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Southern India offers an intensely tropical and laidback experience compared to the north. Travel from the stunning hill stations to the tranquil backwaters on this in-depth journey.
Our Kerala & the Southern Highlights & Kovalam Beach tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Explore the colonial buildings of this wondrous city
Discover South India’s extensive wildlife at the Periyar Wildlife Reserve
Take a cruise on the Kerala Backwaters on your private houseboat
Enjoy crescent-shaped beaches, swaying palms and relaxed seaside atmosphere.
Choose from our specially selected airline partners flying non-stop to Asia.
Our Kerala & the Southern Highlights Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Glimpse the traditional lifestyle of Kerala's fisher-folk with a visit to Kumbalangi, where you can see the villagers going about their day to day activities and discover traditional handicrafts.
Marvel at the strength and agility of Kalaripayattu practitioners at a performance of Kerala's traditional art form. This old martial art combines defensive steps and stances with weaponry such as daggers, spears, maces and bows and arrows.
Hosted by a local family in their home, take part in a cooking demonstration of tasty, traditional treats, learning the skills and techniques needed to prepare delicious Keralan dishes.
This tour is suitable for those with a reasonable amount of time and who are interested in travelling to the main sights of southern India. This tour includes travel on train, by road and a night on a houseboat, all of which will give a different perspective on the beautiful and exotic landscape of southern India.
Fly overnight to the city of Chennai and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
After breakfast and tour introduction, you will travel to Mamallapuram. On arrival you will explore this coastal temple town, seeing the fascinating 7th and 8th-century rock carvings including the magnificent Shore Temple and the impressive Varaha Cave.
Return to Chennai. Formerly known as Madras, the city was developed as a British trading post and so is home to a number of colonial sights. A city tour begins at the 13 kilometre Marina Beach before a stop at Fort St. George, established by the East India Company, and the British built St. Mary’s Church. The final stop is the colourful Shiva Kapaleeswarar Temple.
Rise early to catch the Shatabdi Express to the garden city of Bangalore. Take an afternoon city tour to see the Bull Temple, Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Vidhana Soudha.
Head to Mysore, stopping at Srirangapatna Fort en route. Visit the magnificent Maharaja's Palace and drive up to Chamundi Hill to admire the 12th-century Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and Nandi Bull.
Journey up into the cool climes of the Western Ghats to the beautiful hill station of Ooty. Relax and appreciate the peace and natural splendour of this quaint town.
All aboard the miniature, narrow gauge 'Toy Train' to the 2nd hill station of Coonoor. Upon arrival you will tour the tea plantation and enjoy the stunning mountain views. Return to Ooty by coach, to visit the botanical gardens and walk to a small village to meet the locals, gaining insight into their lives.
This morning you will depart for Coimbatore, driving driving through the hilly roads for 3 and half hours. Enjoy an afternoon city tour, visiting Sri Svetambra Vimalanthar Jain Temple and Athar Jamid Mosque.
Travel to Munnar, a hill station enveloped by lush tea plantations. In the afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum. This day is at altitude.
Today explore Eravikulam National Park where you will have the opportunity to spot the local wildlife (closed Feb-Apr, an alternative light trek will be available). Continue your journey to Thekkady, home of Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. This day is at altitude.
Though designated a Tiger Reserve in 1978, the Periyar Wildlife Reserve is best known for its elephants. Take a walk through the reserve, keeping an eye out for its resident elephant population, as well as wild dogs, barking deer, mouse deer and the elusive Bengal Tiger. Visit a spice village and browse a local market before enjoying a traditional Kalaripayattu (martial art) show this evening.
Travel to the coastal town of Kochi. This evening enjoy an exuberant Kathakali dance performance.
Take a full day tour of Kochi. Start at St Francis Church, the first European church built in India, before a visit to Santa Cruz Basilica, where you can get excellent views of more Chinese fishing nets. Finish by admiring the synagogue in the heart of the Jewish Quarter and a stroll around the nearby markets. Tonight, enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration hosted by a local family.
Travel to Alleppey where you’ll board your houseboat, stopping en route at Kumbalangi, a village created to highlight the lifestyle of fisher-folk in the area. Later board your houseboat a converted rice barge, known as a kettuvallam. Sit back and watch life on the water and the surrounding, untouched wilderness as you cruise unhurriedly along the canals. A delicious dinner of traditional cuisine will be served on board and you'll spend a comfortable night on the water.
Take breakfast on your boat before disembarking and heading for the beach town of Kovalam. Stop on the way in Kerala's capital Trivandrum to discover the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Observatory and Sri Chitra Art Gallery.
Take a morning walking tour of the town and visit the lighthouse for sweeping coastal views. Bid farewell to your guide and companions from your group tour as the remainder of your stay is at leisure, with no scheduled sightseeing, touring or guide services included. You will be free to enjoy the resort and surrounding area independently.
Bid farewell to the rest of your group and travel to your beach resort, home for the next five days. Set along Kerala’s lush, tropical coastline, Kovalam is centred around three crescentshaped beaches – Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra – separated by rocky headlands. Each offers soft sands and the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, and watersports options like surfing and paddleboarding. Between your resort and these beautiful beaches, you have plenty of options of places to sit back and soak up the sun. The next few days will be on a private basis with no escorted touring included.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
Our tours feature hand-picked properties selected for their comfort, modern amenities and convenient location for sightseeing. We occasionally include a stay in a guesthouse or lodge where we feel the character of the property will enhance your tour, or to allow access to a more unique and memorable location. Here is a taster of the type of hotels you will be staying in on your tour.
The best time to visit India is from November to March when you’ll enjoy pleasant warm dry days and low humidity.
Places Visited: UK - Chennai (2N) - Mamallapuram (1N) - Bangalore (1N) - Mysore (1N) - Ooty (2N) - Coimbatore (1N) - Munnar (1N) - Thekkady (2N) - Kochi (2N) - Kerala Houseboat (1N) - Kovalam (4N) - Trivandrum - UK
An all-day dining restaurant offering a wide selection of global cuisine alongside Indian and traditional Kerala dishes. Set beside the infinity pool, it features both indoor and outdoor seating with sweeping views of the Arabian Sea.
Cuisine: International & Indian – buffet & à la carte
Location: Lobby level
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 10:30, 12:30 – 15:00, 19:00 – 23:00
Seating: Indoor & outdoor seating
Extras: Ocean views, buffet & live cooking
A beachfront restaurant specialising in fresh seafood and pan-Asian cuisine, The Tides offers a relaxed open-air setting just steps from the ocean. Enjoy signature dishes and ocean views in a serene coastal atmosphere.
Cuisine: Pan-Asian & Seafood – à la carte
Location: Beachfront
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 22:30
Seating: Outdoor & beachfront seating
Extras: Ocean views, live music (selected evenings)
Perched above the coastline, The Sky Bar offers a stylish setting for cocktails, light bites and sunset views. Enjoy a relaxed rooftop atmosphere with panoramic vistas across the Arabian Sea.
Cuisine: Light bites & beverages
Location: Near pool deck (rooftop level)
Opening Hours: 17:00 – 23:00
Seating: Outdoor terrace seating
Extras: Sunset views, cocktail
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