Premium South India
Experience Overview
Swaying palm trees, rolling hills and calming backwaters make up southern India's lush surface 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 into their culture, head down the French-inspired streets of Puducherry and explore the maze of food stalls in Maduraito to sample some delicious local cuisine. 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.
Highlights
- Find out what makes Indian cuisine so special during Exclusive Experiences like an off-the-beaten-path food tour in Madurai, a home-cooked meal with a local family, a fragrant lunch at a spice plantation and an ayurvedic cooking demonstration in Kochi.
- Enjoy a high-energy Exclusive Experience with a live performance of kalarippayattu in Thekkady – believed to be oldest surviving martial art in India.
- Witness a fusion of influences in the former French colony of Puducherry, and see touches of a Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and British past in the multicultural Kochi.
- Experience a thousand shades of green as you tour a scenic tea plantation in Munnar and track footprints in search of wild elephants in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Spend a night in a converted houseboat on the Kerala backwaters – your Feature Stays for this adventure – and watch the world go by as you float along the river.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2090
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Unknown
Transport: Private vehicle,Ferry
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: HHPS
Starts: Chennai, India
Finishes: Kochi, India
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (12), Lunch (2), Dinner (4)Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights),Houseboat Feature Stay (1 night),Kochi Feature Stay (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,306 ($331 /day)
Itinerary
Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Chennai, India’s cultural heart and fourth-largest city. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel when you arrive. Meet your fellow travellers and experienced leader at a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive in early, you may like to visit the market stalls of the Georgetown Bazaar. After your meeting, join your group for a welcome dinner at Chennai’s first chain restaurant, serving up an iconic array of south Indian vegetarian dishes like idly, dosa and poori.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Chennai - Welcome dinner
Accommodation:
- The Residency or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll leave the city behind and drive along the scenic East Coast Road to the fishing town of Mamallapuram. Visit the 8th-century Shore Temple and its mandapams (carved pillars) and watch locals pay their respects to the deity Shiva. Later in the afternoon, continue the drive to Puducherry. A French colony until 1954, the old parts of the town retain a distinctly European feel. Leafy boulevards are lined with European houses and boutiques. When you arrive, the rest of your evening is free to explore. Puducherry has a varied food scene with traditional Indian and classic French influences, so be sure to ask your leader for some tips on where to grab dinner.
Included Activities:
- Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour
Accommodation:
- The Residency Towers Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning is free, then you’ll head out for a walking tour with your leader to see local temples and the French Quarter. Stroll past mustard-coloured buildings draped with vibrant bougainvillea as your leader shares stories of the revolutionaries, generals and kings who once walked these streets. Stop by the pastel pink Church of Notre Dame – evidence of the French colonial period is everywhere, even in the police uniforms. Along the way, stop at a cafe in White Town to try some local snacks, then the evening is free to explore at your own pace.
Included Activities:
- Puducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tour
- Puducherry - Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Puducherry - snack stop at local cafe
Accommodation:
- The Residency Towers Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, continue to the city of Madurai with plenty of chai stops along the way. Arrive in the late afternoon and head out on a short orientation walk to get acquainted with one of India’s oldest cities. When you’ve got your bearings, join your leader on a tour of the city’s Tamil cuisine. Madurai is bursting with street food stalls, family-owned restaurants and plenty of regional delicacies and your leader will show you the dishes that aren’t on the tourist menus. Have a taste of mutton dosa or some fish gravy as your leader regales you with stories of centuries-old recipes and the passionate people who make them. Round off the night with some Jigarthanda – Madurai’s most celebrated dessert is a delicious and refreshing blend of condensed milk, almond gum and ice cream.
Included Activities:
- Madurai - Leader-led street food tour
Accommodation:
- Heritage Madurai or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue your exploration of Madurai today. Your leader will guide you through the Tailor's Market, the local bazaars and the Sri Meenakshi Temple. Still in use today, this ancient temple is a maze of lamp-lit corridors leading to shrines where traditional rituals take place. Next is the National Gandhi Museum, dedicated to the life and achievements of the 'Father of the Nation' and the leader of India's fight for independence. Stop by the extravagant Thirumalai Nayak Palace, built in the 17th-century by King Tirumala Nayaka. This evening you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Tamil culture when you join a local family for a traditional home cooked dinner. Chat with the family about their lives and try dishes like chettinad chicken, egg paratha and vegetable korma.
Included Activities:
- Madurai - Sri Meenakshi 1000 Pillar
- Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple
- Madurai - Gandhi Museum
- Madurai - Leader-led walking tour
- Madurai - Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace
- Madurai - Local family visit and home-cooked Tamil dinner
Accommodation:
- Heritage Madurai or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Make your way to the countryside town of Thekkady today, driving past pineapple and rubber plantations on the way. Thekkady is the gateway to Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, sitting high in the ranges of the Western Ghats. Stop off at a spice plantation where you’ll speak with a local expert and taste, smell and learn about the brilliant array of spices that colour and flavour India’s famed cuisine. Put your new knowledge to good use as you sit down to a flavoursome lunch made with spices from the plantation. The evening is yours to enjoy in Thekkady your own way. Maybe wander the shops selling fragrant spices and organic tea or relax in the palm fringed pool at your resort.
Included Activities:
- Thekkady - Expert-guided spice plantation visit and lunch
Accommodation:
- The Elephant Court Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, take a guided nature walk in the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Your expert guide will help you look for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants and gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. You’re most likely to encounter Bonnet macaques and the Malabar giant squirrel – a species native to India. After, the rest of your afternoon is free. You may want to unwind with an ayurvedic massage. In the evening, you’ll attend a demonstration of kalarippayattu at the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. Originating in Kerala, kalarippayattu is believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India and watching high-energy fighters leap several feet into the air is a thrilling sight.
Included Activities:
- Periyar - Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performance
- Periyar - Guided nature walk
Accommodation:
- The Elephant Court Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, drive north to Munnar – an old British Hill Station sitting in the surrounding valley. At 1525 m above sea level, there’s likely to be dramatic drop in temperature here! When you arrive, take a tour of the tea plantation, where a resident expert will guide you through the steps of the tea making process. Follow narrow pathways and visit the workers picking the best tea leaves, learn how these leaves are transformed into the world’s most popular beverage, and sample some of the different varieties. There may be an opportunity to visit the tea museum, though opening hours are irregular so this cannot be guaranteed. This evening, relax at your mountain resort.
Included Activities:
- Munnar - Tea plantation
- Munnar - Tea Museum
Accommodation:
- The Vibe or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, take a guided walk around the lush hills of Munnar, often shrouded in clouds. Be sure to have your camera ready as the landscape unfolds in front of you. In the afternoon, journey out to the scenic Mattupetty Dam where you’ll find a man-made lake and spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. Here, you can take an optional motorboat ride around the lake. After some time to appreciate the scenery, return to Munnar for a free evening.
Included Activities:
- Munnar - Mattupetty Dam
- Munnar - Leader-led town walking tour
Accommodation:
- The Vibe or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Drive to the backwaters of Kerala this morning and discover Alleppey’s palm-shaded waterways. Once a significant trading port, the town is now famed for the long ‘snake boat’ races that take place in August every year. Kerala’s backwaters were once busy with passing kettuvallams – large wooden boats used to transport rice and spices. Today, these traditional vessels have been transformed into houseboats, offering guests the opportunity to explore the lagoons in total comfort, as you will during your Feature Stay tonight. Conversions are made using traditional and natural materials – bamboo becomes roofing, coir mats are turned into flooring and beds are carefully crafted from the wood of coconut trees. These floating cottages share the comforts of a first-rate hotel, including western toilets, private bedrooms, a dining area and open deck where you can watch the world go by. Sit back for an evening floating through the dreamy waters of rural Kerala.
Accommodation:
- Pickadaley Houseboat (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a peaceful morning at the Kerala waters before driving to Kochi in the afternoon. Cochin, as it was formerly known, is spread over several islands and is a melting pot of Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and British influences. Join your leader on an orientation walk to learn how these influences manifest in the city’s architecture, restaurants and daily life. In the afternoon, take some time out to enjoy the city – maybe head to Princess Street and kick back with a cup of coffee. Tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to watch a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is a classical Indian dance with roots in Kerala, combining symbolic storytelling with physical technique. It’s one of the most vibrant and extraordinary theatre forms in the world and proficiency requires incredible commitment and rigorous training.
Included Activities:
- Kochi - Kathakali performance
Accommodation:
- Fragrant Nature or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, explore the antique shops and spice bazaars of Kochi – your leader will show you how to haggle with the best of them. Visit the Fort Kochi area and stop by the famous Chinese fishing nets – perhaps Kochi’s most photographed sight. Make a visit to the Mattancherry Palace, built in the 16th-century by the Portuguese and later claimed by the Dutch. Continue to the Paradesi Synagogue – the oldest existing Jewish synagogue in India. In the early evening, join a local chef for a masterclass in Keralan cuisine.
Included Activities:
- Kochi - Jewish Synagogue
- Kochi - Ferry to Mattancherry
- Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
- Kochi - Dutch Palace
- Kochi - Keralan cooking class
Accommodation:
- Fragrant Nature or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in India, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation or needed transfers.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Fiona - Traveled, March 2024
Had a wonderful time on this trip, our guide Thilip was amazing, and absolutely made the trip. His love of this land is palpable and the insights he gave so generously added so much depth to the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/15/2024
Gillian - Traveled, February 2024
Southern India was so different from the North. The people, the food and the scenery. Less frenetic. The tea Plantations, Backwaters and beaches are stunning. So glad we have seen this part of India
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/01/2024
Colin - Traveled, January 2024
People, places, religions, culture, economy, policies, politics, livelihoods and daily life: all were well interpreted by our excellent and experienced guide on this carefully designed tour. The richness and diversity of South India were revealed by the many visits to temples, reserves, other historic sites and the wayside stops on the sometimes long drives - which also enabled us to see the beauty and verdancy of the natural environment and the intensiveness which which it is often used - also significantly something of the ordinary life of the people. It goes without saying that the food was marvellous - including street food and the cooking experiences in homes.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/24/2024
Emma - Traveled, December 2023
Great trip - some long drives but very interesting scenery. Such variety as you go from east to west, and unbelievable food. Parik was a great guide - learnt so much from him!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/05/2024
Caroline - Traveled, December 2023
What an amazing holiday. I learnt so much about this fascinating country. Usha Mary was the best guide. The activities were so varied too. I loved it, loved it, loved it. Thank you Intrepid you excelled with this one!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Ann - Traveled, November 2023
We had a fantastic trip and would recommend this tour to explore the magic of southern India. Thilip our guide was fantastic!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/11/2023
Sarah - Traveled, November 2023
Great trip around Southern India with a lovely group and superb guide!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/10/2024
Francoise - Traveled, November 2023
My first experience in India, loved the country, nature, people, food, smells, but was a little disappointed on the activities included in this premium package
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2023
Linda - Traveled, November 2023
I highly recommend Southern India: less hectic than the north, beautiful scenery, markets, temples, and people. We especially enjoyed the spice farm and tea plantations, old Kochi, and tropical (yes tropical) vegetation. Our guide, Thilip, gave many options above the itinerary. I left feeling very satisfied and in awe of this beautiful country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/30/2023
Jane - Traveled, November 2023
Having previously done an Intrepid tour of Rajasthan this was a great follow up. Fabulous trip. Good pace. Fabulous leader. Good to have 2 nights in most places. No way we could have done this trip on our own. Intrepid make it so easy. Not our first Intrepid and won’t be our last.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/17/2023
Glenn - Traveled, November 2023
"Incredible India" the country's slogan comes true with Intrepid at the helm. I wouldn't attempt this trip without their guidance and knowledge, and I have seen the world. Our guides answered every question and knew every hidden gem. Truly memorable!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/17/2023
megan - Traveled, October 2023
This trip covers the varied regions of Southern India very well. From the very busy coastal city of Chennai to the quiet hill station of Thekkady in the cool mountains & back to the island city of Kochi with an overnight stay on a houseboat. A very enjoyable trip & highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2023
John - Traveled, October 2023
An excellent way to gain an understanding of Southern Indian history, culture and lifestyle. Quality accomodation, transport and inclusions are part of the package. Experienced leadership from both Anant and Vinit enhanced the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2023
Glen - Traveled, October 2023
I recommend this trip to anyone interested in exploring South India. Everything was taken care of and I could simply enjoy and take it all in. Anant and Vinit were our guides and both were excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Dianne - Traveled, February 2024
When combined with the Northern trip I feel that I have a much better understanding and appreciation of India and would recommend both.or either trip to anyone.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/23/2024
Victoria - Traveled, February 2024
This trip is an adventure that you do not want to miss
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/23/2024
Jennifer - Traveled, January 2024
Fifty words is not enough to describe fully the experience of travelling through South India with Intrepid. The variety and range of different experiences was so unexpected, the food was varied with restaurants happy to adjust the level of spiciness and most importantly our guide Aathi was friendly and very helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/13/2024
Marine - Traveled, October 2023
Absolutely recommend experiencing South India with Intrepid! The tour leader was absolutely amazing and we felt like we were able to experience the regions and everything it has to offer to the fullest!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Vicki - Traveled, September 2023
This was an excellent trip. Saw a lot, did a lot but also enough ‘down time’ to relax or do your own thing. Accommodation was very good, food was varied and also very good. Special shout out to tour leader Afshar who was an excellent leader, relaxed but always upbeat and knowledgeable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/11/2023
Helle - Traveled, September 2023
A trip of a lifetime with Usha as our tour leader. Usha is one of the best tour leaders I have ever come across, caring, fantastic knowledge and very passionate about her job. Well done Interpid for creating such an amazing product which offers great value for money, fantastic inclusions and a perfect itinerary. I will be back!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/07/2023
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