From (AUD)$6,995
Days19
Airfares included
An enchanting journey through the cultural tapestry of South India awaits. From the bustling cityscape of Chennai to the ancient wonders of Mahabalipuram, the serene backwaters of Kerala await, where an overnight houseboat stay promises tranquillity. Explore the heritage of Pondicherry, the grandeur of Thanjavur, and the vibrant life of Madurai before immersing in the wilderness of Periyar. Explore Cochin's history, delve into Mysore's regal heritage, and so much more.
Group Size — Min 6, Max 20
Tips — Total cost includes - Tipping Made Easy, from $340pp pre-paid
Transport — Coach, Houseboat & Small Boat
No Hidden Extras

Discover Chennai during an orientation tour, featuring the iconic Santhome Cathedral, also known as St. Thomas Cathedral.

Explore UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswara Temple & fort, integral to the esteemed ‘Great Living Chola Temples’ World Heritage Site.

Stroll Madurai's alleys, glimpse local life, markets, sandalwood shops, concluding at Meenakshi Temple's majestic gate.

Uncover the allure of Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement, where the mesmerising Golden Temple resides.

Special Experiences

Discover UNESCO Brihadeeswara Temple, part of the ‘Great Living Chola Temples,’ a symbol of Chola power, culture, and architectural brilliance.
Savour Chettinad culinary art in a mansion-style hotel. Witness a chef's demonstration, relish exquisite dishes, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch.
Experience the enchanting 'Bedtime of the God' ceremony at Meenakshi Temple, a colourful procession escorting Shiva to sleep with Parvati.
Enjoy an evening Kalaripayattu performance at a local theatre—an ancient martial art with historical influence on Shaolin Kung Fu.
Tour a sprawling 300-acre coffee plantation, discover Arabica from Robusta beans, and share lunch with a coffee planter’s family.

Itinerary South India Explorer

Itinerary

Day

Inclusions South India Explorer

Inclusions

Sightseeing

Sightseeing icon
  • Chennai orientation tour, including Santhome Cathedral (St Thomas Cathedral)
  • En route to Mahabalipuram, stop at Dakshinachitra living museum
  • Visit to Kokilamedu fishing village, Five Rathas Temples & Shore Temple, Krishna Mandapam & Arjuna's Penance stone carvings & UNESCO listed Butterball
  • Stop at Auroville en route to Pondicherry
  • Explore Pondicherry French Quarters during a heritage walk
  • Walking tour of Tamil town with a pedicab ride back to the hotel
  • Visit a local bronze factory for a demonstration
  • Explore UNESCO Brihadeeswara Temple & fort, part of ‘Great Living Chola Temples’ UNESCO site
  • Mansion-style hotel cooking demonstration, followed by lunch
  • Visit a tiles workshop to admire the colourful craftsmanship
  • Walk through the alleys of Madurai to witness local life
  • Visit a local flower market
  • Witness the 'Bed time of the God' ceremony at the Meenakshi temple
  • Boat ride in Periyar National Park
  • Evening Kalaripayattu performance at a local theatre
  • Spice plantation visit: Learn growing, harvesting, and spice use
  • Spend overnight on a traditional houseboat
  • Watch a Kathakali dance drama show - classical Indian dance
  • Fort Kochi stroll: Old Quarter, seaside promenade, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Chinese Fishing Nets, and Dutch Palace visit
  • Guided tour of a sprawling coffee plantations followed by a hosted lunch with coffee planters family
  • Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement (Golden Temple)
  • Visit to the Deveraja Market & Maharaj palace
  • In Srirangapatnam, view the famous Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Travel

Travel icon
  • Return economy-class flights from Australia to Asia. Taxes Included.
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
  • All touring in air-conditioned vehicles

Accommodation

Accommodation icon
  • 16 nights in 3-4 star hotels
  • 1 night onboard a houseboat

 

Properties include:

  • Accord Metropolitan, Chennai
  • Radisson Blu Resort, Mahabalipuram
  • Shenbaga Hotel, Pondicherry
  • Svatma Hotel, Thanjavur
  • Regency Madurai, Madurai
  • The Elephant Court, Periyar
  • Sterling Lake Palace, Alleppey
  • Kerala Houseboat
  • Holiday Inn, Cochin
  • The Raviz Kadavu, Kozhikode
  • Heritage Resort, Coorg
  • Fortune JP Palace, Mysore
  • The Chancery Pavilion, Bangalore

Meals

Meals icon
  • 17 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners

Tour Guides

Tour Guides icon
  • English-speaking locally based national guide
  • English-speaking locally based guides

Porterage

Porterage icon
  • Porterage included where available

Some things to note

Some things to note icon
  • Women may need a head scarf to enter some mosques and temples, and wear modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders. Also, a good tip is to pack a spare pair of socks in your daypack, as sometimes shoes need to be removed when entering and the ground can be hot.

Information South India Explorer

Information

Let's Talk Fitness

At Bunnik Tours, we pride ourselves on our ability to create unique, once in a lifetime small group tours that are filled with incredible experiences you might not be able to have on your own, or in a larger group. However, that does mean aspects of our itineraries can be challenging for some travellers.

We want to make sure all Bunnik Tours travellers enjoy their trip, not struggle through it, so let’s work together to ensure our tours are right for you!

Fitness to Travel Requirements

Within seven days of your booking you will need to complete a Passenger Registration form, which also includes a Fitness to Travel declaration.

In this declaration, you must confirm you’re able to do the following:

  • I can walk up to 4-5 hours intermittently every day at a group pace, often in direct sunlight, on uneven surfaces without using any walking aid.
  • I can walk up multiple flights of stairs (including buildings without a lift) and short, steep hills.
  • I can stand for extended periods of time without needing to sit down, often in hot/humid climates.
  • I can carry my own luggage (including to/from hotels which do not offer porterage).
  • I am comfortable using a shower over bath (please note that we cannot guarantee stand-alone shower facilities at all hotels).
  • I can get on and off various modes of transport multiple times a day without assistance, including small boats.
  • I can drive along very bumpy dirt and gravel roads for extended periods of time.
  • I can travel to high altitudes, such as 3,400m on our 5-Stans tour.
  • I can use squat toilets if necessary.
  • I understand that my dietary requirements may not be fully catered for in some locations

 

If you have a health condition, such as cognitive impairment, vision/hearing impairment, or other medical conditions (diagnosed or undiagnosed) that may affect your ability to fully participate in tour activities or manage your own well-being during free time on tour, you will need to provide us with more details. 

If you do not feel that you can confidently manage all of the requirements set out above, please work with our team of Travel Specialists to find an alternative that is better suited to your current level of fitness.

Please visit our Fitness to Travel page for full details on our fitness policy.

FITNESS TO TRAVEL

 In the itinerary, this symbol indicates a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

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Dates & Prices South India Explorer

Dates & Prices
Select a tour to reserve your place.

*Prices are in AUD, per person twin share.

*Prices are in AUD, per person twin share.

Start Date End Date Tour Price
Per person
twin share
Status    
24 Nov 24
12 Dec 24
$6,795
On Request
04 Feb 25
22 Feb 25
$6,995
Limited Seats
11 Mar 25
29 Mar 25
$6,995
Guaranteed Departure
01 Apr 25
19 Apr 25
$6,995
Available

Additional Information

Valid from
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane & Perth
Other departure cities
Please contact our office for applicable pricing
Booking Deposit
$500 per person
Tipping
Total cost includes - Tipping Made Easy, from $340pp pre-paid
Single Supplement
From $1,750
Visa Information

You may need to obtain visas for this tour. Please check with your travel agent for further details. For Australian passport holders you may wish to visit our Passports and Visas page here for indicative information on what may be required.

Terms & Conditions

All prices shown are per person based on twin share. Prices and itineraries correct at current time but are subject to change. Please call for more details. View our full terms & conditions here.

Taxes
Total cost includes air taxes

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