South India : Backwaters, Tea Plantations, Temples & Beach Stay W/Private Guide & Chauffer

This 10-day South India route runs from Kochi across the state's varied landscapes, with a private guide and driver taking care of the logistics throughout. You move from colonial port city to hill-country tea plantations, temple town, forest reserve, backwater cruise and finally a beach stay, covering a good cross-section of Kerala and Tamil Nadu without changing hands between guides.

It's a mix of culture, nature and downtime rather than a single-theme trip: Kochi's old town and markets, the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, wildlife boat rides in Thekkady, a night or two on a houseboat, and a few days doing not much at all on Marari Beach.

Being private and fully guided, the pace is set around you and your group rather than a fixed coach schedule, which suits families or anyone who'd rather not join a larger tour.

What you'll do

• Explore Kochi's colonial old town and spice markets
• Pick and process tea on a plantation visit in Munnar
• See the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
• Take a wildlife boat safari in Thekkady's forests
• Cruise Kerala's backwaters on a traditional houseboat with local food on board
• Wind down on Marari Beach by the Arabian Sea