Kerala & India's Beautiful South With Two-Night Mahabalipuram Beach Extension

Itinerary

Day 1

Overnight flight to India - Fly overnight to Bangalore.

Day 2

Travel to your hotel in Bangalore - Your tour manager will meet you as you arrive in Bangalore, and our coach will transfer to your welcoming hotel in this thriving city where modern developments surround the colonial remnants, parks, and green spaces of what was once known as the Garden City. Enjoy the chance to rest and relax before your first dinner at the hotel.

Day 3

Included Bangalore tour - After an early breakfast, you’ll head out for a sightseeing tour of Bangalore. Highlights will include the vast Vidhana Soudha state ‘capitol’ – India’s largest civic building – the 16th-century Bull Temple, with its massive, granite Nandi bull, and the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan. Following the tour, you’ll travel across the plain to historic, charming Mysore, pausing en route to take in the island of Srirangapatna. The island was once the stronghold of the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, who was finally defeated by the future Duke of Wellington. Here, in 1799. An important Hindu temple draws pilgrims from across the sub-continent.

Day 4

Included Mysore city tour - This morning’s tour begins with a short journey to an ornate temple atop the Chamundi Hills before returning to take in Mysore’s spectacular, domed Maharaja’s Palace. This fusion of architectural styles has a striking interior whose highlight is the magnificent royal wedding hall. You’ll also see the Jaganmohan Palace, with its collection of Indian paintings and carvings, and visit the Railway Museum. This afternoon, re-board the coach for another short journey, this time to Somnathpur, where the Keshava Vishnu temple is one of the finest examples of the intricate style favoured by the region’s 13th-century Hoysala rulers. Return to Mysore, to take in the extraordinary sight of the illuminated Maharaja’s Palace, this evening.

Day 5

Travel to Ooty - Board the coach for the memorable scenic journey into the foothills of the Western Ghat mountains. You’ll pass the forests of the Bandipur National Park, and, by afternoon, you will have arrived in the Queen of Hill Stations, Udhagamandalam (or Ooty is it’s more often and briefly called). Spend the evening in this idyllic location, discovering the Kew-inspired Botanical Gardens, Gothic St Stephen’s Church, and crumbling colonial splendour.

Day 6

Ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway - Board the historic, narrow-gauge Nilgiri Blue Mountain Railway to journey down through the spectacular hills to the plantation town of Coonoor for lunch. Tour a tea factory before returning to Ooty, where you'll visit the quintessentially British botanical gardens and St Stephen's Church, as well as the local market.

Day 7

Rail travel to Kochi - After a leisurely morning, perhaps making use of your hotel’s facilities, you’ll head to Coimbatore Station and board the early afternoon Ernakulam Express, which will speed you in air-conditioned comfort into Kerala. Spend the next two nights here, in Kochi, the ancient trading seaport once known as Cochin.

Day 8

Included tour of Kochi - Today, you’ll enjoy an included guided tour of historic Kochi. See the exquisite murals of "Dutch" Mattancherry Palace, the ancient Jewish synagogue, and Fort Cochin – home to the famous Chinese fishing nets that have become one of India’s most-photographed sights. Elsewhere in the city, historic St Francis Church overlooks a village green straight from a genteel English scene. This evening, see for yourself the intricate choreography, glorious costumes, and colourful make-up of a traditional Kathakali dance performance.

Day 9

Cruise on a traditional houseboat - Travel the short distance to Alleppey, and board a traditional, thatch-roofed Kettuvallam houseboat to lazily cruise a labyrinth of canals and waterways, lined with coconut groves, rice fields, and dotted with temples. This landscape of tiny islands is home to fishermen, buffalo farmers, and coconut growers. This evening, enjoy a guided walk through a traditional Keralan village.

Day 10

Travel to Periyar and visit a spice plantation - Bidding farewell to your floating home, you’ll journey up into a lush, rolling landscape dotted with tea and spice plantations, to Periyar. You’ll spend two nights here, close to the famous wildlife sanctuary. Check in to your hotel, then join your guide to explore a spice plantation and learn the mysteries and history of Indian tea and spices, which are grown in abundance on the slopes of the sanctuary. Enjoy dinner and a cooking demonstration at the hotel at the end of a fascinating day. This evening, you can also choose to go on an optional tour to Kalaripayattu in Periyar. Here, in a small venue with stadium seating, you'll be able to watch a traditional Indian martial arts performance.

Day 11

Included Periyar Lake Cruise and optional wildlife sanctuary excursion - Rest and relax in the cool surroundings of your hotel this morning or join our optional guided excursion into the Wildlife Sanctuary, in search of the endangered mammals (elephants, palm civets, giant squirrels, and – for the lucky few – tigers and leopards) and 250-plus bird species that make it their home. This afternoon, complete your visit to Periyar with a boat ride on serene Periyar Lake. Sightings of elephants and colourful birds are possible here, too; though glimpses of the elusive tigers and leopards are the preserve of the very fortunate few.

Day 12

Travel to Madurai - Journey east into Tamil Nadu, heading down onto the southern plains to spend the next two nights in Madurai. One of Asia’s oldest cities, Madurai stands on the banks of the River Vaigai and is famed for its extraordinary temples. Soak up the atmosphere of this unforgettable metropolis, which is dominated by the vast, colourful Meenakshi temple.

Day 13

Included Madurai city tour - Today’s guided sightseeing tour introduces Madurai’s Old City, where the ornately carved façade, colonnades, shrines, and quartet of towering gopurams of the Meenakshi temple are the breath-taking highlight. Marvel at the continual ceremonies and devotions, take in the bustle of the temple markets, and stroll the labyrinth of corridors and walkways. This evening, head back out of the hotel to discover the city’s narrow, bustling streets and colourful market by cycle-rickshaw.

Day 14

Travel to Pondicherry - A scenic journey through a landscape of rice-paddies and irrigated fields takes you to Pondicherry, a town of decidedly Gallic leanings that boasts an authentic Hôtel de Ville, where French is still widely spoken and where the "gendarmes" patrolling the beachfront promenade still wear kepi berets. Enjoy an overnight stay here, in a town that forms one of the backdrops to Yann Martel’s enchanting novel, Life of Pi.

Day 15

Explore Pondicherry - This morning, pay a visit to the Pondicherry Museum, with its diverse collection of artefacts, before you join a cycle rickshaw ride through the colonial French Quarter. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening. 

Day 16

Tour of Mahabalipuram - Journey north to coastal Mahabalipuram to check into a beach-facing resort. A sightseeing tour then includes a visit to the extraordinary, 8th-century Shore Temple. This afternoon, rest and relax on the beach for a few hours before enjoying dinner at the resort.

Day 17

Day at leisure in Mahabalipuram - A day of leisure awaits you, and you can spend it unwinding by the swimming pool, which looks out over the sea, or in the spa.

Day 18

Day at leisure in Mahabalipuram - Your last day free allows you to take it easy in this beautiful, tranquil setting.

Day 19

Tour of Chennai and flight to the UK - After your final breakfast, travel to Chennai, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of India’s fourth-largest city. You’ll then travel to Chennai airport for the overnight flight home.

Day 20

Arrive in the UK - Arrive back in the UK at the end of a colourful, enthralling journey. Back to top

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Passports and Visas

British citizens require passports when travelling overseas and this must be valid for six months beyond the date you return. If you are not a British citizen, you may need a visa for the country/countries you are visiting (please contact the respective embassies to check and to apply).

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Road conditions

In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Terms and conditions

Offer Terms & Conditions Save up to 15% offer discount applies to new bookings only booked between 23 December 2025 to 13 March 2026 and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to child pricing. The offer does not apply to departure dates with late availability pricing. Maximum 15% discount is not valid on Premier Collection, Festive, River Cruise, André Rieu events, Edinburgh Tattoo, or Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to the original tour price (excluding any discounts already applied, extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays, are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316. Back to top