- 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!
Kerala & the Tropical South
Start
Finish
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Land Only Trip Price
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Sunday Saturday
08 Feb 2026 07 Feb 2026
Saturday Saturday
21 Feb 2026 21 Feb 2026
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15 Feb 2026 14 Feb 2026
Saturday Saturday
28 Feb 2026 28 Feb 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
22 Feb 2026 21 Feb 2026
Saturday Saturday
07 Mar 2026 07 Mar 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
01 Mar 2026 28 Feb 2026
Saturday Saturday
14 Mar 2026 14 Mar 2026
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View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
03 Apr 2026 02 Apr 2026
Thursday Thursday
16 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
20 Sep 2026 19 Sep 2026
Saturday Saturday
03 Oct 2026 03 Oct 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
04 Oct 2026 03 Oct 2026
Saturday Saturday
17 Oct 2026 17 Oct 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
11 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026
Saturday Saturday
24 Oct 2026 24 Oct 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
18 Oct 2026 17 Oct 2026
Saturday Saturday
31 Oct 2026 31 Oct 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
25 Oct 2026 24 Oct 2026
Saturday Saturday
07 Nov 2026 07 Nov 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
01 Nov 2026 31 Oct 2026
Saturday Saturday
14 Nov 2026 14 Nov 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
08 Nov 2026 07 Nov 2026
Saturday Saturday
21 Nov 2026 21 Nov 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
15 Nov 2026 14 Nov 2026
Saturday Saturday
28 Nov 2026 28 Nov 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
22 Nov 2026 21 Nov 2026
Saturday Saturday
05 Dec 2026 05 Dec 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
29 Nov 2026 28 Nov 2026
Saturday Saturday
12 Dec 2026 12 Dec 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
06 Dec 2026 05 Dec 2026
Saturday Saturday
19 Dec 2026 19 Dec 2026
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
20 Dec 2026 19 Dec 2026
Saturday Saturday
02 Jan 2027 02 Jan 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
10 Jan 2027 09 Jan 2027
Saturday Saturday
23 Jan 2027 23 Jan 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
17 Jan 2027 16 Jan 2027
Saturday Saturday
30 Jan 2027 30 Jan 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
24 Jan 2027 23 Jan 2027
Saturday Saturday
06 Feb 2027 06 Feb 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
31 Jan 2027 30 Jan 2027
Saturday Saturday
13 Feb 2027 13 Feb 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Feb 2027 06 Feb 2027
Saturday Saturday
20 Feb 2027 20 Feb 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
14 Feb 2027 13 Feb 2027
Saturday Saturday
27 Feb 2027 27 Feb 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
21 Feb 2027 20 Feb 2027
Saturday Saturday
06 Mar 2027 06 Mar 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
28 Feb 2027 27 Feb 2027
Saturday Saturday
13 Mar 2027 13 Mar 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Mar 2027 06 Mar 2027
Saturday Saturday
20 Mar 2027 20 Mar 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
14 Mar 2027 13 Mar 2027
Saturday Saturday
27 Mar 2027 27 Mar 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
21 Mar 2027 20 Mar 2027
Saturday Saturday
03 Apr 2027 03 Apr 2027
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28 Mar 2027 27 Mar 2027
Saturday Saturday
10 Apr 2027 10 Apr 2027
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View Trip NotesFriday Thursday
02 Apr 2027 01 Apr 2027
Thursday Thursday
15 Apr 2027 15 Apr 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
11 Apr 2027 10 Apr 2027
Saturday Saturday
24 Apr 2027 24 Apr 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
19 Sep 2027 18 Sep 2027
Saturday Saturday
02 Oct 2027 02 Oct 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
26 Sep 2027 25 Sep 2027
Saturday Saturday
09 Oct 2027 09 Oct 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
03 Oct 2027 02 Oct 2027
Saturday Saturday
16 Oct 2027 16 Oct 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
10 Oct 2027 09 Oct 2027
Saturday Saturday
23 Oct 2027 23 Oct 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
17 Oct 2027 16 Oct 2027
Saturday Saturday
30 Oct 2027 30 Oct 2027
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24 Oct 2027 23 Oct 2027
Saturday Saturday
06 Nov 2027 06 Nov 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
31 Oct 2027 30 Oct 2027
Saturday Saturday
13 Nov 2027 13 Nov 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Nov 2027 06 Nov 2027
Saturday Saturday
20 Nov 2027 20 Nov 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
14 Nov 2027 13 Nov 2027
Saturday Saturday
27 Nov 2027 27 Nov 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
21 Nov 2027 20 Nov 2027
Saturday Saturday
04 Dec 2027 04 Dec 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
28 Nov 2027 27 Nov 2027
Saturday Saturday
11 Dec 2027 11 Dec 2027
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View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
05 Dec 2027 04 Dec 2027
Saturday Saturday
18 Dec 2027 18 Dec 2027
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View Trip NotesReviews
Add your own reviewUnforgettable Experience in Southern India
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 away by the warm hospitality, the scenery, the food and how well organized this trip was. The itinerary is varied and really includes a bit of everything you need to see in Kerala and Tamil Nadu: verdant tea plantations, historical architecture and incredible access to temples, welcoming and warm connection with local people and guides, spice gardens, wildlife preserves, drifting down the backwaters in a houseboat with your own cook and captain, I still can’t believe we did and saw so much. We ate a huge meal one night with a local family and then toured a village and learned about traditional crafts with another family, we got beach and pool time and watched thunderstorms out over the Arabian Sea as we enjoyed dinner as a group. Just truly an unforgettable experience every step of the way.
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!
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 day, normally on the road for 3-4 hours, with plenty of comfort breaks and additional sights along the way. I feel like we saw as much as was comfortably possible in 12 days.
The one area for improvement would be a little more free time to explore independently. In Cochin, in particular, we had a very busy morning visiting several churches, a palace and a synagogue, only stopping for a late lunch, and it seemed a missed opportunity to spend some time wandering through the narrow streets of the old quarter for tea, chats with locals, and a bit of shopping. This would have helped with orientation too, as it was our first full day after the long journey from the UK.
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!
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 well as the whole of India, he really did make the trip! Vinod, our driver was impeccable navigating the twisty roads of the Western Ghats with precision. All in all, a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I will never forget! Highly recommend.
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 in Fort Cochin. Too much time was spend driving back and forth.
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.
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 Tip of India where three oceans meet.
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.
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.
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 beautiful backwaters, staying in an amazing home stay being looked after by the lovely owner Grace and finishing with relaxing time on beautiful beaches.
The scenery as you drive around is simply stunning with some incredible views. We had such a really lovely fun group of people and the locals were so warm, gentle and smiley and hotel staff went out of their way to look after us, in particular Ripon at the Peppervine, best kindest service ever!
We had the most incredible knowledgeable guide Biju, who gave us so many interesting insights into his wonderful country and was the warmest, kindest most thoughtful person, looking after us all so incredibly well, he helped make this holiday a best ever . Vinod our driver was excellent, so friendly and smiley and he kept the bus immaculate and drove us so safely .
A wonderful trip and no wonder it’s known as Gods own country, it’s simply stunning, with an exceptional guide Biju and such lovely locals who really touched me, I left a piece of my heart there!
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!
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 outstanding guide Biju was at the heart of it all with his supreme organizational skills, endless information on every topic imaginable and, above all, his patience and kindness towards everyone in the group. The itinerary was perfect as it exposed us to so many very different aspects of the region: rural and urban settings, magnificent Hindu temples as well as Christian churches, historically important public buildings but also the homes of ordinary people going about their daily lives. A solo trip to India could never have offered such an enlightening and wide ranging experience as we gained from this trip. I would highly recommend it to others especially for a first trip to India and if they are as lucky as we were they may even have Biju as a guide too.
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.
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 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. Highlights for me included the tea plantation trek, the houseboat on the backwaters, and the snake temple.
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.
The Tropical South
Excellent
Most Inspirational Moment
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book it
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