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Explore the beaches, bazaars and backwaters of Southern India, from Chennai to Kovalam
Travel to India and embark on this classic southern India tour from Chennai to Kovalam Beach. Lush, tropical southern India is charming, captivating and hospitable. Discover a thousand shades of green and share smiles with the friendly local people. Experience the culture, religion and history of this region in its small rural towns, quaint fishing villages and scented spice plantations. This is a fabulous part of India includes Kerala and follows the road less travelled - without sacrificing too many creature comforts.
- Start
- Chennai, India
- Finish
- Kovalam, India
- Destination
- India
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PIES
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 12 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Discover a different side to India on east to west coast trip that takes in beaches and temples, hidden waterways and jungle, and rolling tea-covered mountains and spice plantations
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Chennai is a flurry of ordered chaos, but find peace at the magnificent Kapaleeshwarar Temple at its centre
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Explore the beautiful seaside town of Puducherry, a mix of idyllic and contemporary lifestyle
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Feel the weight of history and learn about the man who dedicated his life to the independence of India at The National Gandhi Museum
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Track footprints in search of wild elephants in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
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Ferry-hop between the islands of Fort Kochi to discover palaces, temples and Portuguese architecture at every turn
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In Kochi enjoy the trendy 1960' themed Art Deco feature stay hotel at the Grand Kochi Hotel
Is this trip right for you?
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There are a number of long travel days on this trip. Some journeys take up to six hours, but are a great opportunity to get to know locals, fellow travellers and the diverse scenery.
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The drive to Munnar on Day 9 is on windy roads into the mountains. Motion sickness can be an issue for some, but the scenery is stunning and regular stops will be made to break up your journey.
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Southern India can get very hot during the summer so remember to bring lots of water and a variety of clothing. Wearing light, loose layers is one of the best ways to tackle the heat.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Lemon Tree Hotel Guindy or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through us. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.Accommodation
- The Wildflower Resort & Spa or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- The Windflower Resort & Spa or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Auroville - Experimental township
- Puducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Poppy's Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Poppy's Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Madurai - Sri Meenakshi 1000 Pillar
- Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple
- Madurai - Gandhi Museum
- Madurai - Leader-led walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Rangerwood Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Periyar - Spice plantation visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Rangerwood Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Periyar - Guided nature walk
Optional Activities
- Periyar NP - Ayurvedic Massage - INR700
- Periyar - Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performance - INR200
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note the optional Ayurvedic massage price starts at INR 700. The range is INR 700–INR 4000.Accommodation
- Hotel Eastend or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Munnar - Tea Garden visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Eastend or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Munnar - Mattupetty Dam
- Munnar - Leader-led town walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- The Grand Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kochi - Kathakali performance
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that Kerala is officially a dry state, with alcohol sales and consumption limited to bars in 5 star hotels.Accommodation
- The Grand Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kochi - Ferry to Mattancherry
- Kochi - Jewish Synagogue
- Kochi - Dutch Palace
- Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Pickadaley Houseboat (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Uday Samudra Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kovalam - Leader-led walking tour
Optional Activities
- Kovalam - Anchuthengu Fort - INR50
- Kovalam - Koyikkal Palace - INR50
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinnerTransport
Boat, Private vehicleAccommodation
Comfortable hotel (12 nights), Houseboat Feature Stay (1 night)Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour
- Auroville - Experimental township
- Puducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tour
- Madurai - Sri Meenakshi 1000 Pillar
- Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple
- Madurai - Gandhi Museum
- Madurai - Leader-led walking tour
- Periyar - Spice plantation visit
- Periyar - Guided nature walk
- Munnar - Tea Garden visit
- Munnar - Mattupetty Dam
- Munnar - Leader-led town walking tour
- Kochi - Kathakali performance
- Kochi - Ferry to Mattancherry
- Kochi - Jewish Synagogue
- Kochi - Dutch Palace
- Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
- Kovalam - Leader-led walking tour
Dates & availability - 2021 season
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Essence of South India trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
Jump to a departure month
Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information