SOUTH INDIA CLASSIC
"Travel across southern India, exploring temples, beaches, and nature in this comfortable and relaxing tour."
Meenakshi Temple in South India
Meenakshi Temple in South India
South India Travel Map
South India Travel Map
USD 2354 Twin Share
USD 3234 Single
14
Nights
HIGHLIGHTS:
Take yourself away on a holiday with a laid back theme. This south part of India is a tropical paradise filled with Hindu temples, hill stations, pretty villages, lush green forests, and tranquil backwaters. Make friends with a rural family over a meal and learn about local cultural traditions. Get up close to the glorious elephants that the region is known for and return home relaxed after a houseboat cruise. Finally, enjoy the Indian Ocean’s beaches to end this unforgettable getaway in style.
PRICE INCLUDES:
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Sightseeing and local guides.
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All meals as per the itinerary. Hotels used are 3 and 4-star category mixture of boutique and heritage hotels.
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Transportation by coach & Houseboat
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Service of a Gay tour manager at all times.
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All the entrance fees to the monuments.
CULTURE ASPECTS:
Expect some culture shock. You'll be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different from home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:
Day 1 Saturday - Chennai
Arrive at Chennai International Airport. Meet and greet. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 Sunday - Mahaballipuram
Breakfast at the hotel. Late departure for city sightseeing by coach. Lunch. Then drive along the coastal road to Mahabalipuram. Check into the hotel. Welcome drinks and dinner at the restaurant.
(B, L, D)
Day 3 - Monday - Mahaballipuram
Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour to the ancient monuments. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage, etc. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Tuesday- Pondicherry
Breakfast at the hotel. Late morning departure for a short drive to Pondicherry. Check into the hotel. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Wednesday -Pondicherry
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing including visit to Auroville Ashram. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage, etc. Dinner at a restaurant. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Thursday - Trichy
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for a coach trip to Trichy, stopping at the Nataraja Dancing Shiva Temple at Chidambaram. Lunch. Arrive Trichy and check into the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant.
(B, L, D)
Day 7 - Friday - Trichy
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour of Trichy city including Rock Fort Temple and to the largest temple in India at Sri Ramgan. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon tour to Tanjore to see the great Brihadishwara Temple and Grand Anicut barrage on the Cauvery River. Return to Trichy for dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Saturday - Periyar
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for a coach trip to Periyar. Lunch en route. Arrive Periyar and check into the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 9 - Sunday - Periyar
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour to Tiger Reserve including boat trip. Lunch. Afternoon visit to a spice garden and free time. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10 - Monday - Alleppy
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for a coach trip to Alappuzha (Alleppy). Check onto luxury houseboat for an overnight cruise on backwaters. Lunch and dinner on board. (B, L, D)
Day 11 - Tuesday - Mararikulum
Breakfast on the houseboat. Return to the coach and drive a short distance to Mararikulum beach. Check into the resort. Lunch. Afternoon free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage, etc. Dinner at the resort. (B, L, D)
Day 12 - Wednesday - Mararikulum
Breakfast at the resort. Full day free time for individual sightseeing, relaxing, swimming, massage, etc. Lunch and dinner at the resort. (B, L, D)
Day 13 - Thursday - Cochin
Breakfast at the resort. Late morning departure for a short drive to Kochi. Check into the hotel. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing of Fort Cochin area. (B, L, D)
Day 14 - Friday - Cochin
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning tour of the city including harbor cruise. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon free time for shopping and individual sightseeing. (B, L, D)
Day 15 - Saturday - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free time for shopping etc. Transfer to Kochi International Airport. Departure.End of service. (B, L, D)
This itinerary is correct at the time of issue and in good faith but is liable to change at any time or place for any reason.
(B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
DEPARTURE DATES
9 DEC. 2023
10 FEB. 2024 | 16 NOV. 2024
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Notes:
International flights and travel insurance is not included in the published cost.
1. Culture Aspects
Expect some culture shock. You'll be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.
2. Shopaholics
Places like Mahabalipuram, Trichy and Cochin, have good shopping opportunities. You can shop for antiques and souvenirs at Mahabalipuram, silk fabrics at Trichy and famous Indian spices and south Indian coffee at Cochin.
3. Highlights
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Relax at Mahabalipuram and Mararikulam beach.
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Visit French colony of Pondicherry.
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Beautiful and colorful temples of Trichy.
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Spice plantation tour at Periyar, and forest tour with service of a naturalist.
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Overnight in your private deluxe houseboat crusing back waters of Kerala.
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Evening traditional dance performance at Cochin.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Mira & Sharon
This is an excellent trip that gives you a good taste of the southern culture and historical sights along with the wonderful foods. There is a fair bit of travelling but it is the nature of trying to see a lot in a short time. Great itinerary lay out. Gastronomy is amazing, we bought lot of spices. Thanks.
Peter & Kim
Southern India was amazing. As per the Raj. way, each day was jam packed with travel, sight seeing, unforgettable experiences and delicious food. I really feel like I got to know the real India, it’s people, food, customs and every day life. I would not use any other travel company if you want to experience unforgettable adventures. Great company, Perfect LGBT Holiday package.
Wolfgang and Daniel
A great trip, we saw and experienced so much more than if we had travelled independently.