Kerala's backwaters and spice-scented highlands, then Karnataka's Mysore Palace, the ruined Vijayanagara empire at Hampi, and coffee-growing Coorg.
Tour Highlights
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Day by Day Itinerary
The joining point is at Bangalore International Airport. We drive straight out of the city westwards towards Hassan, named after the Hindu goddess Hassanamba. After a chance to relax and freshen up, we start our exploration with a visit to the striking Hoysala temples at nearby Belur. Driving distance 210km, 4 hours approx.
Explore the magnificent Hoysala temple complex at Halebid, built in the 12th century — its extraordinary stone carvings covering every surface of the exterior walls depict 240 elephants, 650 horses, 2,000 warriors and a remarkable array of deities and mythological scenes.
Drive south to Coorg, India's primary coffee-growing district, through landscapes of lush green hills covered in coffee plantations, cardamom, pepper and other spices. Visit a working coffee and spice estate to learn about the cultivation and processing of these remarkable crops.
Drive to Mysore, Karnataka's cultural capital, through the Nagarhole wildlife corridor. Mysore's extraordinary palace — one of the largest in India, rebuilt in 1912 — dominates the city. On Sunday evenings 100,000 light bulbs illuminate its domes and towers in a spectacular display.
A full day in Mysore — the magnificent Mysore Palace and its extraordinary collection of royal artefacts, the vibrant Devaraja market overflowing with flowers, spices and silk, and the remarkable Chamundi Hill temple with its giant Nandi bull carved from a single rock.
Drive to Kabini on the edge of Nagarhole National Park for an afternoon wildlife safari. The park is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, wild dogs and spectacular birdlife — the Kabini reservoir is a particularly good location for seeing elephants come to drink at dusk.
Drive from Karnataka into Kerala, stopping at a Kalarippayattu gymnasium to watch — and try — India's ancient martial art form, which uses a combination of acrobatics, weapons training and Ayurvedic healing practices. Continue to Calicut (Kozhikode), the historic spice port.
Morning exploring Calicut's remarkable bazaar and beach, then drive south to Cheruthuruthy, home of the famous Kerala Kalamandalam performing arts school where the ancient traditions of Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and other dance forms are taught.
Visit the Kerala Kalamandalam to watch students practising the extraordinary Kathakali dance form, with its elaborate costumes and makeup that transforms performers into mythological characters. Drive to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake.
Board our traditional kettuvallam houseboat for two nights on the famous Kerala backwaters — a network of canals, rivers and lakes lined with coconut palms, paddy fields and fishing villages. We cruise gently through this unique landscape, stopping to explore villages and watch local life unfold.
Disembark in Alleppey and drive to Kochi — one of India's most historic and cosmopolitan cities. A walking tour of Fort Kochi takes in the iconic Chinese fishing nets, the Dutch Palace, the ancient Paradesi Synagogue and the charming colonial-era streets. Then a family cooking class learning Kerala cuisine.
A day trip to the rural backwaters around Vaikom to experience the real rhythms of Kerala village life — fishing communities, rice paddy cultivation, toddy-tapping and the remarkable diversity of a landscape that is simultaneously agricultural and aquatic.
After breakfast the tour concludes at our hotel in Kochi. Transfers to Kochi International Airport can be arranged.
About This Journey
Experience the laid-back Keralan culture, backwaters and hospitality, and explore the stunning temples in the less-developed Karnataka whilst enjoying the cuisine, spices and coffee from this remarkable region. Starting in Bangalore, we travel through Karnataka’s extraordinary heritage — Hoysala temples, Mysore’s magnificent palace, the wildlife of Nagarhole — before crossing into Kerala for the backwaters, traditional martial arts and performing arts, and the historic port city of Kochi.
Highlights
Explore the extraordinary Hoysala temples at Hassan and Halebid, covered in intricate 12th-century carvings. Visit Mysore’s magnificent palace illuminated by 100,000 light bulbs on Sunday evenings. Witness Kalarippayattu martial art at a Keralan gymnasium. Experience the Kalamandalam Performing Arts Centre. Two nights cruising the Kerala backwaters aboard a traditional houseboat.
Accommodation Used On This Tour
Kabini River Lodge
The original safari lodge of South India, Kabini River Lodge occupies the former hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore on the banks of the Kabini reservoir. Run by Jungle Lodges & Resorts, its colonial bungalows, boat safaris and expert naturalists have made it a legend among Indian wildlife destinations.
Coconut Lagoon
A CGH Earth heritage resort on Vembanad Lake accessible only by boat, Coconut Lagoon is built from transplanted tharavads — traditional Kerala mansions rescued from demolition. Its canals, Ayurvedic centre and lakeside pool make it the definitive Kumarakom backwater address.
Malabar House
Kochi's first boutique heritage hotel, Malabar House occupies a 1755 colonial residence beside the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. Its rooms blend period architecture with contemporary South Indian art, its restaurant is one of Kerala's most celebrated, and the location is unmatched for exploring the old town on foot.
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. Please refer to the detailed itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
Where You Stay
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
October to March offers the most comfortable weather — warm days, low humidity and minimal rainfall. April and May are hot; June to September is the southwest monsoon, which brings lush green landscapes but heavy rain on the Kerala coast.
Traditional Kerala houseboats (kettuvallams) are converted rice barges with private bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, a dining area and sun deck. A dedicated crew of two or three — including a cook preparing fresh Keralan meals — accompanies each boat as you cruise the palm-fringed backwater canals.
Kerala cuisine is generally milder than North Indian food, with coconut, curry leaves and seafood at its heart. Hotels and houseboats readily adjust spice levels, and vegetarian options are outstanding throughout the region.
Yes — beach extensions, additional wildlife parks, Ayurvedic retreats and different hotels can all be woven in. Contact us to shape the perfect South India journey.
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