Discover Southern India and Kerala

Touchdown in Bengaluru and meet your representative who will transfer you to your premium hotel, located a short drive from the airport. Spend time relaxing in one of several restaurants on site or indulge in a spa that features a menu of anti-jetlag treatments.

Meet your Great Rail Journey Tour Escort and fellow travellers and transfer by coach to Mysuru. On arrival, step out and explore the city or simply settle in and unwind. The former capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore, now known as Mysuru, is often referred to as the cultural capital of Karnataka. This evening, gather for a Welcome Dinner in the hotel.

Step out on a full-day's guided tour, exploring the cultural icons of Mysuru such as St Philomena's Church, a large neo-Gothic cathedral inspired by Cologne Cathedral, and Mysore Palace, a sublime and intricately decorated building with Hindu, Muslim, Gothic and Rajput architectural influences. Continue to Srirangapatna, known for its ornate temples and forts and, poignantly, the site of a major battle between the British East India Company and Tipu Sultan. Later head to Chamundi Hills and discover a Hindu temple dedicated to Nandi, with its enormous Nandi (Bull) statue.

Journey by coach to Ooty, short for Udhagamandalam, a hill station located in the Nilgiri Mountains, popular with the British during the time of the Raj and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Surrounded by forested foothills and verdant tea plantations amid the Blue Mountains, named after a blue flower which blossoms every 12 years on the 'Nilgiris', Ooty the 'Queen of the hills', is a picturesque paradise for nature lovers. You may like to take a walk through the gardens, visit the local honey and bee museum or simply relax and soak in the views.

Begin your day with a visit to Ooty's Botanical Gardens, with its vibrant displays of over 650 types of flora in terraced beds dotted with water features and sculptures. Continue to Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris, for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit St Stephen's Church, built by the British in the 19th century and renowned for its beautiful stained-glass windows and the marvellous painting of 'The Last Supper'. Stop at the local market on the way back to the hotel. Enjoy some time at leisure before meeting for dinner.

Start the day with your Insider Experience. Pass by colonial mansions, soak in the scenery featuring rolling hills covered with eucalyptus forests, and coffee and tea plantations. Stop at Coonoor and visit a local tea factory to learnabout the process of making tea. This area has produced tea for over 100 years, in particular a variety with distinctively dark colour and strong aroma. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before another Insider Experience. Pass through forest covered hills, cross several bridges, traverse through tunnels and marvel at this feat of engineering. Arrive at Mettupalayam, and travel by coach to the city of Coimbatore for an overnight stay, with dinner on arrival.

Insider Experience - Ride the famous Toy Train

Ride the famous Toy Train between Ooty and Coonoor passing through stunning scenery and later journey aboard the World Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway through thick forested hills to Mettupalayam.

Following a morning at leisure in Coimbatore on the banks of the Noyyal River, surrounded by the Western Ghats Mountain range, catch the Intercity Express train. Enjoy a simple packed lunch onboard, as you journey to the city of Kochi in Kerala. Known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', Kochi - previously called Cochin - is a captivating destination.

Spend time discovering Fort Kochi, including St Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama the Portuguese explorer was first buried before his body was carried back to Lisbon. Head to Mattancherry Palace, known as the Dutch Palace, and admire the beautiful murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Gain insight into the daily life of local people at the Dhobi Khana, a sprawling open-air laundry where hundreds of pieces of clothing are washed every day and hung out to dry. Tonight, enjoy your Insider Experience.

Insider Experience - See a Kathakali dance performance

Witness a Kathakali dance performance, a fascinating classical style of drama, that originated in Kerala, combining colourful costumes, and accompanied by traditional music. Kathakali is considered one of the most visually stunning and expressive dance forms in India.

Visit the Jewish Synagogue decorated with Chinese blue titles and Belgian chandeliers and marvel at the incredible treasures, including The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament - before transferring to Alleppey. Board a houseboat. or kettuvallam, for your Insider Experience. Originally used to transport spices and rice, these houseboats are constructed of local materials. Disembark at Kumarakom for an overnight stay at your hotel on the lakeshore.

Insider Experience - Cruise through a network of canals and lagoons

Cruise through the serene palm-lined backwaters, a network of canals and lagoons, and glide across Vembanad Lake, the longest freshwater lake in India and enjoy lunch on board.

Spend time at leisure before travelling through the Western Ghats to Thekkady, home to Periyar National Park for two nights. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon to settle in and appreciate your traditionally designed cottage set in beautiful gardens. Dinner tonight showcases the wonderful locally grown produce this region for which this region is famed.

Set off this morning on your Insider Experience. In the afternoon, head to Lake Periyar, a stunning manmade body of water, for a peaceful cruise. Search for some of the diverse and protected wildlife including elephants and tigers. Return to your resort for dinner.

Insider Experience - A guided walk exploring a spice plantation

Discover an aromatic spice plantation on a guided walking tour that uncovers the secrets of Southern India's flavoursome spices. This area has grown and exported some of the world's most popular and fragrant spices including ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, and clove.

Departing gorgeous Thekkady after breakfast, descend the Ghat Mountains by coach, crossing back into Tamil Nadu. Your destination today is Madurai – one of the oldest cities in India and the capital of the important Pandya dynasty until the 14th century. After some time at leisure, visit a nearby village for your Insider Experience. Returning to your hotel, enjoy dinner in attractive surroundings this evening.

Insider Experience - Visit a local village

Stroll through a local village inhabited by artisans who specialise in sculpting aesthetic idols, pottery, and puppets out of clay.

Take a guided tour of Madurai which includes the impressive 17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Memorial Museum. An ancient city located on the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu, Madurai's skyline is dominated by 14 colourful gopurams, or gateway towers, of the 12th century Meenakshi Temple. Embark on your Insider Experience this evening.

Insider Experience - Meenakshi Temple

Step inside and discover the Meenakshi Temple. Covered in bright carvings of Hindu gods, this Dravidian-style temple has been a major pilgrimage site for centuries. Witness the final puja of the day, a traditional Hindu ritual. Observe the priests as they symbolically bathe, dress and feed an idol of God Shiva, and then put him to bed alongside his wife, Goddess Meenakshi, to whom the temple is dedicated.

Set off for the airport for your flight to Chennai and an overnight stay. Previously known as Madras during the colonial era, Chennai's architecture and culture has Portuguese, Dutch, French and British influences. Explore the San Thome Cathedral Basilica built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, and the Madras War Cemetery and Marina Beach, one of the world's longest. Stroll through the city's flower market in George Town, soaking up a myriad of colours and fragrances. Sit down to a delicious farewell dinner tonight.

Spend time at leisure or take the opportunity for an optional excursion to Mamallapuram (own expense), known for its World Heritage-listed temples and monuments built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries. In time, transfer to Chennai International Airport for your onward flight.