Kerala & the Southern Highlights
Kerala & the Southern Highlights
Kerala & the Southern Highlights
18 Days Starting in UK and ending in UK
Visiting: Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Coonoor, Ooty, Coimbatore, Munnar, Thekkady, Periyar National Park, Kochi, Kumarakom, Kettuvallam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam
Tour operator:
Tour code:
394
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 28
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
16-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$4713
$4465 (USD)
including Flights from the UK
Operator discount: -$249
Tour Overview
Southern India offers an intensely tropical and laid back experience compared to the north. Travel from the stunning hill stations to the tranquil backwaters on this in-depth journey.
Discover Chennai
Ride Ooty’s toy train
Experience Mysore
Cool off in Coonoor
Cruise Kerala’s backwaters
Explore the tea plantations
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Fly To Chennai
Location: Chennai
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to the city of Chennai and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3 : Discover Mamallapuram
Location: Mahabalipuram
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast and tour introduction, you will travel to Mamallapuram. On arrival, you will explore this coastal temple town, seeing the fascinating 7th and 8th-century rock carvings including the magnificent Shore Temple and the impressive Varaha Cave.
Day 4 : Chennai City
Location: Chennai
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Chennai. Formerly known as Madras, the city was developed as a British trading post and so is home to a number of colonial sights. A city tour begins at the 13 kilometre Marina Beach before a stop at Fort St. George, established by the East India Company, and the British built St. Mary’s Church. The final stop is the colourful Shiva Kapaleeswarar Temple.
Day 5 : Train To Bangalore
Location: Bengaluru
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early to catch the Shatabdi Express to the garden city of Bangalore. Take an afternoon city tour to see the Bull Temple, Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Vidhana Soudha.
Day 6 : Mysore
Location: Mysuru
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head to Mysore, stopping at Srirangapatna Fort en route. Visit the magnificent Maharaja's Palace and drive up to Chamundi Hill to admire the 12th-century Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and Nandi Bull. Tonight, enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration hosted by a local family.
Day 7 : Coonoor Hill Station
Location: Coonoor
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey up into the cool climes of the Western Ghats to the beautiful hill station of Coonoor. Relax and appreciate the peace and natural splendour of this quaint town.
Day 8 : Ooty Narrow Gauge Railway
Location: Ooty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
All aboard the miniature, narrow gauge 'Toy Train' to Ooty, nicknamed the 'Queen of Hill Stations'. Upon arrival, you will visit the botanical gardens and walk up to a small village where you’ll be able to gain insight into the lives of the local people, as well as getting incredible views back over Ooty
Day 9 : Travel To Coimbatore
Location: Coonoor, Coimbatore
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will enjoy a morning tour of Coonoor before lunch. After, you will drive through the hilly roads for 3 and half hours to Coimbatore. Here you will spend the night.
Day 10 : Munnar
Location: Munnar
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Munnar, a hill station enveloped by lush tea plantations. In the afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum. This day is at altitude.
Day 11 : Travel To Thekkady
Location: Thekkady
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today explore Eravikulam National Park where you will have the opportunity to spot the local wildlife (closed Feb-Apr, an alternative light trek will be available). Continue your journey to Thekkady, home of Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. This day is at altitude.
Day 12 : Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Periyar National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Though designated a Tiger Reserve in 1978, the Periyar Wildlife Reserve is best known for its elephants. Take a walk through the reserve, keeping an eye out for its resident elephant population, as well as wild dogs, barking deer, mouse deer and the elusive Bengal Tiger. Visit a spice village and browse a local market before enjoying a traditional Kalaripayattu (martial art) show this evening.
Day 13 : Drive To Kochi
Location: Kochi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to the coastal town of Kochi. This evening enjoys an exuberant Kathakali dance performance.
Day 14 : Explore Kochi
Location: Kochi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a full day tour of Kochi. Start at St Francis Church, the first European church built in India, before a visit to Santa Cruz Basilica, where you can get excellent views of more Chinese fishing nets. Finish by admiring the synagogue in the heart of the Jewish Quarter and a stroll around the nearby markets.
Day 15 : Backwaters Cruising
Location: Kumarakom, Kettuvallam
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Kumarakom where you’ll board your houseboat, stopping en route at Kumbalangi, a village created to highlight the lifestyle of fisher-folk in the area. Later board your houseboat a converted rice barge, known as a kettuvallam. Sit back and watch life on the water and the surrounding, untouched wilderness as you cruise unhurriedly along the canals. A delicious dinner of traditional cuisine will be served on board, and you'll spend a comfortable night on the water.
Day 16 : Discover Trivandrum
Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take breakfast on your boat before disembarking and heading for the beach town of Kovalam. Stop on the way in Kerala's capital Trivandrum to discover the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Observatory and Sri Chitra Art Gallery.
Day 17 : Kovalam
Location: Kovalam
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning take a walking tour of the town and visit the lighthouse. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or head to the beach, until a farewell dinner this evening.
Day 18 : Fly Trivandrum To Uk
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
16 nights in 3+/4 star
-
Fully Inclusive
Touring with Guides and entrance fees
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
-
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
-
Country Entry Visas
-
Entrance Fees
-
Fully Guided
-
International Travel
-
Local Taxes
-
Flights
International flights and current taxes
What's Not Included
-
Tipping and Gratuities
-
Drinks with Meals
Check out our Q&As
-
Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
-
Any dress restrictions?
When visiting temples or mosques, both men and women should dress in conservative, non-revealing clothing. Full-length trousers with a shirt or t-shirt for men; and trousers or skirts well below the knee with a top that covers the shoulders and upper arms for women. Women might also consider carrying a ‘modesty shawl’ in their daypack
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
-
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
-
Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
-
Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 30, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Nov 06, 2024 - Nov 23, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Nov 13, 2024 - Nov 30, 2024Wednesday - Saturday
Feb 12, 2025 - Mar 01, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Mar 05, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 22, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025Wednesday - Saturday
Oct 29, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Wendy Wu allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
How we Keep you safe on our Tours
Your safety and well-being will always be our Number 1 priority which is why we’ve instituted the most stringent COVID health and safety protocols on all of our tours. Here is a brief summary of the steps we are taking to ensure you will be safe, secure and satisfied when you travel with us.
Guides and National Escorts
Our National Escorts and guides will conduct a Health and Safety briefing with you before the tour begins and will help everyone ensure they adhere to social distancing, hygiene practises and local regulations. They will carry a supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for you to use free of charge and will, of course, observe the highest level of personal hygiene at all times.
Should anyone on the group fall ill your National Escort will ensure the individual receives swift medical attention and can only return to the group once cleared to do so.
Transport & Sightseeing
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant after each excursion service, overnight and between different groups.
You will always have at least one seat between you and your fellow tourers, hand sanitiser will be given to the group on each embarkation and vehicles will be thoroughly ventilated prior to passengers boarding.
Drivers will always embark vehicles after clients, disembark the group vehicle prior to clients disembarking, and maintain social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene at all times.
Your guides will assess the situation on the ground avoiding large crowds – where possible, alter timings and splitting the group into smaller sizes.
Accommodation
Wendy Wu Tours will only offer hotels that have undergone a detailed hygiene assessment, have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with government standards.
We will ensure these protocols include staff practising social distancing and wearing appropriate PPI, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in all areas and food safety.
Dining
All the restaurants we visit will be researched and inspected regularly to ensure that they follow the strictest health, cleanliness and safety guidelines.
All waiting staff will wear face masks and gloves and we will arrange à la carte dining, waiter-served meals or waiter-assisted buffets throughout the tour. We will not share open-buffet meals with other hotel or restaurant guests.
Hand sanitiser will be provided to the group before and after every food and beverage service.