Loading...

Best of Southern India

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.

On Sale
14 DaysKochi to Kochi
Valid on May 5 2026Trip Code: AHBS
From $1161.75 USDIncluding taxes and fees

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 Grading: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Age requirements: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

Best of Southern India - Itinerary

Trip Start: KochiTrip End: Kochi

DAY 1

Kochi

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities before the evening welcome meeting, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Hotel Gama Heritage:
Hotel Gama Heritage

Best of Southern India - Itinerary

Trip Start: KochiTrip End: Kochi
DAY 1
Kochi

DAY 1

Kochi

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities before the evening welcome meeting, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Hotel Gama Heritage:
Hotel Gama Heritage

DAY 2
Kochi/Bangalore
+
DAY 3
Bangalore
+
DAY 4
Bangalore/Mysore
+
DAY 5
Mysore
+
DAY 6
Mysore/Māmallapuram
+
DAY 7
Māmallapuram
+
DAY 8
Māmallapuram/Thanjavur
+
DAY 9
Thanjavur/Madurai
+
DAY 10
Madurai
+
DAY 11
Madurai/Thekkady
+
DAY 12
Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters
+
DAY 13
Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
+
DAY 14
Kochi
+

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 Wildlife Sanctuary walk and safari
  • 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
Transportation
  • Train, private vehicle, cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, ferry.
Staff & experts
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Best of Southern India Departure Dates

All Years

StartEndingAvailabilityPrices from
Fri, Mar 06 2026Thu, Mar 19 2026Sold Out $1,319.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sun, Apr 12 2026Sat, Apr 25 2026Open (10)$1,161.75 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sun, May 10 2026Sat, May 23 2026Open (10)$1,161.75 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sun, Jun 21 2026Sat, Jul 04 2026Open (11)$1,161.75 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Sun, Oct 18 2026Sat, Oct 31 2026Open (14)$1,319.25 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)

USEFUL INFO

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 Wildlife Sanctuary walk and safari. 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.

Relax in the peaceful backwaters of Kerala, spot wildlife in beautiful parks, uncover ancient temples, explore tea and spice plantations, take a rickshaw ride through the streets of Madurai

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

1. CULTURE
India is a country which is very different to anything you will have experienced before. Although this means it is not the easiest place to travel, this is also what makes it so special. Pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge. During our time here we have come to love this large and wonderfully different country but we know that we should always expect to encounter some difficulties along the way.

In India there are very different attitudes to time keeping, public cleanliness, privacy and service. Trains will sometimes be late, plumbing can sometimes be temperamental and power will often just vanish. Optimistic menus turn out to have only one dish available and everyone, just everyone, will want to know your name. If you are able to travel with a lot of patience and a healthy sense of humour, then we know that you - like all of us - will be captivated by what India has to offer.

2. COMBO TRIP
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.

3. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

chat