Incredible South India

Incredible South India

Tour Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Group Tour
Sip a cup of strong, aromatic filter coffee, enjoy soft dosas and experience hospitality at its best as you explore the many intricate temples, the calming notes of Carnatic music and some of the most spectacular dance performances on our top tours across South India. 
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Tour Highlights

The incredibility of South India lies in its umbrageous landscape, pristine coastal line, boundless tea and spice plantations and the soothing air over it. One has no choice but to delve in and seep in the mystical beauty of South India. Encapsulating the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, travelers who wants to experience the peculiarity of cuisines and lifestyle across the peninsular India; must join us on this unique journey.

The itinerary embarks at Kerala; commonly referred to as ‘The God’s Own Country’ wherein the travelers spend the upcoming 7 nights de-stressing with the serenity the awesome landscape offers. The tranquil backwaters, lush green surroundings, the beautiful tea estates and spice plantations. You’ll wrap up this city with a pampering Ayurvedic massage therapy.

Further we travel to visit the state just next to Kerala, i.e. Tamil Nadu, where we discover the rich cultural heritage of south India with the grandeur of the temples at Madurai and Thanjavur. Then we proceed to see the mini France of India – Pondicherry. A former French colony that still retains some bits and pieces of the French culture. The journey completes with a visit to the Shore temples of Mahabalipuram (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site) and Marina beach in the last southern city called Chennai.

World Heritage Sites

UNESCO-listed landmarks you will visit or explore on this itinerary.

2 sites

Tour Itinerary at Glance

Day 1: Arrive Cochin
Day 2: Cochin
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 3: Cochin/ Thekkady (Drive: 195 km/ 5 Hours)
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 4: Thekkady
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 5: Thekkady/ Alleppey (Drive: 170 Km/ 4 ½ Hours)
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 6: Alleppey/ Kovalam (Drive: 175 Km/ 4 Hours)
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 7: Kovalam
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 8: Kovalam/ Kanyakumari/ Madurai (Drive: 327 Km/ 7- 8 Hours)
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 9: Madurai
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 10: Madurai/ Tanjore (Drive: 195 Km/ 4 Hours)
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 11: Tanjore/ Pondicherry (Drive: 200 Km/ 4 Hours)
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 12: Pondicherry / Mahabalipuram/ Chennai (Drive: 195 Km/ 4 Hours)
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 13: Chennai
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Day 14: Chennai / Onward destination
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • - Breakfast
  • - Lunch
  • - Dinner

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

  1. Whats included in this tour
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • Hotels as mentioned or similar
    • All sightseeing and transfers by Air-conditioned transportation
    • Services of English Speaking guide for sightseeing (Local guides for 1-5 Pax and tour escort throughout the tour for 6 pax and above)
    • Entrances fees
    • Harbor Cruise in Cochin
    • 01 Rejuvenation Massage for 01 Hour at Kovalam  
    • Kathakali Dance performance -Cochin
    • Boat Ride at Lake Periyar –Thekkady
    • Guided Jungle Walking Tour -Thekkady
    • Spice Plantation tour- Thekkady
  1. Whats not included in this tour
    • Any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary.
    • International airfare & departure taxes
    • Insurance & visa fees
    • Drinks/beverages with meals
    • Tips/gratuities
The tour package booking terms and conditions

Before you book a trip with “Bestway2india.com”- An online trading entity of Bestway Tours and Safaris Pvt Ltd , please take the time to read and understand the booking terms and conditions & additional special conditions which apply to certain trips ,themes and promotional offers. These booking conditions form the basis of your contract with “Bestway Tours & Safaris Pvt. Ltd, Suite 403, Suncity Trade Tower, Sector 21, Gurgaon (National Capital Region), Haryana – 122016, (India) , A company incorporated under Indian companies ACT 1956 vide registration number 55-51646

By asking us to confirm your booking, you confirm that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions, Essential trip information, Inclusions & Exclusions and cancellation & refund policy and agree to be bound by them.

These booking conditions only apply to holiday arrangements which you book with us on https://www.bestway2india.com (An online trading entity of Bestway Tours & Safaris Pvt Ltd) and which we agree to make , provide, or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions, to “holiday”, “booking”, “contract”, “package”, “tour” or “arrangements” mean such holiday arrangements unless otherwise stated.

Essential Trip Information

  • The prices are Per Person on twin sharing basis.

  • The price is only valid for the mentioned departure date.

  • Please note that smoking is prohibited in public and all parts of the hotels except in designated areas and bedrooms, where smoking is permitted.  Should you desire a smoking bedroom, please let us know.  The fulfillment of this request is subject to availability of smoking rooms and is not guaranteed. 

  • Unless specified, check-in at hotels in India is at 14:00 Hrs and check out is at 12:00 Hrs

  • Our liability does not arise in case of Force Majeure (political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc.)

  • Reporting time at the International at the airport is generally 3 hrs prior to departure of the flight.

  • Please note that smoking is prohibited in public and all parts of the hotels except in designated areas and bedrooms, where smoking is permitted.  Should you desire a smoking bedroom, please let us know.  The fulfilment of this request is subject to availability.

Booking Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policy

The following booking deposit and cancellation policy applies. 

Booking Deposit : 15 % of the Tour amount. 

If you cancel the tour the following cancellation policy will apply

Cancellation received 

45 days or more - 15 % including deposit

44 days - 31 Days - 25 % including deposit.  

30 days - 15 days - 50 % including deposit 

14 days or less - 100 % including deposit .  

Expand All
  1. Day 1 - Arrive Cochin
    Namaste – Welcome to India! Upon arrival we are greeted the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. We are then transferred to our hotel and have the balance of the day free. 
  2. Day 2 - Cochin
    chinese-fishing-nets-cochin In the morning we explore Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, Kerala’s commercial capital with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. We visit St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India. Vasco De Gama was buried here before his remains were taken back to Portugal. Next we visit the Roman Catholic Santa Cruz Cathedral built by the Portuguese in the 16th century; which is famous for beautiful paintings on its ceiling. We continue to the Jewish Quarter with its Old Synagogue and the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese. Later we take a boat cruise to visit Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action. In the evening we enjoy Kathakali Dance Performance. This dramatized presentation of a play usually based on the Hindu epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas, is a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  3. Day 3 - Cochin/ Thekkady (Drive: 195 km/ 5 Hours)
    After breakfast we drive to Thekkady to check in our hotel. The area is famous for its spice plantations. In the afternoon we will visit a spice plantation, where cardamom, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, all spice, and tea are grown. We will also see Ayurvedic medicinal plants and will have the opportunity to buy some garden-fresh spices. In the evening we return to our hotel for dinner.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  4. Day 4 - Thekkady
    periyar-national-park-thekkady Our day starts with a jungle walk at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the early morning, after which we return to our hotel for breakfast. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the world’s most fascinating natural wildlife reserves. Spread across 777 square kilometres it was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. In the afternoon we enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat by the water's edge. We are likely to see animals like boars, Sambars, wild dogs, Langur monkeys and wild elephants. The sanctuary is also a haven for water birds and we can see plenty of darters, grey herons, egrets and kingfishers. The evening is free to explore the local bazaar in Thekkady and purchase some of the famous spices grown in the area.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  5. Day 5 - Thekkady/ Alleppey (Drive: 170 Km/ 4 ½ Hours)
    houseboat-alleppey Today we drive to Alleppey. On arrival in Alleppey we board our traditional houseboat and begin our journey through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing in the tranquility of Kerala's beautiful scenery. On our journey we come across many boats, canoes and other crafts, as we observe the traditional way of life and activities of the local people.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  6. Day 6 - Alleppey/ Kovalam (Drive: 175 Km/ 4 Hours)
    kovalam-beach We enjoy breakfast on board, sail to Alleppey and disembark at the Puthenagady Jetty. A comfortable drive gets us to beautiful Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast near Trivandrum. We then get to relax by the beach with endless white sands by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea in secluded coconut groves.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  7. Day 7 - Kovalam
    kovalam-beach Enjoy 01 Rejuvenation Massage (01 Hour) and free day to relax on the beach.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  8. Day 8 - Kovalam/ Kanyakumari/ Madurai (Drive: 327 Km/ 7- 8 Hours)
    After breakfast we leave for Madurai en-route visiting Kanyakumari, the “Lands’ End" of India on the way. Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of peninsular India where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. We visit the Temple of Goddess Kumari, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in the sea where Swami Vivekananda mediated. After lunch we continue our journey to Madurai. On arrival, we check in our Hotel.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  9. Day 9 - Madurai
    meenakshi-temple-madurai Today we explore Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. The city revolves around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a structure in the Dravidian style of architecture.  The complex houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers) ranging from 45-50m in height, the tallest being the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high, and two golden sculptured shrines over sanctum of the main deities. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure was built from 1623 to 1655. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple and amongst the highlights are the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, the Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the Temple Art Museum. In the evening we enjoy night closing ceremony of the Temple.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  10. Day 10 - Madurai/ Tanjore (Drive: 195 Km/ 4 Hours)
    brihadeeswarar-temple-tanjore After breakfast we drive to Thanjavur and check in at our hotel. Thanjavur is popularly known as Tanjore.  In the afternoon we explore the Brihadisvara Temple, one of the Great Living Chola Temples*. The temple, set in spacious grounds, has several pillared halls and shrines. Inscriptions record the names of dancers, musicians and poets a reminder of the significance of this area to the development of the arts in the 11th century. We end our tour of Tanjore with a visit to the Tanjore Palace & Museum, which has an eclectic collection of regal memorabilia most of it dating from the early 19th century
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  11. Day 11 - Tanjore/ Pondicherry (Drive: 200 Km/ 4 Hours)
    shri-arbindo-ashram-pondicherry After breakfast we drive to Pondicherry. This former French Colonial city in Tamil Nadu didn’t come under Indian rule until 1954. Pondicherry, otherwise known as Puducherry means a “New Hamlet” and is located on the Coromandal Coast. Its main attraction is actually outside of town: the ashram at Auroville, built by followers of Sri Aurobindo, a philosopher-prophet born in 1870, famous for his Integral Yoga and philosophical literary works. In the International Town where people from all over the world reside, we will find the Matrimandir, the famous monument built by the Auroville Society representing a lotus flower.  Today we will also visit the 400-year old Manakula Vinayagar Temple, which has several frescos telling the life story of a half human and half animal lord.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  12. Day 12 - Pondicherry / Mahabalipuram/ Chennai (Drive: 195 Km/ 4 Hours)
    five-rathas-archaeological-site-mahabalipuram After breakfast we drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival we visit the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram*. This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva.  After that, we continue our journey to Chennai. On arrival we check in our Hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  13. Day 13 - Chennai
    marina-beach-chennai We tour Chennai, visiting the National Art Gallery & Museum, which contains some of the best collections of bronzes in the country including the famous icon of Natraja. We continue to India's oldest surviving British church, St. Mary's Church, built in 1680. We end our tour with a visit to People’s Park and the beautiful Marina Beach and the clock towers
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  14. Day 14 - Chennai / Onward destination
    Today is free for shopping and other personal activities. Hotel Check out time is 12:00 Noon. In the evening we enjoy our farewell dinner at local well-known restaurant. After an incredible tour of the Best of South India, we are transferred to the international terminal for our flight home. We bid farewell to India after what will have been a memorable journey into history, culture, art, architecture, making new friends and lots of memories.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  • - Breakfast
  • - Lunch
  • - Dinner

* DENOTES UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES INCLUDED

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this tour — expand any item for details.

  1. 01 Is tipping included and if not, how much should I budget?

    Tips are not included in the tour price and tipping is entirely at your discretion.

  2. 02 Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour?

    Yes, in most cases we can arrange additional accommodation at our starting or ending hotels. Please contact our Specialist for price information. Please also note that extra accommodations must be booked outside of 30 days of departure.

  3. 03 Who are my travelling companions?

    For privacy reasons, we cannot provide you with advance details on your traveling companions. However, our tours appeal to a wide range of travelers, most of whom share a traveling passion and a desire to experience these destinations at a grass-roots level. Our tours are conducted in English and so they attract many travelers from Canada, North America, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

  4. 04 How many people can join a tour?

    We keep our group sizes very flexible. So a group of 7 or a group of 70, we welcome all with the same zeal and fondness.

  5. 05 What are the age restrictions on your tours?

    There are no upper age limits for most of our tours (although for tours under ‘Trekking in the Himalayas’ and ‘Himalayan Panorama’ requires a fit medical condition. For the same, we have a ‘Medical Form’ which is mandatory to be filled by all age groups). For children below the age of 12 years, a parent/guardian should be present. If an assistance is needed, it is to be mentioned at the time of booking. The same will be chargeable.

  6. 06 I'm a single traveler, will I be charged a single supplement?

    All of our trips have a single supplement. The cost and the details vary by trip, so please refer to each tour page for details.

  7. 07 Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?

    We use a variety of hotels en-route and a complete list of hotels is provided for your tour. Hotel voucher of each hotel registered for the tour is shared too.

  8. 08 Can I join a tour late or leave it early?

    It is possible to join a tour late or leave a tour early. Though you would be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary please consult our Specialist before you book your tour.

  9. 09 Are airport transfers included?

    All of our tours include airport transfers and the prices for the same are included in our tour rates.

  10. 10 What type of ground transportation is used on your tours?

    Our ‘General Conditions’ includes the details of all the transports used during the entire service. The details can be found on each individual tour page.

  11. 11 Do your tours include international airfare?

    Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours and it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. We would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking.

  12. 12 What clothing should I pack for one of your tours?

    We always recommend packing as light as possible however the specific requirements for your tour will vary widely depending on where and when you are traveling. Our 'General Conditions' includes a suggested packing list and these can be downloaded from each individual tour page. The checklist is tour specific and based upon the experience of our ground staff.

  13. 13 What vaccinations are recommended for this tour?

    It's important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic. Below are the links to a number of websites that contain excellent background information related to travel health issues. Nevertheless, these websites are no substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional. For Canadian Citizens: www.travel.gc.ca For American Citizens: www.nc.cdc.gov For UK Citizens: www.travelhealthpro.org For Australian Citizens: www.travelvax.com For EU Citizens: www.healthhype.com

     

  14. 14 What is the most appropriate type of luggage to bring?

    We strongly recommend bringing a backpack or a duffel bag, as suitcases can be cumbersome and difficult to store in buses, under seats, etc. Keep in mind that you will normally have to carry your own luggage on and off buses and trains and up and down hotel staircases.

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