Find peace and paradise in India’s two southernmost states: Kerala and Tamil Nadu
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.
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 and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available
Don't Forget To
Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.
Day 4
6 km / 3.7 miles
Highlights
Experience India’s laid-back side on a small-group adventure in the south
Embark on a tour of the historic landmarks in the old spice port of Kochi
Trek through the vivid tea plantations in Munnar with an expert local guide
Witness the temple town of Madurai wake from its slumber on a dawn city walk
Search for elephants, wild pigs and more on a nature walk in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Cruise the backwaters of Kerala on a traditional rice barge – a classic experience in South India!
Itinerary
First Destination:
Kochi (Cochin)
Next Destination:
Kovalam
Accommodation:Abad Atrium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner
Accommodation:Abad Atrium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Eastend Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Eastend Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Sterling V Grand Madurai (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Sterling V Grand Madurai (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Peppervine Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:Peppervine Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Renai Green Fields (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:Houseboat
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Accommodation:Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Accommodation:Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
Meals included:Breakfast
First Destination:
Kochi (Cochin)
Next Destination:
Kovalam
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.
Accommodation:Abad Atrium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner
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.
Accommodation:Abad Atrium Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Eastend Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Eastend Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Sterling V Grand Madurai (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Sterling V Grand Madurai (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Peppervine Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Accommodation:Peppervine Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Renai Green Fields (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Accommodation:Houseboat
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we leave our houseboat in Alleppey and drive (approximately four to five 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.
Accommodation:Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Accommodation:Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast
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.
Meals included:Breakfast
Dates & Prices
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This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
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This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 20 Sep 2026 to Saturday 03 Oct 2026
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Sunday 04 Oct 2026 to Saturday 17 Oct 2026
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 11 Oct 2026 to Saturday 24 Oct 2026
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 24 Jan 2027 to Saturday 06 Feb 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 28 Feb 2027 to Saturday 13 Mar 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 14 Mar 2027 to Saturday 27 Mar 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 21 Mar 2027 to Saturday 03 Apr 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 28 Mar 2027 to Saturday 10 Apr 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Friday 02 Apr 2027 to Thursday 15 Apr 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 11 Apr 2027 to Saturday 24 Apr 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 19 Sep 2027 to Saturday 02 Oct 2027
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Saturday
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 26 Sep 2027 to Saturday 09 Oct 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 03 Oct 2027 to Saturday 16 Oct 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 10 Oct 2027 to Saturday 23 Oct 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 17 Oct 2027 to Saturday 30 Oct 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 24 Oct 2027 to Saturday 06 Nov 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 31 Oct 2027 to Saturday 13 Nov 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 07 Nov 2027 to Saturday 20 Nov 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 14 Nov 2027 to Saturday 27 Nov 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 21 Nov 2027 to Saturday 04 Dec 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Sunday 28 Nov 2027 to Saturday 11 Dec 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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'Led by Biju Badri Kumar - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2024 and 2025 - Runner Up '
Sunday 05 Dec 2027 to Saturday 18 Dec 2027
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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We spend our nights in a mixture of hotels and on a traditional Keralan houseboat. Our hotels are all in the heart of the towns we stop in. Your first hotel in Kochi is conveniently situated in the commercial hub, close to the main textile and jewellery shops plus plenty of restaurants.
The accommodations typically used are on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable accommodations on this trip.
Peppervine Hotel, Thekkady
The four-star Peppervine is conventiently located for our adventures, close to Periyar Tiger Reserve and a short walk from Kumily town (the local town name of Thekkady) where you’ll find plenty of shopping options, including locally grown spices and an eclectic assortment of souvenirs. Surrounded by woodland, the hotel offers comfort and tranquillity, with spacious bedrooms, an outdoor swimming pool and open-air restaurant. So close to wildlife, you won’t find it hard to spot the monkeys swinging in the neighbouring trees as you relax.
Keralan houseboat, Alleppey
No trip to Kerala is complete without a houseboat stay. Typically, the boats are converted barges (known locally as kettuvallam), once used to transport rice from farm to market. All cabins have private bathrooms and the staff will keep you well fed. The houseboats have a deck and dining area, although the style/layout varies between boats. There is a cook, driver and assistants for each boat and the food is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. Houseboats have two to five twin-bedded rooms. Larger groups may be split over several boats; however, the group reunites at riverside stops and the overnight anchor point where your leader will be available.
Worth knowing
Indian hotels usually do not have heating. However, you can request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room (subject to availability). Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
Please note, single rooms are very limited on the houseboat so cannot be guaranteed and you may be required to twin share for this night.
Introducing Biju
Exodus groups have praised Biju for his extensive knowledge of Indian culture and infectious enthusiasm.
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Although not a demanding tour, it is a busy and active itinerary with lots to see. Driving time is kept to a minimum and is not normally longer than four to five hours except on Day 5 when the drive to Madurai can take up to seven hours. Prepare for some early starts. The roads are generally pretty good, but traffic and/or road damage can sometimes slow us down.
Hiking: A slightly more difficult trek (Activity Level 2) in Munnar requires a good level of fitness, as the trail can be steep in places, although the route mostly winds gently up through the plantations. Walking shoes (or trainers/sneakers) with a good grip are recommended for this trek and you may also wish to bring walking poles or get hold of a stick locally if you have problems with your knees. The approximate walking time is three hours, and the distance around 3.4mi (5.5km).
Monuments: The Sri Meenakshi Temple (which we can visit on Days 5 and 6) is currently preparing for re-consecration. This process includes scaffolding around the main towers to aid decoration work but does not stop us visiting and exploring the site.
Additionally, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn our clients of when work will be taking place.
Key information
Start hotel: Abad Atrium Hotel, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Shenoys, Kochi, Kerala 682035 Phone: +91 484 238 1122 Recommended arrival time: Check-in is typically from 2pm. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm this evening. Airport: Cochin Airport (COK)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 45-60 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Trivandrum Airport (TRV) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
India
To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
For more information on applying for your Indian visa, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information
New Digital Arrival Card
Travellers from the UK, US, EU and Canada must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be filled online up to 72 hours before arrival via the official Indian visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. This is separate from the Indian e-visa process and this remains the same. Physical cards will remain at the arrival airport until 1 April 2026, at which point the Digital Arrival Card will be made mandatory.
The included meals are detailed on the day-to-day itinerary. Allow at least 1,650 rupees (approximately US$20) per day for lunch and dinner where these are not included. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you mainly eat at the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount.
In most of the towns there is a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western-style foods. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to visit. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap but a large bottle of beer is approximately 500 rupees (US$6). Please note, due to Kerala state laws, alcohol licenses are limited to one or two bars in each area and not all hotels are permitted to serve alcohol. The first day of every month and certain holidays in India are dry days, when no alcohol is permitted for sale.
Mineral water is available in the bus in large containers so please bring a bottle with you to refill. Please note, restaurant service can be quite slow.
The most important feature of the Indian climate is the wet season or monsoon. The main monsoon strikes the Kerala coast in late May and sweeps northward over the next month or so. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from October to March. Days will be hot and the nights warm, the average maximum daytime temperatures are 21C-30C (70F-86F) and 6C-20C (43F-68F) at night. In the hills, temperatures can be considerably cooler and may near freezing point at night.
Frequent rainstorms occur in November. However, they are usually quite short, and the sun normally comes out quickly afterwards. Please note, swimming in the sea at Kovalam is not always possible, depending on recent weather conditions; however, the hotel we use in Kovalam has a pool.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.
On this trip, we:
Explore the village of Manjira with a local guide, meeting the community and learning about their practices and products from the experts, including climbing coconut trees, weaving coconut leaves and casting fish nets
Join a family in the village of Thekkady for a special dinner and cooking demonstration in their home, learning firsthand from our host about the local culture and cuisine
This was my first time to India and I decided I wanted to start in the south because I heard it was a bit more beginner friendly and I was traveling with my daughter in her late teens for our first time just the two of us. I was blown...
Most Inspirational Moment
It's so hard to name just one inspiring moment, but I will say one of the top experiences in mine and my daughter's life is going to the closing ceremony at the Sri Meenakshi temple in Madurai. You cannot bring your phone into the temple, you must remove your shoes, there are many people going there to get blessings and pray, you're just forced to be there present in the moment and take it all in. When the ceremony starts, the air fills with incense and music, the oil lights are burning, the flowers are laid and everyone is so focused on the ritual unfolding before their eyes. Truly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Then, the next day, the group goes back to see the temple during the day time and when we were there an actual elephant came walking through!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader, Biju, is truly one of the best guides in the world, if not one of the best human beings in the world. He was warm and genuinely welcoming to everyone in our group and all the local people we came in contact with really loved him too. He was knowledgeable on every subject that we discussed and I watched him tend to everyone, whether they had dietary requirements or other needs. Biju is what made this trip go from excellent to unforgettable in every way.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would really recommend that you try to do as many of the optional excursions as you can as they each offer a unique way of experiencing southern India and Kerala or Tamil Nadu and they are all so varied. I would also recommend that if your guide offers to take you to a local place to eat, go there and try all the things they suggest, you cannot go wrong with the food in Kerala, it is sooo good!
Alison Payton
Rating: 5
Enjoyable introduction to India
This was my first trip to India, and Kerala was the ideal place to start - relatively compact, affluent, clean, and accessible, with incredibly friendly, helpful locals, and a wide variety of sights to see. The pace of the trip was perfect, moving on to a new destination every other...
Most Inspirational Moment
The day spent exploring the backwaters stands out. In a small boat, visiting local households in the morning, and on a houseboat from lunchtime for the night. I found the insight into the local way of life fascinating, and the slower pace very relaxing. The accommodation and food on the houseboat was the highest standard of the whole trip, and as our group was divided between 4 boats, it felt luxuriously peaceful. I loved it ❤️
Thoughts on Group Leader
Shine was a history lecturer, so very knowledgeable about the monuments visited. He could answer any question, which was great, however, sometimes there was an overload of information, impossible to focus on when standing in the heat.
Shine was also excellent at spotting wildlife, and often stopped the bus to point out monkeys, bats, or birds in the trees. He also seemed to be able to identify every tree, plant and flower. We learned a lot about nature from him.
He was also extremely caring, and showed genuine concern for anyone feeling unwell, or falling behind on treks.
Our driver, Vinod, deserves a mention too. He was very skilled at navigating packed cities, hairpin bends on mountain roads, and pot-holed highways, and the bus was always spotlessly clean and fresh-smelling. He showed constant concern for our wellbeing, and was always pleasant and smiley. Lovely.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Some things I wish I'd done:
- Packed lighter. It's very warm and humid, so loose cotton/linen dresses are best + a straw hat or umbrella to keep the sun off.
- Packed older/cheaper clothes. India is very dusty & dirty, and the food stains, so good quality/expensive items get ruined.
- Taken binoculars, to better see the incredible birds and wildlife.
- Bought more! Clothing, pyjamas, robes, throws, rugs, fabrics, oil-based perfumes, incense cones/sticks & beautiful holders, brass, silver, gold, gems, spices, and art, are all good quality and cheap to buy. It's an excellent way to support artisans and independent traders, and give something back. The experience can be a bit hassly, as traders keep showing you ever more items, but if you can persuade them to let you browse, it's a hugely rewarding experience.
- Spoken to more locals. Most speak English, and are happy to chat...about anything!
Oliver OBoyle
Rating: 5
The Ultimate South India Experience
Incredible trip! This itinerary is well crafted to show off all Southern India’s highlights; from tea plantations, temple cities, sleepy coastal towns, wildlife and houseboats to all the friendly locals! Biju, our guide was stand-out with his incredible depth of knowledge and insight into his home state of Kerala as...
Susan Suarez
Rating: 5
Great trip
Wonderful trip through a unique part of India. As usual with Exodus we had a great group of like minded travelers and a variety of things to see and experience. There was a good mix of urban and nature. Cochin would have been a lot better if the hotel was...
Most Inspirational Moment
The early morning walks through Madurai and the Manjira village were my favorites. It was beautiful to watch how the local people start their day before all the daily frenzy begins.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Vishnu was genuinely invested in our enjoying ourselves. He also became an excellent bird spotter once he realized some of us were very interested in the local birds.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy, take a camera. The local people are lovely and very welcoming.
Janet Whyte
Rating: 5
Amazing Experience, not to be missed
As a first time visitor to India I was not disappointed. This is a full on trip with lots of time spent travelling between locations but this means you get the full flavour of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu from the stunning tea plantations in the North to the Southern...
Most Inspirational Moment
So many but in particular the walk through the spectacular tea plantations and the visit to the inspirational Charitable trust Srishti. The dawn walk through Madurai is not to be missed and neither is the boat trip through Manjira village, both of which give a real flavour of the way many local people still lead their lives.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Biju is an inspiration . I have been on several trips with Exodus and have always rated my guides as excellent but Biju is in a category on his own - he is simply outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble for him and everything was always done with a beautiful smile. He took us to local restaurants thereby introducing us to to the local food; he explained so much about the Indian culture and religion and took a great delight in the fact that our group wanted to try everything that was on offer. Together with the driver Vinod they make a great team.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't leave it too late to get your visa. Take a plug for the sink as none of the hotels had one. Don't worry about changing money, there are plenty of ATM's or money changers where you can exchange either dollars or sterling for rupees. Everything was ridiculously cheap - we had some lunches for eq£1 including a tip!! Biju collected money at the start , in sterling or dollars, to cover tips for various guides, coffee stops and the driver which made things much simpler and quicker as we went along. Biju suggested that we saw the Kathakali dance in Kochi on day 2 rather than waiting until day 8 in Periyar and he was right as there are plenty of other things to do there. You need to be aware that the Sri Meenakshi Temple is being repainted and so the towers are covered in scaffolding and should remain like that for the rest of the year . This was a big disappointment but Biju made sure that we stopped at a much smaller but beautifully painted temple on another day.
Trev Jones
Rating: 5
Simply the best!
Every single day was a new exciting experience. A fantastic insight to the culture and history of the region, made easy by an excellent well planned itinery.
Most Inspirational Moment
Impossible to single out any particular moment. The tour just continued to be inspirational throughout.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bijou, the guide was amazing. His knowledge of every aspect of the tour was first class. His attention to detail combined with ensuring the welfare of the group was excellent. I believe that his pride and work ethic was above and beyond what every group member expected. Combined with the bus driver (Vinod), they are a fantastic team.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book it! The entire trip is excellent value for money. So much is to be seen and experienced within a short time, something that cannot be achieved on your own. Being part of a group adds to the experience.
Susannah Pink
Rating: 5
A wonderful varied trip exploring The Tropical South
This was an absolutely brilliant trip with varied itinerary seeing a mixture of busy cities and daily life within, walking barefoot in beautiful temples, watching traditional Kathakali dance show, trekking in stunning mountainous tea plantations and also in jungle in the Periyar National Park, cruising on a houseboat on the...
Most Inspirational Moment
Trekking in the tea plantations and in Periyar National Park, the early morning walk in Madurai and walking barefoot through the incredible Meenakshi temple complex amongst pilgrims, Grace and staying in her beautiful homestay, the backwaters, the daily interactions with the lovely local people , so many inspirational moments and happy memories.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Biju was an absolutely exceptional group leader, so proud of his country and he shared so many wonderful and interesting insights. He is cheerful , professional, well organised, knowledgeable, warm, smiley and so kind and he looked after us all so well. He went out of his way to ensure everyone was having the best time, nothing was ever too much trouble for him. Biju made this the most wonderful trip for which thank you so much Biju !
Advice for Potential Travellers
Food and drink is very cheap in comparison with the UK.
Take a small bag for your overnight stay on the houseboat.
Smile at the lovely locals and they will smile back, such a wonderful country and such warmth from the people , a very special place which touches you.
Just book this holiday, it’s brilliant!
Elizabeth McCoy
Rating: 5
A fabulous trip to the Tropical South
My Exodus trip to Kerala and Tamil Nadu was truly amazing in so many ways. The beautiful scenery, lush green and full of fascinating wild life, the range and style of vegetarian food, and the overwhelming gentleness and warmth of the local people were all way beyond my expectations. Our...
Most Inspirational Moment
Dawn city walk through Madurai
Thoughts on Group Leader
Outstanding in every way.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes and book it. It's really great.
Helen Rynne
Rating: 5
Everything you'd hope for and more
If I could give this trip 10 stars I would! It was perfectly paced and covers a fascinating range of locations. Our tour guide, Biju, was quite simply the best tour guide ever. So patient, knowledgeable and helpful. Normally the time spent on the bus between locations would be unwelcome...
Most Inspirational Moment
Wildlife spotting and watching life go by on the Aleppey backwaters.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Outstanding. Biju deserves to win your Leaders award. I have done multiple tours with various companies and he is hands down the best group leader I have ever had. Patient, warm, helpful and incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his country. Normally the time spent on the bus between locations would be unwelcome but he made it something to look forward to as it was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the politics, religion and history of this amazing place.
Suggestions
It would have been nice to have a bit longer at the end of the trip in Kovalam so those of us who wanted to visit the tip of India could have also had some beach time.
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