India
Hampi & Mysore to Kochi, and a 7-night Kerala Backwaters cruise
Spice Tour - 15 Night Itinerary
Explore ancient Hampi, the palaces in Mysore, colonial Kochi and enjoy a blissful week's cruise aboard the superb Vaikundam exploring the villages, wildlife and scenery of Kerala's magical backwaters.
Select your Preferred Departure Date OR Default to Today's Date
Travel Highlights
- Explore UNESCO protected Hampi, with is incredible history and temples
- Be inspired in Mysore, a charming city known for its glorious palaces.
- Discover Kochi and enjoy an authentic Kathakali dance performance.
- Relax on a 7 night cruise on the backwaters of Kerala on the exceptional RV Vaikundam.
- Observe many species of endemic birds of the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
- Learn how to cook southern Indian cuisine with expert local chefs.
- Visit local villages where traditions have remained the same for centuries.
- Option to extend your stay at a beach resort.
Tour Route
- Bangalore - 1 Night
- Hampi - 3 Nights
- Mysore - 2 Nights
- Kochi (Cochin) - 2 Nights
- Backwaters of Kerala Cruise - 7 Nights
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
Request Quotation
Tour Itinerary
Bangalore
1 NightDay 1 - Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Bangalore
Day 2 - Arrive in Bangalore
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Bangalore
Depart from the UK on an overnight flight to Bangalore.
Friday, 05 June 2026
Arrive in Bangalore
Arrive in Bangalore in the morning and transfer to your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is free to explore Bangalore, a modern, cosmopolitan city.
Taj West End, Bangalore
Taj West End, Bengaluru is a lush haven in the centre of Bangalore, nestled within 20 acres of sprawling greenery and distinguished by its colonial elegance intertwined with luxury hospitality. First built by the Bronson’s in 1887 as a 10-room inn, this five-star hotel features 117 luxurious air-conditioned rooms and suites overlooking the verdant gardens.
Dining…
Hampi
3 NightsDay 3 - Travel to Hampi
Day 4 - Optional tours of Hampi
Day 5 - Further explorations of Hampi
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Hampi
Transfer to Bangalore airport and fly to Vidyanagar. From here, we drive to Hampi and check into your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay including breakfast. Located in northern Karnataka Hampi is stunningly beautiful sprawling the banks of the River Tungabhadra - the ancient ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire. UNESCO has credited the Hampi ruins as a World Heritage Site and rightly so, for visiting these ruins is more like a lesson in history and lost kingdoms.
Sunday, 07 June 2026
Optional tours of Hampi
The foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire was laid in Hampi in 1336 A.D, making it the capital of the largest empire in post-mogul India. It later became famous for its support towards renovation/reconstruction of temples re-establishment of Indian culture, its support for music, art and literature throughout India. Today, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur and fabulous wealth, palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of men of infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction.
You have two full days to explore Hampi with expert local guides. The discovery of stone artefacts, pottery shards and rock paintings indicate that Hampi has been inhabited since pre-historic times. Hampi has challenged time, survived the centuries and lived to tell the tale.
Monday, 08 June 2026
Further explorations of Hampi
A further day of explorations with our local guide.
Evolve Back, Hampi
Located next to the ancient site of Hampi, Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace, with its stone-paved boulevards, arched hallways and regal chambers, takes you back in time to the glorious days of the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire, whose centre was at Hampi.
This magnificent hotel has a selection of spacious luxury air-conditioned suites and pool villas, each…
Mysore
2 NightsDay 6 - Travel to Mysore
Day 7 - Exploring Mysore
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Mysore
We drive to Vidyanagar airport and fly back to Bangalore. On arrival in Bangalore, you will be met our driver for a 3 hour journey to Mysore. Known as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm that never fails to enchant with its rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. The charm of this city leaves no one untouched. Situated in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau, Mysore has played a significant role in the history of South India. Check into your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Exploring Mysore
Today, explore Mysore with your guide, visiting the Palace of Mysore, the Indo-Saracenic blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles that remain the home of the Maharajahs of Mysore and count among India’s most popular attractions. An exquisite opulence greets us within through a dazzling array of carvings, chandeliers, mosaics, stained glass, paintings, and frescoes. We aslso visit the Chamundi Hills, site of the 12th-century Chamundeshwari Temple with its 1,008 ancient steps leading to the summit. The highlight of this lofty temple is the statue of Nandi, the enormous bull used as a mount by Hindu god Shiva, which sits on the 800th step of the temple. In the evening, visit Devraja market to get the local flavour of local Mysore life.
The Grand Mercure, Mysore
As a former royal capital, Mysore retains its regal air in its glorious, art-filled palaces. Its deeply traditional roots are reflected at ornate Hindu temples where people congregate to pray and celebrate important festivals. You’ll experience the city at its finest during Dasara, when it glitters with lights and the streets are filled with grand…
Kochi (Cochin)
2 NightsDay 8 - Travel to Kochi
Day 9 - Guided tour of Kochi & Kathakali dance performance
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Arrive in Kochi
Today, drive back to Bangalore airport via a stop at the river island town of Srirangapatna, with its celebrated 9th-century Hindu Ranganatha Temple. Then, fly to Kochi where your local Veloso Tours guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Friday, 12 June 2026
Guided Tour of Kochi & Kathakali dance performance
This morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the Harbour’ s mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use "Chinese Fishing Nets" which were introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved.
In the evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance; enjoy India's most spectacular Dance Drama based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dancers are elaborately made-up with paint and masks, accompanied with drummers and musicians.
Shagzill Khan
Brunton Boatyard, Kochi
Brunton Boatyard is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Located in Fort Cochin, it’s an inspiring place to explore Kochi. The hotel was a boatyard under the British Raj, now beautifully converted and restored to a luxury hotel.
Twenty two rooms overlook the sea, each…
Backwaters of Kerala Cruise
7 NightsDay 10 - Embark RV Viakundam for 7-night backwaters cruise
Day 11 - Vaikom to Kumarakom
Day 12 - Kavalam
Day 13 - Kainakari to Mankompu.
Day 14 - Excursion to Aranmula
Day 15 - Thotapally
Day 16 - Kanjippadom
Day 17 - Fly back to the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Embark the RV Vaikundam
This morning visit an authentic training centre of Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala. Continue to Marad and embark the RV Viakundam for your 7-night cruise including all meals and excursions. Sail gently cruising by the islands interspersed along rivers, lake, coastal estuaries and lagoons. By evening, arrive in the ancient village, Vaikom and visit the ancient temple of Shiva.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Vaikom to Kumarakom
Following breakfast on the boat, enjoy a Kathakali performance, the traditional dramatic and mimetic dance form with epic stories.
Cruise to Chenganda village and spend time with the coir weavers, the shell harvesters and farmers. Cruise through Thanneermukkom barrage and Lake Vembanad with its wetland ecosystem. We also visit a local farm today.
Monday, 15 June 2026
Kavalam
This morning, take a small boat to observe the migratory and endemic birds of the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, including waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, parrots, teal, lark and flycatchers. Cruise past paddy fields set below sea level to Kavalam where the river Pampa reverses its course and drains into Lake Vembanad. Here, meet toddy tappers, who collect the sap of the stem of blossoming coconut flower and make the alcoholic drink – toddy.
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Kainakari to Mankompu
Cruise to Kainakari and visit Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of the Catholic Saint Kuriakose Chavara which is now preserved as a museum. In the afternoon, we cruise gently on the backwaters enjoying the laid-back, yet harmonious, life along the way, paddling along narrow canal by country boat and interacting with the villagers.
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Excursion to Aranmula
Following breakfast we drive to an ancient village, Aranmula, where families of craftsmen still make mirrors out of a special combination of metals.
Enjoy a walk in the village and visit the ancient temple of Krishna. Cruise to Champakkulam village where Kerala’s old spice trade used to pass through this town en route to Kochi and other ports on the west coast. Settled more than 1000 years ago by Syrian Christian traders, who later converted to Roman Catholicism under the Portuguese, the people chose to keep their syncretic cultural heritage. Finally, we cruise to the remote village of Changankari, admiring the sunset as we pass through a serene canal.
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Thotapally
As part of the cruise on the Vaikundam we plant a sapling of coconut as the coconut tree is considered as the ‘Kalpavriksha‘ or the Divine tree of Kerala. All parts of coconut tree are useful in one way or the other: the water inside is a healthy drink; the fresh kernel and the oil extract from dried kernel are inevitable components of every cuisine; fibre from the coconut husk is used to make coir, mats and geo textile; the palm fronds are used for thatching roof; the wood suitable for making furniture and all the dried parts of coconut make good firewood. Later, enjoy a leisurely walk to the beach to see the life along the Keralan coast.
Friday, 19 June 2026
Kanjippadom
Following breakfast, we take a short drive to visit an ancient sacred grove where serpents are worshipped. Continue to Mannar village and meet metal smiths engaged in making traditional lamps, ornate locks, bells and various types of vessels being used in temples.
Sail to Karumadi village and visit the ruin of a sculpture of Buddha. Continue to the village of Kanjippadom for a leisurely walk and meet carpenters at the boat building yard and talk about the traditional method of building wooden boats (Kettuvallom), joining wooden planks using coir, cotton and natural resin.
Tonight, celebrate with a delightful farewell dinner on board RV Vaikundam.
Saturday, 20 June 2026
Fly back to the UK
Transfer to Kochi airport and fly back to the UK, arriving later in the evening.
RV Vaikundam
The river cruise boats of today are modified version of the traditional Kettuvallom or Rice barges of the past which had been in use for transporting produce and goods from interior farms to the markets. Today they are comfortable cruising homes to unwind and relax immersing in the pristine nature and inexplicable energy along the…
Price Guidelines
| Season | High Season |
|---|---|
| Travel Dates | October - March |
| Room Arrangement | First |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £3,896 |
| Single Traveller - Own Room | £5,232 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- Guidelines prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
- 17 Days / 15 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- 15 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 7 dinners
- 7-night backwaters cruise on the RV Vaikundam on a full board basis in a superior cabin
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
Specialist Knowledge
Since 1999, we have crafted unique itineraries using our technology and extensine first-hand travel experience and local inspections
Your Perfect Tour
Your holiday is tailored by our specialist advisors to match your preferences, interests and budget using our kowledge of each destination
The Best Local Guides
Our local guides are specialy selected as your hosts providing an authentic insight into local life, culture, activities and visits
Travel Confidence
Our organisation provides local tour services and guides so you travel with confidence, reliability and 24-hour support
READY - 3 June 2026
MEXICO - History, Beach, Mayan Pyramids & Lifestyle
PERU - Machu Picchu, Andean Landscapes, Historic Heritage
GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR - Friendly Wildlife on the Islands
BRAZIL NATURE - NEW Atlantic Forest Birdwatching Trails
BRAZIL IMPERIAL - NEW Brazil Royal Family Heritage
HONEYMOONS & CELEBRATIONS - "en Tete-a-Tete"
TRAVEL INSURANCE essential comprehensive cover