India South & North

The adventure

This epic 29-day adventure through India takes you from bottom to top, revealing the icons and local secrets of this diverse country. Revel in the tropical climate, warm waters and lush green landscapes of the south in Kochi, Puducherry and Madurai. Then, be dazzled by kaleidoscopic colours, Mughal grandeur and the deep spirituality of the north in Jaipur and Agra. Travel from Kochi to Delhi, getting a taste of both the slower delights of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the hustle and bustle of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. You’ll do it all with an expert local leader and a small group of like-minded travellers by your side.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

India

Showing Days 1-7

29-day itinerary

Day 1KochiNamaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure starts today in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to see and do. Once an important spice-trading centre, Kochi has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule at various times throughout history. Explore with one of our Urban Adventures or wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Cochin.

Kochi

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure starts today in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to see and do. Once an important spice-trading centre, Kochi has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule at various times throughout history. Explore with one of our Urban Adventures or wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Cochin.

Day 2KochiThis 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.

Kochi

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.

Day 3ConoorBuckle 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.

Conoor

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.

Day 4Ootacamund – ConoorSpend 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.

Ootacamund

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.

Day 5Mudumalai National Park – BandipurMake 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.

Mudumalai National Park

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.

Day 6MysoreTravel 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.

Mysore

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.

Day 7Mysore – Overnight trainThis 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.

Mysore

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.

Previous days1 / 5Next days

What's included

Discover India

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Upcoming departures