Itinerary
- Day 1
Kochi
Arrive in Kochi whenever works for your schedule and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to wander around the city and get oriented. Later this evening there's a welcome meeting where you'll meet your CEO and the other travelers on the trip. After that, head down to the harbor to catch the sunset over the Chinese fishing nets. If you're interested, there's an optional group dinner afterward.
Included Activities
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Optional Activities
- Sunset visit to Chinese fishing nets
- Optional group dinner
Landmarks/POIs Chinese Fishing Nets - Day 2
Kochi to Sultan Bathery
Start early with a train ride lasting about 4 hours, then switch to a private vehicle for another 3 to 3.5 hours to reach Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district. Most of the day involves traveling through the region, so you'll have time to sit back and take in the scenery as you make your way there.
- Day 3
Sultan Bathery / Wayanad
Walk through nature trails on the farm property in Wayanad, then tour a tea factory and plantation with a local guide who'll explain how tea gets produced in this area. The Wayanad region sits in the Western Ghats and is known for its tea plantations and high-quality tea production.
Included Activities
- Wayanad Nature Walk
- Wayanad Tea Factory Visit
Landmarks/POIs Wayanad Tea Plantations - Day 4
Wayanad to Mysore
Spend about 4 to 5 hours driving to Mysore, located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills. This ancient city served as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 until 1947, so there's quite a bit of history here.
Landmarks/POIs Chamundi Hills - Day 5
Mysore
Take a guided tour of Mysore starting with Chamundi Temple at the top of Chamundi Hills and the famous Mysore Palace, where you can get a sense of what life was like for a Maharaja. Later you'll have free time to visit the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market or join a yoga class at a local institute. There's also an optional trip to Somnathpur if you want to see one of India's well-known Hoysala temples.
Included Activities
- Chamundi Temple Visit
- Mysore Palace Visit
Optional Activities
- Visit Devaraja market
- Yoga class at local institute
- Drive to Somnathpur and Hoysala Temple visit
Landmarks/POIs Chamundi Temple Mysore Palace Nandi the Bull Devaraja Market Somnathpur Temple - Day 6
Mysore to Mamallapuram
Spend about 8 hours on a train heading to Chennai, then continue south by private vehicle for another 1 to 1.5 hours to reach the small village of Mamallapuram.
- Day 7
Mamallapuram
Head out early to visit the 7th century Shore Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After that, you'll have free time to walk around Mamallapuram at your own pace and explore the village however you'd like.
Included Activities
- Sunrise Shore Temple Visit
Landmarks/POIs Shore Temple - Day 8
Mamallapuram to Pondicherry
Drive for about 2 to 2.5 hours to Puducherry, which was once the largest French colony in India and an important trading port. The city still has strong French influence with its wide boulevards and French-style houses mixed in with distinctly Indian character. You'll do an orientation walk with your CEO and learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose at the ashram.
Included Activities
- Orientation With CEO
Landmarks/POIs Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Day 9
Puducherry to Madurai
Travel inland by private vehicle for about 6 to 7 hours to reach Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
- Day 10
Madurai
Take a cycle rickshaw tour around the city, then visit the famous Meenakshi Temple, one of India's most significant religious sites. Once you've explored the temple complex, you'll have free time to check out handicraft shops or browse the covered stone tailor's market where skilled tailors can make a custom shirt in just minutes using antique foot-pump sewing machines. If you're interested, there's an optional evening visit to the temple to see the nighttime rituals.
Included Activities
- Cycle-Rickshaw Tour
- Meenakshi Temple Visit
Optional Activities
- Visit handicraft shops
- Browse covered tailor's market
- Meenakshi Temple Night Visit (50 INR per person, 1000 INR per group)
Landmarks/POIs Meenakshi Temple - Day 11
Madurai to Thekkady
Drive about 4 hours to Thekkady, which sits next to Periyar National Park and is known as India's spice capital. When you arrive, take a guided tour of the spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills and visit a tea factory. Dinner is included that evening. If you want, there's an optional boat ride on Periyar Lake where you might spot wildlife.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Cardamom Hills Spice Plantation Tour
Optional Activities
- Periyar Lake Boat Ride (500 INR per group)
Landmarks/POIs Periyar National Park Cardamom Hills - Day 12
Thekkady to Alleppey
Travel by private vehicle for about 4 to 5.5 hours down to the backwaters, then board a private boat for a short journey to a village homestay. In the afternoon, explore the island with someone local who'll share what daily life is like and introduce you to the people living there. Just before sunset, take a small country boat trip along the winding backwaters to experience the landscape and local way of life. Pack only a small overnight bag since your main luggage goes straight to your hotel in Kochi.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kerala Backwaters Homestay
Landmarks/POIs Kerala Backwaters - Day 13
Alleppey to Kochi
Spend the morning with your host family doing things like learning to cook local food, watching toddy tappers at work, or just wandering around the village. Travel by boat for about 1.5 hours and then by private vehicle for about 2 hours to a Planeterra project where you'll have lunch before heading to Kochi. Once you arrive, do an orientation walk with your CEO, then catch an evening performance of Kathakali, a traditional form of dance from Kerala.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project)
Included Activities
- Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project
- Orientation Walk
- Kathakali Dance
Landmarks/POIs Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project - Day 14
Kochi
Depart Kochi at any time that fits your schedule.
Included Activities
- Departure Day
