Exceptional value for a tour from Karnataka’s palaces, parks and hill-station to the backwaters of Kerala, the Western Ghats and the temples of Tamil Nadu
Flight - 1 night
Mysore - 2 nights
Bandipur - 1 night
Ooty - 1 night
Cochin - 2 nights
Alleppey - 1 night
Periyar - 1 night
Madurai - 2 nights
Kumbakonam - 1 night
Mahabalipuram - 2 nights
Chennai - 1 night
India’s magic lies in a vibrant abundance of people and landscapes. Southern India provides a mixture of experiences, from palaces and national parks to backwaters, temples and the natural beauty of the Western Ghats in three contrasting regions.
Karnataka’s treasures include the extravagant and slightly eccentric Mysore Palace with its intricate carvings and dramatic scenery, the natural beauty of Bandipur and Ooty hill station. Take the Ooty toy train to Coonoor through the picturesque Nilgiri hills.
Kerala’s natural splendour and heritage is revealed. See a way of life from the past on the backwater cruise, the great old town of Fort Cochin with its historic buildings and scenic lake and landscape of Periyar National Park.
Tamil Nadu’s magnificent temples at Madurai, Tanjore, and Mahbalipuram contrast with colonial Pondicherry and Madras (now Chennai), first colonial capital.
The opportunity is afforded for independent exploration or to add optional performances and temple visits.
Culture & Natural Wonders
Jules Verne Sightseeing
2 Lunches & 3 Dinners
Local Expert Guide
3 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Group Size: 6 – 22
Day 1 Fly direct from your chosen airport to Bangalore.
Day 2 On arrival, breakfast with wash and change facilities. Drive to Mysore (4 hrs). Two nights at the 4-star Grand Mercure. Visit the Devyaraja market and railway museum. (B)
Day 3 Visit the palaces of Mysore and Jagmohan Art and visit Srirangapatna. Evening illumination of Mysore Palace. (B)
Day 4 Continue to Bandipur National Park for overnight at the 3-star Windflower Tusker Trails. Jungle safari by canter. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Optional safari by canter (£24, pre-bookable). Drive up to Ooty for overnight at the 4-star Fortune Sullivan Court. Visit the botanical gardens, church and market. (B)
Day 6 By ‘Toy Train’ to Coonor (1 hr), by road to Cochin via Coimbatore (7 hrs) for two nights at the Hotel ‘CGH Earth’ Casino. (B)
Day 7 Walking tour of the Fort Cochin area. Optional evening Kathakali dance show. (B)
Day 8 Board a Keralan houseboat for a backwaters cruise and lunch. Overnight at the 4-star Lake Canopy in Alleppey. (B, L)
Day 9 Drive to Periyar (4 hrs). Overnight at the 4-star Cardamom County. Optional Kalaraipayattu martial art show. (B)
Day 10 Morning boat ride in Periyar National Park. Travel to Madurai (5 hrs). Two nights at the 4-star Fortune Pandiyan. (B)
Day 11 Visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace and take a rickshaw ride to Meenakshi Temple. Visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum. (B)
Day 12 Travel to Tanjore (3 hrs) to visit Brihadeeshwara Temple. Overnight at the 4-star‘CGH Earth’ Mantra Koodam in Kumbakonam. (B, D)
Day 13 Travel to colonial Pondicherry and visit its museum (4 hrs). Continue to Mahabalipuram (3 hrs). Visit the Shore Temple. Two nights at the 4-star WelcomHotel Kences Palm Beach. (B)
Day 14 Morning visit to the temples of Mahabalipuram. Optional visit to Kanchipuram (£36, pre-bookable), a city of 1,000 temples. (B)
Day 15 Travel to Chennai for a city tour. Overnight at the 4-star Hablis Hotel. (B, D)
Day 16 Early morning return flight.
Notes
This itinerary includes some walking over uneven ground. Temple visits include a walk with shoes off.
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A 5-star hotel located in the heart of the city on the famous Dasara Procession pathway. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, rooftop pool, spa, gym and WiFi (free). 146 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and mini-bar.
A 3-star property, located close to the Bandipur Forest Reserve. Restaurant, outdoor pool and spa. 25 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
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An ideal gateway 4-star hotel surrounded by green lawns and garden. Restaurant, bar and wellness centre. 63 air-conditioned rooms with WiFi (free) and private facilities, hairdryer, mini-bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
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An urban 5-star hotel with a distinct character located on the historic Willingdon Island. Restaurants, bar, pool and Ayurveda Centre. Air-conditioned rooms with WiFi (free), private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
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A modern and elegant hotel nestled in the lush backwater of Alleppey. Restaurant, pool, gym and WiFi (free). 28 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, safe and tea/coffee making facilities.
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A nature retreat set in beautifully landscape gardens. Restaurant, bar, pool, fitness room, spa and WiFi (free). Air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
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A contemporary 3-star hotel set amidst 3 acres of landscaped gardens. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 57 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
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Opened in 2018 and located in Kumbakonam, an hours’ drive from Tanjore, this eco-friendly hotel is designed like a typical Brahmin community. Restaurant, pool and WiFi (free). Air-conditioned cottages designed like traditional Tmail homes with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
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A tranquil 5-star resort adjacent to the Mamallapuram beach. Restaurants, bar, pool and WiFi (free). 62 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
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A well-located 5-star airport hotel offering a mindful experience. Restaurants, bar, pool and WiFi (free). Air-conditioned rooms with private facilities.
Time to relax or see even more of India!
No one can cover all of India on one tour, so why not make the most of your time in India by choosing further experiences?
We invite you to customise your tour by adding one or more extensions from our great range shown on the following pages. Relax in a resort or discover more of India with our specialist guides.
Also please consider adding extra nights before the tour if you would like to draw breath after the flight to India or stay on to reflect, relax or explore independently. Extra nights can also be added to most extensions. Please talk to one of our knowledgeable Personal Travel Experts to let us know what you are looking for and they will work out the best way. Sometimes extra transfers, internal flights and nights are recommended or needed, and sometimes two extensions can be combined into a more logical sequence.
Add visits including Goa, Amritsar, Shimla, Nepal, Varanasi, Darjeeling, Cochin & Kerala Backwaters or Indian Wildlife.
Friday
per person in a twin/double room
British Airways from Heathrow
Fridays
per person in a twin/double room
British Airways from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £495
Flight Options
London-Bangalore/Chennai-London
British Airways World Traveller Plus - On request
Emirates from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow* - On request
*The later arrival of Emirates flights does not allow time for wash and change facilities.
Optional Excursions
Safari by canter £24
Visit to Kanchipuram £36
Extension Options
Extra nights – Bangalore
Fairfield by Marriott (per night) £62
Single supplement £29
Optional Bangalore sightseeing £37
Arrival or departure transfer add £24
Extra nights – Chennai
Hablis Hotel (per night) £59
Single supplement £35
Arrival or departure transfer add £24
Privately Guided
2 guests - £695 per person
3-4 guests - £345 per person
5-9 guests - £155 per person
10+ guests - No extra charge
Independent Arrival
Save £600
Arrival or departure transfer add £24
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 14 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 3 dinners, itinerary as described, services of local guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement fee, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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VAT No. 805146159
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