Southern India Encompassed

Southern India Encompassed

• Trip code: 485X029
• Dauer: 22
• Stil: Classic

Over 22 unforgettable days, western and southern India unfold like a storybook of colour and culture. Wander Mumbai’s lively streets, trace Goa’s Portuguese charm, and watch the sun dip behind Hampi’s ancient ruins. Feel Mysore’s royal grandeur, marvel at sacred temples in Tamil Nadu, and taste spices where they’re grown in Thekkady. End your journey drifting through Kerala’s serene backwaters, where time slows down and traditions linger. This is India at its most vibrant — a mix of history, flavour, and soul.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels/ Guesthouses (twin-share, 18 nights); Overnight Trains: (2 nights); 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 (Noice-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

Drift through the peaceful backwaters of Kerala on a traditional boat, Watch the sunset glow over Hampi’s ancient ruins, Explore Mamallapuram’s Shore Temples and wander local markets, Ignite your senses on a spice plantation tour in Thekkady

Introduction

Over 22 unforgettable days, western and southern India unfold like a storybook of colour and culture. Wander Mumbai’s lively streets, trace Goa’s Portuguese charm, and watch the sun dip behind Hampi’s ancient ruins. Feel Mysore’s royal grandeur, marvel at sacred temples in Tamil Nadu, and taste spices where they’re grown in Thekkady. End your journey drifting through Kerala’s serene backwaters, where time slows down and traditions linger. This is India at its most vibrant — a mix of history, flavour, and soul

Meals Included

3 Frühstück, 2 Mittagessen, 1 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD490-640 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Goa
- Besuch von Velha Goa (1600INR pro Gruppe)
- Strandausflug in Goa (Gratis)

Hampi
- Kishkinda Foundation Visit

Bangalore
- Besichtigung im Palast von Bangalore (450INR pro Person)

Thekkady
- Ayurvedic Massage

Periyār Lake
- Bootsfahrt am Periyar-Stausee (1050INR pro Person)

Start / Finish

Mumbai nach Kochi

Transport

Private vehicle, Walking, Basic Overnight Train, Local Train, Boat

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. Colaba Sunrise Walk. Guided exploration of Elephanta Caves. Heritage walk of Fontainhas (Portuguese quarter). Visit to Old Goa churches. Sunset visit and exploration of Hampi ruins. Guided exploration of Halebidu ruins. Hoysaleshwara Temple. Scenic train journeys: Mumbai → Goa, Goa → Hampi, Mangalore → Kochi. Fort Kochi Visit. Free Time in Kochi. Lal Bagh Gardens Visit. Free Time Bangalore. Bangalore Orientation Walk. Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Visit. Tomb of Tipu Sultan. Devraja Market Visit and Orientation Walk. Chamundi Hills Visit. Mysore Palace Visit. St. Philomena's Cathedral Visit. Mysore Free time. 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 Mumbai

Arrive at any time. In the evening, join your CEO for a welcome meeting, followed by an orientation walk around Colaba and the waterfront market

Day 2 Mumbai

Spend the day getting acquainted with Mumbai on a sunrise walking tour followed by a driving tour of the city. For a cooler, quieter and even more beautiful experience, we head out around sunrise to see places like Gateway of India, Flaura Fountain and Rajabai Clock Tower. Then hop into a local taxi to visit places like Dhobi Ghat and Baangang Water reservoir

Day 3 Mumbai/Goa

An early morning train brings us to Goa by the mid afternoon. After checking into the hotel, join your CEO for an orientation walk of Panjim Fontainhas

Day 4 Goa/Hubballi

Today is yours to explore the amazing beach town of Goa. Choose to spend the day however you’d like, from taking a tour of Old Goa Church, visiting a spice plantation or relaxing on the beach. In the evening, take an overnight train towards Hampi

Day 5 Hubballi/Hampi

Pull into Hubballi early this morning and switch to a private vehicle for the remainder of the way to Hampi, famous for its incredible ruins and historic temples. After arrival, drop your things at the hotel, eat some breakfast then enjoy some free time to rest or explore. We’ll head to Raghunatha Temple in the evening for an amazing sunset view over the temple boulders

Day 6 Hampi

Start the day by watching the sun rise over Bada Nandi, the famous monolithic bull sacred to Lord Shiva. The Hampi adventure continues with a tuktuk tour through the famous ruins. Learn about the interesting history of this place while admiring some of India’s most incredible temple ruins and historic architecture. Following the tour, enjoy a free afternoon. Opt to visit the Kishkinda Foundation, a project dedicated to supporting the development of the local women and children

Day 7 Hampi/Halibedu

Head out for a scenic drive to Halibedu, the ancient capital of the Hoysala Empire and known for its amazing temples. After arrival, take a tour of the Halibedu ruins and learn of the long, interesting history if this place twice plundered by the Muslim armies of Northern India

Day 8 Halibedu/Mangalore

Visit the spectacular Hoysaleswara Temple at sunrise this morning, the only surviving monument in Halibedu. In the afternoon, drive to Mangalore and enjoy a restful evening

Day 9 Mangalore/Kochi

Travel by train and tuktuk to Kochi, a historic port town in Southwest India. Enjoy the day to rest or explore. Then, in the evening, join your CEO for an orientation walk of Fort Kochi

Day 10 Kochi/Bangalore

Walk along the cobblestones streets of Fort Kochi on a sightseeing tour of this historic city. The rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish. Tonight, take an overnight train to Bangalore

Day 11 Bangalore

After a night on the train, we'll pull into Bangalore in the morning. The first stop of the day is breakfast. Second stop of the day is to the beautiful Lal Bagh Botanical garden. Walk through the incredible green houses full of colourful flowers and unique sculptures. The remainder of the day is yours to see the city. In the evening, regroup for an orientation walk through the main iconic commercial streets of Bangalore

Day 12 Bangalore/Mysore

Depart from Bangalore and drive to Srirangapatna to visit the incredible Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and the Tipu Sultan's tomb. Then continue on to Mysore for an afternoon of free time to explore the city before an evening orientation walk in Devraja Market and an optional group dinner

Day 13 Mysore

Explore the best of Mysore today with visits to Chamundeshwari Temple at Chamundi Hills, the Mysore Palace and St. Philomena Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to explore this historic, opulent city

Day 14 Mysore/Māmallapuram

Take a train to Chennai and transfer to a private vehicle to arrive to Mamallapuram by the afternoon. This famous town is steeped in myth and history, so enjoy the opportunity to experience it with a free afternoon

Day 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 Kochi

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Mumbai

Day 2 Mumbai

Day 3 Mumbai/Goa

Day 4 Goa/Hubballi

Day 5 Hubballi/Hampi

Day 6 Hampi

Day 7 Hampi/Halibedu

Day 8 Halibedu/Mangalore

Day 9 Mangalore/Kochi

Day 10 Kochi/Bangalore

Day 11 Bangalore

Day 12 Bangalore/Mysore

Day 13 Mysore

Day 14 Mysore/Māmallapuram

Day 15 Māmallapuram

Day 16 Māmallapuram/Thanjavur

Day 17 Thanjavur/Madurai

Day 18 Madurai

Day 19 Madurai/Thekkady

Day 20 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 21 Kerala Backwaters/Kochi

Day 22 Kochi