Kerala & the Southern Highlights

Departures & Pricing

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Fly To Chennai

   Fly to the city of Chennai and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
2. 2

   Discover Mamallapuram

   After breakfast and a tour introduction, you will travel to Mamallapuram. On arrival you will explore this coastal temple town, seeing the fascinating 7th and 8th-century rock carvings, enigmatically called 'Decscent of hte Ganges'.
3. 3

   Chennai City

   Return to Chennai, formerly known as Madras. This city was developed as a British trading post and is home to a number of colonial sights. A city tour begins at the 13-kilometre Marina Beach before a stop at Fort St. George and the British-built St. Mary's Church. The final stop is the colourful Shiva Kapaleeswarar Temple.
4. 4

   Train To Bangalore

   Rise early to catch the Shatabdi Express to the garden city of Bangalore, where you will enjoy an afternoon city tour to see the Bull Temple, Tipu Sultan's Palace and Vidhana Soudha.
5. 5

   Mysore

   Head to Mysore, stopping at Srirangapatna Fort en route. Visit the magnificent Maharaja's Palace and drive to Chamundi Hill to admire the 12th-century Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and Nandi Bull.
6. 6

   Ooty Hill Station

   Today you will journey to the hill station of Ooty, one of three Nilgiri stations, that sits high above the southern plains. The road twists through hairpin bends, misty forests, and tea plantations and offers breathtaking views. You have the rest of the afternoon to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
7. 7

   Narrow Gauge Railway

   All aboard the miniature, narrow gauge 'Toy Train' to the 2nd hill station of Coonoor, where you will be surrounded with spectacular mountain views. Visit a botanical gardens, created in 1847 and is home to many tree species, including a 20-million-year-old fossilised tree.
8. 8

   Travel To Coimbatore

   Drive to Coimbatore and enjoy half a day of sightseeing including visits to the Sri Svetambra Vimalanthar Jain Temple, St. Michael Xavier Cathedral and Athar Jamid Mosque.
9. 9

   Munnar

   Travel to Munnar, a hill station enveloped by lush tea plantations. In the afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum.
10. 10

    Travel To Thekkady

    Today explore Eravikulam National Park and have the opportunity to spot the local wildlife (closed Feb-Apr, when an alternative light trek will be available). Continue your journey to Thekkady, home of Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.
11. 11

    Periyar Wildlife Reserve

    Though designated as a Tiger Reserve in 1978, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is best known for its elephants. Take a walk through the reserve, keeping an eye out for its resident elephant population, as well as wild dogs, barking deer, mouse deer and the elusive Bengal tiger. Visit a spice village before enjoying a traditional Kalaripayattu (martial art) show this evening.
12. 12

    Drive To Kochi

    Travel to the coastal town of Kochi. This evening enjoy an exuberant Kathakali dance performance.
13. 13

    Explore Kochi

    Take a full day tour of Kochi. Start at St Francis Church, the first European church built in India, before a visit to Santa Cruz Basilica, where you can get excellent views of more Chinese fishing nets. Finish by admiring the synagogue in the heart of the Jewish Quarter and a stroll around the nearby markets. Tonight, enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration hosted by a local family
14. 14

    Backwaters Cruising

    Travel to Alleppey where you’ll board your houseboat, stopping en route at Kumbalangi, a village created to highlight the lifestyle of fisher-folk in the area. Later board your houseboat a converted rice barge, known as a kettuvallam. Sit back and watch life on the water and the surrounding, untouched wilderness as you cruise unhurriedly along the canals. A delicious dinner of traditional cuisine will be served on board and you'll spend a comfortable night on the water.
15. 15

    Discover Trivandrum

    Have breakfast onboard before disembarking and heading for the beach town of Kovalam. Stop on the way in Kerala's capital Trivandrum to see the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Observatory and Sri Chitra Art Gallery.
16. 16

    Relax In Kovalam

    This morning take a walking tour of the town and visit the lighthouse. The rest of the day is yours to relax or head to the beach, before a farewell dinner this evening.
17. 17

    Fly To Australia

    Days 17–18

    Transfer to Trivandrum and fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

Accommodation

Book this tour

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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