Visiting India

The Southern Route and Kerala
Cities Visited: Mumbai, Goa, Mysore, Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala, Kottayam, Kumily, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Ernakulam

For the first week of your trip, follow The Southern Route itinerary, but instead of flying back to Goa on your last day, stop in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore).

From Bengaluru, fly or take the 17+ hour train to Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum) on your seventh day. Spend your eighth day exploring the fort, palace, Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and Napier Museum.

On your ninth day, take a morning train to Varkala for some yoga at an Ayurvedic center, sunbathing on Papanasam Beach, and a visit to Janardhana Swamy Temple.

After a day and a half in Varkala, head to Kottayam on the afternoon of your tenth day. Spend half a day exploring the city. The next day, take your pick of day trips from Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, the beautiful temple at Ettumanur, or the metal mirror making town of Aranmula.

On the evening of your eleventh day, take a bus to Kumily, the jumping off point for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spend a day and a half there exploring the wildlife sanctuary, tea factory, and spice plantations.

On the afternoon of your thirteenth day, take a bus to Ernakulam. Spend your final day visiting Fort Cochin before flying home.