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A Taste of Southern India - Temples and Tea Plantations

9 days
•
Start and end in Kochi (Cochin)
4.5 (24 reviews)
From
$1,520
20% off
US $1,220 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2026

Jan
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2027

Jan
Feb
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
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2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Pay only 10% today. The rest is due 75 days before departure. Learn more

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Plan your adventure:
Food & Wine
Savor the world's flavors and finest wines
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 10 - 16
Ages 16+

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Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Intro

    Introduction

  2. Day 1

    Kochi

    Kochi
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Hotel Casino)

    Optional Activities

    • Hotel transfer from Cochin International Airport (40km/1.5 hours away)
    Landmarks
    Cochin International Airport
    Willingdon Island
  3. Day 2

    Kochi - Fort Kochi

    Kochi - Fort Kochi
    Meals
    Lunch (Sadya - traditional Keralan vegetarian banquet served on banana leaf at Tea Bungalow, with chef discussion about the origins of the meal)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Hotel Casino)

    Included Activities

    • Visit to Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
    • Exploration of Fort Kochi district including Jewish synagogue and Chinese fishing nets
    • Tasting of Indian street food including Masala Vada and Bonda
    • Sadya lunch at Tea Bungalow with chef discussion about Keralan cuisine
    • Harbour cruise
    • Traditional Kathakali performance
    Landmarks
    Mattancherry Palace
    Fort Kochi
    Jewish Synagogue
    Chinese Fishing Nets
  4. Day 3

    Kochi to Munnar

    Kochi to Munnar
    Meals
    Breakfast (Dosa making demonstration at local restaurant - delicious South Indian pancake-style breakfast dish made from fermented lentil and rice batter), Lunch (Traditional thali lunch at local bakery - rice, lentil dal, curried vegetables served with flatbread)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Copper Castle Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Walk through Ernakulam vegetable market learning about exotic fruits, vegetables and spices
    • Visit to Shiva temple and court complex
    • Breakfast dosa making demonstration at local restaurant
    • Traditional thali lunch at local bakery during drive
    Landmarks
    Ernakulam
    Shiva Temple
    Munnar
    Western Ghats
  5. Day 4

    Munnar

    Munnar
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Copper Castle Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Visit to tea plantation with learning about growing and leaf picking process
    • Tea museum visit

    Optional Activities

    • Hotel spa treatments
    • Yoga class
    • Circular walk through grasslands and tea plantations (approximately 4 hours, altitude 2000 metres)
    • Bicycle hire at hotel
    Landmarks
    Munnar Tea Plantation
    Munnar Tea Museum
  6. Day 5

    Munnar to Thekkady

    Munnar to Thekkady
    Meals
    Lunch (Lunch at spice garden following cooking demonstration)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Abad Green Forest)

    Included Activities

    • Spice garden tour with resident expert
    • Cooking demonstration showcasing spice blending and use
    • Lunch at spice garden
    Landmarks
    Periyar National Park
    Thekkady
  7. Day 6

    Thekkady to Village Homestay

    Thekkady to Village Homestay
    Meals
    Lunch (Home-cooked meal including spicy coconut curry), Dinner (Homecooked family dinner prepared from recipes passed down through generations)
    Accommodation
    Home-stay (Simple Homestay)

    Included Activities

    • Briefing on local customs and traditions
    • Village walk learning about toddy tapping process
    • Participation in preparing homecooked family dinner
    Landmarks
    Village
  8. Day 7

    Kerala Backwaters

    Kerala Backwaters
    Meals
    Lunch (Cooking demonstration on houseboat with choice of fish curry or vegetarian dish served on banana leaf)
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Premium Houseboat)

    Included Activities

    • Traditional houseboat tour through Kerala backwaters
    • Cooking demonstration on board with choice of fish curry or vegetarian dish
    Landmarks
    Kerala Backwaters
  9. Day 8

    Backwaters to Kochi

    Backwaters to Kochi
    Meals
    Breakfast (Breakfast on houseboat with views of rural Kerala), Lunch (Seafood lunch at restaurant on northern tip of Fort Kochi with views of boats)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Abad Plaza Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Breakfast on houseboat
    • Seafood lunch at Fort Kochi restaurant overlooking the harbour

    Optional Activities

    • Dinner reservation at Chef Pillai at Le Meridien (must be booked at start of tour)
    Landmarks
    Fort Kochi
  10. Day 9

    Kochi

    Kochi

    Optional Activities

    • Hotel transfer to Cochin International Airport
    Landmarks
    Cochin International Airport

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Explore!

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.5 (11,880 reviews)
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
72%
Cancellation policy
Learn more

Traveler Reviews

4.5
Overall rating based on 24 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    4.3
  • Transport
    4.6
  • Guide
    5.0
  • Accommodation
    4.1
  • Food
    4.6
  • 4.5

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Most Popular
Highest First
Lowest First
  • Pauline4.7•March 2025
    The birds and bats at sunset on the house boat. The vegetable market in Kochi.
    Traveled in January 2025
    Review collected by Explore!
  • Natalie4.8•March 2025
    House boat. Walking through tea plantation. Visit to tea factory. Cookery lesson. Home stay.
    Traveled in March 2025
    Review collected by Explore!
  • Andrew4.7•October 2025
    The bard. Meeting a family for tea and the cookery class. The houseboat experience.
    Traveled in October 2025
    Review collected by Explore!
  • Ansuya4.0•January 2025
    Seeing the tea plantations in Munnar, the Spice Gardens and staying on a traditional houseboat (shame it decided to...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2025
    Review collected by Explore!
  • Denise4.7•November 2025
    Cooking demonstration in Thekkady was fun. Loved the martial arts show-totally different from anything else I had...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2025
    Review collected by Explore!
  • Linda5.0•July 2025
    I enjoyed the hike in Munnar this was an additional activity, also the home stay was a good experience together with...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2025
    Review collected by Explore!
  • Saugaat
    Saugaat2.0•March 2025
    We had high expectations for this food tour, but unfortunately, it fell far short of what was promised. While our...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2025
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! We are disappointed that you felt you could only rate the trip two stars. However, we were glad to see that you enjoyed your experience with Jojan and will be sure to pass on your lovely feedback regarding his performance. In terms of your comments about the trip not feeling like a food tour, I want to assure you this is the first time this is being brought up in our reviews or feedback surveys for this trip and are investigating as a high priority. Whilst having a focus on Kerala's food specialties, it is also important for us to cover other highlights of region, and we do apologise if this did not meet your expectations. We read all customer feedback thoroughly and take comments such as yours very seriously, as feedback like this is the only was for us to be continually improving our trips. We hope this hasn’t dissuaded you from travelling with us in the future and we hope to be able to have you on another Explore adventure soon!
    Show more
  • stacey5.0•October 2024
    Excellent guide in achieving. Some days were a little too busy but most were perfect
    Traveled in October 2024
  • Kathryn4.5•March 2023
    Travelling round the backwaters on the houseboat, the home stay.
    Traveled in February 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • Suzanne4.2•April 2023
    The tea plantations and museum. The spice gardens. The kathakali performance. The "homestay" - not exactly as...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2023
    Review collected by Explore!

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Dates & Prices

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!
Ends on 11 Nov, 2026
  • 21% off
    From Sunday
    22 Nov, 2026
    To Monday
    30 Nov, 2026
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,690
    US$1,340 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    20% off
    From Saturday
    23 Jan, 2027
    To Sunday
    31 Jan, 2027
    English
    Filling Fast
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,520
    US$1,220 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    20 Mar, 2027
    To Sunday
    28 Mar, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$1,520 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    23 Oct, 2027
    To Sunday
    31 Oct, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$1,640 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    6 Nov, 2027
    To Sunday
    14 Nov, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$1,640 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    13 Nov, 2027
    To Sunday
    21 Nov, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$1,640 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    20 Nov, 2027
    To Sunday
    28 Nov, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$1,640 per person
    Price based on Shared Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Sunday
    19 Dec, 2027
    To Monday
    27 Dec, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US$1,780 per person
    Price based on Shared Room

Want to read it later?

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
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  • J

    Janet

    Asked on July 13th, 2024

    Is there a single room supplement and minimum number of people for the trip?

    Group size
    Single supplement
    • Explore!Operator•Written July 2024

      A single room would have an additional cost of €512 for this trip.

    • J

      Janet

      Traveler•Written July 2024

      Is there a minimum number of people for the trip to go ahead?

    • Explore!Operator•Written July 2024

      We have 2 departures in February and they are both guaranteed.

    • J
      2 more answers
  • J

    Jane

    Asked on June 19th, 2023

    Do you have any tours that would include Kerala - stay at a wellness center or on a boat?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • Explore!Operator•Written June 2023

      We can offer you the following option: Kerala Backwaters + Kovalam Extension or just combine A Taste of Southern India - Temples and Tea Plantations with Kerala Backwaters

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Explore! with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.

Good to know

Tour ID: 234747

The practical details for your trip across India: money, plugs and flexible ways to pay, all in one place.

Have a question? Chat with a travel expert

  • Pay in installments

    Spread the cost in interest-free biweekly installments of $78.

  • Deposit only

    Book now with just a 10% deposit. The remaining balance is due 75 days before departure.

  • ₹ - Indian Rupee

    You’ll encounter Indian Rupee in India.

  • Plug types C, D, M

    You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in India.

  • Currency

    ₹
    Indian Rupee

    India

  • Plugs & adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types C, D, M. As a traveler from South Africa you will need an adaptor for type C.

    • Type C

      Used in India

    • Type D

      Used in India

    • Type M

      Used in India

  • Visa

    Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.

    This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.

  • Payment information

    Pay now
    A 10% deposit
    Balance due
    75 days before departure
    Installments
    Interest-free, every two weeks
    Currency
    USD
    Booking fee
    None

    Book now with just a 10% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 75 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $78 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before January 20th, 2027 will need to be paid in full at checkout.

    Accepted for Explore! tours

    • Visa
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    TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.

  • Cancellation Policy

    Cancellation terms may vary per tour. Please check for the full cancellation policy here.

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From
$1,520
20% off
US $1,220 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Pay only 10% today. The rest is due 75 days before departure. Learn more

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec