Classic South India

Visiting: India

Classic South India

Cruise the twisting backwaters of Kerala, Indulge in a traditional Ayurvedic massage in Varkala, Watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea, Spot elephants in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Stroll through the eclectic Kochi attractions, Sip tea while soaking up spectacular scenery in Munnar, Relish the rich aromas of an Indian spice plantation

Travel to India and embark on this Classic Kerala tour from Kochi to Kovalam Beach. Lush, tropical southern India is charming, captivating and hospitable. Discover a thousand shades of green and share smiles with the friendly local people. Experience the culture, religion and history of this region in its small rural towns, quaint fishing villages and scented spice plantations. This is a fabulous part of India and Classic Kerala follows the road less travelled - without sacrificing too many creature comforts.

An airport arrival transfer is included.  Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel (note - we may not be able confirm request made within 15 days of travel). Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the evening of Day 1.

At the group meeting we will be collecting your insurance details and emergency contact information, so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader. After the meeting, there is the option of joining your fellow travellers for dinner. If your flight is scheduled to arrive late we recommend that you consider booking a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you can ensure you are able to attend the important group meeting.

Included Activities

•Chennai - Government Museum

•Chennai - Kapileshwar Temple

•Complimentary airport arrival transfer

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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An airport arrival transfer is included.  Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel (note - we may not be able confirm request made within 15 days of travel). Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the evening of Day 1.

At the group meeting we will be collecting your insurance details and emergency contact information, so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader. After the meeting, there is the option of joining your fellow travellers for dinner. If your flight is scheduled to arrive late we recommend that you consider booking a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you can ensure you are able to attend the important group meeting.

Included Activities

•Chennai - Government Museum

•Chennai - Kapileshwar Temple

•Complimentary airport arrival transfer

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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We travel by private vehicle to Pondicherry, stopping at Auroville along the way (approx 3 hours). Auroville is an amazing experiment in international living. Made up of 80 rural settlements and home to over 1,500 residents, more than half of whom are foreign nationals, this living project dedicated to human unity also houses the world's largest solid crystal.

Take a walking tour and visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the local temples and the old French quarter.

Included Activities

•Auroville Visit

•Pondicherry - Walking tour and Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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Board an afternoon train to Madurai (approx 6 hours). The train is air-conditioned, with a dining carriage and western toilets.

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

Wander the bazaars and the tailors' market.

Visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple, which lies at the heart of the city. This ancient, still active temple is a labyrinth of lamp-lit corridors which lead to shrines where some mysterious and interesting rituals are performed.

Pay a visit to the National Gandhi Museum, and learn more about the 'Father of the Nation'.

Included Activities

•Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple

•Madurai walking tour

Optional Activities

•Madurai - Gandhi Museum, Madurai - INR200.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

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Board an afternoon train to Madurai (approx 6 hours). The train is air-conditioned, with a dining carriage and western toilets.

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

Wander the bazaars and the tailors' market.

Visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple, which lies at the heart of the city. This ancient, still active temple is a labyrinth of lamp-lit corridors which lead to shrines where some mysterious and interesting rituals are performed.

Pay a visit to the National Gandhi Museum, and learn more about the 'Father of the Nation'.

Included Activities

•Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple

•Madurai walking tour

Optional Activities

•Madurai - Gandhi Museum, Madurai - INR200.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

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We travel to Munnar by private vehicle (approx 4 hrs). This old British hill station is at a height of 1,525m (4,575 ft).  As it is generally much cooler than the lower altitudes so it's wise to bring sufficient warm clothing.

Drive to the nearby tea garden and spend some time in the lush greenery. Depending on its erratic schedule, we'll also visit the tea museum.

Head out to Mattupetti Dam. Situated at an altitude of 1700m above sea level, approximately 13 km from Munnar, it's famous for the Indo-Swiss livestock project.

Included Activities

•Munnar - Tea Musuem

•Munnar - Town Walk

Optional Activities

•Munnar - Mattupati Dam, Munnar - Free

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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We travel to Munnar by private vehicle (approx 4 hrs). This old British hill station is at a height of 1,525m (4,575 ft).  As it is generally much cooler than the lower altitudes so it's wise to bring sufficient warm clothing.

Drive to the nearby tea garden and spend some time in the lush greenery. Depending on its erratic schedule, we'll also visit the tea museum.

Head out to Mattupetti Dam. Situated at an altitude of 1700m above sea level, approximately 13 km from Munnar, it's famous for the Indo-Swiss livestock project.

Included Activities

•Munnar - Tea Musuem

•Munnar - Town Walk

Optional Activities

•Munnar - Mattupati Dam, Munnar - Free

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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Our drive through lush pineapple and rubber plantations to Periyar  takes approx 4 hrs.

Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. This wildlife sanctuary surrounds a picturesque lake, formed by the building of a dam in 1895, which meanders around the contours of the wooded hills and provides a permanent source of water for the local wildlife. Though it's a tiger reserve, tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in the act of ablution and playfulness by the lake.

In the evening, enjoy a tour around a local spice plantation and a delicious meal prepared by the owner's family.

Venture into the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for a guided nature walk in the hope of glimpsing sambar, bison, elephant, spotted deer, tiger and leopard.

Included Activities

•Periyar - National Park wildlife walk

•Periyar - Spice farm tour & dinner

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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Our drive through lush pineapple and rubber plantations to Periyar  takes approx 4 hrs.

Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. This wildlife sanctuary surrounds a picturesque lake, formed by the building of a dam in 1895, which meanders around the contours of the wooded hills and provides a permanent source of water for the local wildlife. Though it's a tiger reserve, tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in the act of ablution and playfulness by the lake.

In the evening, enjoy a tour around a local spice plantation and a delicious meal prepared by the owner's family.

Venture into the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for a guided nature walk in the hope of glimpsing sambar, bison, elephant, spotted deer, tiger and leopard.

Included Activities

•Periyar - National Park wildlife walk

•Periyar - Spice farm tour & dinner

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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Our drive downhill towards the backwaters of Kerala  takes approx 3 hrs.

Alleppey's sleepy, palm-shaded backwaters are Kerala's hidden treasure. Once an important trading port and now famous for its August 'snake boat' races, Alleppey is the starting point for most journeys into the backwaters and also hosts a mid-December musical festival.

Take a leisurely boat ride around the lake and enjoy the outstanding scenery.

Enjoy a walk through nearby villages, strolling under palm trees and weaving in between the rice fields that cover the island, discovering the local lifestyles.

Experience the rejuvenating bliss of an ayurvedic massage.

Included Activities

•Kerala - Ayurvedic massage

•Kerala - Boat Ride

Accommodation

Heritage Property (1 nt)

 

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Our drive in private vehicles to Kochi takes approx 2 hours.

Spread over several islands, Kochi is a fascinating place full of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English influences.

Head out to explore the major sights of Fort Cochin and visit the spice bazaars and antique shops. The best way to get around the islands is by using the ferry network.

Be part of a Kathakali dance performance. This classical dance is a highly charged and powerful drama that combines devotion and physical virtuosity with symbolic storytelling to produce one of the most impressive and vibrant forms of theatre in the world. It requires lengthy and rigorous training to attain complete control of the body and sensitivity to emotion so as to be able to render all its nuances through facial expressions and hand gestures.

Take an excursion to Vypeen Island - one of the group of islands that form part of Kochi.

Visit the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the middle of the 16th century. It was taken over by the Dutch in 1663, who added some improvements before presenting it to the Rajas of Cochin.

We catch ferries to visit the spice bazaars, streets lined with antique shops and the beautifully restored Mattancherry Palace.

Go to the Jewish synagogue. Built in 1568, it's one of the oldest existing synagogues in India.

Included Activities

•Fort Kochi sightseeing

•Kochi - Dutch Palace

•Kochi - Jewish Synagogue

•Kochi - Kathakali dance show

Optional Activities

•Visit to Vypeen Island, Kochi - INR20.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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Our drive in private vehicles to Kochi takes approx 2 hours.

Spread over several islands, Kochi is a fascinating place full of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English influences.

Head out to explore the major sights of Fort Cochin and visit the spice bazaars and antique shops. The best way to get around the islands is by using the ferry network.

Be part of a Kathakali dance performance. This classical dance is a highly charged and powerful drama that combines devotion and physical virtuosity with symbolic storytelling to produce one of the most impressive and vibrant forms of theatre in the world. It requires lengthy and rigorous training to attain complete control of the body and sensitivity to emotion so as to be able to render all its nuances through facial expressions and hand gestures.

Take an excursion to Vypeen Island - one of the group of islands that form part of Kochi.

Visit the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the middle of the 16th century. It was taken over by the Dutch in 1663, who added some improvements before presenting it to the Rajas of Cochin.

We catch ferries to visit the spice bazaars, streets lined with antique shops and the beautifully restored Mattancherry Palace.

Go to the Jewish synagogue. Built in 1568, it's one of the oldest existing synagogues in India.

Included Activities

•Fort Kochi sightseeing

•Kochi - Dutch Palace

•Kochi - Jewish Synagogue

•Kochi - Kathakali dance show

Optional Activities

•Visit to Vypeen Island, Kochi - INR20.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

 

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We take the train for the journey to Trivandrum (approx 4 hours). Our carriage is comfortable, with air conditioning. Upon arrival at the train station, we have a short drive in private vehicles to Kovalam (approx 1 hour).

About 30 years ago, Kovalam was a sleepy coastal village mainly producing coconuts and fresh fish, today it's one of the most sought after beaches in India.

See Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of south India and popularly described as 'Sabarimala of the Women', as women form the major portion of devotees.

Visit Anchuthengu Fort. Constructed in the 17th century, it's a brilliant symbol of British architectural elegance.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Included Activities

•Kovalam - Attukal Temple

Optional Activities

•Kovalam - Anchuthengu Fort, Kovalam - INR50.00

•Kovalam - Koyikkal Palace, Kovalam - INR50.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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We take the train for the journey to Trivandrum (approx 4 hours). Our carriage is comfortable, with air conditioning. Upon arrival at the train station, we have a short drive in private vehicles to Kovalam (approx 1 hour).

About 30 years ago, Kovalam was a sleepy coastal village mainly producing coconuts and fresh fish, today it's one of the most sought after beaches in India.

See Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, one of the ancient temples of south India and popularly described as 'Sabarimala of the Women', as women form the major portion of devotees.

Visit Anchuthengu Fort. Constructed in the 17th century, it's a brilliant symbol of British architectural elegance.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Included Activities

•Kovalam - Attukal Temple

Optional Activities

•Kovalam - Anchuthengu Fort, Kovalam - INR50.00

•Kovalam - Koyikkal Palace, Kovalam - INR50.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner