Ultimate Southern India

This introduction to southern India combines culture, history and tradition with magnificent scenery and wildlife, and captures the very essence of the region.

You begin with the beautiful palaces of Mysore, before viewing the rich wildlife in the jungles of the Nagarhole National Park. Continue to Sultans Battery in the lush forests of the Western Ghats, before transferring by car and train to the historic port of Kochi with its fine colonial architecture. After exploring the intricate waterways of the 'backwaters', visit the charming colonial town of Idukki in the Cardamom Hills and visit the spectacular temples in Madurai, Tanjore and Pondicherry. This captivating journey ends with the ancient shore temple complex at Mahabalipuram, and the beach at Covelong.

Sample itinerary:

Day 1: Depart London (BA).  Days 2/3: Arrive Bangalore. Drive to Mysore. Overnights The Wildflower Hotel. Days 4/5: Drive to Nagarhole. Overnights The Bison.  Days 6/7: Drive to Sultans Battery. Overnights Tranquil Plantation. Days 8/9: Drive to Calicut and take a day train down the coast to Kochi. Overnights Brunton Boatyard. Day 10: Drive to Alleppey. Overnight Houseboat. Days 11/12: Drive to Kumarakom. Overnights Philipkutty's Farm. Day 13: Drive to Idukki. Overnight Paradisa Plantation. Days 14 /15: Drive to Madurai. Overnights The Gateway Hotel Madurai. Days 16/17: Drive to Tanjore. Overnights Ideal River View Resort. Day 18: Drive to Pondicherry. Overnight Maison Perumal.  Days 19/20: Drive to Covelong. Overnights Taj Fisherman's Cove. Day 21: Fly to London via Chennai.