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Kerala & the Southern Highlights

19 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour

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Kerala & the Southern Highlights

Southern India offers an intensely tropical and laid-back experience compared to the north. Travel from its stunning hill stations to the tranquil backwaters on this in-depth journey.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 16 , Lunches: 15 , Dinners: 16
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    16 nights in 3/4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
Classic Group Tour
19 DAYS
From $8,180PP
Colonial Buildings of Chennai Periyar Wildlife Reserve Kerala Backwaters
19 Reviews
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Tour Highlights

Our Kerala & the Southern Highlights tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

Chennai (1N+1N) - Bangalore (1N) - Mysore (1N) - Coonoor (2N) - Ooty - Coimbatore (1N) - Munnar (1N) - Thekaddy (2N) - Kochi (2N) - Houseboat (1N) - Kovalam (2N) - Trivandrum
  • Days 1-2
    Fly To Chennai
    Dinner
    Days 1-2: Fly To Chennai

    Fly to the city of Chennai and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Discover Mamallapuram
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Discover Mamallapuram

    After breakfast and a tour introduction, you will travel to Mamallapuram. On arrival you will explore this coastal temple town, seeing the fascinating 7th and 8th-century rock carvings including the magnificent Shore Temple and the impressive Varaha Cave.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Chennai City
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Chennai City

    Return to Chennai. Formerly known as Madras, the city was developed as a British trading post and so is home to a number of colonial sights. A city tour begins at the 13 kilometre Marina Beach before a stop at Fort St. George, established by the East India Company, and the British built St. Mary’s Church. The final stop is the colourful Shiva Kapaleeswarar Temple.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Train To Bangalore
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Train To Bangalore

    Rise early to catch the Shatabdi Express to the garden city of Bangalore, where you will enjoy an afternoon city tour to see the Bull Temple, Tipu Sultan's Palace and Vidhana Soudha.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Mysore
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Mysore

    Head to Mysore, stopping at Srirangapatna Fort en route. Visit the magnificent Maharaja's Palace and drive to Chamundi Hill to admire the 12th-century Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and Nandi Bull. Tonight, enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration hosted by a local family.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Coonoor Hill Station
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Coonoor Hill Station

    Journey up into the cool climes of the Western Ghats to the beautiful hill station of Coonoor. Relax and appreciate the peace and natural splendour of this quaint town.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Ooty Mountain Railway
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8: Ooty Mountain Railway

    All aboard the miniature, narrow gauge 'Toy Train' to the 2nd hill station of Coonoor. Upon arrival you will tour the tea plantation and enjoy the stunning mountain views. Return to Ooty by coach, to visit the botanical gardens and walk to a small village to meet the locals, gaining insight into their lives.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Travel To Coimbatore
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9: Travel To Coimbatore

    This morning you will depart for Coimbatore, driving driving through the hilly roads for 3 and half hours. Enjoy an afternoon city tour, visiting Sri Svetambra Vimalanthar Jain Temple and Athar Jamid Mosque.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Munnar
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Munnar

    Travel to Munnar, a hill station enveloped by lush tea plantations. In the afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Travel To Thekkady
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Travel To Thekkady

    Today explore Eravikulam National Park where you will have the opportunity to spot the local wildlife (closed Feb-Apr, an alternative light trek will be available). Continue your journey to Thekkady, home of Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. This day is at altitude.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Periyar Wildlife Reserve
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 12: Periyar Wildlife Reserve

    Reserve is best known for its elephants. Take a walk through the reserve, keeping an eye out for its resident elephant population, as well as wild dogs, barking deer, mouse deer and the elusive Bengal Tiger. Visit a spice village and browse a local market before enjoying a traditional Kalaripayattu (martial art) show this evening.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Drive To Kochi
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Drive To Kochi

    Travel to the coastal town of Kochi. This evening enjoy an exuberant Kathakali dance performance.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Explore Kochi
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Explore Kochi

    Take a full day tour of Kochi. Start at St Francis Church, the first European church built in India, before a visit to Santa Cruz Basilica, where you can get excellent views of more Chinese fishing nets. Finish by admiring the synagogue in the heart of the Jewish Quarter and a stroll around the nearby markets.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Backwaters Cruising
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 15: Backwaters Cruising

    Travel to Kumarakom where you’ll board your houseboat, stopping en route at Kumbalangi, a village created to highlight the lifestyle of fisher-folk in the area. Later board your houseboat a converted rice barge, known as a kettuvallam. Sit back and watch life on the water and the surrounding, untouched wilderness as you cruise unhurriedly along the canals. A delicious dinner of traditional cuisine will be served on board and you'll spend a comfortable night on the water.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 16
    Discover Trivandruma
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 16: Discover Trivandruma

    Take breakfast on your boat before disembarking and heading for the beach town of Kovalam. Stop on the way in Kerala's capital Trivandrum to discover the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Observatory and Sri Chitra Art Gallery.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 17
    Relax In Kovalam
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 17: Relax In Kovalam

    This morning take a walking tour of the town and visit the lighthouse. The rest of the day is yours to relax or head to the beach, before a farewell dinner this evening.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 18-19
    Fly To New Zealand
    Breakfast
    Days 18-19: Fly To New Zealand

    Transfer to Trivandrum for your flight to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.

    Breakfast
Kerala & the Southern Highlights map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 21
    29
    25
  • 22
  • Coimbatore
  • 18
    30
    24
  • 5
  • Kochi
  • 23
    32
    27
  • 23
  • Kovalam
  • 23
    32
    28
  • 21
  • Munnar
  • 13
    22
    18
  • 18
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 2
  • Coimbatore
  • 20
    33
    26
  • 13
  • Kochi
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 26
  • Kovalam
  • 23
    32
    28
  • 26
  • Munnar
  • 14
    24
    19
  • 29
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 4
  • Coimbatore
  • 21
    36
    29
  • 15
  • Kochi
  • 25
    32
    29
  • 31
  • Kovalam
  • 24
    33
    28
  • 40
  • Munnar
  • 15
    25
    20
  • 47
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 26
    34
    30
  • 8
  • Coimbatore
  • 23
    37
    30
  • 48
  • Kochi
  • 26
    33
    29
  • 95
  • Kovalam
  • 25
    33
    29
  • 119
  • Munnar
  • 16
    26
    21
  • 129
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 28
    37
    32
  • 44
  • Coimbatore
  • 24
    35
    29
  • 71
  • Kochi
  • 26
    32
    29
  • 283
  • Kovalam
  • 25
    32
    28
  • 210
  • Munnar
  • 17
    26
    21
  • 189
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 28
    37
    32
  • 56
  • Coimbatore
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 27
  • Kochi
  • 24
    30
    27
  • 706
  • Kovalam
  • 24
    30
    27
  • 341
  • Munnar
  • 17
    24
    20
  • 420
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 26
    35
    31
  • 100
  • Coimbatore
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 36
  • Kochi
  • 24
    29
    26
  • 594
  • Kovalam
  • 23
    30
    26
  • 239
  • Munnar
  • 16
    22
    19
  • 583
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 26
    34
    30
  • 140
  • Coimbatore
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 36
  • Kochi
  • 24
    29
    27
  • 403
  • Kovalam
  • 23
    30
    26
  • 156
  • Munnar
  • 16
    23
    20
  • 364
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 26
    34
    30
  • 137
  • Coimbatore
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 74
  • Kochi
  • 24
    30
    27
  • 280
  • Kovalam
  • 24
    30
    27
  • 175
  • Munnar
  • 16
    23
    20
  • 210
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 279
  • Coimbatore
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 123
  • Kochi
  • 24
    31
    27
  • 320
  • Kovalam
  • 24
    30
    27
  • 268
  • Munnar
  • 16
    23
    19
  • 253
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 23
    30
    26
  • 407
  • Coimbatore
  • 21
    30
    25
  • 122
  • Kochi
  • 24
    31
    28
  • 175
  • Kovalam
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 192
  • Munnar
  • 15
    22
    18
  • 164
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chennai
  • 22
    28
    25
  • 191
  • Coimbatore
  • 19
    29
    24
  • 46
  • Kochi
  • 23
    32
    27
  • 43
  • Kovalam
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 69
  • Munnar
  • 14
    22
    18
  • 64

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2024
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart NZStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 August 2023, subject to change.
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately US$100pp is paid locally in India.
    • Based on departures from Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch
    • Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request
    • Land only (Chennai - Trivandrum) 17 days from $6,180 per person, twin share
    • Single supplement from $1,900
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 16 dinners
    • International flights and current taxes
    • Domestic transportation
    • 3 – 4 star accommodation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • Visa fees for New Zealand passport holders

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    Extensions and Stopovers

    Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.

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