ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS IN INDIA: OVERLAND HOLIDAYS IN SOUTHERN INDIA

Introduction:

Starting by the beach at Kovalam, in the wonderful state of Kerala, this activity holiday in India takes us hiking in the mountains, riding boats through palm tree lined backwaters and to the seldom visited ghost city at Hampi. We finish with two days to sample the lifestyle of Goa on the West coast of India

Itinerary
Day 1, KOVALAM: Arrive in Trivandrum, transfer to nearby Kovalam, the finest beach in South India.

Day 2, KOVALAM: Day at leisure to shake off the jet lag and settle into the leisurely pace of life in South India.

Day 3, MADURAI: Drive to Madurai, one of the most lively and exotic temple cities.

Day 4, MADURAI: A morning visit to the magnificent Meenakshi temple.

Day 5, THEKKADY (PERIYAR): A scenic drive to Thekkady.

Day 6, THEKKADY (PERIYAR): A full day for optional activities in the park. Boat trips are available on the lake and there are opportunities for hiking inside the park.

Day 7, BACKWATERS: Scenic journey to a village on Kerala's backwaters.

Day 8, BACKWATERS VILLAGE STAY: Free day. Option to explore traditional villages by dug-out canoes, on foot or by bike.

Day 9, KOCHI (COCHIN): Drive to Cochin, one of the most interesting cities in south India.

Day 10, KOCHI (COCHIN): Time to explore Fort Cochin, the harbour and islands with so many reminders of the city's colonial past.

Day 11, KOCHI: Free day. In the evening board the sleeper train to Mangalore.

Day 12, COORG: We drive from Mangalore to Kodagu (Coorg), a cool green mountainous area in the south-west of Karnataka. It is a very picturesque area where the roads are lined with flowering trees, spice plantations and coffee estates.

Day 13, COORG: The coffee estate is our base for walks in the area and a visit to Madikeri, the capital of Coorg.

Day 14, MYSORE: Drive to Mysore, a friendly and easy-going city of shady trees and buildings of faded grandeur.

Day 15, MYSORE: Visit the colourful vegetable and fruit markets, the Maharajah's Palace with its glittering interiors and Chamundi hill.

Day 16, BANGALORE: Transfer from Mysore to Bangalore. Board the sleeper train to Hospet.

Days 17 - 18, HAMPI: We arrive in Hospet. Just a short drive away are the magnificent ruins of the Vijayanagar empire at Hampi. At its height of its power in the 16th century, the city rivalled Rome in splendour and controlled almost all of South India. We explore on foot.

Day 19, GOA: Train to Londa and then drive to Goa where we stay near the superb beaches of Candolim, Calangute and Baga.

Days 20-21, GOA: Enjoy Goan lifestyle.

Day 22, GOA: End of tour.

Other details: Max Group Size - 18: Types of travellers who will enjoy this trip: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees. This is a "land only" tour. Flights from UK arranged seperately. Please enquire for details.

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