South India Explorer - 14 Days

India
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Kerala Backwaters – Sail along the famous backwaters in our deluxe rice boat and enjoy marvelous views, Mahabalipuram – Visit the impressive Shore Temple on the Bay of Bengal and the striking Five Rathas, Kumarakom – Relax on the shores of Lake Vembanad and opt to visit the local bird sanctuary, Madurai – Attend an evening Aarti prayer ceremony and see the impressive rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Spot herds of elephants from an included boat ride on Lake Periyar, Tanjore – Visit the giant 1,000 year old Brihadishwara Temple on our guided tour of the city’s highlights, Kochi – Enjoy free time to explore the coastal city and perhaps enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show, Pondicherry – Tour the French colonial city including the Sacred Heart Basilica and walk on the beach, Munnar – Explore the former British Hill Station and enjoy a guided stroll through one of the many sprawling tea plantations, Chettinad - Sample traditional life in the quaint village of Chettinad, renowned for its flavourful cuisine

Availability

From 2024-03-31 to 2025-12-14

Departure dates & prices

Dates Availability Price
  • Mar Sun 31 2024 to Apr Sat 13 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $4,265*
  • Apr Sun 07 2024 to Apr Sat 20 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $4,265*
  • Apr Sun 14 2024 to Apr Sat 27 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $4,265*
  • Apr Sun 21 2024 to May Sat 04 2024
    Limited Availability
    From
    $4,265*
  • Sep Sun 15 2024 to Sep Sat 28 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Sep Sun 29 2024 to Oct Sat 12 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Oct Sun 06 2024 to Oct Sat 19 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Oct Sun 13 2024 to Oct Sat 26 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Oct Sun 20 2024 to Nov Sat 02 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Oct Sun 27 2024 to Nov Sat 09 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Nov Sun 03 2024 to Nov Sat 16 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Nov Sun 10 2024 to Nov Sat 23 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Nov Sun 24 2024 to Dec Sat 07 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Dec Sun 08 2024 to Dec Sat 21 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Dec Sun 15 2024 to Dec Sat 28 2024
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Dec Sun 29 2024 to Jan Sat 11 2025
    Available
    From
    $5,135*
  • Jan Sun 12 2025 to Jan Sat 25 2025
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Jan Sun 26 2025 to Feb Sat 08 2025
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Feb Sun 09 2025 to Feb Sat 22 2025
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Feb Sun 23 2025 to Mar Sat 08 2025
    Available
    From
    $4,645*
  • Mar Sun 23 2025 to Apr Sat 05 2025
    Available
    From
    $4,645*

What's included

13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners.
12 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels.
1 night deluxe houseboat cruise along the Keralan backwaters.
Guided sightseeing - Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai and Munnar Tea Plantation .
Boat ride on Lake Periyar.
Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 4 or more).
Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites.
Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 14.
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles .

Itinerary

  • Day 1, Chennai
    Sunday. Welcome to Southern India! On arrival at Chennai airport you are met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free to explore the city at leisure before meeting the group and guide at the hotel at 18:00 for a Welcome meeting.
    No meals included.
    Day 2, Mahabalipuram
    Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry. Say goodbye to Chennai this morning as we travel to the French colonial city of Pondicherry. French rule lasted here until 1954 and the influence is still clear in the city's architecture.

    En route visit Mahabalipuram - the beautiful 7th century Shore Temple, so-named because of its location on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Continue to the world's largest bas-relief carving, Arjuna's Penance and the incredible Five Rathas. This UNESCO-listed site is made up of five different temples, all carved individually from separate rocks. The temples lay hidden under sand until the British rediscovered them 200 years ago.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 3, Pondicherry
    Pondicherry. Today we explore the highlights of Pondicherry including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram spiritual community and Pondicherry Beach, with it's beautiful golden sand and lapping waves. Finally, we explore the striking Sacred Heart Basilica, a famous Christian pilgrimage site. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 4, Thanjavur
    Pondicherry - Tanjore. Leaving Pondicherry today, we travel to the vibrant city of Tanjore (Thanjavur). We discover the ancient, fortified town with a guided tour exploring Tanjore's glorious history dating back more than 1,500 years. Take in the enormous Brihadishwara Temple. This temple is over 1000 years old and the dome on top is thought to have been hauled up in a similar way to the construction of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 5, Chettinad
    Tanjore - Chettinad. Today we travel to Chettinad which renowned across India for its unique spectacular combination of flavourful cuisine, yet few venture to this sleepy, tranquil village. Explore the crumbling Chettinad Palace and the famous tile factory in Athangudi, where your guide will explain how the renowned handmade terracotta tiles of Chettinad are crafted and readied.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, 1 dinner included.
    Day 6, Madurai
    Chettinad - Madurai. Departing Chettinad we continue onwards to Madurai, where we enjoy a half day guided tour taking in the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal. This grand palace is known for the giant circular pillars in its courtyard and dates back to the 17th century. We continue to the famous rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan. According to a famous Hindu legend, this is where Murugan slayed the demon Surapadman. Finally, we join an Aarti prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple. The ceremony involves the lighting of candles and songs being sung in praise of the gods.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 7-8, Munnar
    Madurai - Munnar. Leaving Madurai today we travel to the picturesque former hill station of Munnar where we spend the next two nights. Today we take a guided walk through a local tea plantation and visit a local market. The remainder of day 7 and day 8 is spent at your own leisure. You may wish to visit the nearby Blossom Park and enjoy cycling or boating in the stunning surrounds.
    2 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 9, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
    Munnar - Periyar. A drive south to Periyar, South India's most popular Wildlife Sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumily, close to the sanctuary and where we'll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you to enjoy the remainder of the day at your own leisure.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 10, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
    Periyar. Today we enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to explore on your own. You can opt for an optional visit to explore the spice plantation or enjoy a kalaripayattu dance performance.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 11, Kumarakom
    Periyar - Kumarakom. Today, we leave Periyar and take a drive to Kumarakom - a village spread over a cluster of islands on Lake Vembanad. The day is free to relax or explore Kumarakom at your leisure. Perhaps take a boat ride on the lake or visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to many rare bird species and is an important stopover for migratory birds in the winter (Nov-May).
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 12, Alleppey
    Kumarakom - Alleppey - Keralan Backwaters. On day 12, we will take a scenic drive to Alleppey. Here we board our private rice boat for a voyage through the famous Kerala backwaters. Our rice-boat takes us sedately along the enchanting palm-fringed backwaters, covering a distance of some 20 kms, during which time the boat glides past local villages and fascinating scenes of everyday rural life. Watch a beautiful sunset over the backwaters and enjoy tasty meals (starting with lunch) prepared by the on-board chef using fresh local produce.
    1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
    Day 13, Kochi
    Keralan Backwaters - Kochi. This morning, we disembark our rice boat and head for Kochi. Formerly a princely state, Kochi is also fondly referred to as "The Queen of the Arabian Sea". The rest of the day is at leisure exploring Kochi on its own. This evening you can opt for an optional tour to watch an entertaining and traditional Kathakali dance show. Kathakali performers are known for their elaborate costumes and makeup, and they always put on a fantastic show.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 14, Kochi
    Saturday. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to Kochi airport.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
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