34 days in South India Itinerary
Created using Inspirock South India trip planner
Start: Cincinnati
Fly
1
Hyderabad
— 3 nights
Fly
2
Bengaluru
— 4 nights
Bus
3
Mysuru (Mysore)
— 4 nights
Drive
4
Munnar
— 4 nights
Drive
5
Kochi (Cochin)
— 4 nights
Fly
6
Varkala Town
— 1 night
Train to Thiruvananthapuram Central, Taxi to Kovalam
7
Kovalam
— 1 night
Drive
8
Thekkady
— 4 nights
Drive
9
Madurai
— 1 night
Fly
10
Pondicherry
— 3 nights
Drive
11
Mahabalipuram
— 2 nights
Drive to Chennai International Airport, Fly to Cincinnati
End: Cincinnati
Wed, Dec 14 - Mon, Jan 16
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View full calendar
Hyderabad — 3 nights

City of Pearls
Pack the 18th (Sun) with family-friendly diversions at Ramoji Film City. There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Birla Mandir, admire the masterpieces at Salar Jung Museum, appreciate the history behind Charminar, and step into the grandiose world of Golconda Fort.
To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Hyderabad online trip maker.
Cincinnati, USA to Hyderabad is an approximately 25-hour flight. Traveling from Cincinnati to Hyderabad, you'll lose 10.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from Cincinnati in December, with highs in Hyderabad at 86°F and lows at 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Bengaluru.
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To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Hyderabad online trip maker.
Cincinnati, USA to Hyderabad is an approximately 25-hour flight. Traveling from Cincinnati to Hyderabad, you'll lose 10.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from Cincinnati in December, with highs in Hyderabad at 86°F and lows at 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Bengaluru.
Find places to stay Dec 15 — 18:
Bengaluru — 4 nights

Silicon Valley of India
Take a break from the city and head to Bannerghatta National Park and Skydiving. The adventure continues: get in on the family fun at Wonderla Amusement Park, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, admire the striking features of Bull Temple, and take in nature's colorful creations at Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
To find traveler tips, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Bengaluru trip planner.
Getting from Hyderabad to Bengaluru by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Hyderabad in December, expect nights in Bengaluru to be about the same, around 62°F, while days are slightly colder, around 81°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) early enough to go by car to Mysuru (Mysore).
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To find traveler tips, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Bengaluru trip planner.
Getting from Hyderabad to Bengaluru by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Hyderabad in December, expect nights in Bengaluru to be about the same, around 62°F, while days are slightly colder, around 81°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) early enough to go by car to Mysuru (Mysore).
Find places to stay Dec 18 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Mysuru (Mysore) — 4 nights

Cultural Capital of Karnataka
Step out of Mysuru (Mysore) to go to Krishnarajasagara and see Brindavan Garden, which is approximately 36 minutes away. There's lots more to do: step into the grandiose world of Mysuru Palace, see the interesting displays at R K Narayan House, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens.
To find reviews, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Mysuru (Mysore) trip itinerary planning site.
You can drive from Bengaluru to Mysuru (Mysore) in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 79°F, and evening lows to 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Mon) early enough to drive to Munnar.
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To find reviews, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Mysuru (Mysore) trip itinerary planning site.
You can drive from Bengaluru to Mysuru (Mysore) in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 79°F, and evening lows to 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Mon) early enough to drive to Munnar.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 22 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
Munnar — 4 nights

Southern Spice
Escape the urban bustle at Climbing Tours and Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park. There's much more to do: admire the engineering at Mattupetty Dam, admire the natural beauty at Tea Gardens, contemplate the waterfront views at Kundala Dam Lake, and examine the collection at Tea Museum.
To find where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read Munnar vacation site.
Traveling by car from Mysuru (Mysore) to Munnar takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, taxi, and flight; or take a bus. Traveling from Mysuru (Mysore) in December, expect Munnar to be somewhat warmer, temps between 90°F and 73°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) so you can go by car to Kochi (Cochin).
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To find where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read Munnar vacation site.
Traveling by car from Mysuru (Mysore) to Munnar takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, taxi, and flight; or take a bus. Traveling from Mysuru (Mysore) in December, expect Munnar to be somewhat warmer, temps between 90°F and 73°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) so you can go by car to Kochi (Cochin).
Find places to stay Dec 26 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Kochi (Cochin) — 4 nights
©
Queen of the Arabian Sea
Take a break from the city and head to Marari Beach and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Step out of Kochi (Cochin) to go to Alappuzha and see Alappuzha Beach, which is approximately 1h 35 min away. There's lots more to do: don't miss a visit to Chinese Fishing Nets, take a stroll through Jew Town, take in the spiritual surroundings of Paradesi Synagogue, and admire the striking features of Jeevamatha Church.
Plan my day in Kochi (Cochin) using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Inspirock.
Getting from Munnar to Kochi (Cochin) by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Kochi (Cochin) can reach 89°F, while at night they dip to 75°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Varkala Town.
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Plan my day in Kochi (Cochin) using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Inspirock.
Getting from Munnar to Kochi (Cochin) by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Kochi (Cochin) can reach 89°F, while at night they dip to 75°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Varkala Town.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 30 — Jan 3:
Highlights from your trip
Varkala Town — 1 night

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Wed): revel in the low prices at Asparagus, then kick back and relax at Varkala Beach, and then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.
For photos, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Varkala Town trip tool.
Fly from Kochi (Cochin) to Varkala Town in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In January, daytime highs in Varkala Town are 88°F, while nighttime lows are 74°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can travel to Kovalam.
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For photos, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Varkala Town trip tool.
Fly from Kochi (Cochin) to Varkala Town in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In January, daytime highs in Varkala Town are 88°F, while nighttime lows are 74°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can travel to Kovalam.
Find places to stay Jan 3 — 4:
Highlights from your trip
Kovalam — 1 night

On the 5th (Thu), enjoy the sand and surf at Hawa Beach, kick back and relax at Kovalam Beach, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Lighthouse Beach.
To see maps, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Kovalam tour website.
Do a combination of train and taxi from Varkala Town to Kovalam in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In January, daily temperatures in Kovalam can reach 88°F, while at night they dip to 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Thekkady.
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To see maps, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Kovalam tour website.
Do a combination of train and taxi from Varkala Town to Kovalam in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In January, daily temperatures in Kovalam can reach 88°F, while at night they dip to 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Thekkady.
Find places to stay Jan 4 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Thekkady — 4 nights

Escape the urban bustle at Periyar Tiger Reserve and Periyar Lake. There's much more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Green Park Spices Thekkady, examine the collection at Angadipetty -Kerala Ayurveda Museum, tour the pleasant surroundings at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and identify plant and animal life at Anakkara Spice Spice Tourism Circuit.
For photos, reviews, and tourist information, use the Thekkady vacation site.
Getting from Kovalam to Thekkady by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and taxi; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Mon) early enough to drive to Madurai.
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For photos, reviews, and tourist information, use the Thekkady vacation site.
Getting from Kovalam to Thekkady by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and taxi; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Mon) early enough to drive to Madurai.
Find places to stay Jan 5 — 9:
Highlights from your trip
Madurai — 1 night

Athens of the East
On the 10th (Tue), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Yoga Narasimhar Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Immaiyil Nanmai Tharuvar Temple.
For more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, go to the Madurai travel site.
Getting from Thekkady to Madurai by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of taxi and train. In January, plan for daily highs up to 84°F, and evening lows to 70°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Pondicherry.
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For more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, go to the Madurai travel site.
Getting from Thekkady to Madurai by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of taxi and train. In January, plan for daily highs up to 84°F, and evening lows to 70°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Pondicherry.
Find places to stay Jan 9 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
Pondicherry — 3 nights

Europe of India
Step out of the city life by going to Paradise Beach and Rock Beach. There's much more to do: take in the waterfront activity at Seaside Promenade, take in the spiritual surroundings of Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, don't miss a visit to Statue Of Gandhi, and look for gifts at Senteurs-Fleurs en Flacon.
To see photos, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Pondicherry online route maker.
Traveling by flight from Madurai to Pondicherry takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Mahabalipuram.
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To see photos, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Pondicherry online route maker.
Traveling by flight from Madurai to Pondicherry takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Mahabalipuram.
Find places to stay Jan 10 — 13:
Highlights from your trip
Mahabalipuram — 2 nights

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Sat): take in the spiritual surroundings of Shore Temple and then explore the ancient world of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: meet the residents at The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, explore the fascinating underground world of Mahishasuramardini Cave, and then admire the striking features of Pancha Rathas.
To see maps, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Mahabalipuram day trip website.
Getting from Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. In January, plan for daily highs up to 86°F, and evening lows to 69°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.
more
To see maps, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Mahabalipuram day trip website.
Getting from Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. In January, plan for daily highs up to 86°F, and evening lows to 69°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.
Find places to stay Jan 13 — 15:
Highlights from your trip