotel offering a variety of vegetarian South Indian specialties.
INR350, 1h15m

Day 2: Mysore to Ooty

Mysore to Ooty, India on June 15, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Light and fresh South Indian breakfast before checkout.
Included, 0h45m

8:00am

Drive from Mysore to Ooty

Scenic 3.5 to 4-hour drive covering about 125 km through picturesque hill roads.
Transport costs vary, 4h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Earl’s Secret Ooty

Enjoy a cozy lunch with a European flair inside a colonial bungalow restaurant.
INR600, 1h0m

1:30pm

Visit Botanical Gardens

Explore well-maintained gardens with exotic plants and serene walks (open 8:30am-6:00pm).
INR30, 1h30m

3:30pm

Visit Ooty Lake

Enjoy paddle boating or a leisurely walk around the lake amidst pleasant weather.
Boat ride approx INR80, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Shinkows Chinese Restaurant

Taste authentic Chinese cuisine, highly rated in the region.
INR400, 1h0m

Day 3: Ooty Tour & Coonoor Travel

Ooty & Coonoor, India on June 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a hearty continental or south Indian breakfast.
Included, 0h45m

9:00am

Ride Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor

A scenic 1-hour heritage toy train ride through beautiful hills to Coonoor (train operates daily, approx 7:30am and 11:30am departures).
INR150, 1h0m

11:00am

Visit Sim's Park Coonoor

Relax in a lush botanical park with rare plants and cascading streams (open till 6:00pm).
INR30, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at The Culinarium

A delightful restaurant offering continental and south Indian dishes in cozy ambiance.
INR450, 1h0m

2:30pm

Visit Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint

Take a short drive to Dolphin’s Nose for breathtaking views of the Nilgiri hills and Catherine Falls.
Free, 2h0m

6:30pm

Return to Ooty or stay overnight in Coonoor

Option to return to Ooty by road or stay overnight in Coonoor to rest before travel to Coimbatore next day.
Transport approx INR300, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner at Nilgiris Garden Restaurant

Try local Nilgiri cuisine specialities, open till 9:30pm.
INR350, 1h0m

Day 4: Travel to Coimbatore

Coonoor to Coimbatore, India on June 17, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Start the day with a light breakfast in Coonoor or Ooty based on overnight stay.
Included, 0h45m

9:00am

Drive from Coonoor to Coimbatore

About 70 km, approximately 2-hour drive descending from hills to Coimbatore city.
Transport varies, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Shree Annapoorna

Popular Coimbatore eatery serving delicious traditional Tamil meals and snacks.
INR300, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Marudamalai Temple

Explore this hill temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, peaceful and scenic, open till 8:00pm.
Free, 1h30m

4:00pm

Explore VOC Park and Zoo

Relax in a green park and visit the small but interesting zoo, open till 6:00pm.
INR40, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Sree Annapoorna Sree Gowrishankar

Well-known for its vegetarian South Indian and North Indian dishes with good ambiance.
INR350, 1h0m

Day 5: Coimbatore to Madurai

Coimbatore to Madurai, India on June 18, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

A wholesome breakfast to energize for travel.
Included, 0h45m

9:00am

Drive to Madurai

Approx 3.5-hour drive covering 210 km from Coimbatore to Madurai.
Transport varies, 3h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Murugan Idli Shop

Enjoy soft idlis, pongal, and vada, popular local comfort foods.
INR200, 1h0m

2:30pm

Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple

Visit the iconic Meenakshi Temple, open 5:00am to 12:30pm and 4:00pm to 10:00pm, renowned for its stunning Dravidian architecture.
Free, 2h0m

6:30pm

Explore Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Visit this historic 17th-century palace open until 8:00pm for its beautiful night sound and light show.
INR50, 1h30m

8:30pm

Dinner at The Feast - The Gateway Hotel

Enjoy a buffet with a variety of Indian and international dishes in a stylish setting.
INR700, 1h30m

Day 6: Madurai to Rameshwaram

Madurai to Rameshwaram, India on June 19, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at hotel

Quick breakfast before departure.
Included, 0h30m

7:30am

Drive from Madurai to Rameshwaram

About 170 km, 4 to 4.5-hour scenic drive crossing the Pamban Bridge to Rameshwaram island.
Transport cost varies, 4h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Bhavan Restaurant

Taste fresh seafood and local Tamil dishes near town.
INR350, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple

Famous for its long corridors and exquisite carvings, open 5:00am to 12:30pm and 5:00pm to 8:30pm.
Free, 2h0m

5:00pm

Relax at Dhanushkodi Beach

Visit the pristine beach and ruins of Dhanushkodi town, a beautiful and serene spot best visited before sunset.
Free, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Hotel RRB

Savour traditional Tamil Nadu meals and seafood delicacies.
INR400, 1h0m

Day 7: Full Day Dhanushkodi & Beach

Dhanushkodi & Rameshwaram, India on June 20, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Hotel

Start with a filling breakfast in Rameshwaram.
Included, 0h45m

9:00am

Explore Dhanushkodi Ruins

Discover the haunting remains of the town destroyed by cyclone in 1964, with a local guide for historical context.
Guide fee approx INR300, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch picnic or local eats

Enjoy simple meals at local stalls or carry picnic under shade near the sea.
INR200, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Ariyaman Beach

A clean beach with calm waters ideal for swimming and relaxation, open all day.
Free, 3h0m

6:00pm

Return to Rameshwaram

Head back to the town and rest at the hotel.
Transport approx INR100, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Rameshwaram Residency Restaurant

Sample delicious local South Indian vegetarian meals.
INR350, 1h0m

Day 8: Travel to Tirupati

Rameshwaram to Tirupati, India on June 21, 2025

6:00am

Early Breakfast at hotel

Eat early for a long day of travel.
Included, 0h30m

6:30am

Drive to Madurai Airport

Return to Madurai airport for flight to Tirupati (best to pre-book flights; usually 1.5 hrs flight).
Taxi approx INR1500, 3h0m

9:30am

Flight to Tirupati

Quick and convenient flight from Madurai to Tirupati.
Flight fare varies, 1h30m

11:00am

Check-in and Lunch at Hotel Sitara Grand

Comfortable stay with tasty South Indian lunch options.
INR500, 1h0m

1:00pm

Visit Sri Venkateswara Temple

One of the most visited pilgrimage sites worldwide, open 3:00am to 12:00am. Attend darshan or explore temple surroundings in the afternoon.
Free, 3h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Hotel Fortune Select Grand Ridge

Upscale dining with multi-cuisine options close to the temple.
INR700, 1h0m

Day 9: Tirupati Local & Departure Preparation

Tirupati, India on June 22, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Start the day with a traditional South Indian breakfast.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Visit Talakona Waterfalls

A scenic 30 km drive from Tirupati to beautiful Talakona Waterfalls inside Sri Venkateswara National Park, open 9:00am to 6:00pm.
INR50 entry, 4h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at local dhaba on the way

Authentic local meals near Talakona.
INR250, 1h0m

3:00pm

Return to hotel, relax and explore local markets

Spend afternoon shopping for souvenirs or resting.
Free, 3h0m

7:30pm

Final dinner at Woodlands Restaurant

Enjoy final feast of South Indian, Tamil Nadu cuisine in a popular city restaurant.
INR450, 1h0m