Day : 1 (Kochi)
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities before the evening welcome meeting, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city.
After the welcome meeting, visit the harbour to enjoy sunset over the Chinese fishing nets followed by an optional group dinner.
Included Activities:
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Accommodation: Hotel Pepper Route (or similar).
Day : 2 (Kochi/Sultan Bathery)
Take a morning train followed by a scenic drive to reach Sultan Bathery, in the Wayanad district.
Accommodation: KTDC Pepper Grove (or similar).
Day : 3 (Sultan Bathery)
Walk the nature trails through the farm area in Wayanad. Also take a tour of a tea factory and plantation to learn about tea production in the area from a guide.
Wayanad region of the western Ghats in Kerala is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations and is known to produce some of the finest teas.
Included Activities:
- Wayanad Nature Walk
- Wayanad Tea Factory Visit
Accommodation: KTDC Pepper Grove (or similar).
Day : 4 (Sultan Bathery/Mysore)
Settle in for the drive to the ancient city of Mysore.
Travel to Mysore (formally Mysuru) located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947.
Accommodation: Akshaya Mahal Mysore Hotel (or similar).
Day : 5 (Mysore)
Explore the vibrant city of Mysore including visits to Chamundi Temple and Mysore Palace. After enjoy free time and opt to visit the Devaraja market or join a yoga class.
Imagine life as a Maharaja on a guided tour of the Mysore Palace. Later, join the throngs of pilgrims at Chamundi Hills, with its temple on top, and Nandi the Bull (ridden by the Hindu god Shiva) a short walk below.
In your free time, visit the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market or join a yoga class at one of the many local institutes.
Opt to drive to Somnathpur, home to one of the most famous Hoysala Temples in India.
Included Activities:
- Chamundi Temple Visit
- Mysore Palace Visit
Accommodation: Akshaya Mahal Mysore Hotel (or similar).
Day : 6 (Mysore/Māmallapuram)
Enjoy a full day of train travel to Chennai before a short bus ride to Mamallapuram.
Arrive by train to Chennai before continuing south for a short ride to the small village of Mamallapuram.
Accommodation: Hotel Mamalla Inn (or similar).
Day : 7 (Māmallapuram)
Visit the Shore Temple. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Mamallapuram.
In the morning, visit the 7th century Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Included Activities:
- Shore Temple Visit
Accommodation: Hotel Mamalla Inn (or similar).
Day : 8 (Māmallapuram/Puducherry)
Continue to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry) and learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose at the ashram.
In the morning, drive to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry), formerly the the largest French Colony in India and an important trading town. There is a strong French influence in the city's layout, with wide boulevards and French-style houses, but the city is undoubtedly Indian.
Included Activities:
- Orientation With CEO
Accommodation: Abirami Residency (or similar).
Day : 9 (Puducherry/Madurai)
Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Accommodation: Rio Grande Hotel Madurai (or similar).
Day : 10 (Madurai)
Hop on a cycle rickshaw for a tour of the city before visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple.
After visiting the temple complex, opt to visit the handicraft shops or duck into the cool shade of the covered, stone tailor’s market where, for a few rupees, rows of expert tailors will whip you up a custom shirt in minutes, all done on antique foot-pump sewing machines. In the late evening, opt to visit the Meenakshi Temple again for a glimpse of the nighttime rituals.
Included Activities:
- Cycle-Rickshaw Tour
- Meenakshi Temple Visit
Accommodation: Rio Grande Hotel Madurai (or similar).
Day : 11 (Madurai/Thekkady)
Drive to Thekkady. Take a guided tour of spice plantations in the Cardamom Hills.
Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar National Park, is the spice capital of India. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the spice plantations and a tea factory.
Opt for a boat ride on the Periyar Lake.
Included Activities:
- Cardamom Hills Spice Plantation Tour
Accommodation: Michael's Inn (or similar).
Meals included: DINNER
Day : 12 (Thekkady/Kerala Backwaters)
Travel to Alleppey for a local homestay. Experience local life and a guided walk along the lagoon.
Travel down to the backwaters from Thekkady to catch a private boat for the short journey to the village homestay.
In the afternoon, explore the island with a local person to observe the different facets of local life — it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who live in this unique location.
Just before sunset, hop on a small country boat and journey along with the locals to enjoy sunset on the winding backwaters.
For this homestay, you will only need to take a small overnight bag. Your main bags will be transferred directly to the hotel in Kochi.
Included Activities:
- Kerala Backwaters Homestay
Accommodation: Tranquil Heritage Homestay (or similar).
Meals included: LUNCH | DINNER
Day : 13 (Kerala Backwaters/Kochi)
Spend the morning enjoying last moments with your host family. Learn to cook some local food, watch the toddy tappers at work, or wander around the village. Travel to a Planeterra project for lunch before returning to Kochi. Head out for an orientation walk, then enjoy an evening performance of kathakali, a form of traditional dancing from Kerala.
Included Activities:
- Lunch at Theruvarom Women Empowerment Project
- Orientation Walk
- Kathakali Dance
Accommodation: Hotel Pepper Route (or similar).
Meals included: BREAKFAST | LUNCH
Day : 14 (Kochi)
Depart at any time.
Included Activities:
- Departure Day