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Map of Classic South India including India

Embrace the slow life from coast to backwaters

Discover a thousand shades of green, indulge in some of the continent’s freshest food and share moments of connection with locals on this 13-day tour. Travel down the scenic East Coast Road into the countryside and across to the west coast before finishing in India’s deep south. Experience the cultures, religions and histories of this region through its small rural towns, fishing villages and the scented spice plantations set in the picturesque Western Ghats mountains. This revelatory trip introduces you to an area less travelled from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Start
Chennai, India
Finish
Kovalam, India
Destination
India
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
HHKS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore idyllic Pondicherry on a walking tour and discover the colonial French Quarter, colourful multi-tiered temples and the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

  • Take a nature walk in the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, looking out for tiger tracks with your local village guides.

  • Discover the diversity and incredible history of Kochi through a tour of its buildings, like India’s oldest functioning synagogue and a mixture of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture

  • Witness the dramatic beauty of Kathakali, a captivating storytelling dance that artists must study for over a decade before performing.

  • Cruise into the dreamy backwaters of Kerala and take a guided walk through a village to learn about life for the locals who live along these palm-lined canals.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. We’ll be visiting multiple temples during the trip and during these visits you must wear clothing that covers the arms, legs and shoulders.

  • Southern India can get very hot during the summer so remember to bring lots of water and a variety of clothing. Wearing light, loose layers is one of the best ways to tackle the heat.

  • As we'll be walking through varying terrain in national parks and villages, a basic level of fitness and comfortable walking shoes are essential. Leech socks will be provided for the Periyar nature walk.

india kerala backwaters trek
india kerala boat
india kerala kochi fishnets yellow sunset
india colourful ladies boat
india chennai temple hindu carvings

Itinerary
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Welcome to Chennai, India. On arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with an important group meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive in Chennai with free time to spare, perhaps take a walk along Marina Beach or check out the Santhome Cathedral.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

From Chennai, drive along the scenic East Coast Road to the fishing village of Mamallapuram. Take a guided tour around the town’s laidback beaches and temples, keeping an eye out for the sculptures and carvings dotted around the place. Visit the incredible 8th-century Shore Temple and its mandapams (carved pillars) to pay your respects to the deity Shiva. Continue onto Puducherry (Pondicherry) in the late afternoon where your evening is then free. Today's drive should take around three hours in total.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Explore Puducherry, which was under French rule until 1954, and the European style of the town extends from beautiful colonial architecture right down to the uniforms of the police. Enjoy a walking tour to see local temples, the French Quarter and the spiritual community of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The rest of the day and evening is free.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Puducherry - Leader-led walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Drive to Karaikudi today (approximately 6 hours). Take a walk around the village after checking in and get a taste of village life. Visit some havelis (mansions), whose grandiose architecture will no doubt impress. Be sure to sample some spicy Chettinad cuisine while you're here.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karaikudi - Havelis
  • Karaikudi - Leader-led village walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Continue on to Madurai (approximately 2 hours). Here you will wander through the colourful markets and bazaars, then visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple in the city’s centre. Still in use today, this ancient temple is a maze of lamp-lit corridors leading to shrines where traditional rituals take place. You might also like to explore the National Gandhi Museum (optional), dedicated to the life and achievements of the 'Father of the Nation' and the leader of India's fight for independence. Your evening is then free to spend as you please.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple guided tour
  • Madurai - Leader-led walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Madurai - Gandhi Museum - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a day of free time in Madurai. Perhaps visit the Art Museum to see a superb collection of carvings, check out the Tirumalai Nayak Palace or simply relax over endless cups of chai. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Drive through rubber and pineapple plantations to Thekkady and explore the Periyar National Park, perched lakeside in the ranges of the Western Ghats. The sanctuary surrounds a picturesque lake, which was formed as result of a dam that was built in 1895. It ambles through the contours of the wooded hills, and is a permanent source of water for local wildlife. This afternoon, take a tour of a local spice plantation. If you have time, perhaps attend a demonstration of Indian martial arts (kalaripayattu) at the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Periyar - Spice plantation visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that Kerala is officially a dry state, with alcohol sales and consumption limited to bars in 5 star hotels.

In the morning, take a guided nature walk in the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (approximately 3 hours). Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk than an animal spotting tour, but look out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage or just relax in this scenic setting.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Periyar - Guided nature walk
Optional Activities
  • Periyar NP - Ayurvedic Massage - INR700
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Our usual route is the Green Zone walk in the National Park. Tigers are extremely rare and shy in Periyar. It is however a lovely walk, the local guides are villagers who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledegable of the areas flora and fauna. Bring water, we start early but it gets very hot and humid later in the morning. Leech socks will be provided as this is one critter that we often do spot!

In the morning, drive to Kochi, aka Cochin (approximately 7-8 hours). This place is a veritable melting pot of Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and British influences. Use your free time to get out on the water by local ferry, or wander down the beach at sunset.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Visit the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), which was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese before the Dutch renovated it. Then check out the oldest functioning Jewish synagogue in India, the Paradesi Synagogue. In the evening witness a classic Kathakali performance, a dramatic dance that combines storytelling with physical technique.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
  • Kochi - Kathakali performance
  • Kochi - Jewish Synagogue
  • Kochi - Dutch Palace
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Discover sleepy Kumarakom in the backwaters of Kerala. Drive from Kochi to Kumarkon to our resort along the riverside. Take a short backwaters cruise before heading out on a village walk. This is a great chance to meet and talk with the people who live in the backwaters, stroll under palm trees and weave in between the rice fields in this tranquil landscape.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kumarakom - Backwaters boating excursion
  • Kumarakom - Leader-led village walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

In the morning, drive to Kovalam (approximately 4 hours) via Kerala’s capital, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). Kovalam was once a quiet coastal village known for its export of fresh fish and coconuts, but is now one of India’s more popular beach resorts. Visit the ancient temple of Attukal Bhagavathy in the afternoon. If you have free time, explore the old signalling station of Anchuthengu Fort or the 16th-century Koyikkal Palace. Your evening is then free to do as you wish. Perhaps head out with the group for a farewell meal together tonight.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kovalam - Leader-led walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Kovalam - Anchuthengu Fort - INR50
  • Kovalam - Koyikkal Palace - INR50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast and you’re free to leave the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The nearest airport is Trivandrum. Departure transfers are available to be booked in advance – please contact your booking agent before you travel
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

12 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights), Resort (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour
  • Puducherry - Leader-led walking tour
  • Karaikudi - Havelis
  • Karaikudi - Leader-led village walk
  • Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple guided tour
  • Madurai - Leader-led walking tour
  • Periyar - Spice plantation visit
  • Periyar - Guided nature walk
  • Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
  • Kochi - Kathakali performance
  • Kochi - Jewish Synagogue
  • Kochi - Dutch Palace
  • Kumarakom - Backwaters boating excursion
  • Kumarakom - Leader-led village walk
  • Kovalam - Leader-led walking tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Classic South India trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip and is available for all nights.
2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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