Experience Overview
Now's the time to explore India on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Watch the sunset through the fishing nets of Kochi, stretch out on white-sand beaches, drift through the tranquil backwaters, and rise at dawn to see the sunrise — trust us, it's worth not hitting snooze. This seven-day tour offers a quick yet intimate introduction to the diversity of south India. Unwind with free time or some yoga, meet the local people, and spend the night with a local family. How's that sound for an authentic cultural experience?
Highlights
- Relax in the calm backwaters
- Experience a local homestay
- Chill out on quiet beaches
- Explore ecosystems aboard an Alleppey ferry cruise
- Sample South Indian cuisine.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1510
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Bus, boat, taxi, tuk-tuk
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: AHBB
Starts: Kochi, India
Finishes: Kochi, India
Duration: 7 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 First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Local Living Moment: Alleppey Homestay, Alleppey Your Big Night Out Moment: Kochi Nightlife, Kochi
- Orientation walks in Alleppey, Kollam, and Fort Kochi
- Kerala boat tour
- Morning ferry cruise on Alleppey's backwaters
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Simple hotels or guesthouse (twin-share) (5 nts), homestay (1 nt).
- 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Transport
- Bus, boat, taxi, tuk-tuk
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $749 ($107 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Kochi
Arrive at any time and welcome to the port city of Kochi, known for its unique fishing nets, artsy cafes, and tasty seafood.
Get to know your fellow travellers in the seaside neighbourhood of Fort Kochi. Stroll along the tropical backwaters and capture a group photo in the stunning scenery. Pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!
Day 2: Kochi/Alleppey
Travel to Alleppey, a golden streak of land woven with rivers, lakes, lagoons, and canals. Enjoy an empowering lunch before checking out the island along the lagoon with a local guide and learn about the way of life here. Settle into a homestay and get to know your hosts.
Day 3: Alleppey/Kollam
Explore the unique ecosystem of Alleppey backwaters on a morning ferry cruise. Afterward, travel down the coast by bus to the port city of Kollam. On arrival, choose to relax on the beach, climb Thangassery Light House, or peruse the nightlife.
Day 4: Kollam/Varkala
Visit the Kollam Harbour and experience the importance of fishing for the community. Afterward, settle into a private vehicle and see who can count the most palm trees as you cruise down the coast to tropical Varkala. Enjoy lots of free time to explore the town, get treated by local healers, or visit the Varkala Temple.
Note that Kollam Harbour is closed to visitors May through June.
Day 5: Varkala
Choose your own adventure today, exploring Varkala solo or with your new friends. Spend time wandering the peaceful gardens of an ashram devoted to Kerala's most eminent spiritual and social reformer at the mystical Janardhana Swamy Temple. Or head to the beach and relax while watching the Arabian Sea with a drink in hand.
Day 6: Varkala/Kochi
Return to Kochi by train and take an orientation walk visiting Fort Kochi, St Francis Church, the Dutch cemetery, and the Jewish Quarter with curio shops and a synagogue more than 400-years-old. In the late afternoon, continue to wander the streets or opt to catch a traditional Kathakali dance performance. For your big night out as a group, immerse yourself in the exciting Kochi nightlife. Enjoy a drink on us and reminisce about the life-changing adventures you've shared.
Day 7: Kochi
Today is departure day, but do not fear, there is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange contacts, and depart at any time.
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
Pavithri W - Traveled, November 2023
This is the first time I did 18 to 30 something tour. I've always done Classic tours before. I felt like the group I had had ',clicks', within the group and everyone didn't become friendly as it should be.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2023
Oliver H - Traveled, October 2023
Good experience all over the years
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2023
Clayton J - Traveled, October 2023
Amazing destinations with an amazing guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
Jesse N - Traveled, October 2023
A really wonderful trip with a lovely relaxed itinerary. Tour CEO Justin made it an absolute r pleasure to be on. Made lvoely connections and had a great time. All restaurant recommendations were excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
Elizabeth H - Traveled, July 2023
I have now taken two trips with G Adventures and both of them have been brilliant. The telephone support when booking the trip is brilliant as it the website with details of the trip. I was able to book airport transfers and extra nights in hotels extremely easily. The group sizes are excellent and the trip guides are fantastic - I cannot recommend G Adventures enough.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2023
Samuel B - Traveled, March 2023
The amount seen in a short space of time
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2023
Johanne K - Traveled, March 2023
Really enjoyed the mix of cultural experiences plus chill time on this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/03/2023
Tabitha B - Traveled, February 2023
I liked the accommodation and the locations visited/activities offered on the trip. I also think travelling in a group meant I could do more things than I would have done otherwise.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/20/2023
Shalil Nilam S - Traveled, February 2023
Great tour guide, but probably being in high end of the age bracket didn't feel thr group wanted to share the same experiences as I did. But the tour guide made sure I got the most of my trip and was always attentive.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/06/2023
Heidrun W - Traveled, February 2023
Trip was very well organized, perfect balance between fixed group activities and freetime and the tour took us to highly interesting places you would probably not see as an individual traveller (such as fish market in Kollam or NGO Planeterra).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/06/2023
Alexandra F - Traveled, January 2023
I thought the trip was very well run, the accommodation we stayed in, activities we did, and restaurants we were taken to were all good, and our guide was lovely and looked after us very well
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/20/2023
Nikin S - Traveled, January 2023
I personally love these tours
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/06/2023
Matthew S - Traveled, January 2023
Very good experience for someone wanting a whistle stop tour
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/23/2023
Nadja K - Traveled, December 2022
The primary reason is relaxed nature of the tours, and that I don't feel like I am always being taken to the most touristy places or where the company/ guide might get some commission.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/09/2023
Ane R - Traveled, December 2023
I have in general always been happy with GAdv.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/09/2023
Victoria H - Traveled, October 2022
Great Experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2022
Heather E - Traveled, October 2022
Great guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2022
Nicole H - Traveled, August 2022
This is a great way to travel to a new place, on a budget, meet new people, and feel safe despite traveling solo. The only concern was the cleanliness of some of the accommodations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/19/2022
Bree J - Traveled, January 2022
Everything (hotels and travel) being organized made it super easy and made me feel comfortable in the atmosphere of India. I felt that my CEO was organized and had all the answers I needed
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/09/2022
James Z - Traveled, January 2022
great guides, local transport, free time, affordable
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/09/2022
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