Tour Details
Destination: IndiaType: Women-only
Cost:
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Sorry you missed this tour! Here are details for the 2013 South India tour.
South India Tour for Women
Number of days: 18
Itinerary dates: January 25 – February 11, 2012
This 18-day women-only tour focuses on South India’s highlights including spectacular temples, tea and spice plantations, pristine beaches and the waterways of Kerala. Take a yoga class, overnight on a houseboat, learn the secrets of South Indian cuisine in a cooking demonstration and experience the music, culture and food for which South India is famous.
As a special treat, it also includes a visit to the Passports Village where 25 homes have been built by Passports with Purpose, the yearly fundraiser for which Beth is a co-founder!
Read India FAQs and learn about what to expect in India
View South India Photo Gallery
See Beth’s recommended books on India
Itinerary
Day 1
January 25, 2012 – Arrive in Chennai
Upon arrival in Chennai (usually at night), you will be met by a driver and taken to your hotel.
Day 2
January 26, 2012 – Chennai and Kanchipuram (B, L, D)
After a welcome breakfast, the group will take a tour of Chennai, including Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, Indo Saracenic High Court building, Kapaleeswarar Temple and San Thome Cathedral.
After lunch, the group will drive 1.5 hours to Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism’s 7 most sacred cities, where you’ll visit a few of the major temples.
You will then depart for Mahabalipuram, about 1.5 hours away, where you’ll check into your hotel. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
HIGHLIGHT! Kanchipuram is famous for its silk saris. You’ll have the chance to visit a silk-weaving cooperative to discover just how special these are.
Day 3
January 27, 2012 – Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry (B, L, D)
On this day, the group will visit the temples of Mahabalipuram, built by the Pallava rulers in the 7th century. After lunch, you’ll drive about 2 hours to Pondicherry and check in to the hotel. Overnight in Pondicherry.
HIGHLIGHT! The spectacular complex at Mahabalipuram is a feast for the eyes with 14 cave-temples, nine monolithic rathas (chariots), three stone temples and two relief sculptured rock panels.
Day 4
January 28, 2012 – Pondicherry (B, L, D)
Pondicherry is a former French colony and, as such, is a unique destination in India. On this day,
you’ll tour the area including the fascinating Aurobindo Ashram and Museum and Auroville. Vive la croissant! Overnight in Pondicherry.
HIGHLIGHT! In Pondicherry, you’ll be able to wander along the city’s waterfront promenade and meander the streets, discovering the unique shops, markets and cafes, many of which are European-influenced.
Day 5
January 29, 2012 – Pondicherry to Chidambaram/Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Thiruvarur (B)
After breakfast, the group will drive about 2 hours to Chidambaram, one of Tamil Nadu’s most important holy towns. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the magnificent temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram before continuing on about 3 hours to Thiruvarur where you’ll check in to the hotel. Overnight in Thiruvarur.
HIGHLIGHT! This area was the capital of the Chola Dynasty in 1025 for about 250 years (one of the longest ruling) and controlled the affairs of south India. It remains an important area and big draw for locals and tourists.
Day 6
January 30, 2012 – Karunganni and Nagaputtinum (Passports with Purpose program) 
On this day, the group will spend time in the area around Karunganni and Nagaputtinum visiting projects funded by Passports with Purpose (the yearly fundraiser co-founded by Beth) as well as other programs that are run by LAFTI.
HIGHLIGHT! You’ll be amazed to see how funding small projects can dramatically affect the lives of so many. This will be an emotional and rewarding day for all.
Day 7
January 31, 2012 – Thiruvarur – Thanjavur – Trichy (L, D)
In the morning, the group will drive to Trichy via Thanjavur, where you’ll visit Brihadeeshwara Temple, the old town, the Raja Museum, the Art Gallery and Siva Ganga Garden.
In the afternoon you’ll tour Trichy, which is famous for its ancient temples, including one dedicated to Lord Ganapati. You’ll also visit Sri Rangam, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which contains a bazaar within its walls. Overnight in Trichy.
HIGHLIGHT! Put on your walking shoes, an astounding 434 steps were cut out in the rock side leading to the temple for Lord Ganapati and another flight of steps leads to the temple of the Lord Shiva! It’s a long way up but so worth the view.
Day 8
February 1, 2012 – Trichy – Chettinad – Madurai (B, L, D)
After an early breakfast, the group will head to Madurai via Chettinad. You’ll tour the mansion of Chettinad and have lunch at The Bangala before driving onward to Madurai.
In the evening, you’ll have a chance to visit the Meenakshi Temple.
HIGHLIGHT! Chettinad is famous for its cuisine and here we’ll have a sampling of some the local tasty delights.
Day 9
February 2, 2012 – Madurai to Munnar (B, L, D)
After breakfast, the group will drive about 5.5 hours to Munnar, which has some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates. After lunch, you’ll tour a tea plantation and then overnight in Munnar.
HIGHLIGHT! The drive through the tea estates and rolling mountains will take your breath away. You will hardly believe that you are still in India!
Day 10
February 3, 2012 – Munnar (B, L, D)
The group will head out in the morning for a hike near Munnar which will include a steep climb up into the mountains before it descends down through beautiful tea plantations. Lunch will be served along the hike.
You’ll return in the afternoon with time for spice and souvenir shopping in Munnar.
HIGHLIGHT! The viewpoint from the pinnacle on this mountainous hike is worth the effort. You’ll see man-made lakes and rolling hillsides for miles. It’s not unusual to see elephants (and remnants of the pachyderms) along this hiking route.
Day 11
February 4, 2012 – Periyar National Park (B, L, D)
After breakfast, the group will drive about 1.5 hours from Munnar to Periyar National Park along picturesque mountain roads. Periyar is set on an artificial lake where wild elephants, deer, black buck and even tigers come to the shores for a drink. In the afternoon, there will be time for a boat ride where you’ll likely see birds and wildlife along the waterfront, as well as a tour of a local spice farm. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 12
February 5, 2012 – Peermade and Kumarakom, Backwater Cruise (B, L, D)
After breakfast, the group will drive about 2.5 hours to Kumarakom, stopping in the small hillside town of Peermade. Along the way you’ll tour coffee and spice plantations before continuing on to Kumarakom, a beautiful backwater village on the shores of Vembanad Lake. Here, the group will board a houseboat in time for lunch and then relax on the boat for the afternoon.
Overnight on board.
HIGHLIGHT! The traditional rice boats sail through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes of Kerala. Meals will be served with freshly bought produce and fresh fish from the local markets and cooked on board. The houseboats are air conditioned and are very comfortable and you’ll love relaxing to the sounds of lapping water and breathing in the fresh night air.
Day 13
February 6, 2012 – Backwater Cruise (B, L, D)
The group will spend one more day on board the boat, relaxing and enjoying the serenity of the area. You’ll be taken, via a smaller boat, through the small channels and canals that meander throughout the backwaters of Kerala. It’s likely you won’t to go back onshore!
Day 14
February 7, 2012 – Backwater Cruise to Kochi (B, L, D)
In the morning, the group will disembark at the jetty in Alleppey then drive 1.5 hours to Kochi, where you’ll check in to the hotel.
After lunch, you’ll spend the afternoon touring the sites of Kochi including the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue and the fantastic shopping district in this area, the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace and see the famous Chinese fishing nets along the boardwalk. During the evening, there will be a Kathakali dance performance and makeup demonstration. Overnight in Kochi.
HIGHLIGHT! Kathakali is a 2,000 year-old style of dance, which tells stories through expressive eyes and more than 100 different mudras, or gestures, depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings.
Day 15
February 8, 2012 – Kochi (B, L, D)
The group will spend another full day in Kochi, soaking in this wonderful seaside town, it’s history and the local shops and cafes. You’ll tour sites that were missed the previous day.
Day 16
February 9, 2012 – Kochi – Varkala (B, L, D)
On this day, the group will leave later in the morning and drive 3 hours south to Varkala, a small seaside 
town in Kerala and a Hindu pilgrimage site since the 12th Century. Varkala is also blessed with a golden beach. You’ll check in to the hotel and, after lunch, visit the Portuguese church of Anjengo. Overnight in Varkala.
HIGHLIGHT! Varkala is perched on the side of a cliff and is a little-known destination with relatively few tourists. The fresh seafood and views are some of the best in all of India!
Day 17
February 10, 2012 – Free day in Varkala (B)
Enjoy an energizing yoga class in the morning and spend the rest of the day free. This is a chance to relax and work on your tan before departing for home! Overnight in Varkala.
Day 18
February 11, 2012 – Departure (B)
Sadly, on this day, the group will transfer to the Trivandrum airport for flights home. Depending on your return flight, you may require a domestic flight back to Chennai or some other destination. Please allow for plenty of time between flights in case of delays. (Please contact Beth for questions.)
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Costs:
Contact us for 2012 dates and costs – info (at) wandertours (dot) com
Interested in sharing? We do our best to pair up same-sex travelers so as to avoid the single supplement. However, priority is given to the first deposits received. If you’re interested in sharing – PLEASE send in deposit as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this benefit. (Why a single supplement charge? See this FAQ page for an explanation.)
Price includes: In-country transportation, hotels, guides and meals as noted.
Price does not include: Flights to/from India, insurance, souvenirs, personal purchases (such as books and snacks), beverages, travel and evacuation insurance and tips.
We recommend MedEx Assist for travel and/or evacuation insurance.
This trip is limited to 15 people and requires an $800 deposit accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Women’s South India Tour Registration Form 2012 (PDF)
For deposit and payments, please make payable and mail check to:
WanderTours
PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116
For questions, please contact Beth at:
info (at) wandertours (dot) com
888-818-9918
Deposits and full payment may also be made with a credit/debit card through PayPal. Simply send payment to: beth (at) wandertours (dot) com or by using the form below:
Final payment is due November 26, 2011.
South India Packing List: Provided upon registration
Women’s South India Tour 2012 Itinerary (PDF)
Tour Leader
Join either Joslin Fritz or Beth Whitman for this journey.
Related Links:
South India Photo Gallery
Recommended books on India
India FAQ’s
What to Expect in India
