Best of Southern India
14 days
From
$ 1399
Duration14 days
From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples and searching for tigers in the wild, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights of Southern India. This two-week adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time to explore on your own. Travelling by train, bus, rickshaw, and country boats will bring you closer to the locals and is a fascinating way to gain insight into the peaceful backwaters of Kerala and stunning temples of Tamilnadu.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 14 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Kochi
There are no planned activities before the evening welcome meeting, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city.
After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner.
After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Kochi
Enjoy a morning orientation walk of Fort Kochi. After, take some free time to explore before an evening performance of kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala.
Day 3: Kochi/Kalpetta
Take a morning train followed by a scenic drive to reach Kalpetta, in the Wayanad district.
Day 4: Kalpetta
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghat region of Kerala, it is spread over an area of nearly 345 sq km and has a variety of exotic flora and fauna. The sanctuary was declared as a site of Project Elephant in the year 1992.
Walk the nature trails through the forested areas in Wayanad. Also take a wildlife drive in search of elephants and bison.
Day 5: Kalpetta/Mysore
Travel to Mysore (formally Mysuru) located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947.
Settle in for the drive to the ancient city of Mysore.
Day 6: Mysore
Imagine life as a Maharaja on a guided tour of the Mysore Palace. Later, join the throngs of pilgrims at Chamundi Hills, with its temple on top, and Nandi the Bull (ridden by the Hindu god Shiva) a short walk below.
In your free time, visit the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market or join a yoga class at one of the many local institutes.
Opt to drive to Somnathpur, home to one of the most famous Hoysala Temples in India.
In your free time, visit the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market or join a yoga class at one of the many local institutes.
Opt to drive to Somnathpur, home to one of the most famous Hoysala Temples in India.
Explore the vibrant city of Mysore including visits to Chamundi Temple and Mysore Palace. After enjoy free time and opt to visit the Devaraja market or join a yoga class.
Day 7: Mysore/Māmallapuram
Arrive by train to Chennai before continuing south for a short ride to the small village of Mamallapuram. Visit the 7th century Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Enjoy a full day of train travel to Chennai before a short bus ride to Mamallapuram. Visit the Shore Temple.
Day 8: Māmallapuram
Free time to explore Mamallapuram.
Day 9: Māmallapuram/Puducherry
In the morning, drive to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry), formerly the the largest French Colony in India and an important trading town. There is a strong French influence in the city's layout, with wide boulevards and French-style houses, but the city is undoubtedly Indian.
Continue to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry) and learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose at the ashram.
Day 10: Puducherry/Madurai
Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Day 11: Madurai
After visiting the temple complex, opt to visit the handicraft shops or duck into the cool shade of the covered, stone tailor’s market where, for a few rupees, rows of expert tailors will whip you up a custom shirt in minutes, all done on antique foot-pump sewing machines. In the late evening, opt to visit the Meenakshi Temple again for a glimpse of the nighttime rituals.
Hope on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city before visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple.
Day 12: Madurai/Periyār Sanctuary
Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar National Park, is the spice capital of India. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the spice plantations and a tea factory.
Opt for a boat ride on the Periyar Lake.
Opt for a boat ride on the Periyar Lake.
Drive to Thekkady. Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills.
Meals: D
Day 13: Periyār Sanctuary/Kerala Backwaters
Travel down to the backwaters from Thekkady to catch a private boat for the short journey to the village homestay.
In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location.
Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters.
In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location.
Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters.
Travel to Alleppey for a local homestay. Experience local life and a guided walk along the lagoon.
For this homestay, you will only need to take a small overnight bag. Your main bags will be transferred directly to the hotel in Kochi.
Enjoy traditional Keralan homecooking at the homestay.
Enjoy traditional Keralan homecooking at the homestay.
Meals: L, D
Day 14: Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
The morning is spent enjoying the last of our host family's hospitality. Learn to cook some of the wonderful food, watch the toddy tappers at work, or wander around the village and explore more of the life on the backwaters.
Depart the homestay and travel back to Kochi. The trip ends on arrival to Kochi in the early afternoon.
Depart the homestay and travel back to Kochi. The trip ends on arrival to Kochi in the early afternoon.
Travel back to Kochi where the trip ends upon arrival.
Enjoy traditional Keralan homecooking.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Kerala Backwaters Homestay, Alleppey
- Fort Kochi orientation walk
- Kathakali dance show
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary walk and safari
- Chaumundi Temple and Mysore Palace visit
- Mamallapuram Shore Temple visit
- Pondicherry orientation walk
- Madurai cycle-rickshaw ride and Sri Meenakshi Temple visit
- Cardamom Hills spice plantation tour
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Train, Private vehicle, Cycle-rickshaw, Auto-rickshaw, Ferry -
Accommodation
Hotels (12 nts), Homestay (1 nt, multi-share)