East to West Coast: Southern India

This eight-night escorted tour begins in Mamallapuram, where low tides reveal the stone-carved Shore Temple before time is given to roam local markets. Next is Thanjavur, home to the Brihadeshwara Temple, a towering example of Chola architecture where you can watch bronze casting artisans at work.

Madurai follows with its Meenakshi Temple complex, including the Thousand Pillared Hall, presenting a different scale and energy compared to earlier stops. The journey continues through the cardamom plantations of Thekkady before drifting on a traditional boat along the Kerala backwaters. Here, a homestay offers a chance to see daily life from a quieter perspective.

G Adventures leads this small group with a Chief Experience Officer and local guides, balancing included visits with free time to wander or relax. The mix of road, train and boat travel means the group moves at a steady pace, with moments for reflection amid the region’s often crowded and noisy environment. India’s unpredictability is part of the rhythm, and patience will be well rewarded.

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These are the places the trip visits, in order. G Adventures publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.