- 24 October - 1 November 2025
- 8 Nights/ 9 days
- Weather 24-31 C
- Fitness - Med 5km per day
- Price Range - $$
- Arrival and Departure from Kochi airport
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 ......
Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is a vibrant and bustling city situated on the beautiful south-west coast of the Indian peninsula. Informally referred to as the Gateway to Kerala, Kochi is the ideal starting point for exploring the many charms of this incredible state. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, Kochi has something to offer everyone. Come and immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of this incredible city โ you won’t be disappointed!
Munnar is a town and hill station located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. A characteristic feature of the hill stations seen in the southern regions of India is the vast green plantations that make up the majority of the landscape of these areas, and one of the most famous such locations is the quaint and spectacularly beautiful hill town of Munnar.ย Some of the top attractions in Munnar include the Eravikulam National Park, which is home to a wide array of flora and fauna, and the famous tea museum and tea estates.
ย
Thekkady, a charming small town, is renowned for its exceptional wildlife, including sanctuaries teeming with elephants, monkeys, and occasionally sighted tigers. The town’s picturesque setting, with green hills reaching up to the sky, creates a dreamlike ambiance for a relaxing vacation. Additionally, Thekkady is famous for its spice plantations, where guided tours provide insights into the diverse spices cultivated in the area. Visitors can also purchase fresh spices and local goods from these plantations.
Appuzha (or Alleppey) is a charming city located on the Laccadive Sea in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The city is surrounded by serene backwaters, which is a network of tranquil canals, lagoons, and rivers making it perfect for houseboat cruises. Alleppey is a paradise for nature lovers and those who seek solace amidst pristine nature. The lush green landscape, swaying palm trees, and the rhythmic sound of the waves make this city an ideal destination for a relaxing vacation. The local food of Alleppey is a must-try, and seafood lovers would be in for a real treat.ย
ย
Trip Highlights
- Explore Kochi with a charming tour of Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town, and the iconic Fishing Nets.
- Experience the Magic of Kathakali - An Enchanting Traditional Dance Performance!
- Join us for a fun shopping experience at the markets!
- Stay in Munnar, the charming tea town!
- Sightseeing tour at Eravikulam, the natural habitat of Nilgiri Thar
- Explore Spice Plantations!
- Boating at Thekkady Lake
- Lets go on an adventure to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary!
- Come visit the amazing Kumarakom bird life sanctuary!
- Experience the Famous Houseboat Kerala backwaters
- Come hang out and relax with us at the beach!
Book Your Splendours of Southern India
- Twinshare โ $2590 AUD
- Single Room โ $2990 AUD
*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 youโre coming from Australia, flights range between AUD $1200 and AUD $2000 return, depending on your airline and departure location. We canโt wait to see you soon!
If this tour is Fully Booked!
But if youโre still hoping to join us, donโt worryโyou 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 – NITIN KUMAR
Hello there! Allow us to introduce you to our fantastic tour leader, Nitin.
Nitin is in charge of the logistics of your tour. He has arranged everything so you can have a seamless journey. From accommodation, to transport to guides, he has everything under control. Cool, calm and collected he hails from Chandigarh in Northern India and was previously the manager of the Best Exotic Marigoldย Hotel!
Nitin is kind, patient, communicative, and always goes above and beyond to make his guests feel welcome and valued.ย
He speaks English very clearly and slowly so that everyone can easily understand.
Inclusions
- 8 Nights accommodation
- Airport transfers on the 24th October and 1st November 2025
- All breakfasts and 1 lunch and 1 dinner as per the itinerary
- Private English speaking organiser throughout
- Private transport between cities
- Entrance fees a stated in the itinerary
- Kathakali Dance Performance
- Boat ride
Exclusions
- International Airfares
- Indian Visas
- Lunches and Dinners
- Drinks and alcohol purchases
- Tipping, we suggest $20 per person per day = $160 AUD and collect this at the beginning of the trip to be distributed amongst out drivers, hotel staff and guides
- Travel Insurance, (which is compulsory)
- Airport Transfers before the 24th of October and after the 1st of November 2025.
Itinerary
Arrival to Kochi, India
Pick up from Cochin Airport Proceed to Fort kochi Check in at Abad Dutch Bungalow with an evening welcome by the poolside.ย
Free time – 2 minute walk from the hotel is Fab India, ATM, Loving Earth Cafe and 5 minute walk to the foreshore.
Overnight Stay at the Abad Dutch Bungalow resort
7pm – Dinner Malabar Hotel *self pay
Meals: none
Cochin City Tour
Fort Kochi Day Tour – History walk of Fort Kochi, followed by Dobhi Ghat to see the last of the laundry walas starching the lungis of the local men and getting everyones whites as white as can be. Visit Mattancherry Palace built by Portuguese, Palace contains some of India`s most beautiful murals Jewish synagogue. Lunch at Ginger Restaurant Waterside *self pay then take an hour’s free time for some shopping in the Jewish quarter.
5.30pm – Be ready in reception to walk to Kathakali Dance performance.
Overnight Stay at the Abad Dutch Bungalow resort.
Dinner 7pm Burton Boatyard *self pay
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, on the way to Munnar we stop for a visit at the Hill Palace.ย
Hill Palace in Kochi, Kerala, is a magnificent archaeological museum and the largest of its kind in the state. Built in 1865 by the Maharaja of Cochin, this sprawling complex spans 54 acres and features 49 traditional-style buildings. Once the royal administrative office and residence, it now houses an impressive collection of royal artifacts, ancient sculptures, rare manuscripts, and even a crown adorned with emeralds, diamonds, and rubies. The museum also includes a heritage museum, a deer park, a prehistoric park, and a botanical garden with medicinal plants. Located in Thrippunithura, about 10 kilometers from Kochi city center, Hill Palace offers a glimpse into the opulent history and cultural heritage of the Cochin royal family.
Then enroute to Munnar, the most famous hill station situated on the Western Ghats at a height of 1600 meters above sea level we stop at Cheeyyappara, Valara Waterfalls. Before visiting a local Spice Garden with plants used in Ayurvedic medicine. *No lunch stops today so when we stop for a toilet break you can grab some snacks.ย
Munnar is essentially a tea town – miles of unending tea plantations can be seen here.ย
7pm – Dinner Abad Copper Castle * self pay
Overnight stay at Abad Copper Castle.
Meals: Breakfast
Munnar Tour
After breakfast, visit a tea factory and paper studio created by people with disabilities Shristi Foundation.ย
Drive to Thekaddy (5 Hours)
7pm Dinner at Abad Green Forest *self pay
Overnight stay at Abad Green Forest.
Meals: Breakfast
ย
Thekkady
10am boat ride for 90 minutes. Then after lunch depart for Safari jeep ride Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and then see a local martial arts demonstration – kalaripayattu.ย
7pm Dinner at Abad Green Forest *self pay
Overnight stay at Abad Green Forest.
Meals: Breakfast
Thekkady to Alleppey
After breakfast checkout from hotel drive to House Boat (5 hours).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 and having lunch. Spice Route boats will welcome you with fresh tender coconut water and start cruising after a short briefing introduction; relax and enjoy the canals, rivers and backwater.
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.ย
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 to 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.
House Boat to Marari Beach Area
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 the houseboat. Drive to Marari Beach area (1 hour) as we will be early for check in to the hotel we suggest starting some spa treatments. There are 3 spa rooms at the hotel and they have a mix of male and female therapists.ย
Overnight stay Flamingo Boutique Hotel or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast
ย
Marari Beach Area
Free day to relax, enjoy the pool etc.ย
Overnight Stay Flamingo Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
ย
Check out from the hotel.ย
Transfer to the airport please allow 3 hours.ย
Meals: Breakfast
ย
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.
- Up to 75 Days Before Tour Start: A $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit will be retained.
- 75 to 45 Days Before Tour Start: 50% of the tour cost, plus the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, will be forfeited.
- Less Than 45 Days Before Tour Start or No Shows: The entire amount will be retained, as we would have already incurred costs for accommodation, transport, flights, and activities, which cannot be refunded to us.
- After Tour Commencement: No refunds will be issued.
This is whyย travel insuranceย is compulsory.
We recommend using Kochi Airport for your arrival and departure. If youโre 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 donโt 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 Section:
Nitin Kumar (Tour Manager) C/O Vibrant Women travelย +91-7568272852
H.No. 67 Manakpur Devilal Colony,ย Pinjore, Kalka, Panchkula,ย PIN: Haryana India
And then your own personal AUSTRALIAN reference (Emergency contact)
Places to be visited โ Kochi, Thekkady, Munnar, Kumarakom
Name of Tour Operator โ Vibrant Women Travel.
Address of Tour Operator โ H.No. 67 Manakpur Devilal Colony,ย Pinjore, Kalka, Panchkula,ย PIN: Haryana India
Name of hotel โ Abad Dutch Bungalow โย Napier Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India
Place of hotel โ Kochi
Expected port of Exit โ Kochi
You can view an example of a completed form on the linkย here, keep in mind this is a 2020 visa application so you will need to adjust dates and this is Tammieโs application so please complete your own person details.ย ย ย
If you require assistance to complete your visa application please read this article HERE 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
To ensure a safe and healthy journey, itโs important to be up-to-date with your vaccinations. We recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or visiting a travel health clinic for personalised advice based on your travel itinerary. For comprehensive information on required and recommended vaccinations, please visitย Travel Doctor.ย They provide expert guidance to help you stay protected while exploring the world.
If you are unable to consume items such as wheat, tomatoes, onions, garlic, dairy, nuts, or other ingredients, it is crucial to inform us upfront. Late disclosures make it impossible for us to make necessary arrangements, and in many countries, meeting complex dietary needs can be particularly challenging. This could affect your well-being and place undue stress on our guides and hosts as they try to meet these needs.
Thank you for your understanding.
Our tours are designed to provide a rich and immersive experience, which includes walking tours on some days. Participants will encounter uneven footpaths, stairs, and other elements that require good mobility. Therefore, we recommend that women joining our tours have a medium level of fitness. You should be able to walk up to 7 km a day to fully enjoy all the activities and explore the beautiful destinations with ease.
If you want to make the most of your adventure you can join our โThe 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 โฅ
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!
