Southern India: West to East Coast
8 days, Kochi to Māmallapuram
Itinerary Notes
Want to experience the sights and sounds of Holi? Make sure you’re in India on March 14, 2025 or March 4, 2026 for the nation’s most colourful festival.
Itinerary
Day 1Kochi
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities before the evening welcome meeting, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Kochi/Bangalore
Walk along the cobblestones 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.
Fort Kochi Visit
Enjoy your stay in charming Fort Kochi, which evokes an era long gone. Walk through the cobblestone streets, visit delightful tea houses, and have a relaxing drink while sitting by the water. Be sure to check out Vasco de Gama's tombstone and the famous blue synagogue.
Free Time
Enjoy an afternoon free to explore Kochi.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Day 3Bangalore
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.
Lal Bagh Gardens Visit
Enjoy a visit to the splendid Lal Bagh—literally "red garden"—a delightful botanical garden that was built in the 1760s by Mughal royalty. One of the most famous attractions in Bangalore, it boasts India's largest collection of tropical plants. Walk around the gardens and check out the lake and famous Glass House—a huge greenhouse where a popular flower show is held each year.
Free Time
Spend the day exploring Bangalore on your town terms.
Bangalore Orientation Walk
Take an orientation walk around Bangalore's Mahatma Gandhi Road, Brigade Road and Church Street, the heart of the city's most commercial zone.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Bangalore Palace Visit
450INR per personGet a taste of life with the royals with a visit to this magnificent palace, built between 1862 and 1944. Owned by the Mysore royal family, it was built in Tudor style architecture that has been said to resemble Windsor Castle in England.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Bangalore/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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Visit
Visit the ornately beautiful Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Standing over 73 m tall (240 ft), the main structure can be seem from across the city. Visit the colourful temple dedicated with Ranganatha, the resting form of Vishnu.
Tomb of Tipu Sultan
Visit the beautiful Tipu Sultan's tomb. Constructed in 1782, Tipu Sultan, known as the Tiger of Mysore, originally built this white mausoleum for his parents' grave. See the amazing architecture, learn of its history and wander the gardens.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Devraja Market Visit and Orientation Walk
Visit the beautiful Devaraja Market, where fruit and flowers are seemingly arranged in colourful coordination. Get acquainted with the liveliness of the market and the city of Mysore.
Day 5Mysore
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.
Chamundi Hills Visit
Enjoy a visit to the gorgeous temple devoted to the Hindu goddess, Chamundi, located on Chamundi Hill.
Mysore Palace Visit
This stunning palace was the home of the Maharajas of Mysore, the former royal family, which ruled from 1399 to 1950. Learn about the rich history of Indian royalty and soak in the splendor of an era long gone.
St. Philomena's Cathedral Visit
Visit the Neo Gothic Catholic church in Mysore, one of the largest cathedrals in all of India. Built in 1936, it was constructed with inspiration of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
Free Time
Spend the afternoon free to explore Mysore.
Day 6Mysore/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.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Spend the afternoon at leisure in Mamallapuram.
Day 7Māmallapuram
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.
Sunrise Shore Temple Visit
Explore this impressive group of monuments that were sculpted during the 7th and 8th century, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at sunrise. Of these, the Shore Temple stands out for its a marvelous view of the Bay of Bengal's shore. Made of granite, it's actually a twin-temple dedicated both to the Hindu gods, Vishnu and Shiva.
Free Time
Enjoy a free afternoon in Mamallapuram.
Day 8Māmallapuram
Depart at any time.