Ancient Caves & Backwaters of India
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This 16 day tour begins in Mumbai and wraps up in Kochi. You’ll explore Elephanta’s cave temples, the Gateway of India and Marine Drive before flying to Aurangabad for Ajanta and Ellora, Bibi Ka Maqbara and mighty Daulatabad. Continue to Hyderabad’s Charminar, Golconda and vibrant bazaars, then on to colonial Chennai, the shore temples of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram, and the French flavoured lanes of Pondicherry. Expect to see grand Chola masterpieces at Thanjavur and Trichy, Madurai’s Meenakshi temple, spice country and wildlife in Periyar, a dreamy Alleppey houseboat cruise, and Kochi’s Chinese fishing nets.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
16 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
MumbaiEnds
KochiMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
£2,845.00
£1,577.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5-kilometres without stopping and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5-kilometres without stopping and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See
Mumbai
Aurangabad
Ajanta
Hyderabad
Daulatabad
Chennai
Kanchipuram
Mahabalipuram
Pondicherry
Chidambaram
Thanjore
Trichy
Thanjavur
Madurai
Cuddalore
Periyar
Thekkady
Thekaddy
Alleppey
Alappuzha
Cochin
Kochi (Cochin)
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Mumbai
On arrival in Mumbai, we’ll meet you at the airport for assistance and transfer to your hotel. Standard check-in is from 12:00 – early check-in is subject to room availability. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and attend to any personal plans. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Exploring Mumbai
After breakfast at the hotel, we take a motorboat from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, about 10 kilometres offshore, to explore its rock cut cave temples. We then return for a Mumbai city tour, visiting the Gateway of India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum, Marine Drive – which runs from Nariman Point up to Malabar Hill – and the Hanging Gardens, laid out in 1881 and noted for hedges shaped like animals. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 - Fly to Aurangabad
Leaving Mumbai, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Aurangabad (flight not included). On arrival, we provide assistance and transfer to the hotel. Later, we take a city tour, visiting the Aurangabad Caves – artificial caves cut from soft rock in the 6th–7th centuries – then Bibi Ka Maqbara, the mausoleum of Aurangzeb’s first wife, and the small archaeological museum nearby. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 - Ajanta Caves Day Trip
After breakfast, we drive from Aurangabad to the Ajanta Caves – 104 km, around 2 hours each way – for a full-day visit (closed on Mondays). This notable complex of 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves, dating from about 200 BCE to 650 CE, preserves fine sculptures and paintings depicting the Buddha’s life and his previous births. Five caves are chaityas – places of worship – and twenty-five are viharas, or monasteries. The site was brought to wider attention in 1819 and was mentioned by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, who travelled in India between AD 629–645. Ajanta predates Ellora and reflects both Hinayana and Mahayana traditions. We return to Aurangabad in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 5 - Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Daulatabad Fort & Fly to Hyderabad
After breakfast, we visit the Ellora Caves (closed on Tuesdays), a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from about 200 BC to AD 650, with 34 monasteries and temples representing Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
We then continue to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, revered as the twelfth Jyotirlinga in the Shiva Purana, before stopping at Daulatabad Fort on the way back, noted for its formidable defences with double and triple lines of massive walls.
Later, we transfer to the airport for your flight to Hyderabad (flight not included). On arrival, we meet you and transfer to your hotel. Standard check‑in is from 12.00 – early check‑in is subject to availability – and the remainder of the day is free for you to relax. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 - Exploring Hyderabad
We set out on a full‑day exploration of Hyderabad – a city with over 400 years of history, lively bazaars and notable Islamic architecture. We visit Golconda Fort and the Qutb Shahi Tombs before continuing to the Salar Jung Museum. Later we take in Hussain Sagar, the Charminar and the Mecca Masjid. If you wish, you can browse the bustling markets around Charminar before we return to the hotel for the night.
Day 7 - Fly to Chennai
Hyderabad – Chennai by air. After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to the airport for your scheduled flight to Chennai (flight not included). On arrival, we assist with the transfer to your hotel. Later, we explore colonial Chennai – visiting churches, the fort, the museum and key government buildings – and we also visit Marina Beach. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 - Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Chennai to Pondicherry, stopping en route to visit the temples of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. The journey covers approximately 235 kilometres – about five hours by road – with extra time for sightseeing at each stop. On arrival in Pondicherry, we check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 9 - Exploring Pondicherry
After breakfast at the hotel, we set out to explore the French Quarter, visiting its colonial-era streets, local churches, a temple and Aurobindo Ashram. The rest of the day is free – you can relax on the beach at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 - Pondicherry to Tanjore
We depart Pondicherry for Tanjore – a 185 km drive taking around four hours – with visits en route to Chidambaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Darasuram Temple. On arrival in Tanjore, we check in to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 11 - Tanjoire & Trichy
After breakfast in Tanjore, we visit Brihadeshwara Temple and Thanjore Fort. We then drive to Trichy – about 60 kilometres, taking roughly 1.5 hours – and check in at the hotel. Later, we visit Rock Fort Temple and Srirangam Temple. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 - Trichy to Madurai
Today, we drive 140 kilometres – around 3 hours – from Trichy to Madurai and check in to the hotel. Later, we explore the city’s highlights, including the Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal and Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, a large temple tank. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 13 - Madurai to Thekkady
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Madurai to Periyar (Thekkady) – approximately 160 km, around 3 hours – and check in on arrival. In the late afternoon, we take a spice plantation tour and visit a local village. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 - Periyar National Park Boat Safari
Today, venture into Periyar National Park and explore the park by boat – watching for wildlife such as wild elephants, Nilgiri langurs, sambar deer, wild bison and colourful birds. Overnight at the hotel in Thekkady.
Day 15 - Thekkady to Alleppey & Houseboat Overnight
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Alleppey (135 km – approx 3 hours) to board a houseboat and cruise the Kerala backwaters. Lunch and dinner are served on board, and we stay overnight on the houseboat.
Day 16 - Journey to Kochi
Alleppey to Kochi (Cochin) – 60 km – around 1.5 hours. After breakfast we disembark the houseboat and drive to Kochi. On arrival we take a city tour of this port city, known for its well‑preserved colonial heritage. We visit the Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, the Jewish Synagogue and Mattancherry Palace. Later, we transfer you to the airport to board your evening or night flight for your onward destination.
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Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
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