Exploring South India (trip)

Log in or Register

Exploring South India

  • Chennai International Airport
  • Active & Adventure
India, Asia

To check availability or book,
contact Destination Himalaya:

Period offered: February. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


privacy notice
Your email address is safe from marketers! The address you provide will be used to contact this provider just like a regular email message. No third parties will be given access to your email address, nor will we ever sell it to them. TravelDragon hates spam too!
Do you want a brochure/catalog?
How should the provider respond to you?


from $5,285* per person17 DaysFebruary
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Destination Himalaya 12 people max
No one can traverse the whole of India and not feel the palpable difference between North and South. The dominant features of South India are its tropical climate with lush-green tropical vegetation in the coastal areas, as well as its architecture, cuisine, culture, languages and lifestyle.  In spite of repeated exposure to foreign influences, these elements have, at their core, remained essentially Dravidian.

On this Southern sojourn, traversing through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Kerala, we explore the unique and breathtaking architecture, sculpture, ancient culture and legacy left by the Pallava, Chola and Pandya dynasties. We learn how India has absorbed the influences of so many waves of colonizers and yet has remained distinctly and proudly Indian. We finally partake in one of Kerala's colorful festivals and also enjoy two days exploring the canals that make up the back waters of the Arabian Sea from a deluxe houseboat.

Loading map, please wait...

Locations visited/nearby

India, Asia

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Destination Himalaya:

  • Reviewer: Sandra M located in Palo Alto, CA USA
    “Sanjay Saxena’s willingness to work with us and make changes we asked for was above and beyond, as was his availability….This is the best travel agency I have ever worked with and I’ve worked with many!”
  • Reviewer: Bob & Marlene located in Ukiah, CA USA
    " Various Tour Companies have taken us to 17 countries and all 7 continents. None has been better than our tour of Rajasthan with Destination Himalaya."
  • Reviewer: Susan located in Foster City, CA USA

    Last year I signed up to travel to Tibet (Sept 26 - Oct 11, 2009) to Everest North Face Base Camp with Destination Himalaya . This was my first trip traveling with DH. I was well informed on the difficulty of the trip and how physically fit I needed to be, including a medical checkup, vaccinations and evaluation by their medical consultant. We were supplied with an extensive list of ‘to does’: including visa, medical, insurance information and a very complete packing list including all the prescription and non prescription medications and medical supplies to bring. I did not have several expensive items (sleeping pad, sleeping bag & hiking poles) and rather than have me purchase them for a one time use, they were loaned to me at no charge!

    Less than a week before departure, China closed the border of Tibet to foreigners. I thought the trip would be canceled. But no, Sanjay Saxena was able to change the itinerary to Nepal: Trekking to Everest: A Walk in the Khumbu Himal. They rearranged air flights & hotels & partnered with Peak Promotions in Katmandu, who did an outstanding job.

    Mingmar Sherpa, who has summitted Everest three times, was our head guide. I always felt I was being watched over by all our sherpas, especially on difficult sections of the trail. The first day was particularly difficult for a few of us and it was going to be difficult for us to safely make our intended destination, so Sanjay arranged for us to spend the night in a closer lodge.

    To top things off, our last day in Katmandu, we planned to take an early morning flight to view Everest. Since this was not included in our itinerary, we expected to pay for it, but Destination Himalaya paid for it!

    Another unexpected surprise were the Dispatches from the Field: daily updates (photos & text) of our trip to their website so our friends and family could follow our trip! See them at:http://www.peakpromotionnepal.com/cybercast/dh/

    I hope to travel with Destination Himalaya again this year - they have added Machu Picchu in Peru as a travel destination.

Comments from Facebook

Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

Day 1, Feb. 13: DEPART USA

Day 2, Feb. 14: EN ROUTE TO INDIA

Day 3, Feb. 15: ARRIVE CHENNAI – Most international flights arrive in Chennai (Madras) early morning. Upon arrival, we will make the short drive to the beach resort of Fisherman’s Cove, where we will have the opportunity to relax and explore this idyllic coastal area and the nearby “World Heritage” site of Mahabalipuram.

Day 4, Feb. 16: EXPLORING MAHABALIPURAM – Today we will enjoy Tamil Nadu’s travelers' enclave in the coastal village of Mahabalipuram. We will visit the “World Heritage” sites of the Five Rathas and the Shore Temple, majestically facing out across the Bay of Bengal.

Day 5, Feb. 17: TO MADURAI – Later in the day, we will fly to the ancient city of Madurai, which dates back to the 4th Century. Once the Meenakshi Temple was built, Madurai became the cultural center of the Tamil people. The balance of our day is spent enjoying a walking tour of the bazaar.

Day 6, Feb. 18: EXPLORING MADURAI – Spend the day visiting the awe-inspiring Meenakshi Temple, whose complex occupies an area of six hectares. Its twelve gopurams (towers), ranging in height from 45 to 50 meters, are decorated from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of carved, multicolored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures.

Day 7, Feb. 19: TO MYSORE – Today we fly to Bangalore and then make the 2-3 hour drive to Mysore, visiting the Jain site at Sravanabelgola, with its towering monolithic statue of Gomateswara, en route.

Day 8, Feb. 20: EXPLORING MYSORE – Full day to explore the “Sandalwood City.” Climb the 1000 steps to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple on Chamundi Hill, and visit the City Palace and Museum.

Day 9, Feb. 21: TO NAGARHOLE – This morning drive 4-5 hours to Nagarhole National Park. Late afternoon or early evening take a safari excursion into the Park.

Day 10, Feb. 22: EXPLORING NAGARHOLE – Full day to explore Nagarhole, including 4-wheel drive safari, in search of the elusive tiger and other wildlife. Option to take a 3-4 hour rafting excursion on the Kabini River.

Day 11, Feb. 23: TO THRISSUR – Leaving Nagarhole, we head to Kerala and the wonderful city of Thrissur.  Home to several temples, and considered a major cultural center in Kerala, Thrissur is home to the annual Thrissur Pooram, Kerala’s most spectacularly colorful religious festival.

Day 12, Feb. 24: THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVAL – We spend the full day visiting the Thrissur Pooram, with its plethora of colorfully caparisoned elephants.  The Thrissur Pooram draws thousands of pilgrims from throughout South India, and will provide us with an unforgettable experience and insight into the vibrant religious festival tradition of the South.

Day 13, Feb. 25: BACKWATERS OF KERALA ON HOUSEBOAT – We will depart Palakkad early morning to venture further into the beautiful state of Kerala, described as “God’s Own Country.” We arrive in the Alleppey region to board our private deluxe houseboat and begin our cruise of the scenic Keralan backwaters.

Day 14, Feb. 26: BACKWATERS OF KERALA ON HOUSEBOAT - On this comfortable floating home, we spend the day relaxing along the backwaters, letting all our worries slowly float away. As we cruise along the backwater canals of the Arabian Sea, we may choose to stop and explore some of the many small villages, old temples and churches that we come across.

Day 15, Feb. 27: EXPLORING COCHIN – This morning we disembark the houseboat and drive to historic Cochin. We will have the remainder of the day to leisurely explore this seaside community, with its charming colonial-era architecture. In the evening, we will be treated to an Indian traditional Kathakali dance performance and have an opportunity to meet with the performers.

Day 16, Feb. 28: IN COCHIN & DEPART TO USA – We have most of the day today to continue exploring Cochin. This evening transfer to Cochin’s airport for flight to Bangalore or Chennai for connecting flights to the USA. Departures will leave Bangalore or Chennai late night Day 16 or early morning on Day 17.

Day 17, Mar. 1.: ARRIVE USA

More information from Destination Himalaya: