fbpx

Splendours of Southern India

Welcome to Southern India, a region that never fails to mesmerise visitors with its rich diversity of cultures, stunning landscapes, and deep-rooted heritage. From the tranquil backwaters of Kerala to the colonial town of Kochi, this part of India offers a captivating blend of ancient customs and contemporary charm. Be prepared to be awed by majestic temples, tantalised by mouthwatering cuisine, and embraced by the warm hospitality that defines this enchanting area.

Southern India’s beauty extends across vast expanses of land and sea. Take a leisurely stroll through the lush greenery of its tropical rainforests, or soak in the warm sun on its sandy beaches. The region is home to an incredible array of exotic flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature lovers.

So come, let us welcome you to Southern India, a place where the past meets the present and the future, and where the possibilities are endless.

Oh the places we'll go ......

Trip Highlights

Book your Southern India Tour

PRICE PER PERSON

*PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE SIZE OF HOUSEBOATS FOR ONE NIGHT ALL GUESTS WILL NEED TO TWINSHARE THIS IS JUST FOR ONE NIGHT WHILST ONTHE HOUSEBOAT. WE WILL BUDDY YOU UP WITH SOMEONE.

This tour has a $500 deposit and the remainder is due 75 prior to departure.ย 

**FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED

FLIGHTS – We recommend using Kochi Airport for your arrival and departure. If youโ€™re coming from Australia, flights range between AUD $1200 and AUD $2000 return, depending on your airline and departure location. We canโ€™t wait to see you soon!

If this tour is Fully Booked!

But if youโ€™re still hoping to join us, donโ€™t worryโ€”you can be added to our waitlist.

Simply email us at [email protected]

Enjoy guided travel with our Escorted Tours, fully led by a certified, English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the journey, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for the destination.

For groups of eight or more, a Vibrant Women Travel Host will join the tour to provide additional support and ensure a seamless travel experience.

MEET OUR AMAZING TOUR LEADER – JOYCE XAVIER

Hello there! Allow us to introduce you to our fantastic tour leader, Joyce.

With over 40 years of experience as a licensed guide, Joyce has a passion for travel and a heart for people. He is kind, patient, communicative, and always goes above and beyond to make his guests feel welcome and valued. Joyce’s service motto is to receive a guest and send back a friend.

He speaks English very clearly and slowly so that everyone can easily understand.

His impressive list of guests includes celebs such as Sir David Attenborough, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Lord Mountbatten’s grandson, Mr. Philip Knatchbull.

Inclusions

Exclusions

Itinerary

Arrival to Kochi, India

Upon your arrival at Cochin International Airport, our representative will be waiting to welcome you and begin your journey into the heart of this enchanting city. From the airport, we will proceed to Fort Kochi, which is a delightful destination steeped in history and culture.

After check-in at the Abad Dutch Bungalow, settle in takeย  wander there are no activities planned for this day.ย 

Meals: none

Accommodation – Abad Dutch Bungalow or Similar

Welcome to Fort Kochi

Explore the rich cultural history of this coastal town by starting your day with a visit to the magnificent Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese. Marvel at the stunning murals that adorn the palace walls, which are considered some of India’s most beautiful. Next, head over to the Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace to learn more about Fort Kochi’s fascinating past.

After your sightseeing, take a stroll through the main city center and make your way to the picturesque Marine Drive, offering views of the Arabian sea.

In the afternoon, retreat to the Abad Dutch Bungalow resort for a swim.ย 

In the evening enjoy a traditional Kathakali Dance performance. Kathakali dance, a mesmerising art form originating centuries ago in India, emerges as a captivating narrative dance that beautifully blends mudras, the graceful hand gestures portraying a character’s dialogue, with bhava, the enchanting facial expressions that unveil the character’s innermost emotions.

Meals: Breakfast included.

Accommodation – Abad Dutch Bungalow or similar

After breakfast, embark on your journey to the picturesque hill station of Munnar. Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in Indiaโ€™s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century.ย 

While enroute to Munnar, we will stop by Cheeyyappara and Valara Waterfalls, both of which are stunning natural wonders that are sure to captivate your imagination as well as the magnificent Karadipara View Point, which offers a bird’s eye view of the lush greenery and majestic hills of the beautiful region.

As you reach Munnar, allow yourself to be spellbound by the natural beauty and tranquillity of the town.ย  Take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets.

Drive Time: approx. 4 hours.ย 

Meals – Breakfast

Overnight stay at Abad Copper Castle or Similar

After breakfast, we will embark on a fascinating sightseeing tour of Eravikulam – the natural habitat of the magnificent Nilgiri Tarh. Here, you will have the incredible opportunity to observe these half goat half deer like creatures up close and personal. But that’s not all – we have a whole day of exciting activities in store for you!

Next, we’ll take you to discover the secrets of tea-making at a local factory and tea museum. You’ll learn about the intricate process of tea production and have the chance to sample some of the region’s most fragrant blends. Then, we’ll journey on to the stunning Mattupetty Dam, where you can admire the breathtaking scenery and soak up the tranquil atmosphere. And don’t forget to visit Echo Point and Photo Point โ€“ two iconic panoramic viewpoints.

Finally, we’ll round off our day with a visit to Eravikulam National Park. Here, you can wander through the lush foliage and breathe in the fresh mountain air while spotting the abundant wildlife that calls this park their home.

Meals – Breakfast

Overnight – Abad Copper Castle

Overnight stay at Abad Green Forest or Similar

After having breakfast at the hotel, it will be time to check-out and begin your journey towards Thekkady, famously known as the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is unparalleled in the world and boasts of an incredibly diverse collection of flora and fauna in their natural habitats. On your way to Thekkady, your first stop will be at the charming Spice Plantations, where you will get a chance to see and learn about various local spices that are grown in the region. After this, it will be time to soak in the natural wonders of the place. Take a boat ride at Thekkady Lake and be mesmerized by the picturesque surroundings that await you. In the evening, explore the local markets and indulge in some spice shopping so that you can cherish the memories of this trip for a long time.

After a fun-filled day of adventure and exploration, spend the night surrounded by lush greenery and serene surroundings.

Meals – Breakfast

Overnight stay at Abad Green Forest or Similar

Begin your day by visiting the Kumarakom bird life sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of bird species and is a must-visit for all nature enthusiasts.ย 

As the day winds down perhaps enjoy an Ayurvedic Treatment at your Hotel.

Approx: 4 hours Drive

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation – Abad Whispering Palms or Abad Turtle Beach or Similar

Kumarakom to House Boat

After breakfast checkout from hotel board House Boat.ย  The Kerala backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and a chain of brackish lagoons. Alapuzha (Alleppey) the Venice of the East has an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. The Houseboats in the Alleppey backwaters are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala.

Our itinerary starts with guests checking in at 1200 hrs. Kumarakom Houseboat Holidays will welcome you with fresh tender coconut water and start cruise after a short briefing introduction; relax and enjoy the canals, rivers and backwater.

At 1300 hrs, the houseboat will stop for lunch, with a menu of traditional Kerala cuisine (if you require any special meals like main food in North Indian or food without spice etc it has to be informed in advance).

At 1500 hrs we will continue our cruise covering beautiful rivers and canals with palm trees and small houses near to it, villages, paddy fields, churches, etc. You can get out and get an experience of Toddy (soft liquor made from Coconut it is safe pure and sweet); you can also buy fresh prawns or crab or karimeen from local fishermen and give to our chef, who will prepare it for your dinner.

At 1700 hrs we will provide you evening coffee/tea with traditional Kerala style snacks. From 1800 hrs till next day morning 0730 hrs most of the time we will stop near the land, due to legal restrictions to allow fishermen spread their nets. Parking helps you to get great views of the sunset; you can also get a chance to go out and walk along the riverside or villages and come back. In the evening enjoy your Dinner and leave all world behind you and have a good sleep in your floating Houseboat.

Overnight night Stay at HouseBoat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

At 0630 hrs bed tea/coffee will be provided. Enjoy the sunrise. Breakfast at 0800 hrs which include bread, butter, jam together with Iddaly, Dosa etc.

0930 hrs is the time to check out and end of services in houseboat. You will leave the houseboat hopefully with lovely memories.ย 

Proceed to Marari (Alleppey). Check in at the resort, after fresh up visit the Butterfly garden and Vegetable garden of the resort. Afternoon and evening is free time at the beach.ย 

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight Stay At Abad Turtle Beach or Similar

Departure Day

Check out from the hotel.ย 

Transfer to the airport on your way home.

*Please allow 3 hours to get to the airport.ย 

Meals: Breakfast

Requirements:

This tour has a lot of walking and requires a moderate level of fitness. There are steep stairs, uneven roads and footpaths. You may need to walk several kilometres in a day. You need to be fairly fit to attend this tour.

We recommend using Kochi Airport for your arrival and departure. If youโ€™re coming from Australia, flights range between AUD $1200 and AUD $2000 return, depending on your airline and departure location.ย 

If you are travelling on from the Marigold Tour you will depart from Delhi on the 24th of October and we suggest booking the flight below Air India AI 831 departing Delhi at 11.20am arriving to Kochi at 2.45pm.

The most convenient and cheapest way to get your visa is online e-Visa – To complete online choose E-Visa Application. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html a 30 day visa can only be applied for 30 days prior to travel unless you want a 12 month visa. Make sure you donโ€™t apply too early so that your visa is expired by the time you want to depart, 30 days in advance is enough, previously it has taken 3 days to receive the E-Visa. This cost is between $10 and $50USD, prices change all the time sorry but just to give you a guideline. We will also provide you with an info sheet on how to compete your visa application, separate to your trip notes.

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR YOUR APPLICATION:
India Mission is where your application will be lodged ie Canberra, Sydney etc. the office closest to you.
Reference name – Vibrant Women Travel
Address:ย Napier Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India
Phone:ย +91 484 414 4000
And then your own personal AUSTRALIAN reference (Emergency contact)
Places to be visited – Kochi, Thekkady, Munnar, Kumarakom
Name of Tour Operator – Vibrant Women Travel.
Address of Tour Operator – 32 Henning Road Raymond Terrace, NSW 2324, Australia
Name of hotel – Abad Dutch Bungalow – Napier Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India
Place of hotel – Kochi
Expected port of Exit – Kochi

You can view an example of a completed form on the link here, keep in mind this is a 2020 visa application so you will need to adjust dates and this is Tammieโ€™s application so please complete your own person details.ย ย ย 

Our rates do not include any kind of travel insurance and each guest must make sure to arrange their own necessary insurance prior to arrival in India. We will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. However, all travel involves some degree of risk we strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance for your adventure.ย 

Your insurance protection should include cover for cancellation, medical, in particular Coronavirus and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive please check this before travelling. Or contact our preferred Travel Insurance provider CoverMore

A $500 non-refundable non-transferable payment is required for this tour. Up until 75 days before the start of the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit will be retained. For between 75 days and 45 days, ย 50% will be forfeited in addition to the non refundable deposit.ย  For less than 45 days or for no shows the entire amount will be retained as we would have already had to pay for accommodation, transport, flights and activities, and this money will not be returned to us.ย  Once the tour has commenced no monies will be returned to you.ย  This is why travel insurance is compulsory.

Tourists should consult your Family GP or Travel Health Clinic at least 4โ€“6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect. *Legally we cannot give advice about travel vaccines however you can view the Travel Doctors website HERE for suggested vaccinations.ย 

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate complex dietary issues on our tours. If it is something you an manage yourself that is fine. But we cannot be responsible for peoples health and wellbeing in regards to food in foreign countries as sometimes things get lost in translation. We hope you understand. We don’t ever want our guests to become unwell whilst travelling with us.

This tour has a lot of walking and requires a moderate level of fitness. There are steep stairs, uneven roads and footpaths. You may need to walk several kilometres in a day. You need to be fairly fit to attend this tour.

If you want to make the most of your adventure you can join our โ€œThe Best Exotic Marigold India Adventureโ€ before this trip.

You will require a flight from Delhi to Kochi. We suggest booking for the 24th of October 2025 Air India flight # AI 831 departing Delhi at 11.20am and arriving to Kochi at 2.45pm. Prices are approx. $200AUD one way.ย 

Vibrant Women with a heart โ™ฅ

Please know that $25 of your booking goes towards supporting our charity Samadhan Dwarka and the amazing work they do in supporting children with an intellectual disability in India, so THANK YOU!

If you have any questions regarding this tour, just contact us at [email protected]