Southern India

India
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Lush and tropical, southern India is inspiring and delightful. Beneath the green shade of a coastal paradise, meet with locals in their fishing villages and tribal homes. Join them in the bazaars, on buses and boats, or even on pilgrimage in Madurai. From cultural sights like the Maharaja's Palace in Mysore to French-influenced Puducherry and the vast landscape of Periyar, southern India's spirituality, friendly people, and wild animal sanctuaries make it a fascinating part of the country to explore.

Availability

From 29/03/2024 to 13/01/2026

Departure dates & prices

Dates Availability Price
  • Apr Tue 02 2024 to Apr Tue 16 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $2,460*
  • Apr Fri 12 2024 to Apr Fri 26 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,192*
  • Apr Sun 21 2024 to May Sun 05 2024
    Available
    From
    $1,948*
  • Sep Tue 03 2024 to Sep Tue 17 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,460*
  • Sep Fri 20 2024 to Oct Fri 04 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,435*
  • Sep Sun 29 2024 to Oct Sun 13 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,435*
  • Oct Fri 04 2024 to Oct Fri 18 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,435*
  • Oct Sun 06 2024 to Oct Sun 20 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,435*
  • Oct Fri 11 2024 to Oct Fri 25 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,435*
  • Oct Sun 13 2024 to Oct Sun 27 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,435*
  • Oct Fri 18 2024 to Nov Fri 01 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,435*
  • Oct Sun 20 2024 to Nov Sun 03 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $2,560*
  • Oct Fri 25 2024 to Nov Fri 08 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,765*
  • Nov Fri 01 2024 to Nov Fri 15 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Nov Fri 08 2024 to Nov Fri 22 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Nov Tue 12 2024 to Nov Tue 26 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Nov Fri 15 2024 to Nov Fri 29 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,660*
  • Nov Fri 22 2024 to Dec Fri 06 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,685*
  • Nov Fri 29 2024 to Dec Fri 13 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Dec Fri 06 2024 to Dec Fri 20 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Dec Fri 13 2024 to Dec Fri 27 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Dec Sun 15 2024 to Dec Sun 29 2024
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Dec Fri 20 2024 to Jan Fri 03 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Dec Sun 22 2024 to Jan Sun 05 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Dec Fri 27 2024 to Jan Fri 10 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Dec Sun 29 2024 to Jan Sun 12 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,635*
  • Jan Fri 03 2025 to Jan Fri 17 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Jan Sun 05 2025 to Jan Sun 19 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Jan Fri 10 2025 to Jan Fri 24 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,630*
  • Jan Fri 17 2025 to Jan Fri 31 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Jan Fri 24 2025 to Feb Fri 07 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Jan Fri 31 2025 to Feb Fri 14 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Feb Sun 02 2025 to Feb Sun 16 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Feb Fri 07 2025 to Feb Fri 21 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Feb Sun 09 2025 to Feb Sun 23 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Feb Tue 11 2025 to Feb Tue 25 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Feb Sun 16 2025 to Mar Sun 02 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Feb Tue 18 2025 to Mar Tue 04 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,560*
  • Feb Thu 20 2025 to Mar Thu 06 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,660*
  • Feb Sun 23 2025 to Mar Sun 09 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,660*
  • Feb Tue 25 2025 to Mar Tue 11 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,660*
  • Feb Fri 28 2025 to Mar Fri 14 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,660*
  • Mar Sun 02 2025 to Mar Sun 16 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,765*
  • Mar Sun 09 2025 to Mar Sun 23 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,765*
  • Mar Fri 14 2025 to Mar Fri 28 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,765*
  • Mar Sun 16 2025 to Mar Sun 30 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,765*
  • Mar Sun 23 2025 to Apr Sun 06 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,660*
  • Mar Fri 28 2025 to Apr Fri 11 2025
    Available
    From
    $2,660*

What's included

Discover the waterfalls, tea plantations and spice markets of South India’s Western Ghats, a jungle-clad mountain range older than the Himalaya and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
Known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Kochi is a fascinating blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English influences, and is best explored by ferry.
Step back in time among the iridescent hills of the very British ‘Snooty Ooty’ – home of snooker and the charming Nilgiri toy train.
Search for elusive wildlife, including elephants, sloths, and birds on safari around one of the best places in India to observe nature up close – Periyar National Park.
Experience a unique way of life with a family homestay and home-cooked meals in the idyllic backwaters of Kerala.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life.
Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste-managemen.
Breakfasts Included: 5.
Lunches Included: 4.
Dinners Included: 3.
Homestay (1 night),Hotel (11 nights),Jungle lodge (1 nights),Overnight sleeper train (1 night).
Auto rickshaw,Boat,Bus,Cycle rickshaw,Ferry,Overnight sleeper train,Private vehicle,Train.
Age: min 15.
Group Size: 1 - 12.
Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour.
Kochi - Dutch Palace.
Kochi - Kathakali performance.
Ooty - Nilgiri Mountain Railway & Tea Plantation visit.
Bandipur - National Park Safari.
Mysore - Home cooked lunch & family visit.
Mysore - Maharaja's Palace.
Mysore - Leader-led walking tour.
Mysore - Keshava Temple.
Mysore - Chamundi Hill & Temple.
Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour.
Puducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tour.
Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple.
Periyar - Spice plantation visit.
Periyar - Home cooked meal.
Periyar - National Park.
Periyar - Guided nature walk.
Kerala Backwaters - Pole boat ride.
Kerala Backwaters - Village walk.
.

Itinerary

  • 1 - Kochi Your Indian adventure starts today in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive in Kochi early, there are plenty of things to see and do. Once an important spice-trading centre, Kochi has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule at various times throughout history. Explore with one of our Urban Adventures or wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Cochin.
  • 2 - Kochi This morning, take on Kochi with a leader-led orientation tour. Take a local 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. Pay an optional visit to Paradesi Synagogue - the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth and home to many rare antiques. Then amble around the spice bazaars and antique stores of Fort Cochin. In the evening, experience a Kathakali performance. This Keralan dance is an ornately costumed display of storytelling, requiring complete control of the body.
  • 3 - Conoor Buckle up, because most of today is spent travelling. Catch a 3.5-hour train to Coimbatore, before travelling by private vehicle to Conoor, where dinner is included at your accommodation tonight.
  • 4 - Ootacamund - Conoor Spend the morning in Conoor with an orientation walk and a visit to a tea plantation to learn about the history of tea production. Later board Ooty's renowned toy train for a ride along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Be sure to get a window seat for great views over the lush countryside. In nearby Conoor, visit a tea plantation to learn about the history of tea production. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ooty's Botanical Gardens, which are home to over 650 species of plants and trees. Alternatively, get a little bit romantic with a boat ride on the lake.
  • 5 - Mudumalai National Park - Bandipur Take a private vehicle for the short drive to Bandipur today. Set against the backdrop of the Nilgiri Hills, Mudumalai National Park was once the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. In 1974 it was brought under Project Tiger and is 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, spotted deer, and much more. There's also an amazing variety of birdlife in the park. Tonight's family-run accommodation in Bandipur is a mixed-gender dormitory style with a common bathroom. This dorm room is only open to your group.
  • 6 - Mysore Travel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore, stopping to share a biryani lunch with local Loval host and family. Mysore is an easy-going town with a pleasant climate, perfect for wandering around on foot. Your leader will provide an orientation walk for you to get your bearings. A visit to Mysore is incomplete without a look around Mysore Palace. One of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is full of colour, mosaics, and mirrors.
  • 7 - Mysore - Overnight train This morning, head out of Mysore and climb Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. Continue on to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somnathpur - an excellent example of Hoysala architecture. You'll also have some time to pay an optional visit to Tipu Sultan's mausoleum in Srirangapatna, or instead, return to Mysore for a palm reading or to catch a film at the local cinema. Tonight, board an 11-hour overnight sleeper train to Chennai.
  • 8 - Mamallapuram After arriving in Chennai, 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 seventh-century Shore Temple and the enormous bas-relief rock carving, known as Arjuna's Penance. There will also be time to inspect the town's numerous mandapams (pillared temple pavilions), watch local stonemasons at work, or just to kick back and relax at a beachside restaurant.
  • 9 - Puducherry Travel by private vehicle for 5 hours through palm trees and rice paddies to Puducherry (Pondicherry). On arrival, 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 evidence of French influence in Puducherry's architecture, its wide town squares, and even in the uniforms of the police.
  • 10 - Madurai Transfer by taxi to the railway station at Villupuram and board a train to the temple city of Madurai (approximately 6 hours). 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 goddess Meenakshi. Visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which displays a detailed account of India's struggle for independence along with the bloodstained dhoti the famous leader wore when he was assassinated.
  • 11 - Periyar This morning, travel by private vehicle along a winding road to the 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. Both today and tomorrow, you'll get to explore the national park on foot and will understand why Periyar is a popular wilderness sanctuary because of its lush surroundings. Enjoy a tour of a local spice plantation. And then join our hosts at a local family and try some authentic home-cooked flavors in Southern India.
  • 12 - Periyar Venture back into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary today for a guided nature walk. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk 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 in this scenic setting with a drink in hand.
  • 13 - Kerala Backwaters Travelling by private vehicle, pass through the rubber, tea, and coffee plantations on the way to the backwaters of Kerala. 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 a local English-speaking guide, and sometimes 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 enjoy the scenery. In the evening, share stories and a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal with your host family.
  • 14 - Kochi Wake early, before crossing the backwaters by private boat to Alleppey. From here, take a 2-hour local bus back to Kochi. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. Perhaps you'd 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 some other recommendations, so be sure to ask them. Tonight, why not gather together with your group and have a night out at a local restaurant. Whatever you do, be sure to snack on a pazham pori (fried fritter of banana or plantain) while you explore the city.
  • 15 - Kochi With no activities planned for today, you are able to leave the accommodation at any time.
  • The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 03 April 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
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  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
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