13-Nights Best of Southern India - Classic
G Adventures · 13 days
Escorted
From $1,549 per person
From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights of Southern India. This two-week adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time to explore on your own. Travelling by train, bus, rickshaw, and country boats will bring you closer to the locals and is a fascinating way to gain insight into the peaceful backwaters of Kerala and stunning temples of Tamilnadu.
Highlights
Relax in the peaceful backwaters of Kerala, spot wildlife in beautiful parks, uncover ancient temples, explore tea and spice plantations, take a rickshaw ride through the streets of Madurai
Accommodation
Hotels (12 nts), homestay (1 nt, multi-share).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 20, avg 14
Meals Included
1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Kerala Backwaters Homestay, Alleppey. Fort Kochi orientation walk. Kathakali dance show. Wayanad Tea Factory and Plantation Visit. Chaumundi Temple and Mysore Palace visit. Mamallapuram Shore Temple visit. Pondicherry orientation walk. Madurai cycle-rickshaw ride and Sri Meenakshi Temple visit. Cardamom Hills spice plantation tour. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Air
Itinerary
Sultan Bathery
Pondicherry (Puducherry)
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)
Kerala
Excursions
HALF DAY MUSUEMS OF KERALA
— Optional Private Excursions
HALF DAY
MUSUEMS OF KERALA
Departing the pier by motor coach, drive through to the commercial capital of the Kerala state, Ernakulam and along Mahatma Gandhi Road, which is the main thoroughfare with colorful markets, shops and temples.
Indo Portuguse museum currently houses some outstanding collections and is well known for its artistic and architectural marvels, which bear the mark of strong Portuguese influence. Some of these include a piece of the altar made in teak wood
Portugal with six ships bearing five friars and a group of settlers, Alfonzo de Albuquerque founded the town. He also built the first European church in India. Fort Cochin is renowned for its fishing nets, Parade Ground, David Hall and St. Francis Church. Stop here to take photographs and see their catch of the day.
Your nest stop will be at the Folklore Museum. Today have the pleasure of exploring this museum with the local guide. Kerala Folklore museum, the only museum in Kerala with essence of the life and culture of common man. There are around 4000 artifacts from tiny to large size on display in this museum. To name a few are wood and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, stone age objects, jeweler, paintings, oil lamps, musical instruments tribal and folk art and much more.
Return to pier.
| TIMING | ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST | DISTANCE & TERRAIN | W/C FRIENDLY |
| 00h00 – 00h30 | Pier to Fort Cochin | This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues | |
| 00h30 – 01h00 | Visit Portuguese Museum | 50 meters / Uneven/ 2 steps | |
| 01h00 – 02h00 | Walk through Fort Cochin, Parade Ground, David Hall, St. Francis Church & Chinese fishing nets | 500 meters / Flat / no steps | |
| 02h00 – 02h30 | Depart from Fort Cochin to Folklore Museum | ||
| 02h30 – 03h30 | Visit Folklore Museum | 200 meters / Flat / 5 steps | |
| 03h30 – 04h00 | Return to pier |
Thekkady
Madurai
Mysore
Kochi (Cochin)
Excursions
Cochin: Highlights - 7.5 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
9AM- 10:30AM
Disembark the ship drive for 45 minutes to Tripunithura and visit the Hill Palace which was the official residence of the Cochin Royal family built in 1865. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and in surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park. A fully fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's first ever heritage Museum are the main attractions. Displayed inside are 19th century paintings, murals sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the royal family.
Cooking demonstration and lunch can be arranged at a local home ( on direct payment basis)
2PM- 4PM
In the afternoon, before returning to the ship which is towards the Silk Route trading post of Fort Cochin, these days a `Heritage Zone’. Beginning with the Chinese and Arabs in the 13th century, the Portuguese arrived in 1500 A.D. followed by the domination of the Dutch and British. See St. Francis Church originally built in 1510 and the first to reflect European influenced tradition. Portuguese hero Vasco Da Gama died on the site and was buried in the cemetery.
At Matancherry, there’s the Dutch Palace built in 1557 by the Portuguese as a gift for the Maharaja of Cochin in exchange for trading rights. The Palace houses royal costumes, palanquins, furniture and weapons but its striking feature is a series of murals painted on wooden walls. Later, stop by the Pardesi synagogue, at the heart of what is locally called Jew town. (Closed for a visit on Fridays and Saturday)
4PM - 4:30PM Thereafter return to the pier.
Added Value:
- Great introduction to Cochin city.
- The Tour covers the main highlights of the city i.e Depart the Fort Cochin, St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry, the Dutch Palace and later Jew Street (or Spice Street) in Jew Town.
- Tour Duration: 7 hours
- Tour can operate : Morning
- Physical activity level : Moderate
- Wheelchair Accessible : No
Closing dates : Fridays - Dutch Palace in Mattancherry and Fridays & Saturdays – Jewish Synagogue.
Inclusions:
- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle
- Services of a local English speaking guide.
- All the entrance fees and camera fees.
- Credit card and bank charges.
- All the prevailing taxes.
Available Dates
| From | To | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2026 | Sep 26, 2026 | $1,549 |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 10, 2026 | $1,549 |
| Oct 2, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 4, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 11, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | Nov 5, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 7, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 | $1,649 |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 19, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 8, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 26, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Dec 3, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 22, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Dec 10, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Dec 12, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 17, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Dec 6, 2026 | Dec 19, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Dec 13, 2026 | Dec 26, 2026 | $1,779 |
| Dec 20, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | $1,779 |
| Dec 27, 2026 | Jan 9, 2027 | $1,779 |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Jan 16, 2027 | $1,549 |
| Jan 8, 2027 | Jan 21, 2027 | $1,549 |
| Jan 10, 2027 | Jan 23, 2027 | $1,549 |
Terms & Additional Information
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.