Exquisite Temples and Tropical Landscapes
Treasures of South India
Overview
South India is simply dazzling, with its spice ports, colonial towns, and magnificent temples nestled in a lush tropical landscape. Our hand-crafted journey delves deeply into this colorful realm as we watch an ancient dance-drama performance, explore by houseboat on tranquil Kerala waterways, and discover Tamil Nadu's sacred architecture, where carved temples soar high above palm forests. Along the way, we savor legendary cuisine, from coconut-infused fish curries to tangy rasam.
Arrive: Kochi, India
Depart: Chennai (Madras), India
Highlights
- Ancient trading port of Kochi on the Arabian Sea
- Private houseboat with an on-board chef
- Madurai's colossal temple, French colonial Pondicherry by the sea
- South India's savory cuisine, from curries to dosas
Itinerary
In Kochi (formerly Cochin), with its stunning location along the Arabian Sea, our walks reveal the legacies of its European past, from British mansions and Dutch cottages to a 16th century synagogue.
As we glide by deluxe private houseboat, Kerala's picturesque rural scenes are all around us. Our journey on waterways through this quiet region reveals the life of people working their fields with water buffaloes and fishing with nets from traditional longboats. We may even see some school boats (no school buses here). After heading through tea plantations to Periyar in the Cardamom Hills, we continue to Madurai. The vast, fortress-like Shri Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar temple dominates this city, and we immerse ourselves in the fascinating temple scene, with its Shaivite priests and ongoing weddings.
Crossing a green landscape of rice paddies and coconut palms, we discover Chettinard mansions and ancient temples in wayside villages. Bustling Karaikudi, with its antique shops, and famed Thanjavur, a center for art and music, are wonderful highlights. On Day 10, we explore, Kumbakonam, the main commercial area for the Thanjavur region and home of the 17th century Kubareshwara Temple, which towers over the town.
In Pondicherry, the former capital of French India, we walk the lanes of the French Quarter. From our beach resort, we marvel at Mamallapuram's rock-cut temples by the sea and visit an open-air museum of traditional Tamil culture. Depart on Day 14.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 1+, Easy, according to our trip grading system. It is a vehicle-based cultural and natural history adventure. Accommodations are in hotels and lodges.
Although this is not a difficult trip, please remember that travel in India is an intense experience. The essential requirements are flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity, enthusiasm about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected.
Review Trip Level Details
We expect temperatures to be warm to hot, ranging through the mid-70Fs to 80Fs. During this season, the average high temperature on the coast at Kochi is recorded as 86°F. At higher elevations, such as at Periyar, it is much cooler. The south of India has two distinct monsoon seasons: one in summer and another from October to mid-November. We don't expect heavy rain to be a problem on our trip, but there can be occasional showers at any time between November and February.
Client Testimonials
"Seeing the festivals in the small villages was a highlight of the trip."
Carol G.
Boulder, CO
"One of the best trips my husband and I have taken—a feast for the senses and the intellect. Fabulous temples, beautiful countryside. I especially appreciated our many glimpses into village life, religious practices, and traditions."
Joanne C.
Pittsboro, NC
"One of the best trips we’ve ever been on."
Joe K.
Mission Hills, CA
"One of the best trips we've ever taken."
Judith L.
San Jose, CA
"Fantastic. Inspiring. Spiritual. Educational. Memorable. A feast for the senses. Just a few of the many words to describe the Treasures of South India trip. One of the many highlights was interacting with the locals during Pongal festivities. The locals expressed such joy in seeing us as we did in seeing them. Having traveled with other companies, I can without a doubt say that WT has the best guides. "
Lee R.
New York, NY
"Hashmat's enthusiasm for his country is infectious, his enjoyment of people unending, and his work and efficiency unbelievable. I'm looking forward to another trip with him."
Roberta R.
Woodstock, VT
"This was my first trip to India and I cannot imagine a better introduction. Because of the care with which the trip had been planned and organized, I was able to relax, enjoy, and try to fully absorb the experience without spending even a moment concerned about the quotidian details of the trip. What a luxury."
Virginia V.
Salem, OR
"An extremely well thought out and well executed itinerary and the best Trip Leader I’ve ever had."
William N.
Long Beach, CA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.