tuuur.com - Worldwide Trips

Original

Explorer

Rail

South India Highlights

9 days

Start

Start:

Finish

End:

Trip Code

HHSG

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 12

Physical Rating

Transport

Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

From 0 (9 days)

Trip Informations

Journey through South India on a nine-day adventure from Goa to Kochi. Begin in Goa, where you’ll visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral. Then, discover Hampi's UNESCO World Heritage Sites then, maybe hike Anjanadri Hill to catch the sunset over the surrounding ancient ruins. Learn about the region’s farming culture on your visit to Chikkamagaluru's coffee plantations before travelling to Nileshwar where you’ll cruise the interconnected network of Kerala’s Backwaters on a traditional houseboat. Catch an overnight train to Kochi and spend your final night sharing a Kochi-style meal with a local family in their home as you learn about local life.

Why you’ll love this trip

Explore Hampi’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites where ancient ruins and carved stonework reveal the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Hike Anjandari Hill – the birthplace of Lord Hanuman and watch the sunset over the Tungabhadra River and Hampi’s ancient ruin.

Learn about hill station farming traditions in Karnataka on a visit to Chikmagaluru's coffee plantations. Walk through the estate and discover the rich history of India’s coffee culture from local growers.

Cruise the Kerala Backwaters on a traditional houseboat. Float past palm-lined canals and quiet villages while enjoying a Kerala meal and learning about the region’s network of waterways, originally used for the transportation of goods.

Share a traditional Kochi dinner with a welcoming local family in their homes. Enjoy authentic flavours and conversations as you gain insight into the daily lives of the people of Kerala.

Is this trip right for you?

This trip uses a variety of transport types, including train and bus travel for up to 8 hours. There is also an included overnight sleeper train, so be sure to have a book, some podcasts and your best travel games ready.

Sleeper trains are a quintessential Indian travel experience. They’re a great way to travel long distances and maximise your time in each place. You’ll be travelling alongside locals, as well as Tuuur travellers, in a compartment of mixed genders. You’ll find more details about the experience in the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information, or you can read more about it here: https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/)

Part of travelling with Tuuur means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. You’ll be visiting a few temples throughout your trip, so please ensure that your legs and shoulders are covered.

We've sourced our accommodation carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Tuuur style of travel. Service and accommodation in India may be different from western standards.

Itinerary

Hit the hotspots of South India, from Goa to Kochi

DAY 1
NoneGoa
Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Tinged with a Portuguese flavour, Goa is blessed with lovely beaches, rich traditions, World Heritage-listed buildings and mouth-watering food. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Aguada Fort or Reis Magos Fort and immerse yourself in Goa’s culture. After your meeting, maybe explore the city or head out for an optional dinner with your group – your leader will have the best recommendations of where to eat.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Goa - Reis Magos Fort - INR100
Goa - Aguada Fort - INR300
DAY 2
NoneGoa
Immerse yourself in Old Goa on today’s guided tour where you’ll visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral. Then head to the Spice Plantation. Here, you’ll tour the plantation and enjoy a Goan lunch, maybe trying dishes like Vindaloo or Caldin curry. This afternoon is for you to spend how you like. Maybe head to the beach and relax in the sun, enjoy a swim or simply take in the sea breeze and surrounding landscape.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Lunch
Included activities
Goa - Spice plantation visit
Goa - Old Goa guided tour
DAY 3
NoneHampi
This morning, travel by private transfer from Goa to Hampi – a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient temples and historical ruins. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive this afternoon, spend some time settling into your accommodation or maybe head on a sunset hike to Anjanadri Hill – a Hindu God also known as the monkey god and a symbol of strength, devotion and loyalty. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Hampi - Sunset hike - Free
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
DAY 4
NoneHampi
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Hampi, exploring its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Learn about the Vijayanagara Empire as you explore Hampi’s historical and architecture wonders as you visit Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Kadalekalu Ganesha, Elephant Stables, Queen's Bath, Lotus Mahal and Sanapur Lake. Later this afternoon, head back to your accommodation in Hampi.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Hampi - Full day sightseeing tour
DAY 5
NoneChikkamagaluru
Embrace an early start this morning as you travel from Hampi to Chikkamagaluru – a hill station in Karnataka. When you arrive in the afternoon, walk through Chikkamagaluru’s coffee plantations, learn about the region’s farming heritage and maybe buy some fresh coffee beans to take home. Tonight perhaps enjoy dinner with your group before settling into your accommodation in Chikkamagaluru. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Chikkamagaluru - Coffee plantation walk
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
DAY 6
NoneNileshwar
After breakfast, say goodbye to Chikkamagalur as you drive to Nileshwar. Along the way, watch as the landscape changes from mountains and farmlands to beaches and palm trees. When you arrive this afternoon, opt to visit Bekal Fort – a medieval fort built by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi in 1650. Or spend the afternoon walking around the beach before heading back to Nileshwar for the night. Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
Nileshwar - Bekal fort visit - INR300
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
DAY 7
NoneNileshwar- Overnight Train
Start today off at a slower pace, spending the morning how you like. Then come together and set off on a village walking tour. Explore the Kerela Backwaters (a network of brackish lagoons and canals) on a houseboat, originally used for transporting goods. Sit back and enjoy a traditional Kerala meal as you glide through scenic, palm-lined waterways and discover the region’s history. Later, you’ll return to your day-use rooms and get ready to leave for the station for the overnight journey from Kasaragod to Kochi. Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. Your travel time on the overnight train will be approximately 8 hours.
Accommodation
Overnight Train (1 night)
Meals
Lunch
Included activities
Nileshwar - Kerala Backwaters cruise
Nileshwar - Village walking tour
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. Your travel time on the overnight train will be approximately 8 hours.
DAY 8
NoneKochi
Wake up in Kochi as the train pulls into the station early this morning. When you arrive at your accommodation, you’ll have time for a shower in your day rooms or maybe drop your luggage off and visit the Dutch Palace. This afternoon, head out for a walking tour around Fort Kochi, known for its architecture and huge bamboo fishing nets fixed to the Fort Kochi Beach shoreline. In the evening consider watching a traditional Kathakali dance show before wrapping up your trip with a farewell dinner with a local family.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Dinner
Included activities
Kochi - Home cooked dinner
Kochi - Kathakali dance performance
Kochi - Fort Kochi walking tour
Optional activities
Kochi - Dutch Palace - INR20
DAY 9
NoneKochi
Your trip comes to an end today. As there are no activities planned, you are welcome to leave at any time. If you would like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Inclusions

Transport

Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

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Important notes

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DAY 9NoneKochiexpand_moreYour trip comes to an end today. As there are no activities planned, you are welcome to leave at any time. If you would like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.restaurant_menu MealscircleThere are no meals included on this day.

DAY 9
NoneKochi
Your trip comes to an end today. As there are no activities planned, you are welcome to leave at any time. If you would like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.