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Classic South India

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
  • COVID-19protected
  • CO2 neutral
  • Chill out
  • National parks
  • Cultural, religious and historic sites
  • Art and architecture
See Itinerary
  • Booking Type Instant Booking
  • duration 13 days
  • tour type Group
  • age requirement 15+ years old
  • max group size 12
  • Footprint CO2 Offset Bookmundi
map
  • Starts Chennai, India
  • Ends Kovalam, India
Tour with Flexible Booking Policy
  • Change dates It is free to change your tour start date within 30 days of departure.
  • Choose a different tour Select a new tour run by the same tour operator within 30 days of departure.
HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes
  • Explore idyllic Pondicherry on a walking tour and discover the colonial French Quarter, colourful multitiered temples and the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
  • Take a nature walk in the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, looking out for tiger tracks with your local village guides.
  • Discover the diversity and incredible history of Kochi through a tour of its buildings, like India’s oldest functioning synagogue and a mixture of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture
  • Witness the dramatic beauty of Kathakali, a captivating storytelling dance that artists must study for over a decade before performing.
The "Classic South India" trip starts from Chennai and ends in Kovalam. It is a cultural, religious and historic sites trip that takes 13 days taking you through Madurai, Kovalam, Kochi and 6 other destinations in India. "Classic South India" is a guided small group trip that includes accommodation, transport, meals and others.

Discover a thousand shades of green, indulge in some of the continent’s freshest food and share moments of connection with locals on this 13-day tour. Travel down the scenic East Coast Road into the countryside and across to the west coast before finishing in India’s deep south. Experience the cultures, religions and histories of this region through its small rural towns, fishing villages and the scented spice plantations set in the picturesque Western Ghats mountains. This revelatory trip introduces you to an area less travelled from the comfort of a private vehicle.
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CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL
4.5 - Excellent
Based on 108 reviews
  • Anonymous
  • From Australia
  • On Jul 06 2019
4 - Very Good
Review for another Intrepid Travel tour
“India can be a very nice place to visit but definitely not for the faint hearted. It is not a clean place. Everywhere you go you can smell cow shit ( cow dung ) littered all over the roads and streets. Roads are small and narrow with potholes all over the place unrepaired. Traffic are in a state of chaos with no regard to rules or regulations. Weather has been an unbearable hot and smelly affair. Cows are considered sacred and are free to roam in the streets and roads. Very filthy on every streets and roads. Toilets in trains are stinky and of very poor standards. But you have to know....this is India ! Things are not what you expect ! Security is tight on all places we visited. And moving around is not easy with large bags and luggages. Electricity is a problem in India. It keeps cutting off every now and then. Many small to medium hotels and motels are not very well maintained and air conditioners are not working properly at times. A third world country experience. If that is what you are looking for !.”
  • Anonymous
  • From USA
  • On Mar 02 2019
4 - Very Good
Review for another Intrepid Travel tour
“This trip took us to see parts of Thailand less frequented by tourists. It was well organized, offered good food and a good mix of activities and private time. Our guide Damrong Thepkong, was very professional and kept everything moving”
  • Cindy
  • From USA
  • On Nov 23 2018
4 - Very Good
Cindy's review for another Intrepid Travel tour
“Morocco encompasses give you a great introduction to the Morocco country. You will learn and experience the wonder of Morocco have to offer. What made our tour geat is we have good tour guide Samir. He is native Morrocan and make the tour fun and provide authentic experience with the local. He will give you tips, infomaton, and safety recommendation when we our on our own to see city during our tour. I recommend this tour to see and experience Morocco.”
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1: Chennai
  • Day 2: Mamallapuram – Puducherry
  • Day 3: Puducherry
  • Day 4: Karaikudi
  • Day 5: Madurai
  • Day 6: Madurai
  • Day 7: Periyar
  • Day 8: Periyar
  • Day 9: Kochi
  • Day 10: Kochi
  • Day 11: Kerala Backwaters – Kumarakom
  • Day 12: Kovalam
  • Day 13: Kovalam
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • Hotel (10 nights), Resort (2 nights)
Meals
  • 12 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner
Transport
  • Private vehicle , Ferry
Guide
  • An expert tour leader
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour
  • Puducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tour
  • Karaikudi - Havelis
  • Karaikudi - Leader-led village walk
  • Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple guided tour
  • Madurai - Leader-led walking tour
  • Periyar - Spice plantation visit
  • Periyar - Guided nature walk
  • Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
  • Kochi - Kathakali performance
  • Kochi - Jewish Synagogue
  • Kochi - Dutch Palace
  • Kumarakom - Backwaters boating excursion
  • Kumarakom - Leader-led village walk
  • Kovalam - Leader-led walking tour
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Any international flights to Chennai and from Kovalam are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
  • Travel insurance is not included in this Classic South India tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. We recommend purchasing it from World Nomads.
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GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes
CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Classic South India tour. You can cancel the tour up to 28 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 27 days of departure.

Payment

For any tour departures within 22 October 2021, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 22 October 2021, a deposit of 400 USD is required to confirm the tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 27 days before trip departure.

Travel Insurance

Classic South India tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. We recommend using World Nomads' travel insurance.

Visa

For this Classic South India tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are travelling to, as part of this itinerary.

Is this trip right for you:
  • Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. We’ll be visiting multiple temples during the trip and during these visits you must wear clothing that covers the arms, legs and shoulders.
  • Southern India can get very hot during the summer so remember to bring lots of water and a variety of clothing. Wearing light, loose layers is one of the best ways to tackle the heat.
  • As we'll be walking through varying terrain in national parks and villages, a basic level of fitness and comfortable walking shoes are essential. Leech socks will be provided for the Periyar nature walk.
 COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
  • Departures will be limited to an average group size of 10 travellers to ensure COVID-19 safety for all travellers.
  • Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.
  • All travellers 18 years and older will be required to be fully vaccinated. Children aged 17 years and under must present either a negative COVID-19 test, proof of recovery or proof of full vaccination. Any customer who is unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons can apply for an exemption. Customers must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional. These new safety measures apply on all trips, except for tours in Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
  • Jane Andersen
  • Sine
  • Rasmus Juul Olsen
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