SOUTH INDIA · INDIA
South India’s best days out.
The 12 most popular village life & countryside tours in South India, gathered on one page. What each one is really like on the day, how long it runs, what it costs and who you book it through.
Private jeep tour from Munnar to Anakulam elephants, tea estates, and waterfalls with lunch included in about 9 hours.
Most Popular“Great for site seeing around Munnar and getting an authentic experience. Surya was very nice and accommodating.”
Sunrise canoe cruise near Kochi with Kerala breakfast and village life views on calm backwaters.
“A great start to the day with beautiful views and insight into local life and people. Our hosts were a joy to spend time with and there was a good balance of engagement but also letting us be in peace as we enjoyed the surroundings. BreaRead more”
A 3-hour private shikara cruise in Alleppey with a village stop and sunset views, plus guide-led wildlife spotting for $16 per person.
“Lovely boat trip. Anazudheen was great. Organised at last minute and communicated really well. Stopped for lovely lunch. Top day!!”
Ride from Bangalore to Nandi Hills by bike with breakfast, temple visits, a silk stop, pottery making, and an organic buffet lunch.
“My friends and I had an absolute blast biking around Nandi Hills. Ajith was the ultimate guide and taught us so much! We are visiting from the US so learning so many things in such a sort amount of time can feel overwhelming, but Ajith explaiRead more”
Private sunset canoe cruise from Kumarakom with village life, fishing nets, bird spotting, and a full Kerala dinner.
“We highly recommend this tour, it’s a small operation that is very personable and well run. The boats are in good condition and because of their size it allows you to see the inner canals which are far more interesting than riding on a laRead more”
Full-day trip from Kochi to Kumbalangi fishing village on Kalenchery Island, with hands-on fishing, banana-leaf lunch, and air-conditioned pickup.
“It was a gorgeous village atmosphere that took me to a spellbinding realm. I am glad to have received a chance to trust my tour with Expertise Travel team without their contribution this trip would have been an absolute disappointment. Their service charges are within budget and I am gratified.”
A private 4-hour Kumbalangi village tour from Kochi with pickup, boat time, coconut crafts, fishing nets, and a Kerala seafood lunch.
“Everything was so interesting and the artisans were so friendly and helpful with our questions.”
A half-day village tour in Kochi with fish farms, coconut oil and coir making, boat workshops, and Fort Kochi spice markets, with pickup.
“We had an excellent day out in Kochi all be it frustrated by the repetitive checks by Indian Visa authorities on and off, leaving and returning but its their country. The most impressive things in Kochi was the 124 km tidal wall along the foreshRead more”
Sunrise canoe cruise in Kumarakom backwaters with village life, birdwatching, toddy tapping, chai stop, and a Kerala breakfast in 3 hours.
“10/10 would recommend. This trip had a variety of fun sights: beautiful birds; an incredible sunrise; a stop in the village for a drop of tea; and a detour to try toddy (the incredible morning elixir of the coconut tree). I would recommend this trip to any group. And to top it off, we got…”
Full-day Kochi/Kumarakom backwaters cruise by canoe and shikkara with sunrise birds, Kerala meals, and local food stops, starting 6am.
“This is an extraordinary tour of the backwaters that takes you in the opposite direction of all the other tours. Indeed, I didn’t see another tourist for the first 8 hours of the excursion. Sanu was very kind and adjusted the tour to fit my interestRead more”
Midday cruise on Kumarakom backwaters with village canals, bird sanctuary stops, and included tea or coffee with an English guide.
“Excellent guide and captain Sanu helped us in understanding the back water birds, village life and other environmental basics in boat cruise”
Sunset cruise in Kumarakom’s backwaters by traditional canoe, with village life, hot tea, local snacks, and Kerala-style dinner.
“In Kumarakom wordt maar één smalle gracht heen en weer bevaren , dat is wel jammer maar als eerste ervaring in backwaters is het top. Heel veel vogels gezien. Dorpsleven is een beetje geensceneerd, maar biedt interessante info. Het eten bij Wonderwerk piepklein restaurant was ongelooflijk lekker en verzorgd, leuke setting langs water”
Every corner of the region, and every way to see it.
