South India Grand Tour: Realm of the
Black Panther
Jungles · Temples · Coastlines · Hills · Wildlife · Culture
One sweeping circuit through the deep south — from the ruins of Hampi to the backwaters of Kumarakom, through the shadowlands where the black panther rules.
Follow the Trail South
Bangalore to Bangalore — nineteen stops, five chapters, one great loop. Scroll, and travel.
Bangalore
The circuit opens in the garden city — gear up, meet your crew, head north.
Hampi
A fallen empire frozen in granite — temples and bazaars in a sea of boulders.
Bhadra
Raw, untouched wilderness — the reserve most travellers never reach.
Jog Falls
Stand beneath one of India's tallest waterfalls as the Sharavati plunges.
Goa
Vibrant beaches, Portuguese lanes and golden evenings on the Arabian Sea.
Mangalore
Seafood, temple towns and quiet shores along the Konkan coast.
Coorg
Rainforest coffee estates — birdsong, plantation walks, cool mountain air.
Kabini
India's most premium safari address — and the realm of its most elusive cat.
Mysuru
Palace city of sandalwood and silk, between the jungles.
Bandipur
Elephants and tigers in dry forests — one of India's oldest reserves.
Ooty
The queen of the Nilgiris — toy trains and eucalyptus mists.
Kodaikanal
Star-lake mornings on the Palani hills.
Munnar
High-altitude tea gardens and the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
Kumarakom
Slow boats and silent lagoons on Vembanad Lake.
Kochi
Chinese fishing nets, spice markets and old-world cafés.
Rameshwaram
Sacred corridors at the edge of the sea.
Thanjavur
The great living temple of the Chola kings.
Mahabalipuram
Seventh-century stone carving by the Bay of Bengal.
Bangalore
The loop closes — 5,000 kilometres of the deep south behind you.
A Field Guide to the Realm
The Western Ghats are a global biodiversity hotspot — and this circuit crosses the best of it.
Kabini
Black panther territory and premium safaris — open jeeps, expert naturalists, riverside lodges.
Bandipur
Elephants, tigers and dry deciduous forests in one of India's oldest tiger reserves.
Bhadra
Raw, untouched wilderness far from the crowds.
Coorg
Birding and rainforest trails through shade-grown coffee country.
Munnar
High-altitude ecosystems and the endangered Nilgiri tahr above the tea line.
Western Ghats
A UNESCO-listed range older than the Himalayas, harbouring species found nowhere else on Earth.
Built Like an Expedition
Long scenic travel days (6–10 hour drives) across multi-terrain routes including ghat roads — paced for explorers, supported in luxury.
More Than a Tour — a Complete South India Experience
- Curated expedition-style travel — every leg planned, every day distinct
- Wildlife and nature expertise — the right reserves, the right seasons, the right guides
- Seamless multi-state logistics across Karnataka, Goa, Kerala & Tamil Nadu
- Premium stays and experiences from jungle lodges to backwater retreats
- Personalized travel planning shaped around your dates and pace
- End-to-end support — one dedicated point of contact, throughout
Plan Your South India Expedition
$30,000
Per person · 30 days. Also available as a 15-day expedition — $20,000. Limited departures for 2026–27.
⧡ Limited expedition slots for 2026–27
30-day South India itinerary: Bangalore to Bangalore
The circuit has 19 stops in five chapters across Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, about 5,000 km in all. It runs from the ruins of Hampi to the Kabini and Bandipur reserves, through Mysuru, hill stations at Ooty, Kodaikanal and Munnar, the Kumarakom backwaters and Kochi, then the temples at Rameshwaram, Thanjavur and Mahabalipuram, and back to Bangalore via Chennai.
Wildlife: Kabini, Bandipur, Bhadra and the Western Ghats
Kabini is black panther territory, with open-jeep safaris, expert naturalists and riverside lodges; a sighting is a chance, never a promise. Bandipur is one of India's oldest tiger reserves, with elephants and tigers in dry forest, and Bhadra is raw, untouched wilderness far from the crowds. Read our Bandipur safari guide and our Nagarhole and Kabini trip page.
Heritage, hills, coast and backwaters
Heritage stops include Hampi, the palace city of Mysuru, the great living temple at Thanjavur and the shore temples at Mahabalipuram. The hills and tea country of Ooty, Kodaikanal and Munnar and the backwaters of Kumarakom balance the forests.
Journey facts: season, distance, difficulty and price
The expedition is 30 days at $30,000 per person, and a 15-day version is available at $20,000. The best season is June to January. Difficulty is moderate to high, with long scenic travel days of 6 to 10 hours on multi-terrain routes including ghat roads. The distance is about 5,000 km.
Related Tentasy pages
- Bandipur safari guide: Timings, booking and best time
- Nagarhole safari trip: A short Kabini-side trip from Bengaluru
- Ultimate India Grand Expedition: Combine it with the 100-day journey
- Indian wildlife tours: All our parks
- Wildlife photography: Photograph Kabini's wildlife
- Contact us: Plan your South India circuit
South India Grand Tour FAQ
How long are the drives?
Long scenic travel days of 6 to 10 hours, including ghat roads, paced for explorers.
Can I do a 15-day version?
Yes. A 15-day version is available at $20,000 per person. Ask which chapters it covers.
Black panther vs leopard: are they the same animal?
Yes. A black panther is a leopard with a dark coat, and Kabini is known for them. Sightings are never guaranteed.
When is the best time to go?
June to January, with the exact months chosen to suit Kabini, the coast and the hills.
Where does the circuit start and end?
In Bangalore, finishing via Chennai.