The Tropical South

Transport

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Transfer

Søk & reserver transfers over hele verden.

Unn deg litt komfort ved ankomst og reserver smidig og trygg transport til ditt bestemmelsessted med våre mange samarbeidspartnere over hele verden

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Cruise & seiling

Oppdag verden fra dekk

Her finner du alt fra legendariske elvecruise til episke ekspedisjoner og seilopplevelser i hele verden.

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Leiebil

Leter du etter det perfekte kjøretøyet ?

Få friheten og muligheten til å utforske din drømmereise i ditt eget tempo. Her finner du gunstige priser om du er på forretningsreise eller planlegger feriereise. Velg mellom leiebil eller bobiler.

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Fly & Drive

Nyt friheten på den åpne landevei.

Med vårt nye reservasjonsverktøy har det aldri vært lettere å sette sammen den perfekte kjøreturen → bygg din reiserute nå

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Tema & Gruppereiser

177 land og territorier venter på å bli utforsket

Oppdag populære og obskure reisemål, bisarre festivaler, dyreopplevelser og aktive reiser for den eventyrlystne. Du har drømmene vi har reisene.

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Utflukter

Ikke gå glipp av våre mange høydepunkter.

Oppdag ukjente sider med våre allsidige og utflukter. Få med deg det beste av ditt reisemål med våre spennende utflukter.

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Hotel & Overnatting

Finn ditt favoritt hotell eller leilighet over hele verden.

Her finner du leiligheter, hoteller, Bed & Breakfast steder. Søk med mer enn 15 ulike internasjonale leverandører i et enkelt søk eller sett sammen flere steder samtidig.

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Skreddersy din reise

Sett sammen din egen drømmereise

Med vår unike søkefunksjon kan du lett sette sammen din egen reise. Vi har samlet noen av verdens ledende reiselivsaktører inn i en og samme søkemotor.

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Eventbilletter

Ikke gå glipp av store begivenheter neste gang

Planlegg reisen og få med deg konserter, sportsarrangement og inngangsbilletter. Ikke gå glipp av ditt favoritt band på konsert eller lange køer til inngang på severdigheter. Bestill billetter på forhånd.

Annen informasjon

Enhver reise krever nøye planlegging som f.eks forsikringer, visum og annen nyttig informasjon. Her finner du en oversikt over våre andre tjenester og hovedsamarbeidspartnere.

Reiserute

Vis alt

Day 1: Start Cochin; afternoon optional harbour cruise around Fort Cochin and explore historic spice port
The adventure starts in Cochin (Kochi) on the Malabar (or Pepper) Coast. It’s believed to have been the first European settlement in the country and retains a relaxed atmosphere, despite recent growth. You can arrive at the hotel at any time, but check-in is normally from 2pm. After, we have free time to explore or relax after your travels. Alternatively, for those arriving in time, join an afternoon harbour cruise around Fort Cochin (please arrive at the hotel by 1pm to join the cruise). Accommodation: Abad Atrium Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Sightseeing around Cochin
Today we take a sightseeing tour of Cochin, taking in the adjacent historic neighbourhoods of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. In Fort Cochin, we’ll visit St Francis Church, where Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama died in 1524; see Santa Cruz Cathedral, originally used as a warehouse by the British; and wander past fishing nets lining the harbour entrance, which were introduced by the Chinese in the late-14th century. In Mattancherry, we visit Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in the mid-1500s in a traditional Keralan style, and Jew Town, once home to a Jewish community and now a great place to peruse antique shops and warehouses. Those interested can visit Thomas Chettan in the Little Queen Embroidery shop to learn about hand lace work, a dying art using bobbin lace. There is the option in the late afternoon to see a Kathakali dance performance. Please note, a similar show is also available in Periyar on Day 8. Accommodation: Abad Atrium (or similar)
Day 3: To Munnar; afternoon visit to Srishi, a social service organisation for tea pickers
After breakfast, we drive away from the coastal plain to Munnar, which is set among the highest mountains in Kerala. The drive is 100mi (160km) and should take approximately five to six hours. Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats, once a summer resort for the British government. It is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams (Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii and Kundala) and is surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates. Anamudi, the highest peak in southern India at 9,725ft (2,695m), dominates the skyline and the many smaller peaks are a walker's paradise. In the afternoon, we visit Srishti, a charitable trust aiming to improve life for disabled people from the tea planter families of Munnar. They are trained for three industries – deli (bakery), aranya (cloth dyeing) and atulya (paper making). It’s wonderful to see their work and learn about the organic products used for dyeing and making paper. Please note that Srishti organisation will be closed on public/religious holidays and may also close at short notice due to operational reasons. Your Leader will update you on any changes to the program in these instances. Accommodation: Standard hotel
Day 4: Morning trek through tea plantations and the Munnar hills
After an early breakfast, we take a short drive through old Munnar and travel down to the tiny village of Nagarmudi, where we start our trek accompanied by a local guide. It begins with a long, gradual ascent winding through tea plantations and then climbs into Seven Malai Hills. Our hard work will be rewarded with spectacular views over Chittrapuram Dam, Changulam Lake, Anamudi, Munnar and other villages (weather dependent). We then descend back to our vehicle. Please note, there are a couple of steep ascents and descents on this trek, but the pace is slow and steady with plenty of rest stops along the way. In the afternoon, there is also an optional visit to a tea museum followed by an optional tea-tasting session. Accommodation: Standard hotel
Day 5: To Madurai; optional closing ceremony at the Sri Meenakshi Temple
Leaving Kerala, we drive 100mi (165km) through the hills to the colourful temple town of Madurai, in Tamil Nadu. The drive should take approximately six to seven hours, arriving mid-afternoon. After an early dinner, you can join an optional tour to witness the nightly closing ceremony at the Meenakshi Amman temple. You will be whisked into the city centre in a tuk tuk convoy, led by your local guide, to a historic Hindu temple on the bank of the River Vaigai dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareshwara. The ceremony can happen at any time after the temple closes for the night (approximately 9:30pm), so you may need to wait for an hour or so to witness the extraordinary procession but it's well worth it. Your local guide will walk you through the temple explaining the purpose of the ceremony and bringing the temple history and culture to life. We recommend applying mosquito repellent before leaving for the temple (including feet as you will be barefoot inside). You will likely be back at the hotel, depending on the ceremony time, between 10:30pm and 11pm. Accommodation: Standard hotel
Day 6: Optional dawn city walk; tour of Madurai
Today you can join a (highly recommended) early morning walk through Madurai. We’ll observe the community going about their everyday life: milking cows, creating kolams (intricate artworks on the floor) and preparing breakfast at roadside food stalls. Local drinks and a snack are provided. We then have another city tour, this time taking in the many landmarks. The most famous is Meenakshi Temple, an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture, built between the 16th and 18th century. It‘s a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. We also visit Thirumalai Nayaka Palace, built in 1636 in the Indo-Mughal style by the Nayak dynasty, and the lively bazaars. There’s also an optional visit to the Gandhi Memorial Museum, where you can see a visual biography of Gandhi containing photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and copies of his letters. After the Memorial visit we will stop by at the local flower market before returning to the hotel. In the evening, there are many restaurants to visit; some of the best are on rooftops with fantastic city views. Accommodation: Standard hotel
Day 7: To Thekkady; cooking demonstration in local family home
Leaving Madurai in the morning, we drive to the small bustling village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu (driving time approximately four to five hours). In the afternoon, we have free time to explore the village and bazaar, where we can visit shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, turmeric and other spices. The whole area is a centre for spice growing, and this evening there will be a short walk around a spice garden, where we see many different spices growing. We then have a special dinner and a cooking demonstration with a local family in their home. Accommodation: Comfortable hotel
Day 8: Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary; morning jungle walk followed by an optional boat trip on the lake
In the morning, before breakfast, we join our local guide for a nature walk in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the largest parks in India (approximately two to three hours) and return to our hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, there is the option to join a boat cruise on the lake. This is an ideal way to get close to the animals and we may spot elephants, otters, wild pigs and buffalos. There is also an abundance of bird life – kingfishers, storks and hornbills are the most commonly spotted. Tickets can be purchased online in advance (approximately 900 rupees/US$10.90 per person, minimum four people). We recommend doing this to avoid possible long queues at the ticket office. Please inform your leader on Day 1 if you wish to book this in advance as it's also popular with domestic tourists and last-minute booking requests may lead to disappointment. Other optional activities today include an Ayurvedic massage, Kathakali dance show, and a martial arts performance. Accommodation: Comfortable hotel
Day 9: To Erattupetta Planters Homestay
Leaving the hills, we head to the ecofriendly Erattupetta Planters Homestay, a 1930s home, where polished concrete walls, antique radios, gramophones and telephones offer a glimpse into a bygone era. This is a family home at heart, but you are a welcomed guest, greeted by Grace, the family matriarch who resides here with her son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. Surrounded by tall rubber trees and tropical fruit trees, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore rural life in Kerala with an afternoon village walk and visit to a rubber plantation to see rubber-tapping techniques. With the bird songs, cool breeze and rustle of trees, this is also a great place to relax. Optional yoga activities can be arranged locally on request (cost subject to group size). Accommodation: Erattupetta Planters Homestay (Please note, single rooms are very limited and cannot be guaranteed.)
Day 10: To Kumarakom; ‘shikara’ boat ride
Today we head to Kumarakom, driving through tea and fruit plantations. After checking into our hotel, we can take an optional ride on a shikara (a traditional wooden boat). Gliding peacefully through the backwaters, we can relax while keep an eye and ear out for the local birdlife and watch the local people on the riverside. Accommodation: Standard hotel
Day 11: Board houseboat for backwater cruise
Before breakfast in the cool morning air, we have the chance to explore the surrounding villages by foot and gain an insight into traditional life finishing at a local Hindu temple. After breakfast, we start our journey at the Coir Museum, learning how coconut husks were historically manufactured and how so many products we use on a daily basis are created. We board our houseboat at midday and begin our cruise along the Kerala backwaters. The houseboat cruise is one of the trip highlights – these enchanting boats, built of anjili (wild jack) wood and bamboo, transported goods for hundreds of years. Now they have been decorated and made into comfortable cruise boats. As our boat meanders through tropical vegetation, we can see prolific bird life and gain a different perspective on village life. The cruise takes us along shallow, palm-fringed canals where coconut fibre, coconut meat, and cashews are loaded onto dugout canoes. In the evening, the boat is anchored by a bank and we watch the sun set over the paddy fields. Accommodation: Houseboat Please note, single rooms are very limited and can't be guaranteed.
Day 12: Leave houseboat and drive to Kovalam
After breakfast, we leave our houseboat in Alleppey and drive (approximately four to five hours) along the scenic Malabar Coast to the beach town of Kovalam. We visit Mannarasala temple en route, which is decorated with more than 100,000 images of snakes. Couples seeking fertility come here and your Leader will explain the origin of snake worshiping. Continuing, we pass through Quilon for a tea break before arriving at our destination. Once a relaxing hideaway on the old hippie trail, Kovalam has now been discovered, but the influx of tourism has not diminished this beautiful setting. The hotel is within walking distance to Lighthouse Beach, and we’ll have time to explore the waterfront shops and restaurants this afternoon. Accommodation: Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Day 13: Free time to relax on the beach or join an optional trip to Kanyakumari
Today is free to unwind on the soft, sandy beach or visit the shops for last-minute souvenirs. This is a great chance to enjoy fresh seafood from one of the many small beach restaurants. Try tandoori dishes – the clay ovens add an exquisite taste to bread and curries. You could also join an optional day's sightseeing from Kovalam to Kanyakumari, the end point of India where three oceans meet: the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. If it's open, the trip can also take in the old wooden palace at Padmanabhapuram (extra cost), a marvellous building with fantastic wood carvings, and the Hindu temple at Suchindran, with amazing stone carvings. This trip can be booked and paid for locally. Please note, it is a long day (approximately 8am-6pm) and roads can be prone to traffic delays, but it's always a popular activity. Accommodation: Soma Palmshore (or similar)
Day 14: End Kovalam
The adventure ends today. Begin your return journey home or, if you’d like a bit more time to explore Kovalam, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay. Please note, airport security does not permit any spices/pepper to be carried in hand luggage so please pack these in your main luggage. Electronic devices and batteries should be packed in hand luggage as these are not permitted in your hold/main luggage.

Viktig Informasjon

The trip destination

11 nights in hotels, one night in a homestay, one night on a houseboat
Travel by private air-conditioned bus
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Food

All breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners are included. Dinner is included at the homestay, and we also include a dinner and cooking demonstration with a local family in Periyar (Thekkady). The houseboat is full board. You should allow at least 1,650 rupees (approximately US$20) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you mainly eat at the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most of the towns there is a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western-style foods. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to visit. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. Please note, due to Kerala state laws, alcohol licenses are limited to one or two bars in each area and not all hotels are permitted to serve alcohol. The first day of every month and certain holidays in India are dry days, when no alcohol is permitted for sale. Mineral water is available in the bus in large containers so please bring a bottle with you to refill. Please note, restaurant service can be quite slow.

Weather

The most important feature of the Indian climate is the wet season or monsoon. The main monsoon strikes the Kerala coast in late May and sweeps northward over the next month or so. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from October to March. Days will be hot and the nights warm, the average maximum daytime temperatures are 21C-30C (70F-86F) and 6C-20C (43F-68F) at night. In the hills, temperatures can be considerably cooler and may near freezing point at night.

Frequent rainstorms occur in November. However, they are usually quite short and the sun normally comes out quickly afterwards. Please note, swimming in the sea at Kovalam is not always possible, depending on recent weather conditions; however, the hotel we use in Kovalam will always have a pool.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been rated Activity Level 1 (Leisurely). Although not a demanding tour, it is a busy and active itinerary with lots to see. Driving time is kept to a minimum and is not normally longer than four to five hours except on Day 5 when the drive to Madurai can take up to seven hours. You should also be prepared for some early starts. The roads are generally pretty good, but traffic and/or road damage can sometimes slow us down.

A slightly more difficult trek (Activity Level 2) in Munnar requires a good level of fitness, as the trail can be steep in places, although the route mostly winds gently up through the plantations. Walking shoes (or trainers/sneakers) with a good grip are recommended for this trek and you may also wish to bring walking poles or get hold of a stick locally if you have problems with your knees. The approximate walking time is three hours, and the distance around 3.4mi (5.5km).

Please note, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn our clients of when work will be taking place.

Diwali

Some departures take place during Diwali, the Festival of Lights. This is a great festival to witness and some very minor itinerary alterations may be made locally to make the most of this occasion. During Diwali, people typically illuminate their houses, shops and streets, and celebrate on the streets with fireworks for a 24-hour period.

TILGJENGELIGE DATOER	PRIS (1 VOKSEN)	PRIS (1 BARN)	STATUS REISE
søn, 02 apr 2023 / lør, 15 apr 2023	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 22 okt 2023 / lør, 04 nov 2023	NOK 16 310	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 05 nov 2023 / lør, 18 nov 2023	NOK 16 310	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 24 des 2023 / lør, 06 jan 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 21 jan 2024 / lør, 03 feb 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 04 feb 2024 / lør, 17 feb 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 18 feb 2024 / lør, 02 mar 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 24 mar 2024 / lør, 06 apr 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 31 mar 2024 / lør, 13 apr 2024	NOK 18 120	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 20 okt 2024 / lør, 02 nov 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 03 nov 2024 / lør, 16 nov 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 nov 2024 / lør, 30 nov 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 29 des 2024 / lør, 11 jan 2025	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel

TILGJENGELIGE DATOER	PRIS (1 VOKSEN)	PRIS (1 BARN)	STATUS REISE
søn, 02 apr 2023 / lør, 15 apr 2023	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 22 okt 2023 / lør, 04 nov 2023	NOK 16 310	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 05 nov 2023 / lør, 18 nov 2023	NOK 16 310	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 24 des 2023 / lør, 06 jan 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 21 jan 2024 / lør, 03 feb 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 04 feb 2024 / lør, 17 feb 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 18 feb 2024 / lør, 02 mar 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 24 mar 2024 / lør, 06 apr 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 31 mar 2024 / lør, 13 apr 2024	NOK 18 120	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 20 okt 2024 / lør, 02 nov 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 03 nov 2024 / lør, 16 nov 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 nov 2024 / lør, 30 nov 2024	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 29 des 2024 / lør, 11 jan 2025	NOK 16 910	På forespørsel	På forespørsel

The Tropical South

Oversikt

Reiserute

Bilder

Viktig Informasjon

Priser / Datoer