India: Images of South India

7 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews  
97%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Private Guided
There's always something fascinating to see in South India! Incredible living temples with centuries-old rituals, colorful festivals, lively bazaars, ancient World Heritage monuments, parks with exotic indigenous wildlife, old British hill stations, emerald-green rice paddies, tea plantations, and fragrant spice farms. it's a kaleidoscope of images that never...
From$3,595
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Explore southern India from coast to coast—from the spice trade of the Malabar Coast to the colonial influences on the Coromandel
    • Game viewing at Periyar National Park—elephants, guar, and even the elusive tiger
    • Visit Old Cochin and the temples of Madurai
    • Float through the beautiful serene backwaters of Kerala, witnessing the everyday life of the local people fishing and farming

What's this trip about?

    There's always something fascinating to see in South India! Incredible living temples with centuries-old rituals, colorful festivals, lively bazaars, ancient World Heritage monuments, parks with exotic indigenous wildlife, old British hill stations, emerald-green rice paddies, tea plantations, and fragrant spice farms. it's a kaleidoscope of images that never stops spinning. Our exploration of this magical destination includes a wealth of South India's artistic heritage, but you'll also discover the colonial history of the spice trade on the Malabar Coast, cruise in a comfortable houseboat on the picturesque backwaters of Kerala, and see rich wildlife in one of India's noted biosphere reserves. There is more magic in South India than you could ever imagine! Our Private Adventures in India This adventure in South India is designed to be taken as a stand-alone journey, or as part of an exploration of the entire country, combined with one of our North and Central India itineraries. We're more than happy to help you combine this with any of our other itineraries, assist with internal flights between destinations, to help make your dream of India become a reality!

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityCochin
End CityChennai

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • 50 Plus
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

  • Bird Watching
  • Culture
  • Festivals & Special Events
  • Game Drive
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife Viewing

Trip includes

    • Expert leadership
    • Accommodations as noted in itinerary (or similar)
    • If applicable, tent or safari accommodations and all arrangements in the field, including camp and cook staffs,
    • Comfortable and roomy two-person tents, kitchen and dining tents, and other community equipment
    • Meals as noted in the itinerary
    • Airport transfers
    • Sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
    • Ground transportation
    • Additional guides and porters where necessary
    • Tips for lodge, hotel, or camp staff
    • Entrance fees and permits, unless noted separately in costs
    • Basic medical and evacuation insurance

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cochin (Kochi)

Meals: Dinner

Arrive in Cochin, India. Your guide or a representative will meet you outside the customs area at the airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and escort you to your hotel. (We're holding rooms from 12 noon on Day 1.) The rema...

Day 2: Cochin

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Cochin was originally settled by the Portuguese and boasts a natural harbor with lagoons, canals, and fishing hamlets. One of the three biggest ports on India's west coast, it is also an industrially developed area, with the coir industry of special importance (coir i...

Day 3: Houseboat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we drive through the Western Ghats to Kottayam, where we board private houseboats for a peaceful, scenic trip through the backwaters of Kerala. On this beautiful, serene waterway, we'll see the everyday life o...

Day 4: Periyar National Park & Tiger Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We'll disembark from the boats at Kavanatinkara, from which we have a 3- to 3½-hour drive to Periyar National Park. The road leaves the coastal plain, then winds into the Cardamon Hills, which form part of the great Western Gh...

Day 5: Madurai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: The Gateway Pasumalai Hotel

In the morning, we'll take a birding walk near our hotel. Late in the morning, we'll drive to Madurai (a little over an hour), the oldest inhabited city on the Indian peninsula, and one of the country's oldest overall. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to rest.

Day 6: Madurai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: The Gateway Pasumalai Hotel

We'll depart on a full day sightseeing tour of the city, scenically located on the Vaigai River. Madurai was the seat of many important Tamil and Sultanate rulers and later bec...

Day 7: Chennai – depart

Transfer to the airport in the late morning for the one-hour flight to Chennai (formerly Madras). Upon arrival, transfer to the airport hotel. The afternoon is free to relax before catching your flight home (you’ll have day rooms available at the hotel until 9:00 p.m....

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $3,595
Price per day$514
Single supplement (single occupancy)$1,100
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Price Notes Details:

2016

$5,595 (solo traveller)

$200 internal airfare – Madurai/Chennai - subject to change

2017:

$5,895 (solo traveler)

$250 internal airfare – Madurai/Chennai - subject to change

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek).

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
Excellent
61
Great
0
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
3
Write a Review

Other MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Reviews

T

Tish

Aug 2023

Written on

Recommend Japan hikes but not with Mt Sobek

First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfor...

A

Anne

Dec 2019

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Company Reviewsby MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Spectacular scenery

Spectacular scenery, great hiking, and fascinating conversations with...

A

Andrea

Dec 2019

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Company Reviewsby MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Truly enjoyable

Thanks to MT Sobek this trip was seamless and truly enjoyable. The accommodations, logistics, and guides were all excellent. I always felt safe, cared for, and well ...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare
    • Meals not noted on itinerary
    • Insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance)
    • Optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff
    • Excess baggage charges
    • Airport taxes (international—varies by location)
    • Cost of medical immunizations
    • Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Accommodation

Cancellation policy
  • If written cancellation is received: Cancellation fee will be:
  • 90 days prior to departure $150
  • 89 to 61 days prior to departure $400
  • 60 to 46 days prior to departure 50% of Land/Cruise Cost
  • 45 to 0 days prior to departure 100% of Land/Cruise Cost
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 6 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
mtsobe-IndImgSouIndMoutra

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!