Southern India

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do. You might like to wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Kochi or head to Princess Street and kick back with a cup of coffee. Tonight, maybe head to dinner to get to know your group and try some delicious local dishes like kappa biryani (made with tapioca, roasted coconut and meat or veggies) or appam (thin pancakes typically served with stew).

This morning, get to know Kochi on a leader-led orientation walk and city tour. Take a tuk-tuk to Mattancherry and drop by the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before it was renovated and presented to the Rajas of Cochin by the Dutch. Next, wander around the spice bazaars and antique stores of Fort Kochi. You can also opt to visit the Paradesi Synagogue – the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth and home to many rare antiques. In the evening, you’ll watch a traditional performance of Kathakali – this Keralan dance is an ornately costumed display of storytelling, requiring complete control of the body.

Buckle up, because most of today will be spent travelling. Catch a train to Coimbatore, then travel by private vehicle to Coonoor – known for its tea estates in the surrounding Nilgiri Hills. Watch the lush scenery pass you by, get stuck into a good book or play road trip games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive in Coonoor, join your group for dinner at your accommodation.

Spend the morning on an orientation walk in Coonoor and visit a tea plantation to learn about the history of tea production. Later, board Ooty’s famous toy train for a ride along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Be sure to get a window seat for great views over the open countryside. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ooty’s Botanical Gardens, which are home to more than 650 species of plants and trees. There’s also the option to go for a boat ride on the lake.

Make the short drive to hilltop town of Bandipur today. Here, you’ll visit Mudumalai National Park – set against the backdrop of the Nilgiri Hills, this park was once the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. In 1974, it was protected under Project Tiger and it’s now one of the best sanctuaries in India to observe wildlife in close proximity. Embark on a short safari in search of tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars and spotted deer. There's also a variety of birdlife to spot – you might even see the critically endangered white-rumped vulture or long-billed vulture.

Travel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore – an easy-going town with a pleasant climate, perfect for exploring on foot. When you arrive, you’ll head to local family’s home for a home-cooked lunch of traditional favourites. Get to know the family, who will show you how they make incense – one of the traditional crafts from Mysore. Once you see how it’s made, maybe even have a go yourself! Then, head out on an orientation walk around the town to get your bearings. No visit to Mysore is complete without a look around Mysore Palace – one of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is full of colour, mosaics and mirrors.

This morning, you’ll climb Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. After, continue to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somanathapura – an excellent example of Hoysala architecture. You’ll also have some time to visit Tipu Sultan’s mausoleum in Srirangapatna. You can also opt to return to Mysore for a palm reading or catch a film at the local cinema. Tonight, board an overnight sleeper train to Chennai.

Arrive in Chennai and take a private vehicle along the scenic East Coast Road to Mamallapuram. Explore this ancient seaport town by tuk-tuk, paying a visit to the 7th-century Shore Temple and the enormous bas-relief rock carving known as Arjuna's Penance. You’ll also have time to check out the town’s numerous mandapams (pillared temple pavilions), watch local stonemasons at work or simply kick back and relax at a beachside restaurant.

Travel by private vehicle today through palm trees and rice paddies to Puducherry (Pondicherry). When you arrive, head out with your group and leader on a walking tour to see local temples, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the French Quarter. Once a French colony, you’ll see the evidence of French influence in Puducherry's architecture, its wide town squares and even in the police uniforms!

Drive to the temple city of Madurai today. Madurai’s Tamil roots stretch back 2500 years, making it one of the oldest cities in India. Wander the lamp-lit labyrinth of the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and the goddess Meenakshi.

This morning, travel by private vehicle along a winding road to Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. High in the ranges of the Western Ghats, the park is set among stunning scenery and is the most popular wildlife sanctuary in southern India. For the next two days, you’ll get to explore the national park on foot and see firsthand why this spot is so renowned. Go on a tour of a local spice plantation, then join your local family hosts for a meal where you’ll try some of the authentic home-cooked flavours of southern India.

Venture back into Periyar National Park today for a nature walk led by local guides who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledgeable about the area’s flora and fauna. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk to see the beautiful natural scenery than an animal spotting tour, but do look out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage at your accommodation or just relax and soak up your surroundings with a drink in hand.

Today, drive through tea, rubber and coffee plantations on the way to the backwaters of Kerala. When you arrive, you’ll board a motorboat to cross to the island village where you’ll stay with a local family tonight. In the late afternoon, explore the island with your homestay host. This is a great chance to meet locals and learn more about their unique way of life. Take a leisurely punt boat ride around the waterways and take in the scenery. Tonight, share stories over a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal with your host family.

Rise early this morning before crossing the backwaters by private boat, headed to Alleppey. From here, you’ll take a bus back to Kochi. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. You might like to stroll down Princess Street for a spot of shopping or book yourself into a southern Indian cooking class – your group leader will have more great recommendations, so be sure to ask them to help you plan your day. Tonight, why not gather with your group for a night out at a local restaurant and maybe try some pazham pori (fried banana or plantain fritters).

With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Kochi, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.