Southern India: Backwaters, Temples & Spice Gardens — 14 Days
Kerala backwaters to Madurai temples, train and boat travel, 14 days
This 14-day journey moves through South India's principal cultural and geographic zones — Kerala's waterways and spice plantations, Tamil Nadu's temple architecture, and the Deccan highlands of Mysore. The itinerary combines guided temple tours and plantation walks with extended free time for solo exploration, traveling by train, regional bus, private vehicle, and country boat. Accommodation spans hotels in Kochi, Bangalore, Mysore, Mamallapuram, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Thekkady, with one night in a homestay within a Kerala backwater village. A local guide leads the group throughout; meals include select breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at various stops, with vegetarian options available.
Highlights
- Country boat journey at sunset through Kerala backwaters with overnight homestay in a village south of Allepey
- Shore Temple at Mamallapuram — a 7th-century UNESCO World Heritage complex, viewed at sunrise
- Meenakshi Temple in Madurai — a sprawling, active temple complex and example of Dravidian architecture
- Mysore Palace — an Indo-Saracenic structure with guided interior tour
- Spice and tea plantations in Thekkady and the Cardamom Hills, adjacent to Periyar National Park
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangapatna and Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur — two of South India's oldest stone temples
- Kathakali dance performance in Kochi, a classical form of Kerala theatre
- Fort Kochi's colonial architecture, Chinese fishing nets, and harbour setting
- Chettinad villages near Kanadukathan — traditional houses known for ornamental tilework and spatial design
Day by day
1Arrival in Kochihotel · harbour
Arrival at Kochi is unscheduled; travellers check into the hotel at any time. The evening begins with a welcome meeting followed by a visit to the harbour to view the Chinese fishing nets at sunset. An optional group dinner is available.
2Fort Kochi Walking Tour and Overnight Train to BangaloreFort Kochi · Fort Kochi to Bangalore
A guided walking tour covers the cobblestone streets and colonial buildings of Fort Kochi. The remainder of the day is unstructured. In the evening, an overnight train departs for Bangalore.
3Bangalore — Lal Bagh Botanical Garden and City OrientationBangalore · Lal Bagh Botanical Garden
The train arrives in Bangalore in the morning. After breakfast, the group tours Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, walking through greenhouses and viewing ornamental sculptures. The afternoon is free to visit the city independently. An orientation walk through Bangalore's main commercial streets takes place in the evening.
4Srirangapatna and Mysore — Temples and Palace ApproachSrirangapatna · Mysore · Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple · Tipu Sultan's tomb · Devraja Market
A drive from Bangalore leads to Srirangapatna, where visits include the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and Tipu Sultan's tomb. The route then continues south to Mysore. Afternoon time is free; an evening orientation walk follows at Devraja Market, with an optional group dinner available.
5Mysore — Chamundi Hills, Palace, and CathedralMysore · Chamundeshwari Temple at Chamundi Hills · Mysore Palace · St. Philomena Cathedral
Guided visits cover Chamundeshwari Temple at Chamundi Hills, Mysore Palace, and St. Philomena Cathedral. The remainder of the day is left open for independent exploration of the city.
6Train to Chennai and Transfer to MamallapuramChennai · Mysore
An early train from Mysore travels to Chennai; travellers then transfer by private vehicle to Mamallapuram, arriving in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is unstructured.
7Shore Temple at Sunrise and Mamallapuram ExplorationMamallapuram · Shore Temple complex
An early morning guided tour visits the Shore Temple complex, a collection of temples and shrines dating to the 7th century and known as one of India's oldest stone temples. The walk concludes at sunrise. The remainder of the day is free; many participants use this time for a beach visit or yoga practice.
8Mamallapuram to Thanjavur — Bronze Sculptures and Brihadeeswarar TempleBrihadeeswarar Temple · Chennai · local markets · Mamallapuram to Chennai
A drive from Mamallapuram leads to Chennai, where travellers board an afternoon train to Thanjavur. After settling in, a visit to Brihadeeswarar Temple — a stone structure more than 200 feet tall — takes place, followed by a walk through local markets.
9Chettinad Villages and Arrival in MaduraiChettinad villages · Madurai · Kanadukathan
A morning drive to Kanadukathan leads to a visit of Chettinad villages — a collection of more than 75 settlements known for traditional architecture, including large residences with ornamental tiles and spacious interiors. The route then continues south to Madurai, historically linked in local tradition to the goddess Parvati in her form as Meenakshi.
10Madurai — Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Meenakshi Temple, and Food TourMadurai · Thirumalai Nayakar Palace · Meenakshi Temple
Guided tours visit Thirumalai Nayakar Palace and Meenakshi Temple, the latter a large active temple complex with multiple courtyards and gopurams. Madurai holds status as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. An afternoon walking food tour through local markets and streets follows.
11Thekkady — Spice and Tea Plantations in the Cardamom HillsThekkady · spice and tea plantations in the Cardamom Hills · Periyar Lake
A morning drive from Madurai leads to Thekkady, situated adjacent to Periyar National Park. Thekkady is known as the spice capital of India. A guided tour of spice and tea plantations in the Cardamom Hills is included. The afternoon is free to pursue independent activities — options include a boat tour on Periyar Lake or an Ayurvedic massage.
12Kerala Backwaters Homestay — Village and Sunset Boat JourneyKerala backwaters · Thekkady to Allepey · Kerala backwaters village homestay · Kerala backwaters village
Travel from Thekkady descends to Allepey, where travellers board a private boat for a short journey to a village homestay in the Kerala backwaters. An afternoon walk with a local resident offers observation of daily life and an opportunity to meet inhabitants of this region. Before sunset, a small country boat carries the group through the winding backwaters to view the sunset alongside local fishermen and villagers. Main luggage is transferred directly to the hotel in Kochi; travellers carry only an overnight bag to the homestay.
13Kerala Backwaters to Kochi — Women's Cooperative and Kathakali PerformanceKochi · TWE
The morning is spent with the homestay host family before departure for Kochi. En route, a stop at TWE — a women's cooperative and social enterprise supported by the tour operator — provides lunch. An orientation walk through Kochi follows arrival. The evening features a Kathakali performance, a classical dance form of Kerala, held against the backdrop of colonial architecture.
14Departure from Kochi
Departure at any time.
Where you go
- 1hotel
Included
- What's Included
- Accommodation
- Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).
- Meals
- Breakfasts: 2, Lunches: 2, Dinners: 2
- Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
- Vegetarian options available
- Local Guide
- Guided
- This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
- Wifi
- Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.