Immerse yourself in the colors and sounds of India: 16-day/15 nights private journey to Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Dates: 20th January – 4th February 2026 , min. 1 participant
USD 4,445.- for 1 person; USD 3,495.- for 2+ people
Initial deposit: USD 1,000.- to secure your space. Please check availability with us first.
You may follow up this trip by a week’s extension tour volunteering at Animal Aid Unlimited in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and visiting some of the main sites in the area, including the impressive Kumbhalgarh Fort and the intricate Jain temple of Ranakpur. A vegan cookery class and a visit of a Rajasthani folk show are also included. Please get in touch with us for more information. The price depends on the number of participants.
Highlights:
- Fort Cochin & the Malabar Coast
- The Kerala Backwaters
- The Periyar Tiger Reserve near Kumily and the Western Ghats
- The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai
- Community Tourism in rural areas near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu
- Varkala Beach
- Kovalam Beach
“We had an incredibly beautiful, interesting, and diversified trip to India. It enabled us to collect enchanting experiences and deep insights. The organization was great and so was the tour leader. The trip went entirely according to my wish. Once again I would like to thank you. If possible I would like to do another trip with Oda in the future.” Brigitte, Switzerland
“Oda’s long-established friendships and relationships are what really make this trip! The experiences and activities are truly the intimate access and involvement that you’d have as a welcome visiting family member, rather than a tourist or traveler. I couldn’t recommend this trip, and Oda’s expertise, more highly. Excellent! ” Nancy, USA
Experience India as an Insider:
We invite you to experience the vibrant cities and tranquil backwaters of South India, with its ancient temples, coconut groves, and off the beaten track places. Watch out for wild elephants, deer, monkeys, and birds as you hike the beautiful cardamom hills of Kumily in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Watch Pujas (ceremonies) at the beach of Varkala or treat yourself to an ayurvedic massage. You will meet and interact with locals; spend time visiting schools, women’s empowerment programs, elderly care programs, and the bio-digester and organic garden. A large part of the proceeds of your journey directly benefits some of the most disadvantaged sectors of the population in Tamil Nadu that are supported by the Indian NGO SCAD (Social Change & Development). Among its many projects, SCAD offers aid to disabled children and gypsy children, including schools; provides education up to the university level; supports leprosy rehabilitation programs; grants microloans for village artisans; assists women’s self – help groups and promotes organic farming. This trip might just beat your wildest travel dreams!
Your Tour Leader:
This tour is led by Oda Seedhouse de Romero, the founder of Vegetarian Peru Adventures and the Andean Spirit Lodge near Cusco, Peru. Oda is an ethnologist, a professional guide (culture and nature), and a certified Sivananda Yoga instructor. Having extensively visited and lived in India, Oda has a deep passion for Indian cultures and peoples. She will help you understand the fascinating world of sights, colors, sounds, and lifestyles of southern India.
Your Accommodations:
We use comfortable mid-range hotels and guesthouses with private facilities and air conditioning (except on the backwater houseboat) throughout the trip.
Great Veggie food:
All our included meals are vegetarian or vegan depending on your personal choice. Please state your preference in your booking.
South Indian food is delicious but it may be a little spicy for some taste buds. Many places offer alternatives to European style food which is much blander. In the guesthouse of the Indian NGO where we have the privilege of staying several nights all food is home-cooked especially for us. It is very wholesome and healthy food and not too spicy. Typical for South Indian fare are the dosas (a type of rice crepe) with sambar (lentils with vegetables) and coconut chutney. Be prepared to sample some new culinary delights!
Included In The Tour Price:
- 13 nights in double or twin rooms with private bathrooms in mid-range hotels or guesthouses
- 1 night on a houseboat in a double or twin room with a private bathroom
- Veggie meals: as described in the itinerary
- English speaking tour leader
- Local English speaking guides and support by staff members of SCAD, the Indian NGO that hosts the part of the trip based at the SCAD campus
- All land transport as indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary
- Donations to SCAD projects
- All taxes
Not Included:
- International flights
- Indian visa or any transit visas you might need for your flights
- Travel insurance (obligatory)
- Transfer from Kochi airport to your hotel in Kochi and from your hotel in Trivandrum to the airport
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
- Optional activities marked (X) such as additional Yoga classes, massages, dance shows, etc.
- Porterage
- Tips and gratuities
20-
01-
2026
Arrival in Kochi, Kerala. Welcome to the hotel by your tour leader (an airport transfer can be arranged for you on request). Free time to rest, acclimatize, currency exchange, and explore. Hotel in Fort Kochin. D
21-
01-
2026
After a leisurely breakfast, we will visit the historical center of Mattancherry with its Dutch palace and Jewish quarters (X) and have the opportunity to explore the narrow ancient streets with their charming colonial buildings and churches. Free afternoon. Optional visit of a Kathakali performance of a concert of classical Indian music. Hotel in Fort Kochin. B & D
22-
01-
2026
A short train journey (one hour) brings us to Alleppey where we shall board our houseboat for a 20 hour trip through the backwaters of Kerala. During the relaxing journey, you will be able to watch numerous birds, including herons, storks, and raptors. Full board.
23-
01-
2026
We will travel by private bus to Kumily (5-6 hours), a jungle resort in the Western Ghats. On the way, we shall stop at a tea plantation and learn about the fascinating production process. In the afternoon we reach our guesthouse in Kumily. Overnight in Kumily. B & D
24-
01-
2026
Guided hike (8 hours) through the jungle of the cardamom hills. The area belongs to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and harbors plenty of wildlife, including wild elephants, sambar deer, gaurs (Indian bison), langurs, and macaque monkeys. Overnight in Kumily. B & D
25-
01-
2026
Free time in Kumily. Opportunity to visit the Spice Garden and Thekkady Lake or book an ayurvedic massage. Your evening options are to view either Kalari (martial arts) or Kathakali dance performances (X). Overnight in Kumily.B
26-
01-
2026
Travel by private bus to Madurai in Tamil Nadu (approx. 4 hours). We arrive at our hotel in Madurai just in time for a late lunch. The history and traditions of Madurai reflect the culture of South India. Take an afternoon stroll through the busy streets, in the shadow of the Meenakshi Amman Goddess temple. Here you will be able to witness a blend of millenary rites with modern-day 21st century India. Hotel in Madurai. B & D
27-01-2026
Guided tour of the fabulous Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai, one of the most important shrines of the Hindus. In the afternoon you may opt to visit the Tirumalai Nayak palace constructed in the Islamic Dravidian style (X). We finish our day with a delicious dinner at the rooftop restaurant of our hotel, famous for its Dosas (South Indian savory rice pancakes). Overnight in Hotel in Madurai. B & D
28-01-2026
A 3-4 hour train journey takes us to Tirunelveli. Transfer to the SCAD campus in Cheranmahadevi, a 100% Indian NGO that supports the poorest sectors of rural Tamil Nadu. The comfortable SCAD guesthouse will be our base during the next few days. It is located on the SCAD campus in a beautiful rural area of Tamil Nadu, close to the city of Tirunelveli. Here we will have plenty of opportunities to sample rural village life off the beaten track and learn about the many ways this all Indian NGO is making a real difference. During our stay at the SCAD guesthouse, you will try wonderful home-cooked food and you may also do some exploring on your own steam borrowing a bicycle. We shall be welcomed by delegates from SCAD. Full board.
29-
01-
2026
Today we spend a relaxing day at the SCAD campus, learning about a variety of the organization’s projects, such as the ‘green generator’ that converts organic wastes into methane gas for cooking and fertilizers. We may also visit the organic garden and the school for children with special needs and learning difficulties, a marvelous project that saves many children from a sad future as beggars in the streets. Overnight at the SCAD guesthouse. Full board.
30-
01-
2026
Today we have the opportunity to learn about further development projects organized by SCAD. We shall visit some remote villages, such as a gypsy community with its school, women’s groups, and the leprosy station and hospital. Overnight at the SCAD guesthouse. Full board.
31-
01-
2026
We spend another day learning about the different SCAD projects, visiting local artisans’ projects like the textile producers (sarees), carpet producers, and potters. Overnight at the SCAD guesthouse. Full board. Please note that the projects visited might be determined by the specific interests of our group as well as the prevailing circumstances. If you wish we may visit the ancient Siva temple of Tirunelveli and shop for textiles at the local bazaar afterward. Overnight at the SCAD guesthouse. Full board.
01-
02-
2026
After breakfast we travel by train to Varkala, a beach resort on the coast of Kerala and an ancient pilgrimage site, (approx. 5 – 6 hours). After checking into our hotel we shall have free time to explore the sandy beaches, dip into the sea or relax with an optional ayurvedic massage (X). Hotel in Varkala. B
02-
02-
2026
Free day in Varkala. There will be the opportunity to watch pujas (ceremonial offerings) on the sacred beach, visited by thousands of devout Hindus every year. You may also enjoy an extended walk on the coconut tree-lined clifftops over the beautiful beach. Sometimes dolphins and sea otters are spotted swimming very close to the coast. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of one of Kerala’s loveliest sandy beaches. You may also explore the beautiful temple tank of Janardhana Swamy Temple that can be reached by foot or stroll the local Tibetan market. Overnight at Hotel in Varkala. B
03-
02-
2026
Today we leave Varkala behind and go by train or private bus to Kovalam beach near Trivandrum for your last overnight. B
04-
02-
2026
Breakfast. Transfer to Trivandrum airport for your return flight can be arranged upon request. End of all services
Included in the tour price:
- 14 nights comfortable mid-range hotels or guesthouses with AC and private facilities
- 1 night on a backwater houseboat in double or twin with a private bathroom
- Veggie meals as described in the itinerary
- English-speaking tour leader
- Support from local tour leaders and staff members from SCAD
- All land transport as described in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to the sites visited
Not Included in the tour price:
- International flights
- Indian visa
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Transfers from/to the airport of Kochi to Fort Kochin and to Trivandrum airport at the end of the tour
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Cold beverages and alcoholic drinks
- Optional activities marked (X) like additional Yoga sessions, massages, dance shows, and concerts
- Porterage
- Tips and gratuities