About this trip
Twelve days through southern India, moving from Mumbai's energy down through Karnataka's temple towns and archaeological sites into the hill air of Ooty, before finishing among Kerala's backwaters.
This is a heritage-and-landscape route rather than a beach trip: cave temples at Badami, the ruins of Hampi, the carved temples of Belur and Halebid, and Mysore's monuments all feature before the pace slows in the Nilgiri hills and, finally, on a houseboat in Kerala.
It's a partially guided small-group tour, with hotels, transport, guides and monument entrances arranged, and it runs even if you're the only one booked.
What you'll do
- Wander Mumbai and see the Dhobi Ghat open-air laundry
- Explore Hampi, one of India's largest archaeological sites
- Visit the cave temples of Badami
- See the carved temples of Belur and Halebid
- View the Gomateshwara statue at Sravanabelagola
- Wind down in the hill station of Ooty before backwaters in Kerala
- Covers a lot of ground across two states, so expect regular travel days
- Guaranteed departure, even for a solo traveller
- Partially guided — some sections have more structure than others
Worth it if you're keen on temples, Hindu culture, and want a relaxed pace with excellent drivers. Think twice if you need clarity on what's included in the price upfront.
- Drivers Somasundaram and Tamil consistently praised as considerate, careful, knowledgeable and genuinely friendly throughout.
- Accommodation in Chikmagalur fell short compared to other stays; unclear what's included versus what you pay extra for.
- Tour heavily centres on Hindu temples and religious mythology—brilliant if that's your interest, less so otherwise.
- Most hotels luxurious and comfortable; local guides helpful and knowledgeable, creating a genuinely soothing experience overall.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and fill fill in from our own tracking as it builds.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Mumbai · 19 Jul – 20 Jul
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