Best of Southern India
From AUD $1499 Was AUD $1999
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Best of Southern India
14 days
Small Group
Budget
Light
English
Experience Overview
From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights 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.
Highlights
- 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
Trip Details
14 days
Train, private vehicle, cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, ferry.
Small Group
English
Kochi, India
Kochi, India
Budget
Classic
Light
Itinerary
Day 1: Kochi
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.
Day 2: Kochi/Sultan Bathery
Day 3: Sultan Bathery
Wayanad region of the western Ghats in Kerala is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations and is known to produce some of the finest teas.
Day 4: Sultan Bathery/Mysore
Travel to Mysore (formally Mysuru) located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947.
Day 5: Mysore
Imagine life as a Maharaja on a guided tour of the Mysore Palace. Later, join the throngs of pilgrims at Chamundi Hills, with its temple on top, and Nandi the Bull (ridden by the Hindu god Shiva) a short walk below.
In your free time, visit the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market or join a yoga class at one of the many local institutes.
Opt to drive to Somnathpur, home to one of the most famous Hoysala Temples in India.
Day 6: Mysore/Māmallapuram
Arrive by train to Chennai before continuing south for a short ride to the small village of Mamallapuram.
Day 7: Māmallapuram
In the morning, visit the 7th century Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 8: Māmallapuram/Puducherry
In the morning, drive to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry), formerly the the largest French Colony in India and an important trading town. There is a strong French influence in the city's layout, with wide boulevards and French-style houses, but the city is undoubtedly Indian.
Day 9: Puducherry/Madurai
Day 10: Madurai
After visiting the temple complex, opt to visit the handicraft shops or duck into the cool shade of the covered, stone tailor's market where, for a few rupees, rows of expert tailors will whip you up a custom shirt in minutes, all done on antique foot-pump sewing machines. In the late evening, opt to visit the Meenakshi Temple again for a glimpse of the nighttime rituals.
Day 11: Madurai/Thekkady
Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar National Park, is the spice capital of India. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the spice plantations and a tea factory.
Opt for a boat ride on the Periyar Lake.
Day 12: Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters
Travel down to the backwaters from Thekkady to catch a private boat for the short journey to the village homestay.
In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location.
Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters.
Day 13: Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
Day 14: Kochi
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $1999
Duration: 14 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Light
From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights of Southern India.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 28 Sep 2025
Customer Reviews
12/30/2023
Small group tour, good contact with local people. Enough options and activities and a reliable responsive guide.
12/30/2023
The Hotels were awful in terms of hygiene. The hotels were so dirty and disgusting that they'really impacted the quality of trip.
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
12/30/2023
Small group tour, good contact with local people. Enough options and activities and a reliable responsive guide.
12/30/2023
The Hotels were awful in terms of hygiene. The hotels were so dirty and disgusting that they'really impacted the quality of trip.
12/30/2023
I was due to commence tour of Southern India in December. Unfortunately on my arrival to India, I was refused entry as my visa had expired. On receipt of my visa I informed the relevant authorities that expiry date predated my arrival to India. However, I was reassured that the visa activated on my arrival to India. This was not the case as I discovered. While this misfortune as nothing to do with G Adventures I was not impressed that you were not prepared, to offer any form of compensation. I appreciate it was a last minute cancellation owing to the circumstances, but when I suggested putting some of the fee paid for Southern India trip towards another one, it was dismissed and not considered. It was my first trip booked with G Adventures and I was looking forward to it very much.
12/30/2023
I work for G, and therefore I know that G is a great option, so I recommend G.
12/30/2023
Good and varied itinerary, small groups, people from different continents and ages, local guides with lots of knowledge, previous experiences with G
12/30/2023
Reliable and you know what to expect.
12/30/2023
No time to really enjoy sights and nature. Endless hours spent commuting between places.
12/30/2023
Tours are great for organising the itinerary and logistics of a trip, as well as having the safety of a group, but the pace and rigidity isn',t for everyone
12/23/2023
The appalling standard of hotels chosen by G Adventures in Southern India was the worst I have ever seen. I paid an extra 500 euro for single supplement and it was a total waste of money. Filthy rooms , damp and stained bed linen , mouldy and rusty bathrooms , nothing attractive about them at all. Below the basic tourist standard in India. I will be looking for a full explanation from your head office and compensation on my trip due to the dreadful experience we all had with the accommodation.
12/23/2023
The accommodations provided during the tour fell significantly below acceptable standards. The quality of the hotels, in terms of cleanliness, amenities, and overall comfort, was disappointing and, in some instances, unacceptable. These conditions greatly impacted our enjoyment of the trip. The primary reasons for my dissatisfaction include: Hygiene and Cleanliness Issues: Several hotels lacked proper cleanliness and hygiene standards. This compromised the overall comfort and well-being of the guests. Inadequate Facilities: The facilities provided were inadequate, and in some cases, did not match the promised standards. This resulted in a less-than-optimal experience for the travelers. Unpleasant Ambiance: The ambiance of some hotels was not conducive to a positive and enjoyable stay. This created a disheartening contrast to the vibrant and enriching experiences we had during the day. I understand that travel can present unforeseen challenges, but the standard of accommodation significantly impacted the overall value for money. As a result, it is with regret that I cannot wholeheartedly recommend the G Adventures tour to friends or colleagues based on this experience. I believe that honest feedback is crucial for the continual improvement of your services, and I hope that this input will contribute to enhancing the overall quality of future G Adventures tours. Thank you for your understanding.
12/16/2023
Local leader. Local experiences. Cost effective.
12/09/2023
I think that you are one of the best organizations providing this style of travel.
12/09/2023
This score would have been a 10 until my most recent trip, which unfortunately fell short of the mark due to the extremely poor standard of accommodation. Despite this, I still feel that the CEO?s and tour itineraries are great.
12/09/2023
This is the third G Adventures we have been on and will the general shape of these tours
12/09/2023
I have done several trips with G Adventures and have always thoroughly enjoyed them, until this one. I was very disappointed in some of the itinerary but mostly with the hotels. The home stay was wonderful and that type of accommodation was what I expected from the entire two week trip. The hotels selected were not clea, often did not have working wifi, air conditioning and the bathrooms were smelly and not clean.
12/09/2023
The poor standard of accommodation drops the score, the CEO and Tour Itinerary was great
12/02/2023
If the accommodation was better it would be a 10
12/02/2023
The tour covered the areas of interest Southern India, a good selection of areas to visit and also included many sightseeing hotspots.
12/09/2023
Highly organised and efficient
12/09/2023
Great value for money.
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