South Indian Adventure

Journey along India's west coast

Itinerary
Price Guide
Places you'll visit
Accommodation
How to Book

Starting by the beach at Kovalam, in the wonderful state of Kerala, your journey takes you through palm-lined backwaters, hiking in the mountains, exploring the most exotic temple city in South India, the magnificent Maharajah's Palace in Mysore, and the fascinating ruins at Hampi. You finish with a few days in the former Portuguese colony of Goa lying on the exotic west coast of India. A tropical paradise in the sun and the perfect end for your tour.

Day 1 - Kovalam
Arrive in Trivandrum, transfer to nearby Kovalam, the finest beach in South India.

Day 2 - Kovalam
Today is at leisure to shake off the jet lag and settle into the leisurely pace of life in South India.

Day 3 - Allapuzha
Drive to a village on Kerala's backwaters.Time can be spent watching the toddy tappers climbing the tall trees, walking among the paddy fields or along the river banks, or rowing through the narrow canals in a country boat.

Day 4 - Kochi
Drive to Kochi, one of the most interesting and cosmopolitan cities in South India with Portuguese, Jewish, Chinese, Dutch and British influences!

Day 5 - Kochi
Morning tour of Fort Cochin and a cruise through the harbour. In the evening you can watch a performance of Kathakali Dancing.

Day 6 - Thekkady
A scenic drive to Thekkady, the best place to stay for a visit to Periyar Wildlife Reserve, one of the largest in India, deep in the scenic cardamom hills. There are numerous elephants, sambhar, wild pig, flying squirrel and over 260 species of birds.

Day 7 - Thekkady
The Periyar Wildlife Reserve is one of the largest in India with elephant, sambhar, wild pig, flying squirrel and over 260 species of bird life. Today you will take aboat trip on the lake in search of the wildlife.

Day 8 - Madurai
Drive to Madurai, one of the most lively and exotic temple cities. Afternoon visit to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple.

Day 9 - Overnight Train
A full day to further day to explore the colourful bazaars with street tailors, throngs of pilgrims and joyful religious processions. In the evening board the sleeper train to Mysore.

Day 10 - Mysore
Arrive in Mysore, a friendly and easy going city of shady trees and buildings of faded grandeur.

Day 11 - Mysore
Visit the colourful food markets and the magnificent Maharajah's Palace with its glittering interiors. You also drive up Chamundi hill for fabulous views over the city.

Day 12 - Overnight Train
Transfer from Mysore to Bangalore. Board the sleeper train to Hospet.

Day 13 - Hospet
Arrive in Hospet, transfer to your hotel.

Day 14 - Hospet
Just a short drive away are the magnificent ruins of the Vijayanagar empire at Hampi. At the height of its power in the 16th century, the city rivalled Rome in splendour and controlled almost all of South India. You explore the city on foot.

Day 15 - Goa
Today you board the train from Hospet to Goa. On arrival at Goa's railway station you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 16 - Goa
Relax and enjoy the Goan lifestyle. Goa is renowned for its Portuguese colonial heritage, architecture, temples and churches as well as its gorgeous tropical beaches.

Day 17 - Goa
Spend your last day relaxing on the beach.

Day 18 - Goa
Tour ends. Transfer to Goa airport to connect with your onward travel.

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Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

Where you would like to stay
Dates that best suit you
Experiences or activities that you fancy
As long as you want in each place

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Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

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Price Guide

From EUR 1,540 per person based on two people sharing.

Inclusions

Accommodation on twin share basis at selected hotels.
Stay on bed & breakfast basis.
Transport by private chauffeur-driven airconditioned car.
Overnight air-conditioned train from Madurai to Mysore and Bangalore to Hospet.
Day train from Hospet to Goa.
English-speaking local guide for tour of Kochi, Madurai, Mysore and Hampi.
Kathakali dance performance.
Boat trip on Periyar Lake.
Park entrance fees in Periyar National Park.
All transfers as per the itinerary.

Tour price excludes

Tips and gratuities.
Services, Meals and Drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature.
Entrance fees (unless specifically mentioned in the inclusions) and extra charges for camera and video.

Make an enquiry

Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

Where you would like to stay
Dates that best suit you
Experiences or activities that you fancy
As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

Get in Touch

Kovalam One of the finest beaches in South India

Kovalam is Kerala's most famous beach resort. It is an excellent place to soak in the sun and enjoy the sea and rejuvenate oneself with Ayurvedic massages and treatments. Even though popular, the beaches are still fairly quiet by European standards. The bare rocks and the sandy beaches create some stunning settings at sunrise and sunsets.

Allapuzha Gateway to the backwaters of Kerala

Allapuzha (or Alleppey) is a bustling town south of Kochi, and a major trading centre for the coir industry. It is also the centre of Kerala's backwaters with many interesting homestays in villages around the town. Caressed by the Arabian Sea in the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh-water rivers crossing it, this backwater country shelters some unique animal and birdlife.

Kochi A port city full of historical landmarks

Kochi (or Cochin) is set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas and has one of the best natural harbours in the world. The famed `Malabar Spices' were exported from this very port, bringing to Kochi visitors as varied as the Arabs, the Dutch, the Portuguese and, finally, the British. All of them have left their mark on the architecture, making Kochi one of the most unique and fascinating towns in India.

Thekkady The base for visiting the Periyar National Park

Thekkady is the place to stay when you want to visit Periyar Wildlife Reserve. The journey to Thekkady affords some beautiful views of the highest mountain range in India south of the Himalaya. Periyar Sanctuary is open all year round. The best time to visit is between October and April. During April and May, when water gets low and grass dries out, there is a greater chance of spotting the elephants near the lakeside.

Madurai South India's most exotic and colourful city

Full of colourful bazaars, street tailors, throngs of pilgrims and joyful religious processions, Madurai is a bustling city which attracts thousands of visitors from outside each day. Madurai's main attraction is the famous temple dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi. Each evening, there is a closing ceremony is accompanied by chanting priests, drummers and torchbearers in which an image of Shiva is carried in procession to Parvati's bedroom.

Mysore Centre of sandalwood and silk trade

Mysore is a friendly and easy-going city with pleasant climate all year through. With a number of beautiful palaces and pre-Independence architecture, Mysore has a faded grandeur and small-town charm that attract travelers from all over the world. The city is a crafts centre, and has numerous shops selling a wide range of sandalwood, rosewood and teak carvings, furniture, traditional Mysore silk, puppets and laquer-ware and other handicrafts.

Hospet A perfect base to visit Hampi

Hospet is a typical Indian market town, situated just 13 km from the spectacular ruins at Hampi. Hampi is he site of the Vijayanagar empire which rivalled Rome in splendour and controlled almost all of South India in the 16th century. Hospet may lack charm, but this is more than made up for by the range of comfortable accommodation provided by its hotels. Since Hampi has a distinct lack of good hotels, it is a good idea to use Hospet as a base for visiting Hampi.

Goa One of the most popular spots in India to unwind

The former Portuguese colony of Goa is famous for its easy-going ambience, good food, and lovely climate. It boasts a coastline with beautiful beaches; palm fringed rivers, lush scenery with paddy fields, mango groves and white washed villas. Evidence of its glorious past can be seen in the unique Indo-Portuguese style of its magnificent baroque churches, its stately ancestral mansions and its historic forts.

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Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including: