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Explore southern India on this 15-day adventure through lush lands and small villages. Beneath the green shade of a coastal paradise, you’ll meet with locals in their fishing villages and join them in bazaars, on buses and boats and for a home-cooked meal with a host family in Kerala. Watch the landscape transform from coast and tea country to the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. Visit cultural sites like the Maharaja's Palace in Mysore, witness a traditional performance of Kathakali in Kochi and explore French-influenced Puducherry and the vast landscape of Periyar. Southern India's spirituality, national parks and the warm people make it a fascinating and enriching place to explore.
At a glance
Day by day
Your journey through
India
Day 1KochiNamaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do. You might like to wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Kochi or head to Princess Street and kick back with a cup of coffee. Tonight, maybe head to dinner to get to know your group and try some delicious local dishes like kappa biryani (made with tapioca, roasted coconut and meat or veggies) or appam (thin pancakes typically served with stew).
KochiNamaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do. You might like to wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Kochi or head to Princess Street and kick back with a cup of coffee. Tonight, maybe head to dinner to get to know your group and try some delicious local dishes like kappa biryani (made with tapioca, roasted coconut and meat or veggies) or appam (thin pancakes typically served with stew).
Day 2KochiThis morning, get to know Kochi on a leader-led orientation walk and city tour. Take a tuk-tuk to Mattancherry and drop by the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before it was renovated and presented to the Rajas of Cochin by the Dutch. Next, wander around the spice bazaars and antique stores of Fort Kochi. You can also opt to visit the Paradesi Synagogue – the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth and home to many rare antiques. In the evening, you’ll watch a traditional performance of Kathakali – this Keralan dance is an ornately costumed display of storytelling, requiring complete control of the body.
KochiThis morning, get to know Kochi on a leader-led orientation walk and city tour. Take a tuk-tuk to Mattancherry and drop by the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before it was renovated and presented to the Rajas of Cochin by the Dutch. Next, wander around the spice bazaars and antique stores of Fort Kochi. You can also opt to visit the Paradesi Synagogue – the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth and home to many rare antiques. In the evening, you’ll watch a traditional performance of Kathakali – this Keralan dance is an ornately costumed display of storytelling, requiring complete control of the body.
Day 3ConoorBuckle up, because most of today will be spent travelling. Catch a train to Coimbatore, then travel by private vehicle to Coonoor – known for its tea estates in the surrounding Nilgiri Hills. Watch the lush scenery pass you by, get stuck into a good book or play road trip games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive in Coonoor, join your group for dinner at your accommodation.
ConoorBuckle up, because most of today will be spent travelling. Catch a train to Coimbatore, then travel by private vehicle to Coonoor – known for its tea estates in the surrounding Nilgiri Hills. Watch the lush scenery pass you by, get stuck into a good book or play road trip games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive in Coonoor, join your group for dinner at your accommodation.
Day 4Ootacamund – ConoorSpend the morning on an orientation walk in Coonoor and visit a tea plantation to learn about the history of tea production. Later, board Ooty’s famous toy train for a ride along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Be sure to get a window seat for great views over the open countryside. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ooty’s Botanical Gardens, which are home to more than 650 species of plants and trees. There’s also the option to go for a boat ride on the lake.
OotacamundSpend the morning on an orientation walk in Coonoor and visit a tea plantation to learn about the history of tea production. Later, board Ooty’s famous toy train for a ride along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Be sure to get a window seat for great views over the open countryside. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ooty’s Botanical Gardens, which are home to more than 650 species of plants and trees. There’s also the option to go for a boat ride on the lake.
Day 5Mudumalai National Park – BandipurMake the short drive to hilltop town of Bandipur today. Here, you’ll visit Mudumalai National Park – set against the backdrop of the Nilgiri Hills, this park was once the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. In 1974, it was protected under Project Tiger and it’s now one of the best sanctuaries in India to observe wildlife in close proximity. Embark on a short safari in search of tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars and spotted deer. There's also a variety of birdlife to spot – you might even see the critically endangered white-rumped vulture or long-billed vulture.
Mudumalai National ParkMake the short drive to hilltop town of Bandipur today. Here, you’ll visit Mudumalai National Park – set against the backdrop of the Nilgiri Hills, this park was once the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. In 1974, it was protected under Project Tiger and it’s now one of the best sanctuaries in India to observe wildlife in close proximity. Embark on a short safari in search of tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars and spotted deer. There's also a variety of birdlife to spot – you might even see the critically endangered white-rumped vulture or long-billed vulture.
Day 6MysoreTravel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore – an easy-going town with a pleasant climate, perfect for exploring on foot. When you arrive, you’ll head to local family’s home for a home-cooked lunch of traditional favourites. Get to know the family, who will show you how they make incense – one of the traditional crafts from Mysore. Once you see how it’s made, maybe even have a go yourself! Then, head out on an orientation walk around the town to get your bearings. No visit to Mysore is complete without a look around Mysore Palace – one of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is full of colour, mosaics and mirrors.
MysoreTravel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore – an easy-going town with a pleasant climate, perfect for exploring on foot. When you arrive, you’ll head to local family’s home for a home-cooked lunch of traditional favourites. Get to know the family, who will show you how they make incense – one of the traditional crafts from Mysore. Once you see how it’s made, maybe even have a go yourself! Then, head out on an orientation walk around the town to get your bearings. No visit to Mysore is complete without a look around Mysore Palace – one of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is full of colour, mosaics and mirrors.
Day 7Mysore – Overnight trainThis morning, you’ll climb Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. After, continue to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somanathapura – an excellent example of Hoysala architecture. You’ll also have some time to visit Tipu Sultan’s mausoleum in Srirangapatna. You can also opt to return to Mysore for a palm reading or catch a film at the local cinema. Tonight, board an overnight sleeper train to Chennai.
MysoreThis morning, you’ll climb Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. After, continue to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somanathapura – an excellent example of Hoysala architecture. You’ll also have some time to visit Tipu Sultan’s mausoleum in Srirangapatna. You can also opt to return to Mysore for a palm reading or catch a film at the local cinema. Tonight, board an overnight sleeper train to Chennai.
Day 8MamallapuramArrive in Chennai and take a private vehicle along the scenic East Coast Road to Mamallapuram. Explore this ancient seaport town by tuk-tuk, paying a visit to the 7th-century Shore Temple and the enormous bas-relief rock carving known as Arjuna's Penance. You’ll also have time to check out the town’s numerous mandapams (pillared temple pavilions), watch local stonemasons at work or simply kick back and relax at a beachside restaurant.
MamallapuramArrive in Chennai and take a private vehicle along the scenic East Coast Road to Mamallapuram. Explore this ancient seaport town by tuk-tuk, paying a visit to the 7th-century Shore Temple and the enormous bas-relief rock carving known as Arjuna's Penance. You’ll also have time to check out the town’s numerous mandapams (pillared temple pavilions), watch local stonemasons at work or simply kick back and relax at a beachside restaurant.
Day 9PuducherryTravel by private vehicle today through palm trees and rice paddies to Puducherry (Pondicherry). When you arrive, head out with your group and leader on a walking tour to see local temples, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the French Quarter. Once a French colony, you’ll see the evidence of French influence in Puducherry's architecture, its wide town squares and even in the police uniforms!
PuducherryTravel by private vehicle today through palm trees and rice paddies to Puducherry (Pondicherry). When you arrive, head out with your group and leader on a walking tour to see local temples, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the French Quarter. Once a French colony, you’ll see the evidence of French influence in Puducherry's architecture, its wide town squares and even in the police uniforms!
Day 10MaduraiDrive to the temple city of Madurai today. Madurai’s Tamil roots stretch back 2500 years, making it one of the oldest cities in India. Wander the lamp-lit labyrinth of the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and the goddess Meenakshi.
MaduraiDrive to the temple city of Madurai today. Madurai’s Tamil roots stretch back 2500 years, making it one of the oldest cities in India. Wander the lamp-lit labyrinth of the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and the goddess Meenakshi.
Day 11PeriyarThis morning, travel by private vehicle along a winding road to Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. High in the ranges of the Western Ghats, the park is set among stunning scenery and is the most popular wildlife sanctuary in southern India. For the next two days, you’ll get to explore the national park on foot and see firsthand why this spot is so renowned. Go on a tour of a local spice plantation, then join your local family hosts for a meal where you’ll try some of the authentic home-cooked flavours of southern India.
PeriyarThis morning, travel by private vehicle along a winding road to Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. High in the ranges of the Western Ghats, the park is set among stunning scenery and is the most popular wildlife sanctuary in southern India. For the next two days, you’ll get to explore the national park on foot and see firsthand why this spot is so renowned. Go on a tour of a local spice plantation, then join your local family hosts for a meal where you’ll try some of the authentic home-cooked flavours of southern India.
Day 12PeriyarVenture back into Periyar National Park today for a nature walk led by local guides who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledgeable about the area’s flora and fauna. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk to see the beautiful natural scenery than an animal spotting tour, but do look out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage at your accommodation or just relax and soak up your surroundings with a drink in hand.
PeriyarVenture back into Periyar National Park today for a nature walk led by local guides who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledgeable about the area’s flora and fauna. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk to see the beautiful natural scenery than an animal spotting tour, but do look out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage at your accommodation or just relax and soak up your surroundings with a drink in hand.
Day 13Kerala BackwatersToday, drive through tea, rubber and coffee plantations on the way to the backwaters of Kerala. When you arrive, you’ll board a motorboat to cross to the island village where you’ll stay with a local family tonight. In the late afternoon, explore the island with your homestay host. This is a great chance to meet locals and learn more about their unique way of life. Take a leisurely punt boat ride around the waterways and take in the scenery. Tonight, share stories over a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal with your host family.
Kerala BackwatersToday, drive through tea, rubber and coffee plantations on the way to the backwaters of Kerala. When you arrive, you’ll board a motorboat to cross to the island village where you’ll stay with a local family tonight. In the late afternoon, explore the island with your homestay host. This is a great chance to meet locals and learn more about their unique way of life. Take a leisurely punt boat ride around the waterways and take in the scenery. Tonight, share stories over a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal with your host family.
Day 14KochiRise early this morning before crossing the backwaters by private boat, headed to Alleppey. From here, you’ll take a bus back to Kochi. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. You might like to stroll down Princess Street for a spot of shopping or book yourself into a southern Indian cooking class – your group leader will have more great recommendations, so be sure to ask them to help you plan your day. Tonight, why not gather with your group for a night out at a local restaurant and maybe try some pazham pori (fried banana or plantain fritters).
KochiRise early this morning before crossing the backwaters by private boat, headed to Alleppey. From here, you’ll take a bus back to Kochi. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. You might like to stroll down Princess Street for a spot of shopping or book yourself into a southern Indian cooking class – your group leader will have more great recommendations, so be sure to ask them to help you plan your day. Tonight, why not gather with your group for a night out at a local restaurant and maybe try some pazham pori (fried banana or plantain fritters).
Day 15KochiWith no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Kochi, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.
KochiWith no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Kochi, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.
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