Southern India by Rail and Village — 15 Days
From Kerala's backwaters and Western Ghats spice plantations to temple cities and Periyar wildlife sanctuary, by train and homestay
This 15-day journey moves through four distinct landscapes of South India: the spice-trading ports and backwaters of Kerala, the tea estates and hill stations of the Nilgiri range, the temple cities and plains of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and the wildlife sanctuaries of the Western Ghats. Travel primarily by train and private vehicle, staying in hotels, one overnight sleeper train, and a single night in a local family homestay. The route visits the Portuguese-era Dutch Palace in Kochi, the colonial-era Nilgiri toy train, the Maharaja's palace in Mysore, seventh-century temple ruins at Mamallapuram, the French Quarter of Puducherry, and the 2,500-year-old temple city of Madurai. Two days are spent in Periyar National Park, where leopards, elephants, and gaur inhabit the humid jungle of the Western Ghats — a mountain range older than the Himalayas and designated one of the world's most biodiverse regions.
Highlights
- Tea plantation visits and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train in Conoor and Ooty
- Mudumalai National Park safari across former Mysore Maharaja hunting grounds, now a Project Tiger reserve
- Mysore Palace interior, with mosaics, mirrors, and ornate design
- Seventh-century Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance bas-relief at Mamallapuram
- Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai — a five-level gopuram complex dedicated to Lord Shiva and goddess Meenakshi
- Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats — two guided nature walks through lush jungle in search of tigers, elephants, spotted deer, and gaur
- Spice plantation tour in Periyar
- Overnight homestay with a local family in Kerala backwaters, including a motorboat crossing and punt boat ride
- French colonial architecture and Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry
Day by day
1Kochi — Historic Port and Chinese Fishing NetsKochi · Fort Cochin shoreline
Arrival in Kochi, a coastal port city with centuries of maritime trade. Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule have left architectural and cultural layers throughout the city. The welcome meeting occurs at 6 p.m., allowing early arrivals time to wander. Chinese fishing nets — large wooden structures with counterweights used to haul nets — line the Fort Cochin shoreline. The city remains an active spice market centre.
2Kochi — Palace, Synagogue, and Kathakali DanceKochi · Mattancherry · Paradesi Synagogue · Fort Cochin
The day begins with a leader-led orientation walk and city tour. A local tuk-tuk travels to Mattancherry to visit the Dutch Palace, originally constructed by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century and later renovated by the Dutch before being presented to the Rajas of Cochin. The Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, houses rare antiques. Fort Cochin's spice bazaars and antique shops line narrow streets. In the evening, a Kathakali performance showcases a form of classical Keralan dance theatre that employs ornate costumes, heavy makeup, and precise body control to narrate mythological stories.
3Train to Conoor — Nilgiri Hills and Tea CountryConoor · Nilgiri hills · Coimbatore · your accommodation
Most of today unfolds in transit. Board a train to Coimbatore, then settle into your private vehicle for the drive into the Nilgiri hills, arriving in Conoor. This hill station sits amid sprawling tea estates, and the journey itself rewards attention — lush scenery rolls past, ideal for reading or conversation with fellow travellers. You'll gather for a group dinner at your accommodation once you arrive.
4Conoor and Ooty — Tea Estates and Toy TrainConoor · a functioning tea plantation · Nilgiri Mountain Railway · Botanical Gardens · the lake
An orientation walk through Conoor precedes a visit to a functioning tea plantation to learn the history of tea production in the region. The main activity is a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train, a narrow-gauge line that descends through mountain switchbacks with views across forested hills. Window seats allow extended landscape viewing. The remainder of the day is spent in Ooty (Ootacamund), exploring the Botanical Gardens — a collection of over 650 plant and tree species — or, optionally, taking a boat ride on the lake.
5Mudumalai National Park and Bandipur — Project Tiger SafariMudumalai National Park · Bandipur
A short drive by private vehicle leads to Bandipur, situated against the Nilgiri Hills backdrop. Mudumalai National Park, once a private hunting ground of the Mysore Maharaja, came under Project Tiger in 1974 and is now one of India's premier wildlife reserves. A guided safari searches for tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, and spotted deer, as well as the region's abundant birdlife. Wildlife encounters are not guaranteed, though the reserve remains one of South India's most reliable locations for close observation of large mammals.
6Mysore — Palace, Incense-Making, and Local FamilyMysore · Karnataka plains · local family home · Mysore Palace
Travel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore, an easy-going town with temperate climate suited to walking exploration. A visit to a local family home includes a traditional home-cooked lunch and an introduction to incense-making — a traditional Mysuru art form. The family demonstrates production methods and visitors may participate. An orientation walk follows. Mysore Palace, one of India's most ornate palaces, contains colourful interiors, mosaics, and mirrors throughout its chambers.
7Mysore — Temples and Overnight Train to ChennaiMysore · Chamundi Hill · Sri Chamundeswari Temple · Keshava Temple in Somnathpur · Tipu Sultan's mausoleum in Sriranga Patna
The morning includes a climb to Chamundi Hill and the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. Travel continues to the Keshava Temple in Somnathpur — an example of Hoysala architecture — and to Tipu Sultan's mausoleum in Sriranga Patna. Optional activities include palm reading or a film at a local cinema in Mysore. An overnight sleeper train departs for Chennai in the evening.
8Mamallapuram — Ancient Seaport and Stone Temple RuinsEast Coast Road · Shore Temple · Arjuna's Penance · Local stonemasons' open-air studios
After arrival in Chennai, travel by private vehicle down the scenic East Coast Road to Mamallapuram, an ancient seaport town. Exploration by tuk-tuk includes the seventh-century Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance — a monumental bas-relief rock carving. The town also contains numerous mandapams (pillared temple pavilions). Local stonemasons work in open-air studios. Downtime may be spent observing craftspeople or relaxing at a beachside restaurant.
9Puducherry — French Quarter and Sri Aurobindo AshramPuducherry · French Quarter · Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Private vehicle travel through palm trees and rice paddies leads to Puducherry (Pondicherry), once a French colonial possession. A leader-led walking tour visits local temples, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and the French Quarter. French colonial influence remains visible in town architecture, wide squares, and police uniforms.
10Madurai — Temple City and Sri Meenakshi AmmanMadurai · Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple
Arrival in Madurai, a city with Tamil roots spanning 2,500 years, making it among India's oldest inhabited cities. The Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and goddess Meenakshi, contains a lamp-lit labyrinth of corridors, chambers, and gopuram towers within its sprawling complex.
11Periyar National Park — Western Ghats Sanctuary and Spice PlantationPeriyar National Park and Tiger Reserve · local spice plantation · local family hosts
Travel by private vehicle along a winding road into the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, set high in the Western Ghats ranges amid lush jungle scenery. Periyar is the most popular wildlife sanctuary in South India. On this day and the next, guided nature walks through the reserve offer opportunity to observe wildlife in situ; encounters are not guaranteed. A tour of a local spice plantation follows. Dinner with the local family hosts includes authentic home-cooked South Indian dishes.
12Periyar — Jungle Walk and Optional Ayurvedic MassagePeriyar Wildlife Sanctuary · the accommodation in Periyar
A second guided nature walk ventures into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in search of tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants, and gaur — the world's largest buffalo species. The walk traverses humid jungle rather than following a designated animal-spotting trail. An optional ayurvedic massage may be taken at the accommodation in the afternoon, or guests may remain in the scenic setting for rest and reflection.
13Kerala Backwaters — Island Village Homestay and Motorboat CrossingKerala backwaters · island village · rubber, tea, and coffee plantations · waterways and lagoon landscape · local family home
Travel by private vehicle through rubber, tea, and coffee plantations en route to the Kerala backwaters. A motorboat transfers guests across the waterways to an island village where a single night is spent with a local family. A leisurely punt boat ride in the late afternoon visits the waterways and lagoon landscape. Evening includes a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal and conversation with host family members, offering insight into village livelihoods and local culture.
14Backwaters to Kochi — Free Day for Individual ExplorationBackwaters to Kochi · Kochi · Alleppey · Princess Street · a local restaurant
An early crossing by private boat to Alleppey is followed by a bus journey back to Kochi. The remainder of the day is unscheduled, allowing independent exploration. Suggested activities include shopping on Princess Street or booking a South Indian cooking class. The group leader holds additional recommendations. An optional group dinner at a local restaurant offers the chance to sample pazham pori (fried banana or plantain fritters) and shared reflection on the journey.
15Kochi — Departure
Departure occurs at any time, with no scheduled activities. Early checkout is possible. Extensions of stay may be arranged through the booking agent in advance.
Included
- What's Included
- Accommodation
- Homestay (1 night), Hotel (12 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
- Meals
- Breakfasts: 5, Lunches: 4, Dinners: 3
- 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.