Tour southern India

Join this fully escorted trip, taking in French colonial Pondicherry, UNESCO-listed Hindu temples, Periyar Wildlife Reserve and a houseboat cruise in Kerala’s backwaters

Southern India and the backwaters of Kerala

14 days from just £1,749 pp (selected departures from January-November 2019)

This outstanding tour packs in all the best highlights of southern India, taking in delicious regional food, historic temples, amazing wildlife and lively cities.

FULLY ESCORTED PRICE INCLUDES

• Return flights from the UK, plus all hotel transfers

• Stay in hand-picked three-star to four-star superior hotels. Daily breakfasts and five meals included

• The services of an experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

ITINERARY

Day 1: Departure

Overnight flight to Chennai via Muscat. Day 2: Arrival in Chennai

Transfer to the four-star superior Raintree Hotel. Day 3: Mahabalipuram

Explore Chennai before arriving at the historic British fortress, Fort St George. Continue on to see the 7th- and 8th-century religious monuments of Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay the night at the three-star superior Ideal Beach Resort. Day 4: Pondicherry

Travel to Pondicherry and enjoy a walking tour of the French colonial centre. Stay one night at the three-star superior Hotel Atithi. Days 5 and 6: Tanjore

Continue south to Tanjore and stay two nights at the three-star superior Ideal River View Hotel. Enjoy a tour of the city, visiting the 11th-century Brihadisvara Temple and the fascinating Tanjore palace.

Day 7: Chettinad

Drive to the nearby Chettinad region and stay overnight at the Chidambara Vilas.

Day 8: Madurai

Explore Chettinad in the morning and sample the region’s cuisine for lunch. In the afternoon you will be driven to the four-star Heritage Madurai hotel. At dusk, ride tuk-tuks to the Meenakshi Amman Hindu temple for a tour. Day 9: Kumily

Tour nearby Nayak Palace, then travel to Kumily, where you will stay two nights at the four-star Spice Village.

Day 10: Periyar Wildlife Reserve Enjoy a guided nature walk in the Periyar Wildlife Reserve – home to bison, langur and tigers – and a visit to a spice plantation. Day 11: Kumarakom

Head to Kerala to stay two nights at the four-star superior Coconut Lagoon.

Day 12: Kerala houseboat cruise Discover the famous backwaters, enjoying a regional lunch while on board.

Day 13: Cochin

Tour the city, then stay overnight at the four-star Trident Hotel Cochin.

Day 14: Return flight