South India Dark Tour Package
Weather Details |
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South India boasts a tropical climate, offering hot summers, rainy monsoons, and mild winters. |
Best Time to Visit |
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The best time to visit South India is during the post-monsoon season from October to March when the weather is pleasant & offers comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and lush green landscapes, making it ideal for exploring the region's diverse attractions, from hill stations to coastal regions. |
Why Should Visit ?
- Rich History: Experience sites with deep historical significance and tragic tales.
- Mythological Connections: Explore locations linked to Indian mythology.
- Cultural Insight: Gain an understanding of local beliefs and historical narratives.
Tour Highlights
- Haunted Palaces: Explore the eerie corridors and shadowy chambers of haunted palaces, such as Mysore Palace and Mattancherry Palace, and uncover the chilling tales of royal tragedies and ghostly encounters.
- Ancient Temples: Delve into the mystique of ancient temples like Ramanathaswamy Temple and Brihadeeswarar Temple, where mythological tales and dark histories intertwine, offering glimpses into the region's spiritual and cultural heritage.
- Dark Tourism Sites: Discover hidden histories and haunting legends at dark tourism sites like Aayi Mandapam and Arikamedu, where the remnants of colonial rule and ancient civilizations reveal stories of exploitation, intrigue, and mystery.
- Historical Landmarks: Step back in time at historical landmarks such as French War Memorial and Thanjavur Maratha Palace, where tales of conquests, betrayals, and triumphs unfold amidst ancient ruins and regal architecture.
- Ghostly Legends: Listen to spine-tingling ghost stories and legends as you wander through haunted villages, abandoned forts, and mysterious ruins, where the echoes of the past linger in the whispers of the wind and the shadows of the night.
Proposed Itinerary
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Day 01Chennai arrival and Orientation - - Meet & greet by a representative of La Ruta who will assist you during your Dark Tour of South India on arrive at Chennai International Airport. Check-in at “The Raintree Hotel”, Anna Salai (4-star) or similar. In the evening, there will be a brief orientation on dark tourism. Enjoy dinner & overnight stay in Chennai.
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Day 02Historical and Mythological Chennai - After breakfast, proceed for a walking tour. Visit Madras High Court. Your guide will brief the haunted stories of British colonial era. Later visit St. Thomas Mount, the hill where St. Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, was martyred; and Marina Beach. Enjoy your overnight stay in Chennai.
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Day 03Drive to Pondicherry (3 hours) - After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive to Pondicherry. Check-in at Le Dupleix (4-star) or similar. Visit French War Memorial: Memorial for soldiers who died in WWI; Aayi Mandapam: Associated with ghost stories from the French colonial period. Dinner & overnight in Pondicherry.
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Day 04Exploration - Today after breakfast, visit Arikamedu, the ancient Roman trade center with dark historical tales; Karaikal Ammayar Temple, associated with the mythological tale of Karaikal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva. Overnight in Pondicherry.
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Day 05Drive to Thanjavur (4 hours) - Check out from hotel after having breakfast. Drive to Thanjavur and check-in at Sangam Hotel (4-star) or similar. Our representative will guide you to Brihadeeswarar Temple, where Chola dynasty’s dark rituals and histories are still hidden. Spend sometime inside the temple for research and knowledge acquisition. Overnight in Thanjavur.
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Day 06Historical Exploration - Today after breakfast get ready to visit Thanjavur Maratha Palace, the stories of royal treachery and tragedies; Saraswathi Mahal Library, where ancient manuscripts are kept with dark historical narratives. Overnight in Thanjavur.
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Day 07Drive to Madurai (3 hours) - After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Drive to Madurai. Check-in at Courtyard by Marriott Madurai (4-star) or similar. A guided tour will be provided by our representative. Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple. Explore the mythological tales of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. Complete “Mandapam Parikrama” and seek blessings of the holy mother. Overnight in Madurai.
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Day 08Dark Tales of Madurai - After breakfast, proceed for a guided tour on Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, where stories of royal conspiracies were buried. Visit Gandhi Memorial Museum, to explore the dark period of India’s fight for independence. Return back to the hotel for overnight stay in Madurai.
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Day 09Drive to Rameswaram (3.5 hours) - After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive towards Rameswaram. Check-in at Daiwik Hotels Rameswaram (4-star) or similar. Visit Pamban Bridge. Explore the site of tragic train accident in 1964; Dhanushkodi: a ghost town destroyed by cyclone in 1964. Return back to the hotel for the overnight stay in Rameswaram.
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Day 10Mythological Sites - After breakfast, explore the mythological sites of Rameswaram. Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple, that is associated with the Ramayana and dark tales of penance. Spend the whole day by exploring each corners full of mysteries, mythology, skills of ancient architecture and history. Overnight in Rameswaram.
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Day 11Drive to Kochi (6 hours) - Check out from the hotel, after having breakfast. You will be transferred to Kochi. Check-in at Fragrant Nature Kochi (4-star) or similar. A dedicated representative of La Ruta will take you to the Jewish Synagogue, where you can explore the dark tales from the Portuguese and Dutch periods. Return back to the hotel for dinner & overnight stay.
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Day 12Dark Histories of Kochi - After breakfast, visit and explore Mattancherry Palace. Experience a guided tour on the dark tales of colonial exploitation by the representative of La Ruta. Proceed to Fort Kochi for the historical tales of wars and occupation. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay in Kochi.
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Day 13Drive to Mysore (7 hours) - After breakfast check out and drive towards Mysore. Check-in at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore (4-star) or similar. Visit Mysore Palace to explore the tales of royal tragedies and hauntings. Later return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
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Day 14Exploration of Mysore - Today after breakfast, visit Jaganmohan Palace: Dark stories from the Wodeyar dynasty; Srirangapatna: Tipu Sultan’s summer palace and the site of his death. Return back to the hotel by the evening.
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Day 15Return to Chennai for Departure - Early morning, drive to Chennai (6 hours). You will be transferred to Chennai International Airport for your departure.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation in 4 star hotels
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- English-speaking guide for sightseeing and guided tours
- All applicable taxes
Exclusions:
- Airfare/train tickets
- Meals other than breakfast
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry, etc.
- Any additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary