Best of Southern India
Experience Overview
From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights of Southern India. This two-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.
Highlights
- Relax in the peaceful backwaters of Kerala
- Spot wildlife in beautiful parks
- Uncover ancient temples
- Explore tea and spice plantations
- Take a rickshaw ride through the streets of Madurai
Trip Details
Product Code: 1511
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Train, private vehicle, cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, ferry.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: AHBS
Starts: Kochi, India
Finishes: Kochi, India
Duration: 14 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Kerala Backwaters Homestay, Alleppey
- Fort Kochi orientation walk
- Kathakali dance show
- Wayanad Tea Factory and Plantation Visit
- Chaumundi Temple and Mysore Palace visit
- Mamallapuram Shore Temple visit
- Pondicherry orientation walk
- Madurai cycle-rickshaw ride and Sri Meenakshi Temple visit
- Cardamom Hills spice plantation tour
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).
- 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
- Train, private vehicle, cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, ferry.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,386 ($99 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Kochi
Arrive at any time.
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.
Day 2: Kochi/Sultan Bathery
Take a morning train followed by a scenic drive to reach Sultan Bathery, in the Wayanad district.
Day 3: Sultan Bathery
Walk the nature trails through the farm area in Wayanad. Also take a tour of a tea factory and plantation to learn about tea production in the area from a guide.
Wayanad region of the western Ghats in Kerala is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations and is known to produce some of the finest teas.
Day 4: Sultan Bathery/Mysore
Settle in for the drive to the ancient city of Mysore.
Travel to Mysore (formally Mysuru) located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947.
Day 5: Mysore
Explore the vibrant city of Mysore including visits to Chamundi Temple and Mysore Palace. After enjoy free time and opt to visit the Devaraja market or join a yoga class.
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.
Day 6: Mysore/Māmallapuram
Enjoy a full day of train travel to Chennai before a short bus ride to Mamallapuram.
Arrive by train to Chennai before continuing south for a short ride to the small village of Mamallapuram.
Day 7: Māmallapuram
Visit the Shore Temple. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Mamallapuram.
In the morning, visit the 7th century Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 8: Māmallapuram/Puducherry
Continue to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry) and learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose at the ashram.
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 city's layout, with wide boulevards and French-style houses, but the city is undoubtedly Indian.
Day 9: Puducherry/Madurai
Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Day 10: Madurai
Hop on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city before visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple.
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.
Day 11: Madurai/Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady. Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills.
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.
Day 12: Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters
Travel to Alleppey for a local homestay. Experience local life and a guided walk along the lagoon.
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 — it's 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.
Day 13: Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
Spend the morning enjoying last moments with your host family. Learn to cook some local food, watch the toddy tappers at work, or wander around the village. Travel to a Planeterra project for lunch before returning to Kochi. Head out for an orientation walk, then enjoy an evening performance of kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala.
Day 14: Kochi
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Karynne W - Traveled, December 2023
Small group tour, good contact with local people. Enough options and activities and a reliable responsive guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Maryam S - Traveled, December 2023
The Hotels were awful in terms of hygiene. The hotels were so dirty and disgusting that they'really impacted the quality of trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Margaret C - Traveled, December 2023
I was due to commence tour of Southern India in December. Unfortunately on my arrival to India, I was refused entry as my visa had expired. On receipt of my visa I informed the relevant authorities that expiry date predated my arrival to India. However, I was reassured that the visa activated on my arrival to India. This was not the case as I discovered. While this misfortune as nothing to do with G Adventures I was not impressed that you were not prepared, to offer any form of compensation. I appreciate it was a last minute cancellation owing to the circumstances, but when I suggested putting some of the fee paid for Southern India trip towards another one, it was dismissed and not considered. It was my first trip booked with G Adventures and I was looking forward to it very much.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Karl B - Traveled, November 2023
I work for G, and therefore I know that G is a great option, so I recommend G.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Annica L - Traveled, November 2023
Good and varied itinerary, small groups, people from different continents and ages, local guides with lots of knowledge, previous experiences with G
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Maria R - Traveled, November 2023
Reliable and you know what to expect.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Alexandros K - Traveled, November 2023
No time to really enjoy sights and nature. Endless hours spent commuting between places.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Katherine O - Traveled, December 2023
Tours are great for organising the itinerary and logistics of a trip, as well as having the safety of a group, but the pace and rigidity isn',t for everyone
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Natasha F - Traveled, December 2023
The appalling standard of hotels chosen by G Adventures in Southern India was the worst I have ever seen. I paid an extra 500 euro for single supplement and it was a total waste of money. Filthy rooms , damp and stained bed linen , mouldy and rusty bathrooms , nothing attractive about them at all. Below the basic tourist standard in India. I will be looking for a full explanation from your head office and compensation on my trip due to the dreadful experience we all had with the accommodation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/23/2023
Raweena R - Traveled, November 2023
The accommodations provided during the tour fell significantly below acceptable standards. The quality of the hotels, in terms of cleanliness, amenities, and overall comfort, was disappointing and, in some instances, unacceptable. These conditions greatly impacted our enjoyment of the trip. The primary reasons for my dissatisfaction include: Hygiene and Cleanliness Issues: Several hotels lacked proper cleanliness and hygiene standards. This compromised the overall comfort and well-being of the guests. Inadequate Facilities: The facilities provided were inadequate, and in some cases, did not match the promised standards. This resulted in a less-than-optimal experience for the travelers. Unpleasant Ambiance: The ambiance of some hotels was not conducive to a positive and enjoyable stay. This created a disheartening contrast to the vibrant and enriching experiences we had during the day. I understand that travel can present unforeseen challenges, but the standard of accommodation significantly impacted the overall value for money. As a result, it is with regret that I cannot wholeheartedly recommend the G Adventures tour to friends or colleagues based on this experience. I believe that honest feedback is crucial for the continual improvement of your services, and I hope that this input will contribute to enhancing the overall quality of future G Adventures tours. Thank you for your understanding.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/23/2023
Kellie B - Traveled, November 2023
Local leader. Local experiences. Cost effective.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/16/2023
Jose Lorenzo V - Traveled, November 2023
I think that you are one of the best organizations providing this style of travel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Shivneet P - Traveled, November 2023
This score would have been a 10 until my most recent trip, which unfortunately fell short of the mark due to the extremely poor standard of accommodation. Despite this, I still feel that the CEO?s and tour itineraries are great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Robert M - Traveled, October 2023
This is the third G Adventures we have been on and will the general shape of these tours
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Lydia P - Traveled, October 2023
I have done several trips with G Adventures and have always thoroughly enjoyed them, until this one. I was very disappointed in some of the itinerary but mostly with the hotels. The home stay was wonderful and that type of accommodation was what I expected from the entire two week trip. The hotels selected were not clea, often did not have working wifi, air conditioning and the bathrooms were smelly and not clean.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Pippa L - Traveled, October 2023
Highly organised and efficient
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Stella T - Traveled, November 2023
Great value for money.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Anushka G - Traveled, October 2023
The poor standard of accommodation drops the score, the CEO and Tour Itinerary was great
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2023
Norma O - Traveled, October 2023
If the accommodation was better it would be a 10
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/02/2023
Janice V - Traveled, November 2023
The tour covered the areas of interest Southern India, a good selection of areas to visit and also included many sightseeing hotspots.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/02/2023
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