Trees for Days
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Trees planted for this trip: 14
Best of Southern India
14 days, Kochi to Kochi
From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights of Southern India. This two-week adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time to explore on your own. Travelling by train, bus, rickshaw, and country boats will bring you closer to the locals and is a fascinating way to gain insight into the peaceful backwaters of Kerala and stunning temples of Tamilnadu.
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 20, avg 14
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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View our Entry Requirements tool14 days
Kochi to Kochi
See how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
100
Ripple Score
Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 100
More from Best of Southern India
Itinerary Notes
Want to experience the sights and sounds of Holi? Make sure you’re in India on March 8, 2023 or March 25, 2024 for the nation’s most colourful festival.
Itinerary
Day 1Kochi
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Kochi/Sultan Bathery
Take a morning train followed by a scenic drive to reach Sultan Bathery, in the Wayanad district.
Day 3Sultan Bathery
Walk the nature trails through the farm area in Wayanad. Also take a tour of a tea factory and plantation to learn about tea production in the area from a guide.
Day 4Sultan Bathery/Mysore
Settle in for the drive to the ancient city of Mysore.
Day 5Mysore
Explore the vibrant city of Mysore including visits to Chamundi Temple and Mysore Palace. After enjoy free time and opt to visit the Devaraja market or join a yoga class.
Day 6Mysore/Māmallapuram
Enjoy a full day of train travel to Chennai before a short bus ride to Mamallapuram.
Day 7Māmallapuram
Visit the Shore Temple. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Mamallapuram.
Day 8Māmallapuram/Puducherry
Continue to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry) and learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose at the ashram.
Day 9Puducherry/Madurai
Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Day 10Madurai
Hop on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city before visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple.
Day 11Madurai/Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady. Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 12Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters
Travel to Alleppey for a local homestay. Experience local life and a guided walk along the lagoon.
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 13Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
Spend the morning enjoying last moments with your host family. Learn to cook some local food, watch the toddy tappers at work, or wander around the village. Travel to a Planeterra project for lunch before returning to Kochi. Head out for an orientation walk, then enjoy an evening performance of kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 14Kochi
Depart at any time.
What's Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Kerala Backwaters Homestay, Alleppey
- Fort Kochi orientation walk
- Kathakali dance show
- Wayanad Tea Factory and Plantation Visit
- Chaumundi Temple and Mysore Palace visit
- Mamallapuram Shore Temple visit
- Pondicherry orientation walk
- Madurai cycle-rickshaw ride and Sri Meenakshi Temple visit
- Cardamom Hills spice plantation tour
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Allow USD295-385 for meals not included.
Transportation
Train, private vehicle, cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, ferry.
Staff & experts
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)
My Own Room - From $499.00
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Extend your stay with these add-on tours
Sri Lanka Express - From $811
Make some time to visit the enchanting island nation of Sri Lanka.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.