South India Family Holiday

All our tours are customizable.

This 13-day journey is designed as a perfect family holiday through the most charming parts of South India. From the royal city of Mysore to the wildlife of Bandipur, the cool hills of Ooty and Munnar, and the spice gardens of Thekkady, every step brings a mix of culture, nature, and adventure.

You’ll begin with palaces, markets, and temples in Mysore before heading into the forests of Bandipur for thrilling jeep safaris in search of elephants, deer, and even tigers. A scenic ride on the famous Ooty toy train, bullock cart rides in Pollachi’s villages, and gentle hikes to hidden waterfalls add a playful touch to the journey.

In the hills of Munnar, you’ll walk through tea plantations, try plucking leaves, and even process them into tea. A cooking demo in Vandanmedu introduces you to Kerala’s spices, while Thekkady offers elephant interactions, spice gardens, lake cruises, and an exciting martial arts show. From here, the pace slows as you drift through Alleppey’s backwaters on a private houseboat, kayak along quiet canals, and finally relax on the golden sands of Marari Beach.

The tour balances sightseeing and leisure, with comfortable stays and activities carefully chosen to delight both children and adults. It’s a journey filled with variety, history, wildlife, culture, and plenty of time to simply enjoy being together as a family in the natural beauty of South India.

Tour Highlights

  • Heritage city of Mysore
  • Wildlife Safari at Bandipur
  • Backwaters & Beaches of Kerala
  • Jeep safari to Gavi
  • Forest Trek & Bamboo Rafting Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Stay at Tented Camps & Scenic View Hotels

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Mysore
Activity: Pick up from Airport Tranfer to Mysore, Afternoon Sightseeing, Visit to Mysore Place, Chamundy Hills and Devaraja Market
Hotel: Southern Star
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive at Bangalore airport and drive to Mysore (approx. 3 hours). On arrival, check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Mysore city. Mysore is an ancient city with more than 600 glorious years of legacy. Known for its glittering royal heritage, bustling markets, magnificent monuments, cosmopolitan culture, and a friendly populace. The city is also a thriving center for the production of premium silk, sandalwood, and incense. We visit the famous Mysore Palace with its Durbar Hall and the Golden Royal Elephant Throne. We will further visit Chamundi Hill to have a panoramic view of Mysore city. Further, we will visit the ancient Chamundeshwari temple and the Nandi temple with its giant stone sculpture of a sitting bull dedicated to God Nandi. We will wind up the sightseeing tour with an evening walk through the old-time Devaraja Market packed with its flowers, fruits, and vegetable stalls.
Day 2 Bandipur
Activity: Jeep safari at Tiger Reserve
Hotel: Jungle Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Bandipur (approx. 2 hours) through scenic farmlands of rice, millet, sugarcane, and vegetables. On arrival, check in at the forest lodge, nestled at the foothills of the Nilgiri Hills. After lunch, set out on a jeep safari in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The park is a haven for wildlife and dedicated to conserving the endangered tiger. Keep an eye out for elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, Malabar giant squirrel, Malabar parakeet, and the grey-headed bulbul.
Day 3 – Ooty
Activity: Morning Jeep Safari, Drive to Ooty, Visit to Botonical Garden and Chocolate Factory
Hotel: Accord Highland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day early with coffee, followed by a morning safari in Bandipur Tiger Reserve (approx. 3 hours) with a naturalist, keeping an eye out for tigers, elephants, and other wildlife. After breakfast, continue your journey to Ooty (approx. 2 hours) through the scenic Mudumalai Forest and rolling tea plantations. Ooty, one of South India’s most popular hill stations, is known for its misty hills, sprawling tea estates, and charming countryside. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Botanical Garden and stop at a chocolate factory
Day 4 Pollachi
Activity: Ooty Heritage train ride to Kunnoor, Transfer to Pollachi
Hotel: Cocoa Lagoon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the day with a heritage train journey to Coonoor on the charming metre-gauge railway, winding through the serene Nilgiri Hills with breathtaking views of tea gardens and lush landscapes. This enchanting ride is a highlight in itself. Later, drive to Pollachi, passing through scenic rural areas and green fields that showcase the beauty of Tamil Nadu’s countryside. On arrival, check in at a tranquil resort. In the evening, enjoy a traditional bullock cart ride through coconut groves and nearby villages for an authentic rural experience.
Day 5 Munnar
Activity: Hike to Thuvanam waterfall, visit a local Jaggery-making unit
Hotel: Talayar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Munnar (approx. 3 hours) through vast coconut farmlands, where you can see small cottage units processing coconut husk into fiber, ropes, carpets, and coir products. Crossing into Kerala, enter the Chinnar Forest and enjoy a refreshing trek to Thoovanam Waterfalls (approx. 2 hours). Continue the journey through the scenic Marayoor Sandalwood Forest, with a stop to see traditional jaggery-making from sugarcane. In the evening, check in at a charming tea plantation bungalow nestled amidst lush tea gardens. Here, the culinary team awaits to serve you a delightful blend of Colonial British cuisine and authentic Indian flavors.
Day 6 Exploring Tea plantation
Activity: Tea plantation walk and tea factory visit
Hotel: Talayar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s activity is “Make Your Own Tea”, an exciting opportunity to discover how the world’s favorite leaf turns into a refreshing cup of tea. Begin the morning with a guided plantation walk, where you will pluck tender tea leaves yourself. Then, visit a mini tea factory to experience the fascinating process of tea making. The day ends with the perfect reward – enjoying a cup of tea you made on your own.
Day 7 Vandanmedu
Activity: Papathy Shola hike visit Tribal Village, Cooking Class
Hotel: Carmelia Heaven
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a one-hour drive to Suryanelli village to begin a guided 4-hour trek. Walk through Papathi Shola (Butterfly Forest), cardamom plantations, and a tribal settlement of the Muthuvan community. Along the way, take in stunning aerial views of Anairangal Lake (Elephant Lake). After the trek, relax with a picnic lunch before transferring to Vandanmedu. In the evening, join a Kerala cooking class at your plantation resort. Pick fresh vegetables from the garden and learn traditional recipes with the chef.
Day 8 Thekkady
Activity: Boating in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Elephants interaction, Martial Art Show
Hotel: Green Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a one-hour drive to Thekkady through the scenic cardamom hills. Visit an elephant park for a memorable experience of bathing and feeding the elephants—an activity children especially enjoy. Later, check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, take a boat ride in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, cruising across the lake with chances to spot wild elephants, Indian gaur, and sambar deer. Afterwards, visit a spice garden to learn about Kerala’s rich variety of spices. In the evening, witness a thrilling Kalaripayattu performance, the ancient martial art of Kerala.
Day 9 Thekkady
Activity: Jeep Safari to Gavi, Nature Walk at Gavi Wildlife Sanctuary, Boating to Waterfall
Hotel: Green Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thekkady – Gavi Exploration Start your day early with a jeep safari to Gavi, where breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife await. Journey through Thekkady’s pristine nature and keep an eye out for wild elephants, Indian gaur, giant squirrels, and Nilgiri langurs. At Gavi, enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off on a guided nature walk through the lush evergreen forest. Return for a delicious lunch, followed by a boating experience that takes you to a serene waterfall. After a refreshing tea break, ride back through the wilderness on a jeep safari to Thekkady a day full of unforgettable memories in nature’s lap.
Day 10 Alleppey
Activity: Houseboat cruise
Hotel: Houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Alappuzha – a scenic four-hour drive through rolling tea and spice plantations and charming villages. On arrival in Alappuzha, board your private houseboat for an unforgettable overnight backwater cruise. Drift through serene rivers and canals, witnessing the daily life of village communities fishing, washing, and duck farming along the shores. Savor freshly prepared meals on board, including the region’s delicacy, pearl spot fish.
Day 11 Alleppey
Activity: Backwater Village Kayaking, Village Walk
Hotel: Emerald Isle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark from the houseboat and transfer to Emerald Isle Heritage Resort. In the morning, go kayaking Guided by local experts, you’ll paddle through narrow waterways lined with coconut trees and small villages. It’s a wonderful way to experience daily life up close fishermen preparing nets, women washing clothes by the water, and children waving from the banks. The gentle pace makes it suitable even for beginners and families with kids.. Later, take a relaxed village walk, meeting locals and learning about their daily life. Overnight at Emerald Isle.
Day 12 Marari
Activity: Leisure at Beach
Hotel: Turtle Beach
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short drive brings you to Marari Beach. Spend the day at leisure play on the beach, swim in the Arabian Sea, or simply relax at your beachfront resort. Overnight at Turtle Beach Resort.
Day 13 Departure
It’s the time to say Adieu, with fond memories of the ride through the biodiverse and culture-rich Western Ghats. We will be happy to drop you at the Cochin International Airport. If you have a couple of days more left, the add-on tour program offers more experiences of the beach and backwaters of Kerala as you can read through below.

Gallery

Inclusions

  • Tent / Guest House Accommodation on Twin Share
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Refreshments and Drinking Water
  • All activities including Walks and Visits as per Itinerary
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Entry Fee at Forest, Temple, Plantation etc
  • Support Vehicle
  • Government Taxes

Route map

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Family holiday through South India, exploring royal palaces, vibrant wildlife, misty hill stations, spice gardens, tranquil backwaters, & golden beaches – journey blending culture, nature, & relaxation.