Kerala & the Southern Highlights & Kovalam Beach

Fly to the city of Chennai and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

After breakfast and tour introduction, you will travel to Mamallapuram. On arrival you will explore this coastal temple town, seeing the fascinating 7th and 8th-century rock carvings including the magnificent Shore Temple and the impressive Varaha Cave.

Return to Chennai. Formerly known as Madras, the city was developed as a British trading post and so is home to a number of colonial sights. A city tour begins at the 13 kilometre Marina Beach before a stop at Fort St. George, established by the East India Company, and the British built St. Mary’s Church. The final stop is the colourful Shiva Kapaleeswarar Temple.

Rise early to catch the Shatabdi Express to the garden city of Bangalore. Take an afternoon city tour to see the Bull Temple, Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Vidhana Soudha.

Head to Mysore, stopping at Srirangapatna Fort en route. Visit the magnificent Maharaja's Palace and drive up to Chamundi Hill to admire the 12th-century Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and Nandi Bull.

Journey up into the cool climes of the Western Ghats to the beautiful hill station of Ooty. Relax and appreciate the peace and natural splendour of this quaint town.

All aboard the miniature, narrow gauge 'Toy Train' to the 2nd hill station of Coonoor. Upon arrival you will tour the tea plantation and enjoy the stunning mountain views. Return to Ooty by coach, to visit the botanical gardens and walk to a small village to meet the locals, gaining insight into their lives.

This morning you will depart for Coimbatore, driving driving through the hilly roads for 3 and half hours. Enjoy an afternoon city tour, visiting Sri Svetambra Vimalanthar Jain Temple and Athar Jamid Mosque.

Travel to Munnar, a hill station enveloped by lush tea plantations. In the afternoon visit a tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum. This day is at altitude.

Today explore Eravikulam National Park where you will have the opportunity to spot the local wildlife (closed Feb-Apr, an alternative light trek will be available). Continue your journey to Thekkady, home of Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. This day is at altitude.

Though designated a Tiger Reserve in 1978, the Periyar Wildlife Reserve is best known for its elephants. Take a walk through the reserve, keeping an eye out for its resident elephant population, as well as wild dogs, barking deer, mouse deer and the elusive Bengal Tiger. Visit a spice village and browse a local market before enjoying a traditional Kalaripayattu (martial art) show this evening.

Travel to the coastal town of Kochi. This evening enjoy an exuberant Kathakali dance performance.

Take a full day tour of Kochi. Start at St Francis Church, the first European church built in India, before a visit to Santa Cruz Basilica, where you can get excellent views of more Chinese fishing nets. Finish by admiring the synagogue in the heart of the Jewish Quarter and a stroll around the nearby markets. Tonight, enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration hosted by a local family.

Travel to Alleppey where you’ll board your houseboat, stopping en route at Kumbalangi, a village created to highlight the lifestyle of fisher-folk in the area. Later board your houseboat a converted rice barge, known as a kettuvallam. Sit back and watch life on the water and the surrounding, untouched wilderness as you cruise unhurriedly along the canals. A delicious dinner of traditional cuisine will be served on board and you'll spend a comfortable night on the water.

Take breakfast on your boat before disembarking and heading for the beach town of Kovalam. Stop on the way in Kerala's capital Trivandrum to discover the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Observatory and Sri Chitra Art Gallery.

Take a morning walking tour of the town and visit the lighthouse for sweeping coastal views. In the afternoon you will be free to enjoy the resort and surrounding area independently.

Bid farewell to the rest of your group and travel to your beach resort, home for the next five days. Set along Kerala’s lush, tropical coastline, Kovalam is centred around three crescentshaped beaches – Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra – separated by rocky headlands. Each offers soft sands and the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, and watersports options like surfing and paddleboarding. Between your resort and these beautiful beaches, you have plenty of options of places to sit back and soak up the sun. The next few days will be on a private basis with no escorted touring included.

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.