Kerala and India's Beautiful South
18days from
£2,318*per person
Overview
Newmarket Holidays is offering 10% off tours until Sunday, 9 November.
Itinerary
- Overnight flight to India - Fly overnight to Bangalore.
- Travel to your hotel in Bangalore - Your tour manager will meet you as you arrive in Bangalore, and our coach will transfer to your welcoming hotel in this thriving city where modern developments surround the colonial remnants, parks and green spaces of the what was once known as the Garden City. Enjoy the chance to rest and relax before your first dinner at the hotel.
- Included Bangalore tour - After an early breakfast, you’ll head out for a sightseeing tour of Bangalore. Highlights will include the vast Vidhana Soudha state ‘capitol’ – India’s largest civic building – the 16th-century Bull Temple, with its massive, granite Nandi bull, and the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan. Following the tour you’ll travel across the plain to historic, charming Mysore, pausing en route to take in the island of Srirangapatna. The island was once the stronghold of the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, who was finally defeated by the future Duke of Wellington, here, in 1799. An important Hindu temple draws pilgrims from across the sub-continent.
- Included Mysore city tour - This morning’s tour begins with a short journey to an ornate temple atop the Chamundi Hills before returning to take in Mysore’s spectacular, domed, Maharaja’s Palace. This fusion of architectural styles has a striking interior whose highlight is the magnificent royal wedding hall. You’ll also see the Jaganmohan Palace, with its collection of Indian paintings and carvings, and visit the Railway Museum. This afternoon, re-board the coach for another short journey, this time to Somnathpur, where the Keshava Vishnu temple is one of the finest examples of the intricate style favoured by the region’s 13th-century Hoysala rulers. Return to Mysore, to take in the extraordinary sight of the illuminated Maharaja’s Palace, this evening.
- Travel to Ooty - Board the coach for the memorably scenic journey into the foothills of the Western Ghat mountains. You’ll pass the forests of the Bandipur National Park and, by afternoon, you will have arrived in the Queen of Hill Stations, Udhagamandalam (or Ooty is it’s more often and briefly called). Spend the evening in this idyllic location, discovering the Kew-inspired Botanical Gardens, Gothic St Stephen’s Church and crumbling colonial splendour.
- Ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway - Board the historic, narrow-gauge Nilgiri Blue Mountain Railway to journey down through the spectacular hills to plantation town Coonoor for lunch. Tour a tea factory before returning to Ooty where you'll visit the quintessentially British botanical gardens and St Stephen's Church as well as the local market.
- Rail travel to Kochi - After a leisurely morning, perhaps making use of your hotel’s facilities, you’ll head to Coimbatore Station and board the early afternoon Ernakulam Express, which will speed you in air-conditioned comfort into Kerala. Spend the next two nights here, in Kochi, the ancient trading seaport once known as Cochin.
- Included tour of Kochi - Today, you’ll enjoy an included guided tour of historic Kochi. See the exquisite murals of "Dutch" Mattancherry Palace, the ancient Jewish synagogue and Fort Cochin – home to the famous Chinese fishing nets that have become one of India’s most-photographed sights. Elsewhere in the city, historic St Francis Church overlooks a village green straight from a genteel English scene. This evening, see for yourself the intricate choreography, glorious costumes and colourful make-up of a traditional Kathakali dance performance.
- Cruise on a traditional houseboat - Travel the short distance to Alleppey, and board a traditional, thatch-roofed Kettuvallam houseboat to lazily cruise a labyrinth of canals and waterways, lined with coconut groves, rice fields and dotted with temples. This landscape of tiny islands is home to fishermen, buffalo farmers, and coconut growers. This evening, enjoy a guided walk through a traditional Keralan village.
- Travel to Periyar and visit a spice plantation - Bidding farewell to your floating home, you’ll journey up into a lush, rolling landscape dotted with tea- and spice-plantations, to Periyar. You’ll spend two nights here, close to the famous wildlife sanctuary. Check in to your hotel, then join your guide to explore a spice plantation and learn the mysteries and history of Indian tea and spices, which are grown in abundance on the slopes of the sanctuary. Enjoy dinner and a cooking demonstration at the hotel at the end of a fascinating day. This evening, you can also choose to go on an optional tour to Kalaripayattu in Periyar. Here, in a small venue with stadium seating, you'll be able to watch a traditional Indian martial arts performance.
- Optional Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary excursion - Rest and relax in the cool surroundings of your hotel, this morning, or join our optional guided excursion into the Wildlife Sanctuary, in search of the endangered mammals (elephants, palm civets, giant squirrels and – for the lucky few – tigers and leopards) and 250-plus bird species that make it their home. This afternoon, complete your visit to Periyar with a boat ride on serene Periyar Lake. Sightings of elephants and colourful birds are possible here, too; though glimpses of the elusive tigers and leopards are the preserve of the very fortunate few.
- Travel to Madurai - Journey east into Tamil Nadu, heading down onto the southern plains to spend the next two nights in Madurai. One of Asia’s oldest cities, Madurai stands on the banks of the River Vaigai and is famed for its extraordinary temples. Soak up the atmosphere of this unforgettable metropolis, which is dominated by the vast, colourful Meenakshi temple.
- Included Madurai city tour - Today’s guided sightseeing tour introduces Madurai’s Old City, where the ornately carved façade, colonnades, shrines and quartet of towering gopurams of the Meenakshi temple are the breath-taking highlight. Marvel at the continual ceremonies and devotions, take in the bustle of the temple markets and stroll the labyrinth of corridors and walkways. This evening, head back out of the hotel to discover the city’s narrow, bustling streets and colourful market by cycle-rickshaw.
- Travel to Pondicherry - A scenic journey through a landscape of rice-paddies and irrigated fields takes you to Pondicherry, a town of decidedly Gallic leanings that boasts an authentic Hôtel de Ville, where French is still widely spoken and where the "gendarmes" patrolling the beachfront promenade still wear kepi berets. Enjoy an overnight stay here, in a town that forms one of the backdrops to Yann Martel’s enchanting novel, Life of Pi.
- Explore Pondicherry - This morning, pay a visit to the Pondicherry Museum, with its diverse collection of artefacts, before you join a cycle rickshaw ride through the colonial French Quarter. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
- Sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram - Journey north to coastal Mahabalipuram for a last night's stay. A sightseeing tour includes a visit to the extraordinary, 8th-century Shore Temple. This afternoon, rest and relax on the beach for a few hours before enjoying a farewell dinner at the hotel.
- Explore Chennai before flying home - Bid farewell to your hosts and transfer to Chennai, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of India’s fourth-largest city. After the tour, you’ll be transferred to Chennai Airport for the return overnight flight home.
- Fly back to the UK and arrive home - Arrive back in the UK, at the end of a colourful, enthralling journey.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Cruise through Alleppey’s verdant backwaters on a traditional thatched houseboat
- Marvel at the Chinese fishing nets along Kochi’s harbour
- Take in the garden city of Bangalore and explore the elegant Summer Palace, a former residence of Mysorean ruler Tipu Sultan
- Explore Periyar’s famous wildlife sanctuary in the foothills of the Western Ghats
- Visit Mysore’s beautifully illuminated Maharaja’s Palace
- Venture into Mahabalipuram’s temples and relax on its beachfront
- Experience India’s French colonial gem, Pondicherry
- Travel to Ooty, the queen of the hill stations, and take a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway
- Enjoy a panoramic tour of Chennai’s diverse cultural sites, temples and bustling city streets
- Glide through Kerala’s striking mountain landscapes aboard an express train to Kochi
Our Price Includes
- 14 nights' hotel half-board accommodation at hotels in Bangalore (1 night), Mysore (2), Ooty (2), Kochi (2), Periyar (2), Madurai (2), Pondicherry (2), Mahabalipuram (1)
- One night’s full-board accommodation on a traditional Keralan houseboat
- Porterage at all hotels
- Return flights to India via Dubai
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
- The services of a friendly, experienced Tour Manager on the tour
- Tipping is included for airport and hotel porters, restaurant and monument staff, naturalists and rickshaw drivers. Tipping is at your discretion for your tour manager, driver and driver’s assistant
- Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Kerala and India's South Touring Hotel -
You'll be staying in a series of well-located hotels, all of which will be of a four- and five-star standard. In all cases, rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning.
Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
Luggage allowance
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Assisted travel
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the venue you're visiting.
For this tour specifically, it is important to note:
- Anyone with limited mobility may struggle to experience the itinerary to its full.
- Historic sites and temples are not well equipped for those with mobility considerations.
- Should you have walking difficulties, getting around may be harder and, in some cases, impossible.
This tour is therefore not recommended for those with limited mobility.
If you have any queries, please do contact us prior to travel.
Changes to your hotels
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Road conditions
In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Alcohol sales in Kerala
Local laws prohibit some hotels in Kerala from selling alcohol.
Terms and conditions
Maximum 10% discount applies to a selection of tours. All other holidays and tours will have up to 10% applied. This offer applies to new bookings only booked between 1st October, 2025 and 9th November, 2025 and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to child pricing. The offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Festive, River Cruise, Edinburgh Tattoo, André Rieu events, Lapland and Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to the original tour price (excluding any discounts already applied, extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays, are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316.
Holiday code
N474Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.