Example Itinerary

Palaces & Houseboats: Charming South India

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Architecture
Destinations
India

Experience sunny South India at its best with this wonderful luxury 12-day itinerary. Pristine beaches in Goa, shopping in bustling local markets, charming houseboats on the backwaters of Kerala and ancient architecture in Bangalore and Mysore are all on the agenda.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Sun & Sea: Unwind on some of India's finest white sand beaches in Goa.
  • Green Waters: Explore Kerala's famed palm-fringed backwaters, a network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, and mangroves on a traditional wooden houseboat.
  • Ancient Culture: Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is home of the Tamil language and culture which predates even the Roman Empire.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

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Mumbai

Arrive in India’s exciting Mumbai, capital of the country’s vibrant film and arts industry. Check in to your room and get settled in. Enjoy some free time at your hotel to get acquainted with your surroundings.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Located next to the Gate of India on the harbourside, this hotel provides guests with direct city access and water views.

History: This beautiful old building was completed at the turn of the 20th century and has housed dignitaries, royalty and VIPs for more than a hundred years.

Service: This iconic establishment has a long history of excellent service, with personal butlers assigned to guests for round-the-clock care.

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Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This spectacular hotel is located on the exclusive Marine Drive, with stunning panoramas of the ocean and the glimmering shoreline.

History: Channeling high-end glamor and elegance, the hotel opened its adorned doors for guests in 2004.

Service: To provide the ultimate in customer service, the hotel offers a 24-hour spa, butler service, a concierge, travel desk and a business center.

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The Oberoi Mumbai Preferred Hotel

Day 2

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Goa

Fly to Goa today, home to some of Asia’s most stunning, pristine beaches. After checking in to your room, enjoy some relaxed beach time. Next, head to Se Cathedral, the largest church in India, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bom Jesus Basilica. Return to your hotel, where you may relax for the evening.

Hotel Options
About

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Location: The Taj Exotica is only 18 kilometers from the airport and is situated in one of the Maldives' biggest lagoons.

History: The Taj Exotica conducts fascinating day tours of Malé's historic sites, only a short trip away from the resort.

Service: Taj staff work around the clock to ensure guests have everything they need for an unforgettable holiday.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Goa
Goa

Day 3

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Goa

After breakfast today, head to Chapora Fort, a one-time Portuguese fortress overlooking the picturesque Chapora River. Next, pay a visit to Cabo de Rama, one of the region’s oldest forts, which also affords stunning sea panoramas, set in a mystical atmosphere. Finish your tour of Goa off with a trip to Albuquerque Mansion, a beautiful colonial structure built in the 1920s.

Day 4

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Cochin

Check out of your hotel this morning and fly to Cochin, West India’s major port city. You’ll be escorted to your luxury eco-resort, Brunton Boatyard, moored on a historic stretch of Cochin's famed harbor. Spend some time in Cochin Bay, getting familiar with your surroundings, before embarking on a colonial tour of Cochin.

Hotel Options
About

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Cochin
Cochin

Day 5

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Cochin

Today you’ll be spending some time in Cochin’s “Jew” town, where Cochin’s Jewish populace was given land by the raja, where they could build their homes. Today, it’s a bustling, charming port town. From here, you’ll visit Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest of its kind in the Commonwealth of Nations, and Dutch Palace, which was, curiously, built by the Portuguese.

Day 6

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Kerala Backwaters

One of Kerala’s most favorited features is its widespread channel of backwaters, and the most ideal way to explore them is aboard a traditional wooden houseboat, called Kettuvallams, built without a single nail. Today, you’ll board a luxury Kettuvallam for an overnight cruise.

Hotel Options
About

A night aboard a Kettuvallam, or a traditional wooden houseboat, is the perfect way to truly get into Kerala culture. Our chosen luxury Kettuvallam vessel will explore Kerala’s famous tranquil backwaters, through a series of canals and lakes, allowing guests to discover the region’s rich heritage from the comfort of their own well-appointed luxury boat.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Kerala Backwaters
Kerala Backwaters

Day 7

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Madurai

Today you’re heading for Madurai (7 hours away), one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Check in to your hotel, the Taj Garden Retreat, which has a lovely view of an ancient temple. Once settled in, venture to Thirumalai Nayak palace, a sprawling royal abode once considered one of the wonders of the South. Next, pay a visit to Meenakshi Amman Temple, said to form the heart and lifeline of this ancient city.

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About

With a comprehensive view of Meenakshi Temple, the 100 year-old The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai, formerly known as the Taj Garden Retreat, is set amidst lush, serene gardens. The resort’s fifty rooms feature in-room safes, twenty-four hour room service, currency exchange, and high-speed internet access.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

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Mysore

Mysore is your destination today, an ancient Indian city 7 hours away and known for its wide array of palaces. Visit the Mysore market, and haggle for some fresh fruits or fun souvenirs. Learn the secrets behind the Indian art of silk weaving, and then get ready for the evening: tonight, you’re dining with the Prince.

Hotel Options
About

Built by the Maharaja of Mysore to host his most important guest, the Viceroy of India, today the Lalitha Mahal Palace is one of India’s most opulent hotels. Set on a ridge with commanding views of the gently sloping valley, the Lalitha Mahal offers guests a taste of princely living in a real palace.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Mysore
Mysore

Day 9

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Bangalore

Today, you’re off to Bangalore, India’s third-largest city (a 3-hour drive). Transfer to your suite  and get acquainted with your new surroundings. Once settled in, visit Lal Bagh, a botanical garden with India's largest collection of tropical plants; and the elegant Tipu Sultan’s Palace. Enjoy a romantic dinner out tonight, sampling some of the city’s best food.

Hotel Options
About

Set amidst twenty acres of gardens, this luxury hotel in central Bangalore was the city’s first hotel. Constructed in 1887, the Taj West End has been meticulously preserved throughout the decades, and remains a fine example of colonial-era luxury, opulence, and hospitality.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

For a glimpse of life as royalty, stay at the grand, palatial fortress that is the Leela. Set within nine acres of landscaped, manicured gardens punctuated with stone sculptures, lotus lily ponds, and waterfalls, each of the Leela’s 357 rooms feature broadband internet and wi-fi, a mini bar, in-room safe, satellite television, and plush beds.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 10

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Bangalore

Visit the recently-renovated Bangalore Palace today, and walk around its royal grounds. Next, head to Dodda Basavana Gudi, also known as the Bull Temple, representing a sacred Hindu demi-god. Spend the rest of your day relaxing in the palatial surroundings of your hotel, or exploring the city as you like.

Bangalore
Bangalore

Day 11

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Chennai

Fly to Chennai today, and check in to your suite. Visit the country’s largest artists’ commune, Cholamandal Artists’ Village, followed by the Government Museum, a hub of Tamil Nadu’s art, culture, and natural heritage. Finally, end your day with a visit to the Southern Railway Terminus, the city’s oldest surviving station. Relax at your hotel this evening ahead of your departure tomorrow.

Hotel Options
About

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

For luxury, elegance, and a panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal, look no further than the Leela Palace Chennai, a five-star hotel in Chennai, India. Its design and architecture inspired by the Chettinad Dynasty, the hotel exudes a classic regal opulence, from the Royal Entrance through the Lobby Promenade, following along to the Grand Staircase, all the way to the Royal Ballroom.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 12

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Departure

After breakfast today, you’ll check out of your hotel and fly to Mumbai, where you can check in for your connecting flight home or to your next destination.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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