Classic: Best of Southern India (AHBS)
Countries Visited: India
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own
Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Group Size: Max 15, avg 12
Meals Included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).
Highlights
Relax in peaceful backwaters, spot wildlife in beautiful parks, uncover ancient temples, explore tea and spice plantations, take a rickshaw ride through the streets of Madurai
Description
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 2-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.
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Group Size: Max 15, avg 12
Meals Included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).
Highlights
Relax in peaceful backwaters, spot wildlife in beautiful parks, uncover ancient temples, explore tea and spice plantations, take a rickshaw ride through the streets of Madurai
Description
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 2-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.
Call (631) 757-8500 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13740018
- Tour Operator
- G Adventures
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Kochi | 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. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting |
| Day 2 | Kochi | Day 2 Kochi Enjoy an early morning orientation tour of Fort Kochi. Enjoy free time to explore before an evening performance of kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Kathakali Dance |
| Day 3 | Kalpetta | Day 3 Kochi/Kalpetta Take a morning train followed by a scenic drive to reach Kalpetta, in the Wayanad district. Transport: Train (4.00 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 4 | Kalpetta | Day 4 Kalpetta Here, we go on nature trails in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and visit the Edakkal Caves, which are believed to have been a shelter of neolithic people. Included Activities: Wayanad Nature Walk |
| Day 5 | Mudumalai | Day 5 Kalpetta/Mudumalai We leave the hills for the plains, and stop for the night at the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Spend part of the afternoon on a short safari and spot the variety of wildlife within the park. Included Activities: Mudumalai Jeep Safari Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00-4.00 hours) |
| Day 6 | Mysore | Day 6 Mudumalai/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. Included Activities: Chamundi Temple Visit Mysore Palace Visit Transport: Private Vehicle (2.00-4.00 hours) |
| Day 7 | Mamallapuram | Day 7 Mysore/Mamallapuram 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. Included Activities: Shore Temple Visit Transport: Enjoy a scenic ride to the east coast aboard Indians vast rail system. Play cards, meet your fellow passengers or let the landscapes soak in. Train (8.00 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (1.00-1.50 hours) |
| Day 8 | Mamallapuram | Day 8 Mamallapuram Free time to explore Mamallapuram. |
| Day 9 | Puducherry | Day 9 Mamallapuram/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 citys layout, with wide boulevards and French-style houses, but the city is undoubtedly Indian. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (2.00-2.50 hours) |
| Day 10 | Madurai | Day 10 Puducherry/Madurai Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Transport: Private Vehicle (6.00-7.00 hours) |
| Day 11 | Madurai | 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. Included Activities: Cycle-Rickshaw Tour Meenakshi Temple Visit |
| Day 12 | Periyar Sanctuary | Day 12 Madurai/Periyar Sanctuary (1D) 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. Included Activities: Cardamom Hills Spice Plantation Tour Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 13 | Kerala Backwaters | Day 13 Periyar Sanctuary/Kerala Backwaters (1L, 1D) 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 - its 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. 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. Included Activities: Kerala Backwaters Homestay Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00-5.50 hours, 145km) Boat (0.25 hour(s)) |
| Day 14 | Kochi | Day 14 Kerala Backwaters/Kochi (1B) The morning is spent enjoying the last of our host familys 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. Included Activities: Departure Day (Activities) Transport: Boat (1.50 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s)) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Please Note: Only 1 piece of luggage that weighs up to 15kgs will be permitted on our internal flights in India. For any extra weight the airline may charge an additional fee at the time of check-in.
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.