Select your own dates. Go solo, two friends or a group of your favorite friends and family. Suggested best travel: November-March.

On the Essential South India Highlights tour enjoy magnificent beauty and a deep immersion into South India’s culture and traditions.

Extraordinary natural beauty, a slower pace and stunning ancient temples offer an intimate insight into rural village lifestyle, traditions and history on this venture into the deep south of India. Also, see a procession of 60 elephants bearing bright colored parasols present an unparalleled spectacle at the pooram (festival) in a remote rural village.

Participate in pujas with the locals, cruise the lovely Kerala backwaters, visit one of the most beautiful hill stations of the south, historic sites as well as less known towns as you immerse yourself deeply during our fascinating tour of South India.

Trip pricing is contingent upon a minimum of four (4) participants and is subject to adjustment should this minimum not be met.

• Fabulous Meenakshi Temple elaborate puja ceremony

• Explore off-the-track Chettinad villages, homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars

• Visit Royal City of Mysore

• Board a private, deluxe Kettuvallom (traditional riceboat) for an overnight tour of the backwaters.

• Accommodations with breakfast

• English Speaking driver

• Private local licensed guides for touring sites mentioned

• Arrival & Departure airport transfers -one for your party

• AC Transport van or minibus depending on group size.

• Meals: 1 lunch & 1 dinner on the rice boat in Kerala Backwaters, one dinner at The Bangla/Chettinad, 1 dinner at Hoysala Village/Hassan

• Monument/Museums Entrance fees

• Entrance tickets to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and boat ride on Periyar Lake

• Entrance ticket to Kathakali dance performance

• Bottled water in the vehicle during drives and sightseeing

• International airfare

• Visa Fee

• Flight ticket Cochin-Bangalore

• Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel porters

• Camera fees if any

• Meals other than those listed

Post-tour Extension to Ellora & Ajanta Caves-Following South India Highlights & South India In-Depth Tours. Exclusively available to participants of these tours. Not available as a stand-alone tour

Aurangabad is a convenient base for visits to the famous rock-cut temples of Ajanta & Ellora. The most notable feature of these cave temples is that entire hillsides were cut away with the artisan’s chisel to produce these sculptures, which are some of the world’s most exquisite.  Ellora’s 34 caves are over 10 centuries old and represent elaborate sculptures from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. The caves at Ajanta date back to the 5th century and contain paintings and sculptures of major events in the life of the Buddha.

Trip pricing is contingent upon a minimum of four (4) participants and is subject to adjustment should this minimum not be met.

What's Included:

• Two nights Accommodation with breakfast in Aurangabad 4*

• Room for wash and change Mumbai near airport

• Arrival/departure transfers

• AC Transport by SUV

• Professional guide during sightseeing

• Monument entrances

• India Gov Service Tax

What's Not Included:

• Air tickets to/from Aurangabad

• Lunches and Dinners

• Tips to driver, guide, hotel and airport porters

• Camera fees

• India Visa