tuuur.com - Worldwide Trips

Basix

Explorer

South India Revealed

16 Days | Beaches, backwaters and biryanis aplenty

4.6

Excellent

64 reviews

16 days

Start

Trivandrum, India

Finish

Goa, India

Trip Code

HHRS

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - null

Physical Rating

Meals

3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Auto rickshaw, Taxi, Train, Canoe, Boat

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (11 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights)

From £985(16 days)

Trip Informations

Unplug from everyday routine and head to the beaches and backwaters of southern India. Explore the lush landscapes, intriguing cultures, bustling bazaars, and incredible cuisine of this region. Jump on and off local transport and go rural through coconut groves and fishing villages, discovering the heart of the subcontinent. See ancient ruins and stunning temples, eat spicy curries, and drink luscious lassis. You'll zen out in the relaxed, unique towns of Varakala and Hampi. Explore the Keralan Backwaters in a pole boat before heading to an island village for an overnight homestay with a local family. Join the bustle of city streets and, at the end of it all, unwind on the beautiful beaches of Goa.

Why you’ll love this trip

Golden beaches and age-old fishing villages make Goa one of India’s most popular retreats – and a perfect place to consider extending your southern India adventure.

Take the atmosphere of Shimla or Darjeeling, add lush tropical jungle and you have the Western Ghats: a hotspot of thundering waterfalls, tea plantations, spice markets, and echoes of a colonial past.

Glide through the backwaters of Kerala on a pole boat, going ashore for a village homestay – a beautiful break from hotels and a perfect way to get close to local customs and culture.

Cross into Kochi – a colonial centre and major port city in India’s southwest. Explore the seaside Fort Kochi area and consider watching a traditional Kathakali dance performance in your free time.

Paddle by canoe to your guesthouse in the temple town of Hampi to enjoy a special stay on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Tuuur Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life. Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste-management.

Is this trip right for you?

This is a trip made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to take part in.

We are covering a lot of distance in a vast country, so this trip involves some long train rides. These can at times be a bit gruelling, but offer a quintessential and authentic Indian experience. Sleeper trains are a great way to travel long distances while still getting maximum time in each place. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of all genders. More information can be found in the 'Transport' section of the Essential Trip Information.

This trip runs year-round, so it’s important to be aware of just how hot it can get in India in the summer months and choose the season that best suits you.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Day 1 • Trivandrum
Welcome to India! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting this evening at 6 pm. Afterwards, join your local leader on an orientation walk around Trivandrum. Tonight is all about introductions, so perhaps get together with your group after the walk and have an optional dinner – your leader will be able to suggest the best neighbourhoods for a delicious local meal.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Trivandrum – Leader-led Orientation Walk
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Please note that Kerala is officially a dry state, with alcohol sales and consumption limited to bars in five-star hotels.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Varkala
In the morning, head up the coast by private vehicle for around 2 hours to the town of Varkala. Once settled into your hotel, use the free time to explore the Keralan coast, which is home to some of India’s best beaches. Soaring cliffs protect Varkala’s sandy bay and, depending on the time of year, dolphins can be spotted from high up on the rocks. In the evening, maybe head into town to one of the numerous restaurants serving fresh, local seafood caught right off the coast.
Accommodation
Resort (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Varkala
Enjoy a free day in Varkala. This is a great place to sit back and relax, but if you want to get active there are plenty of water activities on offer, such as surfing and windsurfing. Even though this is a popular destination for Indian tourists, the beaches are quiet and pretty laidback. Today is also the perfect time to check your Lonely Planet app and see what else is popular around the area. Take the rest of the day to relax, beachside, or otherwise, before the rest of South India beckons.
Accommodation
Resort (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Kerala Backwaters
This morning, take a 3-hour train journey along the Keralan coastline to Alappuzha (Alleppey). Once an important trading port and now renowned for the annual Snake Boat race in August, Alappuzha is the starting point for most journeys into the backwaters. An auto-rickshaw will take you from the train station to the boat boarding point before heading to an island village for an overnight homestay with a local family. Get settled, then explore the Keralan Backwaters in a pole boat, your guide will also take you on a walk around the village and introduce you to the community.
Accommodation
Homestay (1 night)
Meals
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Kerala Backwaters - Pole boat ride
Kerala Backwaters - Guided village walk
Special information
Accommodation tonight is on a multi-share basis. All the families in the community live within a few hundred metres of each other, with at least one person in each family speaking a reasonable standard of English. Food is traditional Keralan home-style cooking. Standards and configuration of rooms may differ between homestays.
DAY 5
Day 5 • Kochi
In the morning, cross the backwaters by private boat back to Alappuzha. You’ll then take a 2-hour local bus to Kochi, arriving around midday (12 pm). Once arrived, go for a walk around the Fort Kochi area, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. In the early evening, there’s the option to attend a classic Kathakali dance performance – a snapshot into traditional cultures of the region.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
Kochi - Kathakali performance - INR600
DAY 6
Day 6 • Kochi
Today, head to the Mattancherry part of Fort Cochin to explore the old Jewish quarter, synagogue, and Dutch Palace (Kochi Palace) on a guided walking tour. The tour takes around three hours, with the rest of the day free to do as you wish. Afterward, why not join an Urban Adventure day tour, such as Aromas of Kochi, to get more of an in-depth look into this city and its cuisine. Visit urbanadventures.com/destination/kochi-tours for more information, and check with your local leader in advance if you’d like to book one of these trips.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
Optional activities
Kochi - Dutch Palace - INR20
DAY 7
Day 7 • Periyar
This morning, get ready for a day of travel as you head by private vehicle to Periyar National Park (approximately 7–8 hours). After checking in to your hotel, head out on a tour of a local spice farm. Walk through the winding pathways among the plantations as the scent of cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla lingers in the air. Take in the beauty of the cardamom flowers, enjoy the cool breeze and watch the sunlight seep in through the leaves of the pepper plants surrounding you. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed evening around your accommodation, perhaps settling in for an early night.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Periyar - Spice plantation visit
DAY 8
Day 8 • Periyar
After breakfast, enjoy a free day with an optional walk around Periyar National Park. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk than an animal-spotting tour, but do keep an eye out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants, or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage or just relax in your scenic setting.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Periyar - Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performance
Optional activities
Periyar - Guided nature walk - INR1400
Special information
Our usual route is the Green Zone walk in the national park. Please note that tigers are extremely rare and shy in Periyar National Park. It is, however, a lovely walk, the local guides are villagers who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledgeable about the area’s flora and fauna. Bring water – we start early but it gets very hot and humid later in the morning. Leech socks are available to rent for a small fee – this is one critter that we often do spot!
DAY 9
Day 9 • Madurai
In the morning, take a local bus to Madurai (approximately 4–5 hours). This buzzing city is crammed full of bazaars, pilgrims, and cycle rickshaws. After a walking tour to see the sights, perhaps visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple. This ancient temple is still in use and features a labyrinth of lamplit corridors leading to shrines.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Madurai - Leader-led walking tour
Optional activities
Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple - INR50
DAY 10
Day 10 • Madurai – Overnight Train
Today is a free day in Madurai. Perhaps head to the Gandhi Museum to learn about the man who fought for India’s independence or wander through the 1000 pillars of Aayiram Kaal Mandapam. This is also a great opportunity to haggle with vendors at the bazaars and the tailors' market. Keep in mind that this evening, you’ll take an overnight sleeper train to Mysore. The journey is approximately 14 hours, so you may want to bring some extra snacks.
Accommodation
Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Madurai - Gandhi Museum - Free
Special information
Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow, and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of all genders.
DAY 11
Day 11 • Mysore
On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Mysore. Mysore is an easygoing town with a pleasant climate. Go on a walk with your group, checking out the ornate Mysore Palace along the way. There’s also the option to visit the Keshava Temple in Somnathpur, which is a stunning example of Hoysala architecture. The temple is a 1-hour drive out of town.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Mysore - Leader-led walking tour
Optional activities
Mysore - Keshava Temple - INR200
Mysore - Maharaja's Palace - INR200
DAY 12
Day 12 • Mysore – Overnight Train
Today is a free day in Mysore, with plenty of optional activities to keep you busy. If you’ve seen all you need to in town, perhaps explore the countryside surrounding Mysore. Climb up Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at the top, which is dedicated to the goddess Durga. At around 7 pm tonight, meet up with your group and board a 10-hour overnight train to Hampi.
Accommodation
Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Mysore - Chamundi Hill & Temple - INR100
DAY 13
Day 13 • Hampi
In the morning, arrive in Hampi and travel to your guesthouse. Hampi is a temple town situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Once you’re settled in, make an optional visit to the architectural masterpiece of Vittala Temple. This 16th-century temple contains mandapas (pillared pavilions), a pool, a palace, and the popular stone chariot, which according to Hindu mythology was the vehicle of the Lord Vishnu.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Hampi - Vittala Temple - INR500
DAY 14
Day 14 • Hampi - Overnight train
After breakfast, explore the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire and the huge boulders on the outskirts of town. In the early evening, drive for around 3 hours by private vehicle to Hubli, where you’ll board a 9-hour overnight train to Goa.
Accommodation
Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
DAY 15
Day 15 • Goa
Once your train arrives in Goa, head to the hotel and check in. Brimming with Portuguese influences and known for the sandy beaches lining its coast, Goa is a fascinating region in India's south-west. The day is free to do what you like. Perhaps relax on the beach, sip a cocktail at a local bar, or go for a city walk. Tonight, why not get together with your travel crew for a beachside dinner – Goa is cause for celebration.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
DAY 16
Day 16 • Goa
There are no activities planned for the final day and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time. Goa is a great place to end the trip – if you can, we recommend staying on for a couple of nights to relax and explore. If you would like to spend more time in Goa, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Auto rickshaw, Taxi, Train, Canoe, Boat

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (11 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights)

Activities

Trivandrum – Leader-led Orientation Walk

Kerala Backwaters - Pole boat ride

Kerala Backwaters - Guided village walk

Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour

Periyar - Spice plantation visit

Periyar - Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performance

Madurai - Leader-led walking tour

Mysore - Leader-led walking tour

Optional activities

Kochi - Kathakali performance - INR600

Kochi - Dutch Palace - INR20

Periyar - Guided nature walk - INR1400

Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple - INR50

Madurai - Gandhi Museum - Free

Mysore - Keshava Temple - INR200

Mysore - Maharaja's Palace - INR200

Mysore - Chamundi Hill & Temple - INR100

Hampi - Vittala Temple - INR500

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Friday Jul 04, 2025

Saturday Jul 19, 2025

Trip size max: - 10 spaces left

£985

Friday Aug 15, 2025

Saturday Aug 30, 2025

Trip size max: - 10 spaces left

£985

Friday Sep 05, 2025

Saturday Sep 20, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£985

Friday Sep 19, 2025

Saturday Oct 04, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£985

Friday Oct 03, 2025

Saturday Oct 18, 2025

Trip size max: - 11 spaces left

£1,023

Friday Oct 17, 2025

Saturday Nov 01, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£1,023

Friday Oct 24, 2025

Saturday Nov 08, 2025

Trip size max: - 11 spaces left

£1,062

Friday Oct 31, 2025

Saturday Nov 15, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£1,062

Wednesday Nov 05, 2025

Thursday Nov 20, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£1,062

Friday Nov 07, 2025

Saturday Nov 22, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£1,062

Friday Nov 14, 2025

Saturday Nov 29, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£1,062

Wednesday Nov 19, 2025

Thursday Dec 04, 2025

Trip size max: - 11 spaces left

£1,062

Friday Nov 21, 2025

Saturday Dec 06, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£1,023

Friday Nov 28, 2025

Saturday Dec 13, 2025

Trip size max: - 11 spaces left

£1,023

Friday Dec 05, 2025

Saturday Dec 20, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£1,023

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 10, 12 and 14 (overnight sleeper train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Reviews (0)

No review found

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS

TRIP STARTS

TRIP ENDS