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15 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
12 peopleMaximum group size
15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Easy
Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.
Starts
Kerala & Tamil Nadu, India
Ends
Kerala & Tamil Nadu, India
Highlights
Explore the waterfalls, tea plantations and spice markets of South India’s Western Ghats – a jungle-clad mountain range older than the Himalayas and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
Step back in time among the hills of the British ‘Snooty Ooty’ – home of snooker and the Nilgiri toy train.
Search for elusive wildlife, including elephants, sloths and birds on a 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.
Soak in India’s changing landscapes on a trip that uses rail travel. By choosing trains to get around, you’ll be giving yourself the best opportunity for local interaction, at a more relaxed pace.
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Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tourKochi - Dutch PalaceKochi - Kathakali performanceOoty - Nilgiri Mountain Railway & Tea Plantation visitBandipur - National Park SafariMysore - Home cooked lunch & family visitMysore - Maharaja's PalaceMysore - Leader-led walking tourMysore - Keshava TempleMysore - Chamundi Hill & TempleMamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tourPuducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tourMadurai - Sri Meenakshi TemplePeriyar - Spice plantation visitPeriyar - Home cooked mealPeriyar - National ParkPeriyar - Guided nature walkKerala Backwaters - Pole boat rideKerala Backwaters - Village walk
What's Excluded
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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
4.66/5
Excellent based on 805 customer reviews from
Karen
Excellent booking process.
Easy to do online - simple and straightforward plus the 1 query I did have was quicckly solved due to customer service being on hand to help
17 hours ago
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Southern India’s vibrant tapestry unfolds over 15 days on this cultural tour through Kerala and Tamil Nadu. From the French-influenced streets of Puducherry to the bustling markets of Kochi and the spiritual heart of Madurai, you’ll experience a region brimming with lush landscapes and warm hospitality. Meander through fishing villages, visit tribal homes, and even join a local pilgrimage. Highlights include the Maharaja’s Palace in Mysore and wildlife sanctuaries set amidst rolling green hills. This guided trip is especially appealing for those who appreciate a relaxed pace and authentic local encounters; its USP is the immersive access to both cultural and natural wonders, making it a standout journey for travelers eager to go beyond the usual tourist circuit.
day 1 - Kochi
Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure starts today in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive 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.
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
day 2 - Kochi
This morning, take on Kochi with a leader-led orientation walk and city 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. Maybe visit the 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.
Buckle up, because most of today is spent travelling. Catch a train to Coimbatore, then when you arrive, hop in your private vehicle to Conoor – known for its tea estates in the surrounding Nilgiri hills. Watch the lush scenery pass you by, get stuck into a good book or play road trip games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive in Conoor, you’ll sit down for a group dinner at your accommodation.
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
day 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. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ooty’s Botanical Gardens, which are home to over 650 species of plants and trees. You can also opt to turn on the romance with a boat ride on the lake.
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.
included:Bandipur - National Park Safari
accommodation:Jungle Lodge
meals:1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
day 6 - Mysore
Travel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore – an easy-going town with a pleasant climate, perfect for wandering around on foot. When you arrive, you’ll head to local family’s home for a home-cooked lunch of traditional favourites. Get to know the family, who will show you the practise of making incense – one of the traditional arts from Mysuru. Learn about how it’s made and maybe even have a go yourself! Then, head out on an orientation walk around the town to get your bearings. No visit to Mysore is complete without a look around Mysore Palace – one of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is full of colour, mosaics and mirrors.
included:Mysore - Home cooked lunch & family visit, Mysore - Maharaja's Palace, Mysore - Leader-led walking tour
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
day 7 - Mysore – Overnight train
This morning, head out to climb Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. After, continue to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somnathpur – an excellent example of Hoysala architecture. You’ll also have some time to visit to Tipu Sultan’s mausoleum in Sriranga Patna. You can also opt to return to Mysore for a palm reading catch a film at the local cinema. Tonight, board an overnight sleeper train to Chennai.
included:Mysore - Keshava Temple, Mysore - Chamundi Hill & Temple
accommodation:Overnight Sleeper Train
day 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.
included:Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
day 9 - Puducherry
Travel by private vehicle today through palm trees and rice paddies to Puducherry (Pondicherry). When you arrive, 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 the evidence of French influence in Puducherry's architecture, its wide town squares and even in the police uniforms!
included:Puducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tour
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
day 10 - Madurai
Drive to the temple city of Madurai today. 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.
included:Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
day 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, with its lush surroundings. Enjoy a tour of a local spice plantation, then join your local family hosts to try some authentic home-cooked flavours of Southern India.
included:Periyar - Spice plantation visit, Periyar - Home cooked meal
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
meals:1 Lunch
day 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.
included:Periyar - National Park, Periyar - Guided nature walk
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
day 13 - Kerala Backwaters
Today, drive through the rubber, tea and coffee plantations on the way to the backwaters of Kerala. When you arrive, you’ll 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. Tonight, share stories over a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal with your host family.
included:Kerala Backwaters - Pole boat ride, Kerala Backwaters - Village walk
accommodation:Homestay
meals:1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
day 14 - Kochi
Wake early this morning, before crossing the backwaters by private boat to Alleppey. From here, take a 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 with your group for a night out at a local restaurant and maybe try some pazham pori (fried banana or plantain fritter).
accommodation:Hotel (1 night)
meals:1 Breakfast
day 15 - Kochi
With no activities planned for today, you can leave the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.
Premier tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 162 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.
