Kerala & the Tropical South

Find peace and paradise in India’s two southernmost states: Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Kerala & the Tropical South

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Trip Fee

$ 1.905

Single Room Difference

$ 600

Date

20 September - 03 October 2026

Trip Information

Discover the laidback side of India with a cultural adventure in the tropical south. Over two weeks, we explore the distinct states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, finding idyllic coastlines, spirituality, lush mountains and culture-rich cities. The highlights are plenty: discover the verdant Munnar tea plantations, meet local people on an immersive village walk and cruise the serene backwaters of Kerala on a traditional converted rice barge. It ends with a relaxing stay on the old hippie trail beach town of Kovalam.

Activity Areas

Cultural Wonders
Culture
Culture Bestsellers
Festival Holidays
Natural Wonders

Region & Country & City

Asia: India, Kerala

Included in the Price

All accommodation: 3 Superior nights (hotels), 10 Classic nights (9 hotels, 1 houseboat)
- All breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners
- Immersive itinerary with all transport (private air-conditioned bus) and listed activities
- Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
- Group arrival and departure transfers available

Not Included In The Price

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. Also, check out India's Golden Triangle, which you can combine with this adventure.

Map

Itinerary

Day 1 Adventure starts in Kochi • Optional afternoon harbour cruise around Fort Kochi and explore historic spice port

The adventure begins in Kochi (also known as Cochin), a historic port city on the Malabar Coast. There is an optional harbour cruise around Fort Kochi this afternoon for those who can arrive by 1pm. Otherwise at around 6pm, say namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Want more time in Kochi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Day 2 Sightseeing around Kochi

Today we take a sightseeing tour of Kochi, taking in the adjacent historic neighbourhoods of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. In Fort Kochi, we’ll visit St Francis Church, where Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama died in 1524; see Santa Cruz Cathedral, originally used as a warehouse by the British; and wander past fishing nets lining the harbour entrance, which were introduced by the Chinese in the late-14th century. In Mattancherry, we visit Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in the mid-1500s in a traditional Keralan style, and Jew Town, once home to a Jewish community and now a great place to peruse antique shops and warehouses. Those interested can visit Thomas Chettan in the Little Queen Embroidery shop to learn about hand lace work, a dying art using bobbin lace. There is the option in the late afternoon to see a Kathakali dance performance. Please note, a similar show is also available in Periyar on Day 8.

Day 3 To Munnar • Afternoon visit to Srishi, a social service organisation for tea pickers

After breakfast, we drive away from the coastal plain to Munnar, which is set among the highest mountains in Kerala. The drive is 100mi (160km) and should take approximately five to six hours. Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats, once a summer resort for the British government. It is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams (Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii and Kundala) and is surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates. Anamudi, the highest peak in southern India at 9,725ft (2,695m), dominates the skyline and the many smaller peaks are a walker’s paradise. In the afternoon, we visit Srishti, a charitable trust aiming to improve life for people with disabilities from the tea planter families of Munnar. They are trained for three industries – deli (bakery), aranya (cloth dyeing) and atulya (paper making). It’s wonderful to see their work and learn about the organic products used for dyeing and making paper. Please note, the Srishti organisation is closed on public/religious holidays and may also close at short notice due to operational reasons. Your tour leader will update you on any changes to the itinerary in these instances.

Day 4 Morning trek through tea plantations and the Munnar hills

After an early breakfast, we take a short drive through old Munnar and travel down to the tiny village of Nagarmudi, where we start our trek accompanied by a local guide. It begins with a long, gradual ascent winding through tea plantations and then climbs into the Seven Malai Hills. Our hard work is rewarded with spectacular views over Chittrapuram Dam, Changulam Lake, Anamudi, Munnar and other villages (weather dependent). We then descend back to our vehicle. Please note, there are a couple of steep ascents and descents on this trek, but the pace is slow and steady with plenty of rest stops along the way. In the afternoon, there is also an optional visit to a tea museum followed by an optional tea-tasting session.

Day 5 To Madurai • Optional closing ceremony at the Sri Meenakshi Temple

Leaving Kerala, we drive 100mi (165km) through the hills to the colourful temple town of Madurai, in Tamil Nadu. The drive should take approximately six to seven hours, arriving mid-afternoon. After an early dinner, you can join an optional tour to witness the nightly closing ceremony at the Sri Meenakshi Temple. You are whisked into the city centre in a tuk tuk convoy, led by your local guide, to a historic Hindu temple on the bank of the River Vaigai dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareshwara. The ceremony can happen at any time after the temple closes for the night (approximately 9.30pm), so you may need to wait for an hour or so to witness the extraordinary procession but it’s well worth it. Your local guide will walk you through the temple explaining the purpose of the ceremony and bringing the temple history and culture to life. We recommend applying mosquito repellent before leaving for the temple (including feet as you are barefoot inside). You will likely be back at the hotel, depending on the ceremony time, between 10.30pm and 11pm.

Day 6 Dawn city walk with Sri Meenakshi Temple visit • Afternoon Thirumalai Nayaka Palace, Gandhi Memorial Museum and flower market tour

We rise early morning for what many consider a highlight of this trip! Walking in small groups through Madurai as the sunrises and the city wakes, we observe the community going about their everyday life: milking cows, creating kolams (intricate artworks on the floor) and preparing breakfast at roadside food stalls. Along the way, try local drinks and a snack to keep you going. Ending the morning walk at the most famous landmark in the city, we visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple, an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture, built between the 16th and 18th century. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. We return to the hotel for a late breakfast and relax. This afternoon, we delve back into the city, this time taking in the Thirumalai Nayaka Palace, built in 1636 in the Indo-Mughal style by the Nayak dynasty, and the Gandhi Memorial Museum, where you can see a visual biography of Gandhi containing photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and copies of his letters. After the memorial visit, we stop at the local flower market before returning to the hotel. In the evening, there are many restaurants to visit; some of the best are on rooftops with fantastic city views.

Day 7 To Thekkady • Cooking demonstration in local family home

Leaving Madurai in the morning, we drive to the small bustling village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu (driving time approximately four to five hours). In the afternoon, we have free time to explore the village and bazaar, where we can visit shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, turmeric and other spices. The whole area is a centre for spice growing, and this evening there is a short walk around a spice garden, where we see many different spices growing. In evening, we then have a special dinner and cooking demonstration with a local family in their home, where we learn firsthand from our host about the local culture and cuisine.

Day 8 Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary • Optional boat trip on the lake

Before breakfast, we join our local guide for a nature walk in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the largest parks in India (approximately two to three hours) and return to our hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, there is the option to join a boat cruise on the lake, in which you could spot elephants, otters, wild pigs and buffalos. There is also an abundance of bird life – kingfishers, storks and hornbills are the most spotted. Your onboard guides can help you capture great photos, using clever techniques with their binoculars. Tickets can be purchased online in advance (approximately 900 rupees/US$10.90 per person, minimum four people). We recommend doing this to avoid a long wait at the ticket office. Please inform your leader on Day 1 if you wish to book this in advance as it’s also popular with domestic tourists and last-minute booking requests may lead to disappointment. Other optional activities today include an Ayurvedic massage, Kathakali dance show, and a martial arts performance.

Day 9 To Kumarakom • Walk through rubber plantation • Traditional Keralan meal with local family

We head to Kumarakom today, a cluster of small, picturesque islands around Vembanad Lake. The journey takes around 3hr 45min, but we stop en route at the Kanjirapally Plantation Bungalow, which sits within a serene rubber plantation. Here we take a walk through the estate and watch a rubber-tapping demonstration, before a traditional Keralan lunch with the resident family.

Day 10 Interactive walk through Manjira village • Visit Coir Museum • Houseboat cruise

We start before breakfast today (approximately 6am) to embark on a village exploration in the cool morning air. The journey begins in a shikhara boat, cruising to the banks of Manjira village. Through our local guide and the community, we learn about many of their practices and products, including the art of climbing a coconut tree and coconut leaf weaving. We also see a skilled fisherman cast his net and enjoy a stroll by the green paddies. For a light refreshment, try a freshly cut coconut before learning about (and sampling) fresh Kerala toddy, a specialty of the area. Return to the hotel for breakfast before checking out and continuing our journey. Stopping en route, we visit the Coir Museum, learning how coconut husks were historically manufactured and how so many products we use daily are created. At midday, we board a houseboat and journey along the Kerala backwaters and open lakes – one of the trip highlights! These enchanting boats, built of anjili (wild jack) wood and bamboo, transported goods for hundreds of years; now, they have been decorated and made into comfortable cruise boats. As we meander through tropical vegetation, we can see prolific bird life and gain a different perspective on village life. The cruise takes us along shallow, palm-fringed canals where coconut fibre, coconut meat, and cashews are loaded onto dugout canoes and then opens up to broad lakes, where you can spot and photograph a wide variety of birds. In the evening, we anchor by a bank and watch the sun set over the paddy fields.

Day 11 Drive along the Malabar Coast to Kovalam beach town • Visit Mannarasala temple

After breakfast, we leave our houseboat in Alleppey and drive (approximately six hours) along the scenic Malabar Coast to the beach town of Kovalam. We visit Mannarasala temple en route, which is decorated with more than 100,000 snake images. Couples seeking fertility come here and your tour leader will explain the origin of snake worshiping. Continuing, we stop in Quilon for a tea break before arriving at our destination. Once a relaxing hideaway on the old hippie trail, Kovalam has now been discovered, but the influx of tourism has not diminished this beautiful setting. Our hotel is on a cliff with easy access to the beach below.

Day 12 Free day to explore the coastal town Kovalam or join an optional trip to Kanyakumari

Today is free to unwind on the sandy beach or visit the shops for last-minute souvenirs. This is a great chance to enjoy fresh seafood from one of the many small beach restaurants. Try tandoori dishes – the clay ovens add an exquisite taste to bread and curries. You could also join an optional day’s sightseeing from Kovalam to Kanyakumari, the end point of India where three oceans meet: the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. If it’s open, the trip can also take in the old wooden palace at Padmanabhapuram (extra cost), a wonderful building with fantastic wood carvings, and the Hindu temple at Suchindran, with amazing stone carvings. This trip can be booked and paid for locally. Please note, it is a long day (approximately 8am-6pm) and roads can be prone to traffic delays, but it’s always a popular activity.

Day 13 Morning at leisure • Afternoon tour of Thiruvananthapuram

This morning is free, allowing you the chance to make use of the hotel pool or unwind on the beach. Alternatively, you could join an optional excursion to Vizhinjam. A trip to this popular harbour and fishing village gives you the chance to see fishermen readying and repairing their nets and taking part in the fish auction. In the afternoon, we explore Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Here, we see the impressive golden façade of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the richest temples in India. We also visit the Kuthiramalika Palace, built in 1840 for maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma; the Napier Museum, an art and natural history museum, and the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, which showcases the work of Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma and more.

Day 14 Adventure ends in Kovalam

The adventure ends today. Begin your return journey home or, if you’d like a bit more time to explore Kovalam, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Travel Dates

20 September - 03 October 2026 $ 1.905

04 - 17 October 2026 $ 2.055

11 - 24 October 2026 $ 1.860

18 - 31 October 2026 $ 2.055

25 October - 07 November 2026 $ 2.055

01 - 14 November 2026 $ 1.920

08 - 21 November 2026 $ 2.550

15 - 28 November 2026 $ 2.055

22 November - 05 December 2026 $ 2.055

29 November - 12 December 2026 $ 2.055

06 - 19 December 2026 $ 1.920

20 December 2026 - 02 January 2027 $ 2.400

10 - 23 January 2027 $ 2.055

17 - 30 January 2027 $ 1.950

24 January - 06 February 2027 $ 2.055

31 January - 13 February 2027 $ 2.055

07 - 20 February 2027 $ 2.055

14 - 27 February 2027 $ 2.055

21 February - 06 March 2027 $ 2.055

28 February - 13 March 2027 $ 2.055

07 - 20 March 2027 $ 2.055

14 - 27 March 2027 $ 1.950

21 March - 03 April 2027 $ 1.950

28 March - 10 April 2027 $ 1.950

02 - 15 April 2027 $ 1.875

11 - 24 April 2027 $ 1.875

19 September - 02 October 2027 $ 1.875

26 September - 09 October 2027 $ 1.875

03 - 16 October 2027 $ 1.950

10 - 23 October 2027 $ 1.950

17 - 30 October 2027 $ 1.950

24 October - 06 November 2027 $ 1.950

31 October - 13 November 2027 $ 1.950

07 - 20 November 2027 $ 1.950

14 - 27 November 2027 $ 1.950

21 November - 04 December 2027 $ 1.950

28 November - 11 December 2027 $ 1.950

05 - 18 December 2027 $ 1.950

09 - 22 January 2028 $ 2.025

16 - 29 January 2028 $ 2.025

23 January - 05 February 2028 $ 2.025

30 January - 12 February 2028 $ 2.025

06 - 19 February 2028 $ 2.025

13 - 26 February 2028 $ 2.025

20 February - 04 March 2028 $ 2.025

27 February - 11 March 2028 $ 2.025

05 - 18 March 2028 $ 2.025

12 - 25 March 2028 $ 2.025

19 March - 01 April 2028 $ 2.025

26 March - 08 April 2028 $ 2.025

02 - 15 April 2028 $ 1.950

09 - 22 April 2028 $ 1.950

16 - 29 April 2028 $ 1.950

24 September - 07 October 2028 $ 1.950

01 - 14 October 2028 $ 2.025

08 - 21 October 2028 $ 2.025

15 - 28 October 2028 $ 2.025

22 October - 04 November 2028 $ 2.025

29 October - 11 November 2028 $ 2.025

05 - 18 November 2028 $ 2.025

12 - 25 November 2028 $ 2.025

19 November - 02 December 2028 $ 2.025

26 November - 09 December 2028 $ 2.025

03 - 16 December 2028 $ 2.025

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