Best of Southern India

$1.159,20 / Per Person

  • Duration

    14 Days

  • Min Age

    12 +

  • Country

    Indian Rupee, INR

  • Location

    India

  • Posted 2 days ago

  • 4,6 Super

Overview

Booking Type

G Adventures

Duration

14 days

Age Requirement

12-90 yrs

Max Group Size

20

Guiding Method

Festival & Events

From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, 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.

ITINERARY

Arrive at any time.
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.

Accommodation:
- Hotel White Rose (or similar).

Included Activities:
- Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group

Take a morning train followed by a scenic drive to reach Kalpetta, in the Wayanad district.


Accommodation:
- Villa Wayanad (or similar).

Transport:
- Train 04:00 Hr(s)
- Private Vehicle: Kozhikode to Kalpetta 02:00 Hr(s)

Walk the nature trails through the forested areas in Wayanad. Also take a tour of a tea factory and plantation to learn about tea production in the area from a guide.
Wayanad region of the western Ghats in Kerala is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations and is known to produce some of the finest teas.

Accommodation:
- Villa Wayanad (or similar).

Included Activities:
- Wayanad Nature Walk
- Wayanad Tea Factory Visit

Settle in for the drive to the ancient city of 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.

Accommodation:
- Akshaya Mahal (or similar).

Transport:
- Private Vehicle

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.
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.

Accommodation:
- Akshaya Mahal (or similar).

Included Activities:
- Chamundi Temple Visit
- Mysore Palace Visit

Enjoy a full day of train travel to Chennai before a short bus ride to Mamallapuram. Visit the Shore Temple.
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.

Accommodation:
- Hotel Mamalla Inn (or similar).

Transport:
- Train 08:00 Hr(s)
- Private Vehicle 01:00 - 01:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Shore Temple Visit

Free time to explore Mamallapuram.


Accommodation:
- Hotel Mamalla Inn (or similar).

Continue to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry) and learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose at the ashram.
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.

Accommodation:
- Abirami Residency (or similar).

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:00 - 02:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Orientation Walk

Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.


Accommodation:
- Rio Grande Hotel Madurai (or similar).

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 06:00 - 07:00 Hr(s)

Hop on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city before visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple.
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.

Accommodation:
- Rio Grande Hotel Madurai (or similar).

Included Activities:
- Cycle-Rickshaw Tour
- Meenakshi Temple Visit

Drive to Thekkady. Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills.
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.

Accommodation:
- Michael's Inn (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 04:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Cardamom Hills Spice Plantation Tour

Travel to Alleppey for a local homestay. Experience local life and a guided walk along the lagoon.
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.

Accommodation:
- Alasr Heritage Home (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 04:00 - 05:30 Hr(s)
- Boat: Alleppey to Kerala Backwaters 00:15 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Kerala Backwaters Homestay

Additional Notes: 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.

Spend the morning enjoying last moments with your host family. Learn to cook some local food, watch the toddy tappers at work, or wander around the village. Travel to a Planeterra project for lunch before returning to Kochi. Head out for an orientation walk, then enjoy an evening performance of kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala.


Accommodation:
- Hotel White Rose (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Boat: Kerala Backwaters to Alleppey 01:30 Hr(s)
- Private Vehicle 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project
- Orientation Walk
- Kathakali Dance

Depart at any time.


Included Activities:
- Departure Day

Destinations

  • Kochi (Cochin) / IN

  • Kalpetta / IN

  • Mysuru / IN

  • Mahabalipuram / IN

  • Puducherry / IN

  • Madurai / IN

  • Thekkady / IN

  • Periyar National Park / IN

  • Alleppey / IN

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Review Scores

4,6

Super

Services

98.0%

Operator

92.0%

Accommodation

74.0%

Transport

92.0%

Food

84.0%

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