Kerala & India's Beautiful South

Fly overnight to Bangalore, India.

Upon your arrival in Bangalore, your tour manager will be there to greet you. You will then be transferred by our coach to your welcoming hotel in this vibrant city, where modern developments blend seamlessly with colonial remnants, parks, and green spaces of what was once known as the Garden City. Take this opportunity to rest and relax before enjoying your first dinner at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, set out for a sightseeing tour of Bangalore. Highlights of the tour include the vast Vidhana Soudha, India's largest civic building; the 16th-century Bull Temple, renowned for its massive granite Nandi bull; and Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace. After the tour, travel across the plains to the historic and charming city of Mysore, with a stop at the island of Srirangapatna along the way. This island, once the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, was the site of his defeat by the future Duke of Wellington in 1799. The island is also home to an important Hindu temple that draws pilgrims from across the subcontinent.

This morning's tour begins with a short trip to an ornate temple perched atop the Chamundi Hills. Afterward, return to Mysore to marvel at the spectacular, domed Maharaja’s Palace. This architectural gem, featuring a blend of styles, boasts a striking interior highlighted by the magnificent royal wedding hall. Also visit the Jaganmohan Palace, home to a rich collection of Indian paintings and carvings, and explore the Railway Museum. In the afternoon, re-board the coach for a brief journey to Somnathpur. Here, the Keshava Vishnu Temple stands as one of the finest examples of the intricate style favoured by the region’s 13th-century Hoysala rulers. Conclude your day back in Mysore, where you'll witness the extraordinary sight of the illuminated Maharaja’s Palace in the evening.

Embark on a picturesque coach journey into the foothills of the Western Ghat mountains. Travel through the enchanting forests of Bandipur National Park, arriving by afternoon at Udhagamandalam, commonly known as Ooty, the Queen of Hill Stations. Spend your evening exploring this idyllic destination, with its Kew-inspired Botanical Gardens, the Gothic St. Stephen’s Church, and the remnants of colonial charm.

Prepare for another unforgettable day as you embark on the historic, narrow-gauge Nilgiri Blue Mountain Railway early this morning. Enjoy a scenic ride on the diesel-drawn Toy Train, winding through the breathtaking hills to the charming plantation town of Coonoor, where you’ll pause for lunch. Explore a tea factory, indulge in a tasting, and meet the welcoming locals who work on the mountain railway. Later, a steam-hauled journey will take you to the bottom station at Mettupalayam. From there, a coach will transfer you to your overnight accommodation in nearby Coimbatore.

After a relaxing morning enjoying your hotel’s amenities, make your way to Coimbatore Station to catch the early afternoon Ernakulam Express. This comfortable, air-conditioned train will whisk you into the lush landscapes of Kerala. Spend the next two nights in Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, a historic trading seaport.

Today, embark on a guided tour of historic Kochi. Discover the stunning murals at Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, explore the ancient Jewish synagogue, and visit Fort Cochin, famous for its iconic Chinese fishing nets – some of India's most-photographed landmarks. In another part of the city, historic St. Francis Church stands overlooking a village green reminiscent of a charming English countryside scene. This evening, witness the intricate choreography, magnificent costumes, and vibrant makeup of a traditional Kathakali dance performance.

Travel a short distance to Alleppey and embark on a traditional thatch-roofed Kettuvallam houseboat. Cruise leisurely through a maze of canals and waterways, bordered by coconut groves and rice fields, and sprinkled with temples. This picturesque landscape, composed of tiny islands, is home to fishermen, buffalo farmers, and coconut growers. In the evening, take a guided walk through a traditional Keralan village and immerse yourself in local culture.

After bidding farewell to your floating home, travel into a lush, rolling landscape adorned with tea and spice plantations, arriving in Periyar. Spend two nights here, near the renowned wildlife sanctuary. Check into your hotel and then join your guide for a tour of a spice plantation, where you'll uncover the secrets and history of Indian tea and spices flourishing on the sanctuary's slopes. Conclude your captivating day with dinner and a cooking demonstration at the hotel. In the evening, you have the option to attend a Kalaripayattu tour in Periyar, where you can witness a traditional Indian martial arts performance in an intimate venue with stadium seating.

Spend your morning unwinding in the serene ambiance of your hotel, or opt for our guided excursion to the Wildlife Sanctuary. There, you'll have the chance to spot endangered mammals like elephants, palm civets, giant squirrels, and, for the fortunate few, tigers and leopards. The sanctuary is also home to over 250 bird species. In the afternoon, enhance your Periyar experience with a tranquil boat ride on Periyar Lake. Keep an eye out for elephants and vibrant birdlife; however, only the luckiest visitors may catch a glimpse of the elusive tigers and leopards.

Travel eastward into Tamil Nadu, descending onto the southern plains to spend the next two nights in Madurai. As one of Asia’s oldest cities, Madurai graces the banks of the River Vaigai and is renowned for its stunning temples. Immerse yourself in the vibrant ambiance of this unforgettable city, highlighted by the expansive, colourful Meenakshi Temple.

Today's guided sightseeing tour takes you through Madurai's Old City, where the breathtaking highlight is the Meenakshi Temple with its intricately carved façade, colonnades, shrines, and quartet of towering gopurams. Marvel at the ongoing ceremonies and devotions, soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the temple markets, and wander through the maze of corridors and walkways. This evening, venture out from the hotel to explore the city's narrow, bustling streets and colourful market by cycle-rickshaw.

A scenic journey through a landscape of lush rice paddies and irrigated fields brings you to Pondicherry, a town with distinct French influences. Here, you’ll find an authentic Hôtel de Ville, with French widely spoken and "gendarmes" patrolling the beachfront promenade in their kepi berets. Relish an overnight stay in this charming town, which serves as one of the backdrops to Yann Martel’s enchanting novel, Life of Pi.

This morning, start your day with a visit to the Pondicherry Museum, followed by a tour of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, renowned for attracting members from around the world. Afterward, board the coach and travel north to the sophisticated coastal resort of Mahabalipuram. Spend a leisurely evening at your final hotel, and perhaps take a stroll on the nearby beach.

Embark on a morning sightseeing tour of this historic trading port and renowned stone-carving center. Highlights include the extraordinary 8th-century Shore Temple, a favorite among photographers, with its weathered towers from the Pallava dynasty. Also visit the impressive monoliths of the Pancha Pandava Rathas and the expansive cave-carved Krishna Mandapam temple. In the afternoon, unwind and relax on the beach, followed by a delightful farewell dinner at your hotel.

Bid farewell to your hosts and transfer to Chennai, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of India’s fourth-largest city, once better known as Madras, where Clive of India once worked as a humble clerk for the East India Company at historic Fort St George. Highlights include the Fort Museum and its relics of the Raj, Marina Beach (the world’s longest urban stretch of sand), San Thome Cathedral, the famous Chepauk Cricket Stadium and St Mary’s Church - the Westminster Abbey of Asia.