Das Beste von Südindien

Das Beste von Südindien

• Trip code: 485X113
• Dauer: 14
• Stil: Classic

From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights of Southern India. This two-week adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time to explore on your own. Travelling by train, bus, rickshaw, and country boats will bring you closer to the locals and is a fascinating way to gain insight into the peaceful backwaters of Kerala and stunning temples of Tamilnadu.

Übersicht

What's Included

Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Mittagessen im Theuvoram Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey
Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Gastfamilie in den Kerala Backwaters, Alleppey. Orientierungs-Spaziergang in Fort Kochi. Kathakali-Tanz-Show. Besichtigung Chaumundi-Tempel und Mysore-Palast. Besichtigung des Mamallapuram-Küstentempels. Orientierungs-Spaziergang in Pondicherry. Fahrradrikscha-Fahrt durch Madurai und Besichtigung des Sri-Meenakshi-Tempels. Tour durch eine Gewürzplantage in den Cardamom Hills. Alle Transfers zwischen den Reisezielen sowie zu inbegriffenen Aktivitäten und zurück

Introduction

From calm Kerala backwaters and spice plantations to incredible temples, have your camera ready as you experience the highlights of Southern India. This two-week adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time to explore on your own. Travelling by train, bus, rickshaw, and country boats will bring you closer to the locals and is a fascinating way to gain insight into the peaceful backwaters of Kerala and stunning temples of Tamilnadu

Meals Included

2 Frühstück, 2 Mittagessen, 2 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD290-380 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Start / Finish

von Kochi

Checklist

Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Train Travel (Optional):
• Slip-on shoes
• Small container with lid
• Travel cutlery
• Travel or camp cup

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Bitte beachte: During the colder months (Oct-Apr) the mountains can be cold, so please make sure you pack warm clothes. During the months of Jul-Sep is the rainy season, so please make sure to pack waterproof clothes

Packing Note

During the colder months (Oct-Apr) the mountains can be cold, so please make sure you pack warm clothes. During the months of Jul-Sep is the rainy season, so please make sure to pack waterproof clothes

Optional Activities

Bangalore
- Besichtigung im Palast von Bangalore (450INR pro Person)

Thekkady
- Ayurvedic Massage

Periyār Lake
- Bootsfahrt am Periyar-Stausee (1050INR pro Person)

Group Size Notes

Max. 15, im Schnitt 12

Accommodation

Hotels (12 N), Gastfamilie (1 N, Mehrbettzimmer)

Transport

Zug, Privatfahrzeug, Fahrradrikscha, Autorikscha, Fähre

Highlights

Entspanne in den friedlichen Backwaters von Kerala, beobachte die Tierwelt in wunderschönen Parks, entdecke uralte Tempel, erkunde Tee- und Gewürzplantagen, mach eine Rikschafahrt durch die Straßen von Madurai

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Kochi

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities before the evening welcome meeting, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner

Day 2 Kochi/Bangalore

Walk along the cobblestone streets of Fort Kochi on a sightseeing tour of this historic city. The rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish. Tonight, take an overnight train to Bangalore

Day 3 Bangalore

After a night on the train, we'll pull into Bangalore in the morning. The first stop of the day is breakfast. Second stop of the day is to the beautiful Lal Bagh Botanical garden. Walk through the incredible green houses full of colourful flowers and unique sculptures. The remainder of the day is yours to see the city. In the evening, regroup for an orientation walk through the main iconic commercial streets of Bangalore

Day 4 Bangalore/Mysore

Depart from Bangalore and drive to Srirangapatna to visit the incredible Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and the Tipu Sultan's tomb. Then continue on to Mysore for an afternoon of free time to explore the city before an evening orientation walk in Devraja Market and an optional group dinner

Day 5 Mysore

Explore the best of Mysore today with visits to Chamundeshwari Temple at Chamundi Hills, the Mysore Palace and St. Philomena Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to explore this historic, opulent city

Day 6 Mysore/Māmallapuram

Take a train to Chennai and transfer to a private vehicle to arrive to Mamallapuram by the afternoon. This famous town is steeped in myth and history, so enjoy the opportunity to experience it with a free afternoon

Day 7 Māmallapuram

An early morning is dedicated to a tour of the Shore Temple, an iconic complex of temples and shrines known to the be one of the oldest stone temples in India, and best viewed at sunrise. After an incredible walking tour, take the remainder of the day for your own exploration of Mamallapuram. Most use this time to enjoy a visit to the beach or a yoga class

Day 8 Māmallapuram/Thanjavur

Leave Mamallapuram and drive to Chennai. Then transfer to a train to arrive in the afternoon to Thanjavur, a town renowned globally for its bronze metal sculptures. After settling in, visit the 200+ foot tall Brihadeeswarar Temple and walk around the markets

Day 9 Thanjavur/Madurai

This morning, drive to Kanadukathan, known as the land of Chettiars, the collection of over 75 villages. Here we will visit the traditional houses of Chettinad, famous for their spaciousness, opulence and intricate tiles. Afterwards, continue on to Madurai, considered the home of goddess Parvati in her form of Meenakshi - the fish eyed goddess

Day 10 Madurai

Explore the best of Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with tours of Thirumalai Nayakar Palace and Meenakashi Temple. The afternoon leaves you with time to venture on your own before we hop on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city

Day 11 Madurai/Thekkady

Drive to Thekkady this morning. Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar National Park, is the spice capital of India.  Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore Thekkady how you wish maybe on a boat tour on Periyar Lake or an ayurvedic massage

Day 12 Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters

Travel down to Allepey and catch a private boat for the short ride to the village homestay. In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location. Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters

Day 13 Kerala Backwaters/Kochi

Spend the morning enjoying your last moments with your host family before departing for Kochi. On the way, stop at your G Adventures-supported project TWE, a coop run by local women, for lunch. Head out for an orientation walk after arrival in Kochi, then enjoy an evening performance of Kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala

Day 14 Kochi

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Kochi

Day 2 Kochi/Bangalore

Day 3 Bangalore

Day 4 Bangalore/Mysore

Day 5 Mysore

Day 6 Mysore/Māmallapuram

Day 7 Māmallapuram

Day 8 Māmallapuram/Thanjavur

Day 9 Thanjavur/Madurai

Day 10 Madurai

Day 11 Madurai/Thekkady

Day 12 Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters

For this homestay, you will only need to take a small overnight bag. Your main bags will be transferred directly to the hotel in Kochi.

Day 13 Kerala Backwaters/Kochi

Day 14 Kochi