This is a great holiday to introduce you to the delights of Southern India. It was a magical experience and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in this part of the world.
Swaying palm trees, rolling hills and calm backwaters make up southern India's lush landscape and on this 13-day Premium adventure, you’ll travel off the tourist trail. Head into the home of a local family and be immersed in their culture, head down the French-inspired streets of Puducherry and explore the maze of food stalls in Maduraito. Go into the wilderness of the Periyar National Park to look for local wildlife and tiger tracks, watch a live performance of kalarippayattu and visit tea plantations to learn how this popular beverage is grown and made. With heaps of local food, a night in a converted houseboat and a knowledgeable local leader to help you uncover local secrets, this will be a trip of a lifetime.
Explore the highlights of Southern India, from Chennai to Kochi on this 14-day tour. Visit some of the most intricate and beautiful UNESCO world heritage temples of Southern India and uncover the delights of tropical Kerala in India's deep south. Visit the former hill station of Munnar and its sprawling tea plantations, spot elephants in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and spend a night aboard a houseboat, gliding along the tranquil, palm fringed backwaters.
What an amazing team! We explored the most beautiful part of India, filled with incredible places and unforgettable experiences. The guides Pooja were excellent and very knowledgeable. Everyone was helpful, and supportive, and went above and beyond to ensure we had an enjoyable trip.
Discover the best of north and south India on a Premium adventure, from bustling Delhi to multicultural Kochi. Experience the magic of the heritage-rich north at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and immerse yourself in local culture as you meet the owner of a royal haveli and cruise down the Ganges. Take in the natural charms of the south while looking for elephants in Periyar National Park, walking through the tea plantations of Munnar and cruising the Kerala backwaters. Travel with local leaders who will show you the vibrant heart of a country that delights, surprises and intrigues.
This was my first trip as a single person and I had a fabulous time. The group of 12 (four couples and four singles) really gelled and were very friendly, supportive and fun. The itinerary was very good, with at least one specific thing to do, see or visit each day. The high points were the tea plantation, the spice farm, the cookery evening, the wonderful scenery and the houseboat . The accommodation was generally very good, but the homestay was too basic to be an enjoyable experience. It didn't feel as though we were guests in someone's home, it felt more like a commercial exercise (eg the host talked of building a hotel next year to accommodate more guests). The food was excellent in most places with some well-chosen restaurants/snack bars, and plenty of choice for vegetarians, but I was a little disappointment at the street food experience, which was just selecting one cold, precooked snack (such as samosa, vada or fritter.) I was anticipating some freshly cooked food (while we looked on) such as rice and dahl or pani puri. Also, I thought that the purpose of visiting the market was to select spices and vegetables to use later in our cookery evening, but there wasn't an obvious link. Our guide, Sree, was flexible, knowledgeable and very accommodating of all our needs.
Overall a really great experience with a great group of people. Will definitely use Explore again for another adventurous trip.