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Southern India Overview

    • 15
    • HHSS
    • 4.66 out of 5
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $1,520
      CAD $1,445
      AUD $1,470
      EUR €1,095
      GBP £885
      NZD $1,785
      ZAR R11,565
      CHF FR1,350
      *
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    • Explorer
    • Original
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Trip Validity

  • 2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Travel to the cultural and scenic highlights of southern India

Lush and tropical, southern India is inspiring and delightful. Beneath the green shade of a coastal paradise, meet with locals in their fishing villages and tribal homes. Join them in the bazaars, on buses and boats or even on pilgrimage in Madurai. From iconic cultural sights like the Maharaja's Palace in Mysore to French-infused Pondicherry and the vast landscape of Periyar - southern India's spirituality, friendly people and wild animal sanctuaries make it a fascinating part of the country to explore.

  • Admire the mish-mash of colonial styles in Kochi
  • Be awed by Mysore's ornate Maharaja's Palace
  • Cycle around the fishing village of Mamallapuram
  • Experience island life on a homestay in the Kerala backwaters
  • Join pilgrims in Madurai
  • Ride a train through tea plantations in Ootacamund
  • Savour the aromas at a spice farm
  • Soak up the French influences in Pondicherry

Trip Map


Southern India Summary

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Days 1-2 Kochi

As a centre for the spice trade for centuries, cosmopolitan Kochi has an intriguing mix of cultural influences from both the Indian continent and overseas.

Days 3-4 Ootacamund

One of India's more famous hill stations, Ootacamund has spectacular views, a wonderful food market and a cool 'toy' train into the Nilgiri mountains.

Day 5 Mudumalai National Park

Set against the mist-covered peaks of the enchanting Nilgiri Mountains, Mudumalai National Park is one of the best game sanctuaries in India to observe diverse wildlife in close proximity.

Days 6-7 Mysore

The peaceful city of Mysore has a score of lovely parks, grand buildings, well-regarded yoga centres and an incredible palace, the product of its Wodeyar Dynasty heritage.

Day 8 Mamallapuram

Mamallapuram (also Mahabalipuram) is a town with ancient origins. It has nice beaches, good restaurants and the intricately carved Shore Temple, still standing from the 9th century.

Day 9 Pondicherry

A former French colony, Pondicherry (now Puducherry) has a distinct French feel while retaining its Indian roots, making it one of India's more surprising and delightful cities.

Day 10 Madurai

With incredible temple complexes and a recorded history going back to the 3rd century BC, Madurai has some wonderful buildings and heritage sites to discover.

Days 11-12 Periyar National Park

Periyar is an area of Kerala famed for its spice plantations and wildlife sanctuary, which is home to tigers and elephants, among other creatures, and beautiful scenery.

Day 13 Kerala Backwaters Homestay

Swaying palm trees, lush rice paddies, winding waterways, Ayurvedic massage and welcoming locals all await on this amazing Kerala Backwaters homestay.

Days 14-15 Kochi

Kochi is a fascinating city made up of a number of islands and peninsulas, and its numerous attractions are best seen by rickshaw or boat.
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What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Kochi, India

  • Finish:

    Kochi, India

  • Group size:

    Min 1 , Max 12

  • Ages:

    Min 12

  • Meals:

    5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

  • Accommodation:

    Homestay (1 nt), Hotel (9 nts), Jungle resort (1 nt), Overnight sleeper train (1 nt), Resort (2 nts)

  • Transport:

    4x4 Safari Vehicle, Auto rickshaw, Boat, Bus, Ferry, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Train

  • Included activities:

    Backwaters - Guided walk, Backwaters - Pole Boat Ride, Kochi - Dutch Palace, Kochi - Fort Kochi sightseeing, Kochi - Kathakali dance show, Madumalai - Wildlife safari, Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple, Mamallapuram - Cycling tour, Mamallapuram - Shore Temple, Mysore - Chamundi Hill temple, Mysore - Home cooked lunch & family visit, Mysore - Keshava Temple, Mysore - Maharaja's Palace, Ooty - Tea factory visit and toy train ride, Periyar - Spice farm tour & dinner, Pondicherry - Auroville, Pondicherry - Walking tour and Sri Aurobindo Ashram

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    338kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    1. A single supplement is available on this trip. See under the Single Traveller section of your Trip Notes for more information.

  • Total price from

    USD $1,520
    CAD $1,445
    AUD $1,470
    EUR €1,095
    GBP £885
    NZD $1,785
    ZAR R11,565
    CHF FR1,350
    *     Price information
  • * Refer to booking conditions

  • Per day from:

    USD $101
    CAD $96
    AUD $98
    EUR €73
    GBP £59
    NZD $119
    ZAR R771
    CHF FR90
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About India

    • 15
    • HHSS
    • 4.66 out of 5
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $1,520
      CAD $1,445
      AUD $1,470
      EUR €1,095
      GBP £885
      NZD $1,785
      ZAR R11,565
      CHF FR1,350
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Explorer
    • Original
Book

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