Basix
Explorer
South India Revealed
4.7
Excellent
93 reviews
16 days
Start
Trivandrum, India
Finish
Goa, India
Trip Code
HHRS
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Transport
Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Auto rickshaw, Taxi, Train, Canoe, Boat
Accommodation
Local Guesthouse (1 night), Hotel (11 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights)
From £985(16 days)
Trip Informations
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.
Soak up free time in Varkala, Madurai and Mysore, using your afternoons to relax on the beach, visit nearby temples or explore the local culture at the museums.
Glide through the backwaters of Kerala on a pole boat, going ashore for a village stay– a beautiful break from hotels and a perfect way to get close to local customs and culture.
Cross into Kochi – a 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.
Visit a spice plantation in Periyar and be filled with the scent of cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Then, maybe take on the optional guided nature walk at Periyar National Park where you can look out for tiger tracks.
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.
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.
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.
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
Beaches, backwaters and biryanis aplenty
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.
Inclusions
Meals
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Transport
Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Auto rickshaw, Taxi, Train, Canoe, Boat
Accommodation
Local Guesthouse (1 night), Hotel (11 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights)
Included 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
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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 (90)
5 stars
66
4 stars
17
3 stars
6
1 star
1
Maxim
Jul 20, 2025
If you're still unsure India is for you, if traveling to India is intimidating for you, or even if you work/know a lot of people from India and would like to connect with them better, please take this guided tour. This was my first trip to India, and I am so happy I took it, with Intrepid and our excellent guide Afshar. India is a lot to take in, it can overwhelm you. This trip helps you to get used to it, understand it, learn how to navigate it. On the trip you see beaches of Kerala in Verkala, real jungle in Periyar, awesome Kerala backwaters, religious sites in Madurai, archeological wonders in Hampi, and so much more. And train adventures let you interact with locals, experience life as them. I also highly recommend our guide Afshar, with him you'll always feel completely secure and safe. And he'll even share his favorite dishes in every restaurant, so you'll have a culinary tour of India as well.
Paris
May 21, 2025
The trip was a fantastically organized adventure which offered us a great insight of India. Highly recommend to others.
Philippa
May 05, 2025
Just completed a 17 day Intrepid Tour of Southern India with a wonderful tour guide Sebin As a 68 yr old female I felt safe & comfortable always We had such diverse sights & fun adventures overnight trains great accomodation & the local knowledge of our leader kept the tour flowing with no holdups or disappointments I recommend Intrepid They deliver what the promise 👍🏻👍🏻
Bonnie
Apr 28, 2025
Intrepid organise a great trip with fantastic leaders.
Kevin
Apr 02, 2025
I bolted 3 Indian tours together to be able to say "I've been to India" ... in 7 weeks I've seen a massive amount of the Country & enjoyed every second of it
Janine
Mar 15, 2025
Loved discovering Southern India with Intrepid. This is authentic India. Our group leader Thilip was amazing in making sure we had the best experience.
Rene
Mar 09, 2025
The 16 days of the South India Revealed showcased the vibrancy of Southern India. From jaw dropping palaces/temples and local markets, there were many incredible places to absorb. Massive thanks to our guide, Pramod who heightened our experience
Bob
Mar 05, 2025
I really enjoyed my tour of South India. It came after an equally long tour of North India, and thus allowed for lots of comparisons. There is definitely a different vibe in the south, as well as differences in weather, food, architecture and history. It was wonderful to experience a more relaxed, less populated and tropical area of the country. Many people have said Southern India is its own world, and from my brief time there I would agree. Go see for yourself!
Tom
Mar 03, 2025
Amazing and wonderful experiences, outstanding leader/guide, lovely fellow travelers.
Hayley
Feb 22, 2025
A great trip to cover lots of different South Indian localities - beaches, archeological sites and monuments, urban markets and of course lots of temples! Our guide, Sebin, was a bundle of energy and his local knowledge was invaluable.
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