South India Revealed

The adventure

Unplug from your everyday routine and head to the beaches and backwaters of southern India on this 16-day adventure. Explore the lush landscapes, intriguing cultures, bustling bazaars and incredible cuisine of this region, all with the guidance of a local leader. Jump on and off local transport and travel through coconut groves and fishing villages, discovering the heart of the subcontinent. See ancient ruins and stunning temples, feast on spicy curries and Zen out in the relaxed towns of Varkala and Hampi. Opt to explore the Kerala Backwaters in a pole boat, plus stay with a local family in an island village. End your journey on the beautiful beaches of Goa.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

India

Showing Days 1-7

16-day itinerary

Day 1TrivandrumWelcome to India! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting this evening at 6 pm. Tonight is all about introductions, so maybe get together with your group after your meeting and head out for an optional dinner – your leader will be able to suggest the best neighbourhoods for a delicious local meal.

Trivandrum

Welcome to India! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting this evening at 6 pm. Tonight is all about introductions, so maybe get together with your group after your meeting and head out for an optional dinner – your leader will be able to suggest the best neighbourhoods for a delicious local meal.

Day 2VarkalaIn the morning, travel up the coast by private vehicle to the town of Varkala. Settle into your hotel, then you’ll have free time to explore the Keralan coast – home to some of India’s best beaches. Soaring cliffs protect Varkala’s sandy bay and, depending on the time of year, dolphins can be spotted from high up on the rocks. In the evening, maybe head into town to one of the numerous restaurants serving fresh, local seafood caught right off the coast.

Varkala

In the morning, travel up the coast by private vehicle to the town of Varkala. Settle into your hotel, then you’ll have free time to explore the Keralan coast – home to some of India’s best beaches. Soaring cliffs protect Varkala’s sandy bay and, depending on the time of year, dolphins can be spotted from high up on the rocks. In the evening, maybe head into town to one of the numerous restaurants serving fresh, local seafood caught right off the coast.

Day 3VarkalaToday is a free day for you to discover Varkala at your own pace. This is a great place to sit back and relax, but if you want to get active, there are plenty of water activities on offer, like surfing and windsurfing. Even though this is a popular destination for Indian tourists, the beaches are quiet and have a laidback vibe. Take the rest of the day to relax, beachside or otherwise, before the rest of south India beckons.

Varkala

Today is a free day for you to discover Varkala at your own pace. This is a great place to sit back and relax, but if you want to get active, there are plenty of water activities on offer, like surfing and windsurfing. Even though this is a popular destination for Indian tourists, the beaches are quiet and have a laidback vibe. Take the rest of the day to relax, beachside or otherwise, before the rest of south India beckons.

Day 4Kerala BackwatersThis morning, board a train along the Keralan coastline to Alappuzha (Alleppey). Once an important trading port and now renowned for the annual Snake Boat race in August, Alappuzha is the starting point for most journeys into the Kerala backwaters. An auto-rickshaw will take you from the train station to your boat, which will take you to an island village. You’ll spend the night at a homestay owned and managed by a local family. Get settled, then you’ll have the option to explore the Kerala backwaters in a pole boat. Your local guide will also take you on a walk around the village, through paddy fields and small canals. This is a great opportunity for you to learn about the local ways of the backwaters.

Kerala Backwaters

This morning, board a train along the Keralan coastline to Alappuzha (Alleppey). Once an important trading port and now renowned for the annual Snake Boat race in August, Alappuzha is the starting point for most journeys into the Kerala backwaters. An auto-rickshaw will take you from the train station to your boat, which will take you to an island village. You’ll spend the night at a homestay owned and managed by a local family. Get settled, then you’ll have the option to explore the Kerala backwaters in a pole boat. Your local guide will also take you on a walk around the village, through paddy fields and small canals. This is a great opportunity for you to learn about the local ways of the backwaters.

Day 5KochiIn the morning, cross the backwaters by private boat back to Alappuzha. You’ll then take a local bus to Kochi, arriving around midday. When you arrive, go for a walk around the Fort Kochi area, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. In the early evening, there’s the option to attend a classic Kathakali dance performance – a snapshot into traditional cultures of this region.

Kochi

In the morning, cross the backwaters by private boat back to Alappuzha. You’ll then take a local bus to Kochi, arriving around midday. When you arrive, go for a walk around the Fort Kochi area, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. In the early evening, there’s the option to attend a classic Kathakali dance performance – a snapshot into traditional cultures of this region.

Day 6KochiToday, head to the Mattancherry part of Fort Cochin to explore the old Jewish quarter, synagogue, and Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace) on a guided walking tour. After the tour, the rest of your day is free for you to do as you wish.

Kochi

Today, head to the Mattancherry part of Fort Cochin to explore the old Jewish quarter, synagogue, and Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace) on a guided walking tour. After the tour, the rest of your day is free for you to do as you wish.

Day 7PeriyarThis morning, get ready for a day of travel as you head by private vehicle to Periyar National Park. After checking in to your hotel, you might like to head out on an optional tour of a local spice farm. Walk through the winding pathways among the plantations as the scent of cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla lingers in the air. Take in the beauty of the cardamom flowers, feel the cool breeze and watch the sunlight seep in through the leaves of the pepper plants surrounding you. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed evening back at your accommodation, maybe settling in for an early night.

Periyar

This morning, get ready for a day of travel as you head by private vehicle to Periyar National Park. After checking in to your hotel, you might like to head out on an optional tour of a local spice farm. Walk through the winding pathways among the plantations as the scent of cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla lingers in the air. Take in the beauty of the cardamom flowers, feel the cool breeze and watch the sunlight seep in through the leaves of the pepper plants surrounding you. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed evening back at your accommodation, maybe settling in for an early night.

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