2018 Soul of India: The Colorful South

8 days
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Group Tour
Brimming with natural splendor and cultural diversity, South India is a mystical land of rock-hewn temples, palm-fringed shores, and fragrant spices. Fall under the spell of this captivating region as you journey from multicultural Chennai to the enchanting backwaters of Kerala, stopping to unveil the architectural wonders of Mahabalipuram, discover the might...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Chennai, a bustling hub of commerce
    • Visit Mylapore, a vibrant neighborhood that came into existence long before Chennai
    • Discover stone-carving village of Mahabalipuram
    • See the stunning Arjuna's Penance, often called the “Descent of the Ganges
    • Visit to Thanjavur which is now a bustling Indian town, it was once a dazzling Chola capita
    • Visit Brihadishwara Temple, Discover Thanjavur artisans
    • See Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Visit plantation

What's this trip about?

    Brimming with natural splendor and cultural diversity, South India is a mystical land of rock-hewn temples, palm-fringed shores, and fragrant spices. Fall under the spell of this captivating region as you journey from multicultural Chennai to the enchanting backwaters of Kerala, stopping to unveil the architectural wonders of Mahabalipuram, discover the mighty temples of Thanjavur, and explore the lush jungles of Periyar. With its endless exoticism, indescribable colors, and otherworldly magic, we welcome you to discover the other side of India.

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Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Transformative

Destinations

  • Asia
  • India

Attractions

  • Chennai
  • Dubai
  • Kerala

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Nature
  • Short Cruise
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements
    • All land transportation
    • Accommodations for 16 nights
    • 34 meals—daily breakfast, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Dinner)
    • 14 small group activities
    • Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Leader
    • Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
    • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next adventure—an average of $315

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: depart u.s.

Today, you’ll depart the U.S. for your flight to Chennai, India, via Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Day 2: Arrive Dubai, United Arab Emirates • Fly to Chennai

Accommodations: Grand Chennai Hotel or similar

Today you’ll arrive in Dubai, where you’ll meet your connecting flight to Chennai, India. Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll arrive late on Day 2 or very early on Day 3. Travelers who took our pre-trip to Sri Lanka: The Resplendent Island will arrive in Chennai this afternoon.

Day 3: Chennai

Meals included: B L Accommodations: Grand Chennai Hotel or similar

This morning, we'll have time to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we join our Trip Leader for a Welcome Briefing. Afterward, we'll have lunch together at the Writer's Cafe, a bake...

Day 4: Chennai

Meals included: B D Accommodations: Grand Chennai Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we'll set out to explore Chennai, a bustling hub of commerce from its inception in 1639 by the British East India Company. This area has been an important economic and cultural ...

Day 5: Overland to Mahabalipuram

Meals included: B L Accommodations: Radisson Resort Temple Bay or similar

After breakfast, we’ll visit Mylapore, a vibrant neighborhood that came into existence long before Chennai itself. In fact, Greek geographer Ptolemy wrote of the thriving port of Mylapore...

Day 6: Mahabalipuram • Optional Kanchipuram tour  OPTIONAL TOUR

Meals included: B D Accommodations: Radisson Resort Temple Bay or similar

Today, continue your discoveries of Mahabalipuram on your own, or join us for an optional excursion to Kanchipuram, "City of 1,000 Temples." Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava Dyn...

Day 7: Mahabalipuram • A Day in the Life of an Indian farming village

Meals included: B L Accommodations: Radisson Resort Temple Bay or similar

Today, we’ll dive deeper into the vibrant culture of South India when we experience A Day in the Life of an Indian farming village. After breakfast, we’ll drive to Vadakadambadi, a small ...

Day 8: Overland to Thanjavur

Meals included: B D Accommodations: Hotel Sangam Thanjavur or similar

 

This morning, we’ll embark on a drive to Thanjavur (also called Tanjore). While Thanjavur is now a bustling Indian town, it was once a dazzling Chola capital under the leadership of ...

Day 9: Visit Brihadishwara Temple • Discover Thanjavur artisans • Home-Hosted Dinner

Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Hotel Sangam Thanjavur or similar

After breakfast this morning, we visit Thanjavur’s most renowned landmark (and one of India’s crowning architectural jewels): the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brihadishwara Temple, built b...

Day 10: Transfer to Madurai

Meals included: B L Accommodations: The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai or similar

This morning we continue to Madurai, the second-largest city in the state of Tamil Nadu. An important Hindu pilgrimage site, Madurai is a temple city that draws streams of worshi...

Day 11: Visit Sri Meenakshi Temple • Explore Thirumalai Naicker Palace

Meals included: B L D Accommodations: The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai or similar

This morning after breakfast, visit Sri Meenakshi Temple for a daylight viewing of its tall and fascinating gopurams. These pyramid-shaped structures often function as gateways...

Day 12: Transfer to Periyar

Meals included: B D Accommodations: Abad Green Forest Resort or similar

After breakfast at our hotel, we'll embark on a scenic transfer overland to Periyar in Thekkady, set high in the rugged mountains in the state of Kerala. Kerala is another timeless region t...

Day 13: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary • Visit plantation

Meals included: B D Accommodations: Abad Green Forest Resort or similar

South India is home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, and many of its most exotic species are native to the region. We’ll learn more about the area’s rich biodiversity today w...

Day 14: Transfer to Nedumudi • Kerala backwater cruise

Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Houseboat

This morning, we’ll travel west to India’s sun-soaked coast, breaking up our drive with a stop at a rubber plantation. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in the small Kerala village of Nedumudi, where we’ll board a Ke...

Day 15: Cruise Kerala’s backwaters • Visit backwater villages

Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Houseboat

Today we’ll continue our discoveries of Kerala’s palm-fringed canals as we float past small villages and backwater communities. We’ll have lunch aboard our houseboat before continuing our exploration of the canals...

Day 16: Overland to Cochin • Kathakali performance

Meals included: B D Accommodations: The Killians Boutique or similar

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Cochin (Kochi), the cosmopolitan “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” with its fine natural harbor—where mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, and elsewhere have left ...

Day 17: Cochin

Meals included: B L Accommodations: The Killians Boutique or similar

This morning, we will first explore two of the multiple cultures for which Cochin is famous. By motorbike, we’ll visit the Muslim neighborhood, including the local market with a slaughterhouse...

Day 18 Return to U.S.

Very early this morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. via Dubai. Travelers taking our Dubai’s Timeless Desert & Modern Wonders post-trip will remain in Dubai and begin Day 1 of their extension. Travelers who are joining our post-trip to Rajasthan: Udaipur & Jodhpur will transfer to the airport this morning for their flight to Delhi.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,795
Price per day$474
Last Updated: 7/15/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours).

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours) Reviews & Ratings

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Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours)

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Overseas Adventure Travel offers unique small group adventures worldwide to Americans over 50. By land and sea, we explore on—and off—the beaten path with a resident OAT Trip Leader, immersing ourselves in local cultures, sampling unique modes of transportation, and staying in authentic lodgings that reflect the essence of your destination. Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises serves both our GCT and OAT brands with an award-winning fleet known for exceptional value and high-quality experiences in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Custom-designed according to our travelers’ specifications, our fleet includes 50+ small river and ocean-going ships that we own or privately charter.

Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise—comprised of a family of travel companies—committed to changing people’s lives by offering high-impact experiences to our travelers and building local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and volunteerism.

Simply by traveling with OAT, you support the work of the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation, which was created with the mission of changing people’s lives through travel—both those of our travelers, and of the people who welcome us so warmly into their homelands.

Journey with the Leader in Adventure Travel and Watch Your Dreams Take Flight: It is the stuff of dreams: gazelles bowing to lap at a glassy pool in the Serengeti as the vast sky turns purple with night, the tiered splendor of the Himalayas, rising behind a Tibetan monastery. Dreams like these are everyday realities for OAT travelers, thanks to the principles which ground every OAT adventure: value, choice, discovery, and carefully paced itineraries.

Our Value puts your travel dreams within reach: OAT can help you realize your travel dreams for a lot less than you thought possible. Together with our regional offices located throughout the world, we’ve been able to establish long-term relationships with many local vendors and hotels. Buying direct brings down our costs—and allows us to pass the savings on to you. And negotiating directly for hotel space also allows us to secure as many single room allotments as possible for our solo travelers. That way, we can also extend our great value to solo travelers. In fact, we offer the best value for solo travelers, guaranteed.

The Choice is yours: You’ll always have plenty of choices with OAT. We offer you a breadth of awe-inspiring travel destinations—from the peaks of the Andes to the sweeping desert sands of the Sahara to the rugged natural beauty of Iceland. You'll also enjoy more trip extension choices than ever before—like hiking to ancient monasteries in Bhutan or discovering the Moai monolithic rock statues on Easter Island. You have plenty of choices within each adventure, too, including several interesting optional tours. And the free time we’ve woven into our itineraries allows you plenty of opportunities for independent exploration. You can shop, unwind, perhaps linger at a sidewalk café, visit an interesting gallery or museum, or explore a cobbled street that caught your eye earlier in the day. You can do as much or as little as you want on an OAT adventure—the choice is yours.

OAT Difference

Adventure Travel: Adventure travel with OAT is a journey beyond the familiar, one that takes you into the very heart of a destination—to meet people where they work and live.

OAT Advantages: Journey with the leader in adventure travel and watch your dreams take flight, thanks to the principles which ground every OAT adventure: value, choice, discovery, and carefully paced itineraries.

Small Groups, Big Discoveries: When you discover the world in an OAT small group, you’ll journey off the beaten path to the places the big tour groups miss—and enjoy an intimate, discovery-filled adventure filled with personal connections, shared experiences, and treasured memories.

Trip Leaders: No matter where in the world you venture with OAT, you'll have one of our resident, expert Trip Leaders by your side. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching adventure.

Airport Transfers: We’ve listened to your feedback, and will now offer international airport transfers to and from your hotel to our travelers who choose to purchase their own airfare on OAT adventures as part of our Personalize Your Trip program, which allows you create the OAT adventure that's right for you.

Personalize your trip: OAT travelers have long expressed the desire to decide exactly where they’re going, how they get there, and when they wish to leave. That’s why we developed a variety of choices that enhance the value of every trip we offer, allowing you to create the adventure that works best for you.

Traveling solo? Enjoy your own room or cabin—at no extra cost: You’re in control of your travel dreams—and we’re making them more affordable than ever: Maybe you prefer the freedom of solo travel—or maybe you and your usual traveling companion can’t agree on a destination. Whatever the reason, you don’t have to put your travel dreams on hold. When it’s time to go it alone, you’ll never pay a Single Supplement to have your own room or cabin with OAT.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,Radisson Blu Hotel Chennai City Centre Chennai, India Situated in the heart of Chennai, the Radisson Blu offers on-site amenities like restaurants, a coffee shop, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a spa. All of the hotel’s rooms feature an LCD TV, complimentary wireless Internet, coffee- and tea-making facilities, an electronic safe, a minibar, and a private bath. Radisson Resort Temple Bay Mahabalipuram, India Located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the Radisson Resort Temple Bay is spread over 44 acres of tropical paradise. Within easy access of the area temples, this is a relaxing place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. The resort features a pool, spa services, and each of its 144 rooms has a patio or balcony. In addition, amenities include LCD TV with cable, private bath, hair dryer, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Hotel Sangam Thanjavur Tanjore, India The welcoming Hotel Sangam in Thanjavur is well-situated close to the area temples. In fact, the magnificent Brihadishwara Temple is less than a mile from the hotel. After a long day of sightseeing, unwind in the meandering, peaceful swimming pool. The hotel also offers modern fitness facilities and a restaurant serving multi-ethnic cuisine. Each of the 54 rooms features large windows, TV, minibar, and private bath. The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai Madurai, India Perched atop Pasumalai Hill, The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai offers 62 acres of landscaped gardens, two restaurants, and an outdoor pool. All of the hotel’s rooms feature a satellite TV, minibar, coffee- and tea-making facilities, a safe, wireless Internet access, and a private bath with a hair dryer. Carmelia Haven Thekkady, India Set on a mountainside near Thekkady, the Carmelia Haven eco-resort offers an onsite restaurant, outdoor pool, cottages, and villas set on lush, manicured grounds. Each of the 25 guestrooms includes ceiling fans, en suite bathroom, coffee and tea-making facilities, and a sitting area. Houseboat Cochin, India Discover the peaceful backwaters of Cochin aboard a wooden houseboat, featuring a lounge, sun deck, and dining area. Each of the traditionally decorated cabins has a picture window, air-conditioning, and a private bath with shower. Casino Hotel Cochin, India Located on Cochin’s Willingdon Island—the largest man-made island in India—Casino Hotel offers an on-site pool, tennis court, fitness center, spa, and restaurant. Each of its 65 guest rooms has a private bath.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations:

a) If you must cancel your trip, you may do so by calling 1-800-221-0814, by selecting the “contact us” link on our website www.oattravel.com,, or by letter. Send letters of cancellation to: Overseas Adventure Travel, 347 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210. Cancellation charges will be calculated as of the date we receive your cancellation. Cancellation charges and refunds shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of this Passenger Agreement. If you are due a refund, you first must return your air tickets and, if applicable, cruise tickets to Operator. Any applicable refunds will be returned to you in the manner in which payment was made, and processed within 30 days of receipt of your cancellation.

b) Processing Fee: All cancellations made later than twenty-one days after booking are subject to a non-refundable fee of $300 and additional cancellation charges per the schedule below. Cancellations made within 21 days after booking will be subject to the same fee, unless the reason for canceling given at the time of cancellation is your rejection of these Terms and Conditions prior to acceptance. This $300 fee reflects only Operator's costs of administering a reservation.

c) Cancellation Charges Generally: Unless otherwise stated next to the program’s rate chart, you will receive a refund equal to your Trip Price (which excludes the cost of the non-refundable Travel Protection Plan) less the following per-person charges. Charges shown include the $300 administrative fee.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Physical Requirements:

Pacing

  • 7 locations in 16 days
  • We make 4 long overland drives of approximately 3-5.5 hours each

Physical requirements

  • Not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids
  • Must be able to walk 3 miles unassisted each day and participate in 3-5 hours of daily physical activities, including scaling several steep steps without handrails
  • We reserve the right for Trip Leaders to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience

Climate 

  • Daytime temperatures range from 90-100°F
  • South India has a tropical climate; the rainy season occurs from June to October

Terrain

  • Travel over some rugged paths, as well as bumpy, unpaved, dusty roads, both by bus and on foot

Transportation

  • Travel via bus (no heat or toilet on board), rickshaw, Jeep, and game-viewing vehicle; our vehicles are locally made and are the best available in the region

Accommodations & Facilities

  • All accommodations are hotel-standard, with a variety of amenities, as well as private baths with Western-style toilet facilities. Asian squat-style toilets must be used in some villages without other facilities

Cuisine

  • Meals will be based on the local cuisine; Western food is limited

Cultural insight

  • We may see people living in poverty, which could be distressing for some travelers
Trip ID
overse-SouIndOve

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