Backwaters, tea gardens and a red-cliff coastline — Kochi to Alleppey, Kodaikanal and Munnar, ending on Varkala's Arabian Sea cliffs, ex-Goa by train.
Nine days from Kerala's coast to its hills: a Shikara boat ride and kayaking through the Alleppey backwaters, Kodaikanal's pine forests and pillar rocks, a 4x4 jeep ride into Kolukkumalai's cloud-high tea estate, Munnar's rolling plantations, and Varkala's cliffside coast before Trivandrum's Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Report at Madgaon Railway Station and board the overnight train to Kochi. Group bonding and travel time as the tour kicks off.
Arrive Kochi by 7-8 AM, transfer to hotel, check in. Explore Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets and Mattancherry Palace, plus the local markets. Overnight Kochi.
Check out, proceed to Alappuzha for a Shikara boat ride and kayaking through the backwater canals, pause at the Alappuzha Lighthouse, then depart for Kodaikanal.
Arrive Kodaikanal, check in. Visit Guna Caves, the Pine Forest, Pillar Rocks and Kodaikanal Lake. Evening free to explore the local market. Overnight Kodaikanal.
Early check-out, proceed to Suryanelli for a 4x4 jeep ride to Kolukkumalai's high tea estate and Jaguar Point, then continue to Munnar and check in. Overnight Munnar.
Check out. Visit Top Station and Eravikulam National Park, the tea plantation viewpoints, and Echo Point, then depart for Varkala in the evening.
Arrive Varkala, check in. Visit Jatayu Earth's Center, the Varkala Cliff, and Azhimala Shiva Temple & Beach. Evening shopping and leisure at LuLu Mall, Trivandrum. Overnight Varkala.
Check out. Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple, then transfer to Trivandrum Railway Station and board the overnight train to Madgaon, Goa.
Arrive Madgaon Railway Station — tour concludes with memories of Kerala's backwaters, hills and coast.
Hill station sunsets, royal lake palaces, a living desert fort, and a night under the stars at Sam Dunes — Rajasthan's heritage and desert trail, ex-Goa by train.
From colonial Kolkata to the high Himalaya — Darjeeling's tea gardens, Gangtok's monasteries, and a permit excursion to Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La on the Indo-China border.
Ring in the New Year in the mountains — Manali, Kasol, Dalhousie and Dharamshala over eleven days, ex-Goa by train.