Palaces & Plantations in South India

Stray from the typical South India tourist trail and immerse yourself in an array of landscapes and local experiences as you travel west on this two-week journey.

You’ll begin in the fascinating city of Hyderabad and end in India’s largest, most cosmopolitan city, Mumbai. With local guides in each place, you’ll delve into the different cultures of each area and experience an array of landscapes with time to relax in a variety of luxurious accommodation. After exploring the outskirts of Hyderabad, fly direct to the boulder-strewn horizons of Hampi, spend time in lush spice plantations and the rugged Western Ghats before relaxing on the beaches of quiet Nileshwar.

Highlights Include:

Explore the markets surrounding the Charminar in central Hyderabad, taste the local biryani and tour the ancient forts and tombs that surround the city
Get to know the splendour of the Vijayanagara Empire and the stunning boulder strewn landscape of Hampi
Journey up into the Western Ghats to Coorg, where you can wander through coffee and spice plantations, trek or cycle
Relax on the quiet beaches of Nileshwar in Northern Kerala
Tantalise your taste buds as you eat your way through Mumbai on a private food tour

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

This is a sample itinerary which we will tailor to suit you. Prices are dependent on destination, flights & dates but ETG holidays always include the following:

International flights (if required)
Guides, drivers & their tips
Accommodation
Specified meals & snacks
Your immersive experiences
Internal & regional transfers

Get in touch with us for your bespoke proposal
or see more on our ETG Pricing Guide

Call for a bespoke proposal 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

DAY 1: DEPART UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Hyderabad.

DAYS 2 & 3: HYDERABAD & THE OUTSKIRTS

Your local guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel where you will be for a two-night stay. In the morning, your guide will accompany you on a heritage walk through the atmospheric archways and historical by-lanes of Hyderabad’s Old City. Later in the afternoon, venture out to visit The Charminar, a magnificent monument known as the symbol of the city. On day three, you’ll venture to the outskirts of Hyderabad, touring the ancient fort of Golconda and the remains of the tombs of the Qutb Shahi dynasty - two of the most well-maintained monuments in the area.

DAYS 4, 5 & 6: HAMPI

You will fly to Vidyanagar before transferring to your luxurious hotel for a three-night stay. Spend the next two days exploring the splendour of the Vijayanagara Empire and the surrounding boulder-strewn landscape with your guide. There is also time to relax by the swimming pool or in the spa, and you’ll find numerous trails and walks around the area, too.

DAYS 7 & 8: CHIKMAGALUR

Spend the day journeying south to Chikmagular, where you will be for two nights. During your time here, you can explore some of India's most vast and lesser-visited coffee plantations by cycling or walking. There are also local temples nearby at Belur and Halebid, and fantastic bird spotting opportunities on country walks.

DAY 9 & 10: COORG

The next two nights will be spent at your accommodation in Coorg high up in the Western Ghats. Mainly known for its coffee, cardamom and ginger crops, the area is also covered by ‘sacred forests’ of Rosewood and Sandalwood, which are excellent for those wanting to trek and the Kaveri River offers the opportunity to travel by coracle - a mode of transport still used in the region. Again, bird watching is excellent too.

DAYS 11, 12 & 13: NILESHWAR

Spend the next three nights in Nileshwar, a quaint beach region in northern Kerala. You’ll have two days at your leisure, or perhaps you may want to visit the nearby Bekal Fort, wander through the Western Ghats or take a cycling tour, experiencing local life amongst paddy fields, temples and fishing villages.

DAYS 14 & 15: MUMBAI

Today you will fly from Mangalore to Mumbai (or for the more adventurous why not take the Mandovi Express along the stunning Konkan coastline?) before transferring to your accommodation for two nights. Spend the afternoon eating your way through India’s largest city, sampling many classic Mumbai flavours with your local guide through the bustling Khao Gaullis (eating lanes). The next morning, your guide will introduce you to the various transport options that make Mumbai tick. Walk to multiple monuments and travel by bus, taxi and on the infamous commuter railway. You’ll explore the British Heritage District, Marine Drive and Chowpatty beach, sample local tea and snacks, browse in a fruit and vegetable market before finishing at Mumbai’s open-air laundry system.