East to West Coast: Southern India
- Trip code: 485X030
- Dauer: 9
- Stil: Classic
Southern India is a kaleidoscope of colour, culture, and calm — and this journey takes you straight into its heart. Wander the sculpted temples of Mamallapuram, stand in awe at Thanjavur’s towering Brihadeshwara Temple, and lose yourself in Madurai’s vibrant Meenakshi complex. Between temple visits, you’ll taste spices where they’re grown, float through Kerala’s famous backwaters, and discover daily life in bustling markets and quiet villages. It’s history, nature, and culture rolled into one unforgettable adventure.
Übersicht
Accommodation
Hotels (7 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share)
Checklist
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)
Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
Group Size Notes
Max 16
Highlights
Explore Mamallapuram’s Shore Temples and bustling local markets, Marvel at Thanjavur’s Brihadeshwara Temple and learn the art of bronze casting, Experience Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple and wander the Thousand Pillared Hall, Stroll through spice plantations and cruise the lake in Thekkady, Drift through Kerala’s tranquil backwaters on a traditional boat
Introduction
Southern India is a kaleidoscope of colour, culture, and calm — and this journey takes you straight into its heart. Wander the sculpted temples of Mamallapuram, stand in awe at Thanjavur’s towering Brihadeshwara Temple, and lose yourself in Madurai’s vibrant Meenakshi complex. Between temple visits, you’ll taste spices where they’re grown, float through Kerala’s famous backwaters, and discover daily life in bustling markets and quiet villages. It’s history, nature, and culture rolled into one unforgettable adventure
Meals Included
2 Frühstück, 2 Mittagessen, 1 Abendessen
Meal Budget
Plane USD180-235 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein
Optional Activities
Thekkady
- Ayurvedic Massage
Periyār Lake
- Bootsfahrt am Periyar-Stausee (1050INR pro Person)
Start / Finish
Māmallapuram nach Kochi
Transport
Private Vehicle, Train, Boat, Walking
What's Included
Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Mittagessen im Theuvoram Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey
Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Gastfamilie in den Kerala Backwaters, Alleppey. Free Time in Mamallapuram. Sunrise Shore Temple Visit. Brihadeeswara Temple. Bronze Casting Workshops. Chettinad Traditional House Visit. Thirumalai Nayak Palace Visit. Meenakshi Temple Visit. Cycle-Rickshaw Tour. Cardamom Hills Spice Plantation Tour. Free Time in Thekkady. Boat through Kerala Backwaters. Kerala Backwaters Homestay. Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project. Orientation Walk in Kochi. Kathakali Dance
Internationale Flüge
Check-in-Zeiten und Freigepäck/Einschränkungen können je nach Fluggesellschaft variieren und sich jederzeit ändern. Für die aktuellsten Informationen zu deinem Flug wende dich bitte an deine Fluggesellschaft. Wir empfehlen Online-Check-in, um mögliche Verzögerungen am Flughafen zu vermeiden
Minimum Age
Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre
Itinerary
Day 1 Māmallapuram
Arrive at anytime. Join your CEO and group for a welcome meeting this evening, followed by an orientation walk of Mamallapuram
Day 2 Māmallapuram
An early morning is dedicated to a tour of the Shore Temple, an iconic complex of temples and shrines known to the be one of the oldest stone temples in India, and best viewed at sunrise. After an incredible walking tour, take the remainder of the day for your own exploration of Mamallapuram. Most use this time to enjoy a visit to the beach or a yoga class
Day 3 Māmallapuram/Thanjavur
Leave Mamallapuram and drive to Chennai. Then transfer to a train to arrive in the afternoon to Thanjavur, a town renowned globally for its bronze metal sculptures. After settling in, visit the 200+ foot tall Brihadeeswarar Temple and a walk around the markets
Day 4 Thanjavur/Madurai
This morning, drive to Kanadukathan, known as the land of Chettiars, the collection of over 75 villages. Here we will visit the traditional houses of Chettinad, famous for their spaciousness, opulence and intricate tiles. Afterwards, continue on to Madurai, considered the home of goddess Parvati in her form of Meenakshi - the fish eyed goddess
Day 5 Madurai
Explore the best of Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with tours of Thirumalai Nayakar Palace and Meenakashi Temple. The afternoon leaves you with time to venture on your own before we hop on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city
Day 6 Madurai/Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady this morning. Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar National Park, is the spice capital of India. Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore Thekkady how you wish maybe on a boat tour on Periyar Lake or an ayurvedic massage
Day 7 Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters
Travel down to Allepey and catch a private boat for the short ride to the village homestay. In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location. Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters
Day 8 Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
Spend the morning enjoying your last moments with your host family before departing for Kochi. On the way, stop at your G Adventures-supported project TWE, a coop run by local women, for lunch. Head out for an orientation walk after arrival in Kochi, then enjoy an evening performance of Kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala
Day 9 Kochi
Depart at any time
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Māmallapuram
Day 2 Māmallapuram
Day 3 Māmallapuram/Thanjavur
Day 4 Thanjavur/Madurai
Day 5 Madurai
Day 6 Madurai/Thekkady
Day 7 Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters
For this homestay, you will only need to take a small overnight bag. Your main bags will be transferred directly to the hotel in Kochi.
Day 8 Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
Day 9 Kochi
