East to West Coast: Southern India

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 adventures takes you straight into its heart. Wander the sculpted temples of Mamallapuram, explore the coastal charm of Puducherry's tree-lined streets, 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
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• 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

1 Frühstück, 2 Mittagessen, 2 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD175-230 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

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

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 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