Border Information: If joining the trip in Mumbai, you will most likely enter India from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel in Mumbai - please look out at the reception for a note from you tour leader with further details about this meeting. Otherwise, today is free to explore the sights and sounds of Mumbai. The following day will be a free day to explore the city. This is also an opportunity to take a tour of the Dharavi slum areas of the city. In Mumbai we stay in a good quality hotel. Hotel for the night: Hotel Supreme Hotel Supreme 4 Panday Road Cuffe Parade, Colaba Mumbai 400039 India Tel - +91 222 218 5608 Activity Approximate Cost Take a g...

We will start our journey by taking the train along the coast to Goa. We will stay for two nights at the relaxed beaches of Vagator in the North. Most travellers are drawn to Vagator for the stunning sunsets, the laid-back atmosphere and the proximity of some other quieter beaches in the area such as Arambol and Anjuna. We will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities close to the beach. Journey time (on train) - 11 hours. About Goa: To many people, Goa is all about the beaches; and it's fair to say that the soft white sand and sparkling blue water of the Arabian Sea are definitely one of the main attractions here. But this is also an area rich in history and culture. The coastal state retains much of it's old Portuguese colonial architecture, traditions, religion, and lifestyle, particularly in the old capital of Old ...

After our 2 nights on the northern beaches of Goa, we head off in the truck to the southern beaches, visiting the site of Old Goa en route.We will stay for 2 nights in beautiful beach huts on the stunning beach of Agonda, which is a perfect place to sit back and watch the fishing boats landing their catch, sample the delicious local cuisine, or visit the nearby beach of Palolem with its many bars and restaurants. Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours, depending on the length of your visit to Old Goa (please note that all drive times given here are approximate estimates only and are given with the best intentions - however please be aware that the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, borders and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). About Old Goa: O...

Leaving the beaches of Goa behind us, we set off on a long 400km drive into the state of Karnataka to the village of Hampi. The village is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Estimated Drive Time - 10 hours. On the following day we will have a guided tour of the historical sites around Hampi by rickshaw and on foot. In Hampi we will stay in a comfortable local guesthouse. About Hampi: The city of Hampi bears exceptional testimony to the vanished civilization of the kingdom of Vijayanagar, which reached its apogee under the reign of Krishna Deva Raya (1509-30). The type of structure illustrates a significant historical situation: that of the kingdoms of South India which, menaced by the Muslims, were occasionally allied with the Portuguese of Goa. The grand site of Hampi was t...

From Hampi we have another long drive of 480kms to Mysore, where we will stay for 2 nights. Estimated Drive Time - 11-12 hours. On the following day we will have a free day in Mysore, one of India's most attractive towns, to explore the city's beautiful gardens, palaces, and the Shri Chamarajendra art gallery. In Mysore we will stay in a comfortable hotel. Activity Approximate Cost Explore the amazing and elaborate Mysore Palace Included in Kitty Climb the 1000 steps to the summit of Chamundi Hill, to INR 100 visit the famous Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and take in the views of the city below About Mysore: Mysore is one of India's most attractive towns. Unlike some of India's biggest cities it feels quite manageable in size, and ...

Today we travel 150kms up into the hills, heading for the hillstation of Wayanad, a small settlement surrounded by tea and coffee plantations. Estimated Drive Time - 4 hours. Over the 2 days we have in Wayanad we will have the chance to hike up Chembra Peak, visit local waterfalls and tea plantations, visit the petroglyphs at the Edakkal Caves and to visit the nearby Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. Whilst in Wayanad we stay as guests of local families at a homestay, where they have set up accommodation for visitors in their homes. Activity Approximate Cost See the 7000-year-old Neolithic petroglyphs at the Included in Kitty Edakkal caves en route Enjoy genuine Indian hospitality at a community homestay guesthouse a...

Today we will continue our journey 260kms to Cochin. Estimated Drive Time - 10 hours.On the following day we will take a local boat to Fort Cochin and have free time to explore and visit various sites including the Jewish Quarter, St Francis. Church and the Chinese fishing nets. In the evening we will watch the famous Kathakali dancers, India's most spectacular dance drama. In Cochin we will stay in a comfortable hotel. Activity Approximate Cost See an evening performance of the classical Indian Included in Kitty dance-drama of Kathakali, a signature tradition of Kerala About Cochin: Cochin in Kerala is a town split between the mainland and a group of islands just off the c...

Leaving the bustle of Cochin behind, today we embark on our overnight houseboat cruise on the tranquil Keralan backwaters of Allepey. Activity Approximate Cost Travel through the serene Kerala Backwaters on an overnight trip aboard a beautiful traditional 'kettuvallam' Included in Kitty house-boat About Alleppey: Alleppey is the gateway to the Keralan backwaters. The network of waterways here extends over hundreds of miles, not surprising then that Alleppey is sometimes described as "The Venice of the East". The backwaters are best explored by boat as life revolves around the water here, children often learn to swim before they can walk and they row boats before they ride a bike. Jump on board a typical Keralan houseboat and meander down t...

Leaving the backwaters behind us, we continue 120kms to the beach resort of Varkala.Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.We will have 3 nights here with free time to explore the surrounding areas andrelax on the beautiful beaches. Varkala is well known for its beaches, and thereare also lots of great local restaurants where you can sample the justifiablyfamous Keralan cuisine. In Varkala we will stay at a beach resort. Activity Approximate Cost Get a traditional Ayurvedic massage in the Keralan town INR 1200 of Varkala Head out for an evening performance of traditional INR 300 Keralan Kathakali dancing About Varkala: Varkala sits on India's Keralan coast and is home to some of the whitest and most pristine...

Today we will have a 140km drive to Kanyakamuri (Cape Comorin), the very southern point of India, where we will have free time to explore the Vivekananda Rock and the surrounding sites. In Kanyakamuri we will stay in a local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Take the ferry over to Vivekananda Rock and explore the INR 150 memorial to the Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda About Kanyakumari: Kanyakumari is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is also sometimes referred to asCape Comorin. Located at the southernmost tip of theIndianPeninsula, it is the geographical end of the Indian mainland.Kanyakumari takes its name from the Kumari Amman orKanyakumari Temple, situated in the town, on the se...

This morning we can get up early to watch the sunrise from the southern tip with thousands of locals! From Kanyakamuri we start heading back north with a morning drive of 240kms to Madurai. In the afternoon we visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. In Madurai we will stay in a comfortable local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the historical Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the Included in Kitty most impressive and colourful Hindu temples in all of India About Madurai: Madurai is Tamil Nadu's second largest town and ancient capital. Madurai is recognised as the centres of Dravidian culture with its main attraction the famous Shree Meenakshi Temple in the heart of the old town. Its many gopur...

Today we head 320kms to the French-influenced Pondicherry, and will have a free afternoon to explore the town. In Pondicherry we will stay in guest-house accommodation. Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.

Take a class in Indian cooking, Ayurvedic massage, Bollywood dancing or Tajavur painting - just some of thepossibilities at the SITA Cultural Centre INR 500 About Pondicherry: The united territories of Pondicherry are unmistakeably and charmingly French, complete with a Hotel de Ville, French consulate and police who wear red "kepis" hats and belts. Pondicherry is also the home of the famous Sri Aurobind Ashram and its offshoot Auroville. The Ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926, is one of the most popular in India amongst Westerners, and also one of the most affluent. The town enjoys duty free status and is known for its leather goods and hand-made paper products. With its French influence, many of the shops have a distinctly European feel. Today we have a short drive of 100kms to Mahabalipuram. Here we will make a visit ...

Today we have a short drive of 55kms to Chennai, the fourth largest city in India, stopping at a crocodile farm en-route.In Chennai we will stay in a comfortable hotel.Estimated Drive Time - 2 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the Fort St. George, the site of the East India INR 100 Company's first trading station in 1640, and the first British fort in India Visit the Chennai Government Museum, and its incredible INR 250 selection of antiquities including Roman artefacts and coins from all eras of India's past About Chennai: Chennai (previously known as Madras) was the site of the first major settlement of the East India Company in 1639, and is now the fourth largest city in India. The town grew...

Border Information: If you are leaving the trip in Chennai, you will most likely exit India from Chennai International Airport. Today is a free day to explore Chennai. Please note that if you are leaving the trip in Chennai, there is no accommodation included tonight.