Over 22 unforgettable days, western and southern India unfold like a storybook of colour and culture. Wander Mumbai’s lively streets, trace Goa’s Portuguese charm, and watch the sun dip behind Hampi’s ancient ruins. Feel Mysore’s royal grandeur, marvel at sacred temples in Tamil Nadu, and taste spices where they’re grown in Thekkady. End your journey drifting through Kerala’s serene backwaters, where time slows down and traditions linger. This is India at its most vibrant — a mix of history, flavour, and soul.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Kerala Backwaters Homestay, Alleppey. Colaba Sunrise Walk. Guided exploration of Elephanta Caves. Heritage walk of Fontainhas (Portuguese quarter). Visit to Old Goa churches. Sunset visit and exploration of Hampi ruins. Guided exploration of Halebidu ruins. Hoysaleshwara Temple. Scenic train journeys: Mumbai → Goa, Goa → Hampi, Mangalore → Kochi. Fort Kochi Visit. Free Time in Kochi. Lal Bagh Gardens Visit. Free Time Bangalore. Bangalore Orientation Walk. Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Visit. Tomb of Tipu Sultan. Devraja Market Visit and Orientation Walk. Chamundi Hills Visit. Mysore Palace Visit. St. Philomena's Cathedral Visit. Mysore Free time. Free time in Mamallapuram. Sunrise Shore Temple Visit. Brihadeeswara Temple. Bronze Casting Workshops. Chettinad Traditional House Visit. Thirumalai Nayak Palace Visit. Meenakshi Temple Visit. Cycle-Rickshaw Tour. Cardamom Hills Spice Plantation Tour. Free Time in Thekkady. Boat through Kerala Backwaters. Kerala Backwaters Homestay. Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project. Orientation Walk in Kochi. Kathakali Dance.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Drift through the peaceful backwaters of Kerala on a traditional boat, Watch the sunset glow over Hampi’s ancient ruins, Explore Mamallapuram’s Shore Temples and wander local markets, Ignite your senses on a spice plantation tour in Thekkady
How large will the group be?
Max 16
What meals are included in this trip?
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, Walking, Basic Overnight Train, Local Train, Boat.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels/ Guesthouses (twin-share, 18 nights); Overnight Trains: (2 nights); Homestay: (1 nt, multi-share)
Itinerary
Mumbai
Arrive at any time. In the evening, join your CEO for a welcome meeting, followed by an orientation walk around Colaba and the waterfront market.
Mumbai
Spend the day getting acquainted with Mumbai on a sunrise walking tour followed by a driving tour of the city. For a cooler, quieter and even more beautiful experience, we head out around sunrise to see places like Gateway of India, Flaura Fountain and Rajabai Clock Tower. Then hop into a local taxi to visit places like Dhobi Ghat and Baangang Water reservoir.
Mumbai/Goa
An early morning train brings us to Goa by the mid afternoon. After checking into the hotel, join your CEO for an orientation walk of Panjim Fontainhas.
Goa/Hubballi
Today is yours to explore the amazing beach town of Goa. Choose to spend the day however you’d like, from taking a tour of Old Goa Church, visiting a spice plantation or relaxing on the beach. In the evening, take an overnight train towards Hampi.
Hubballi/Hampi
Pull into Hubballi early this morning and switch to a private vehicle for the remainder of the way to Hampi, famous for its incredible ruins and historic temples. After arrival, drop your things at the hotel, eat some breakfast then enjoy some free time to rest or explore. We’ll head to Raghunatha Temple in the evening for an amazing sunset view over the temple boulders.
Hampi
Start the day by watching the sun rise over Bada Nandi, the famous monolithic bull sacred to Lord Shiva. The Hampi adventure continues with a tuktuk tour through the famous ruins. Learn about the interesting history of this place while admiring some of India’s most incredible temple ruins and historic architecture. Following the tour, enjoy a free afternoon. Opt to visit the Kishkinda Foundation, a project dedicated to supporting the development of the local women and children.
Hampi/Halibedu
Head out for a scenic drive to Halibedu, the ancient capital of the Hoysala Empire and known for its amazing temples. After arrival, take a tour of the Halibedu ruins and learn of the long, interesting history if this place twice plundered by the Muslim armies of Northern India.
Halibedu/Mangalore
Visit the spectacular Hoysaleswara Temple at sunrise this morning, the only surviving monument in Halibedu. In the afternoon, drive to Mangalore and enjoy a restful evening.
Mangalore/Kochi
Travel by train and tuktuk to Kochi, a historic port town in Southwest India. Enjoy the day to rest or explore. Then, in the evening, join your CEO for an orientation walk of Fort Kochi.
Kochi/Bangalore
Walk along the cobblestone streets of Fort Kochi on a sightseeing tour of this historic city. The rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish. Tonight, take an overnight train to Bangalore.
Bangalore
After a night on the train, we'll pull into Bangalore in the morning. The first stop of the day is breakfast. Second stop of the day is to the beautiful Lal Bagh Botanical garden. Walk through the incredible green houses full of colourful flowers and unique sculptures. The remainder of the day is yours to see the city. In the evening, regroup for an orientation walk through the main iconic commercial streets of Bangalore.
Bangalore/Mysore
Depart from Bangalore and drive to Srirangapatna to visit the incredible Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and the Tipu Sultan's tomb. Then continue on to Mysore for an afternoon of free time to explore the city before an evening orientation walk in Devraja Market and an optional group dinner.
Mysore
Explore the best of Mysore today with visits to Chamundeshwari Temple at Chamundi Hills, the Mysore Palace and St. Philomena Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to explore this historic, opulent city.
Mysore/Māmallapuram
Take a train to Chennai and transfer to a private vehicle to arrive to Mamallapuram by the afternoon. This famous town is steeped in myth and history, so enjoy the opportunity to experience it with a free afternoon.
Māmallapuram
An early morning is dedicated to a tour of the Shore Temple, an iconic complex of temples and shrines known to the be one of the oldest stone temples in India, and best viewed at sunrise. After an incredible walking tour, take the remainder of the day for your own exploration of Mamallapuram. Most use this time to enjoy a visit to the beach or a yoga class.
Māmallapuram/Thanjavur
Leave Mamallapuram and drive to Chennai. Then transfer to a train to arrive in the afternoon to Thanjavur, a town renowned globally for its bronze metal sculptures. After settling in, visit the 200+ foot tall Brihadeeswarar Temple and walk around the markets.
Thanjavur/Madurai
This morning, drive to Kanadukathan, known as the land of Chettiars, the collection of over 75 villages. Here we will visit the traditional houses of Chettinad, famous for their spaciousness, opulence and intricate tiles. Afterwards, continue on to Madurai, considered the home of goddess Parvati in her form of Meenakshi - the fish eyed goddess.
Madurai
Explore the best of Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with tours of Thirumalai Nayakar Palace and Meenakashi Temple. The afternoon leaves you with time to venture on your own before we hop on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city.
Madurai/Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady this morning. Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar National Park, is the spice capital of India. Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore Thekkady how you wish maybe on a boat tour on Periyar Lake or an ayurvedic massage.
Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters
Travel down to Allepey and catch a private boat for the short ride to the village homestay. In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location. Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters. For this homestay, you will only need to take a small overnight bag. Your main bags will be transferred directly to the hotel in Kochi.
Kerala Backwaters/Kochi
Spend the morning enjoying your last moments with your host family before departing for Kochi. On the way, stop at your G Adventures-supported project TWE, a coop run by local women, for lunch. Head out for an orientation walk after arrival in Kochi, then enjoy an evening performance of Kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala.
Kochi
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
