Compare South India Revealed by Intrepid Travel vs Essential of South India by Payless Tours India

Day 1 Trivandrum

Welcome to India! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting this evening at 6 pm. Afterwards, join your local leader on an orientation walk around Trivandrum. Tonight is all about introductions, so perhaps get together with your group after the walk and have an optional dinner – your leader will be able to suggest the best neighbourhoods for a delicious local meal.

Day 2 Varkala

In the morning, head up the coast by private vehicle for around 2 hours to the town of Varkala. Once settled into your hotel, use the free time to explore the Keralan coast, which is home to some of India’s best beaches. Soaring cliffs protect Varkala’s sandy bay and, depending on the time of year, dolphins can be spotted from high up on the rocks. In the evening, maybe head into town to one of the numerous restaurants serving fresh, local seafood caught right off the coast.

Day 3 Varkala

Enjoy a free day in Varkala. This is a great place to sit back and relax, but if you want to get active there are plenty of water activities on offer, such as surfing and windsurfing. Even though this is a popular destination for Indian tourists, the beaches are quiet and pretty laidback. Today is also the perfect time to check your Lonely Planet app and see what else is popular around the area. Take the rest of the day to relax, beachside, or otherwise, before the rest of South India beckons.

Day 4 Kerala Backwaters

This morning, take a 3-hour train journey along the Keralan coastline to Alappuzha (Alleppey). Once an important trading port and now renowned for the annual Snake Boat race in August, Alappuzha is the starting point for most journeys into the backwaters. An auto-rickshaw will take you from the train station to the boat boarding point before heading to an island village for an overnight homestay with a local family. Get settled, then explore the Keralan Backwaters in a pole boat, your guide will also take you on a walk around the village and introduce you to the community.

Day 5 Kochi

In the morning, cross the backwaters by private boat back to Alappuzha. You’ll then take a 2-hour local bus to Kochi, arriving around midday (12 pm). Once arrived, go for a walk around the Fort Kochi area, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. In the early evening, there’s the option to attend a classic Kathakali dance performance – a snapshot into traditional cultures of the region.

Day 6 Kochi

Today, head to the Mattancherry part of Fort Cochin to explore the old Jewish quarter, synagogue, and Dutch Palace (Kochi Palace) on a guided walking tour. The tour takes around three hours, with the rest of the day free to do as you wish. Afterward, why not join an Urban Adventure day tour, such as Aromas of Kochi, to get more of an in-depth look into this city and its cuisine. Visit urbanadventures.com/destination/kochi-tours for more information, and check with your local leader in advance if you’d like to book one of these trips.

Day 7 Periyar

This morning, get ready for a day of travel as you head by private vehicle to Periyar National Park (approximately 7–8 hours). After checking in to your hotel, head out on a tour of a local spice farm. Walk through the winding pathways among the plantations as the scent of cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla lingers in the air. Take in the beauty of the cardamom flowers, enjoy the cool breeze and watch the sunlight seep in through the leaves of the pepper plants surrounding you. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed evening around your accommodation, perhaps settling in for an early night.

Day 8 Periyar

After breakfast, enjoy a free day with an optional walk around Periyar National Park. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk than an animal-spotting tour, but do keep an eye out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants, or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage or just relax in your scenic setting.

Day 9 Madurai

In the morning, take a local bus to Madurai (approximately 4–5 hours). This buzzing city is crammed full of bazaars, pilgrims, and cycle rickshaws. After a walking tour to see the sights, perhaps visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple. This ancient temple is still in use and features a labyrinth of lamplit corridors leading to shrines.

Day 10 Madurai – Overnight Train

Today is a free day in Madurai. Perhaps head to the Gandhi Museum to learn about the man who fought for India’s independence or wander through the 1000 pillars of Aayiram Kaal Mandapam. This is also a great opportunity to haggle with vendors at the bazaars and the tailors' market. Keep in mind that this evening, you’ll take an overnight sleeper train to Mysore. The journey is approximately 14 hours, so you may want to bring some extra snacks.

Day 11 Mysore

On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Mysore. Mysore is an easygoing town with a pleasant climate. Go on a walk with your group, checking out the ornate Mysore Palace along the way. There’s also the option to visit the Keshava Temple in Somnathpur, which is a stunning example of Hoysala architecture. The temple is a 1-hour drive out of town.

Day 12 Mysore – Overnight Train

Today is a free day in Mysore, with plenty of optional activities to keep you busy. If you’ve seen all you need to in town, perhaps explore the countryside surrounding Mysore. Climb up Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at the top, which is dedicated to the goddess Durga. At around 7 pm tonight, meet up with your group and board a 10-hour overnight train to Hampi.

Day 13 Hampi

In the morning, arrive in Hampi and travel to your guesthouse. Hampi is a temple town situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Once you’re settled in, make an optional visit to the architectural masterpiece of Vittala Temple. This 16th-century temple contains mandapas (pillared pavilions), a pool, a palace, and the popular stone chariot, which according to Hindu mythology was the vehicle of the Lord Vishnu.

Day 14 Hampi - Overnight train

After breakfast, explore the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire and the huge boulders on the outskirts of town. In the early evening, drive for around 3 hours by private vehicle to Hubli, where you’ll board a 9-hour overnight train to Goa.

Day 15 Goa

Once your train arrives in Goa, head to the hotel and check in. Brimming with Portuguese influences and known for the sandy beaches lining its coast, Goa is a fascinating region in India's south-west. The day is free to do what you like. Perhaps relax on the beach, sip a cocktail at a local bar, or go for a city walk. Tonight, why not get together with your travel crew for a beachside dinner – Goa is cause for celebration.

Day 16 Goa

There are no activities planned for the final day and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time. Goa is a great place to end the trip – if you can, we recommend staying on for a couple of nights to relax and explore. If you would like to spend more time in Goa, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Day 1: Cochin

Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel – early check-in.  After refreshing and rest sightseeing Cochin - a town famous for its spices and seafood. Visiting the Dutch Palace and Jewish synagogue. Visit the Church of St. Thomas - the place where Vasco da Gamma was buried. Then at the sunset walk in the port where you can admire the fishermen preparing the nets for fishing. Night at a hotel in Cochin.

Day 2: Cochin- Alleppey

After breakfast, drive to Alleppey, where we will have a luxury cruise by houseboat made only of natural materials in the famous Kerala backwaters, during which one will have an opportunity to admire the natural beauty of Kerala, relax and photograph the everyday life of the villagers. During the cruise, we will taste the houseboat chef's dishes. Overnight at the boat.

Day 3: Alleppey – Kochi

After breakfast, drive to Kochi from Alleppey. Check-in the hotel and relax. In the evening the Kathakali show is planned. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Kochi – Munnar

After breakfast and check-out from the boat, drive to Munnar which is a picturesque mountain village located among tea fields. You can enjoy wonderful views and feel the unique atmosphere of the town. You will visit a tea plantation and the "Tata museum" tea museum. In the evening, a show of martial arts characteristics of Kerala is planned. Overnight in a hotel in Munnar.

Day 5: Munnar to Kodaikanal via Thekkady

After breakfast travel to Kodaikanal which is situated on the southern crust of the Palani Hills. The town is cantered around star shaper Kodai lake. You can admire picturesque hills and waterfalls. After sightseeing check in the hotel and do sightseeing in the places like The Lake, Solar Physical Observatory, Pillar Rocks, and Bryant Park. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Kodaikanal - Madurai

After breakfast and some sightseeing with the driver drive to Madurai.

Visit the famous Meenakshi Temple in the evening - a complex dedicated to Shiva and his wife, which is characterized by a wealth of sculptures and decorations, and a multitude of pillars. Overnight at a hotel.

Day 7: Madurai – Thanjavur

Early visit to Meenakshi temple. After breakfast travel to Thanjavur, where we will visit a set of unique temples that are on the UNESCO list. There is a sanctuary, which is covered by a monolithic dome built of a single block of granite weighing 80 tons, which was pulled to the top of the building with the help of a 6 km long ramp, using the ancient technique of building the pyramids used by the Egyptians. Wonderful bronze handicrafts make Thanjavur one of the highlights of a trip around South India. In the afternoon, visiting the Thanjavur Palace Complex with interesting exhibitions and a library. Night in Thanjavur.

Day 8: Thanjavur – Pondicherry

After breakfast travel to Pondicherry. Check-in the hotel. Leisure time in the town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Puducherry

After breakfast visit the capital of the former French colony,  the Sri Aurobindo ashram and the temple of the god Ganesha where you can see not only various rituals and representations of the god Ganesha but also a live elephant who blesses the people visiting the temple with its trumpet. In the evening, walk the boulevard of the rising moon along the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the hotel

Day 10: Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram. The city is famous thanks to its seven pagodas. On the local waterfront, there is a group of ancients from the 7th century, carved in rock caves and monolithic sanctuaries representing the architectural style of Drawi. The monument has been inscribed on the UNESCO list. Particularly noteworthy are the huge reliefs, considered the most perfect example of the Palladian art. The most famous is the relief of Penance Bhagirathy, known as the Ganges Ride from Heaven. The picturesque Shore Temple was built in honor of Vishnu nearby. A night at the hotel.

Day 11: Mahabalipuram

After breakfast do local sightseeing of Tiger’s cave which is situated 4 km from Mahabalipuram center – the spectacular mandap contains a shrine which is solely dedicated to goddess Durga 

At your request, you can also do some sightseeing at the Crocodile Bank. The place holds a varied species of Indian and African alligators and crocodiles. Overnight at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Day 12: Chennai – Mumbai

After breakfast travel to Chennai.

Drop off at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Mumbai

After breakfast meets the guide and set off on a local full day sightseeing by car.

First, you will see the famous Elafanta caves (UNESCO LIST) which you will reach by boat. After that, you will be taken for sightseeing of the Gateway of India with the view of the Hotel Taj. Leisure time in Colaba Street for shopping and drive to famous Marine drive. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Mumbai

After breakfast, you will hotel check the hotel out and meet the guide. Set off on local sightseeing. You will see the other wonderful places in Mumbai: the University of Mumbai with Raja Bai Clock Tower, Saint Thomas Cathedral, The Mumbai High Court, Kala Goda, and Fountain Flora. Lunch break and after that you will be taken for sightseeing of a wonderful railway station on UNESCO list called Victoria station - Sivaji Maharaja Terminus Next you will be taken to the Haji Al Mosque which is situated on the island.

Drop off at the International Airport 2 or 3 hours before the flight.