Luxury South India Tour 

Touch down in India’s City of Dreams, where a private driver transfers you to one of Mumbai’s most storied landmarks, the Taj Mahal Palace. Welcoming royalty, dignitaries, and cultural icons since 1903, the hotel offers sweeping views over the harbor and the Gateway of India. After a long flight, unwind with a classic cocktail at the Harbour Bar, Mumbai’s first licensed lounge, before settling in for a restorative night’s sleep.

Your private guide leads a day that delves far deeper than landmarks. Visit the vast Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundry revealing Mumbai’s inner workings, then observe the precision of the famed dabbawallas, who deliver thousands of lunchboxes daily. After lunch, step into everyday life with a short local train ride to Byculla, followed by a sensory immersion at the Spice Market, where vendors grind bespoke masala blends. 

Trade frenetic city streets for Hampi’s boulder-strewn hills and valleys. After a short flight, journey through Karnataka’s striking landscapes to this UNESCO World Heritage Site—one of India’s most extraordinary yet under-the-radar archaeological treasures. Check into Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace, a magnificent retreat inspired by the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire. Spend the evening enjoying terracotta courtyards, refined regional cuisine, or a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment. 

Explore Hampi’s evocative ruins with a guide who brings legends of the Ramayana vividly to life. Begin with the offbeat Tungabhadra Trek, a river walk through granite landscapes, before visiting sacred sites and architectural wonders. As the sun sets, take in panoramic views from a hilltop perch. In the evening, join the in-house historian for a private tour of pre-Vijayanagara temples, culminating in a serene visit to Virupaksha Temple. 

Fly to Hyderabad, transferring to the opulent Taj Falaknuma Palace, once home to the Nizam dynasty. Arrive in regal fashion via horse-drawn carriage to this marble-clad hilltop palace. Relax with a traditional Indian aromatherapy treatment or massage in the spa, then savor the rich flavors of Hyderabadi slow cooking at the elegant Adaa restaurant. 

Uncover Hyderabad’s royal past on a private guided tour. Explore Golconda Fort, where tales of intrigue echo through its ramparts, then visit the grand Qutub Shahi Tombs. Wander the vibrant streets surrounding Charminar, a mosque crowned by four soaring minarets. End the day with Irani chai in a centuries-old tea house, soaking up the rhythms of local life. 

Leave the city behind for coastal calm in Puducherry, a former French colony blending South Indian soul with European charm. Settle into Palais de Mahe, a mustard-yellow heritage villa tucked among hibiscus-lined streets in the French Quarter. Spend the afternoon wandering cafés, boutiques, and the seaside promenade overlooking the Bay of Bengal, before a fresh seafood dinner back at your hotel. 

Rise with a cup of locally roasted coffee before heading to Auroville, a pioneering international community founded on unity and sustainability. Guided by a resident raised in Auroville, gain personal insight into its philosophy and daily life. In the afternoon, explore Puducherry’s French Quarter and Sri Aurobindo Ashram, learning about colonial architecture and the spiritual legacy of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. 

Travel to Chettinad, pausing en route to explore two masterpieces of Chola architecture: Darasuram and Brihadeeshwara Temples. Once home to a prosperous trading community, Chettinad is famed for its grand mansions built with Burmese teak, Italian marble, and intricate stonework. Arrive at Visalam by CGH Earth, a beautifully restored Chettinad heritage home, and settle in for the evening. 

Discover Chettinad’s distinct cultural identity with your private guide. Visit sacred Ayyanar shrines, then watch Athangudi tiles being crafted by hand at a local workshop. Explore the halls of opulent heritage homes before choosing between a bullock cart ride or a celebrated culinary experience at The Bangala—moments that feel timeless and deeply rooted. 

Fly to Madurai and receive a warm welcome at Madurai Heritage Hotel, set within lush gardens of banyan and frangipani trees. After time to rest, visit the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, where your guide brings its intricate sculptures and vibrant wall paintings vividly to life. 

Transfer to Munnar, a peaceful hill station amid tea plantations in Kerala’s Western Ghats. Stay at Spice Tree Munnar, an intimate resort with sweeping views of rolling hills. This is a place to slow down—enjoy tea tastings, a couples spa treatment, or a gentle yoga session as mist drifts across the landscape. 

Set out on the Lakshmi Hill Trek, a gentle walk through hills and valleys dotted with village life. Visit Lockhart Tea Estate for a private tour or an additional walk through tea-cloaked slopes. Learn about the tea-making process from leaf to cup, followed by a tasting of local varieties. 

Continue to Kochi, checking into Brunton Boatyard, a heritage hotel reflecting the city’s British-era shipyard past. Wander Fort Kochi, where Dutch, Portuguese, and British influences intersect. End the day with a Kathakali performance, an evocative blend of dance, drama, and elaborate handmade costumes. 

Explore Kochi’s layered history with visits to the Jewish Synagogue and Mattancherry Palace, famed for its mythological murals. Browse antiques in Jew Town, pause for coffee in a historic café, and conclude the day watching the iconic Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against the sea. 

Transfer to Kumarakom Lake Resort, a lakeside retreat set amid 25 acres of greenery. Spend the day at leisure—relax by the water, explore the surrounding village, or indulge in Ayurvedic spa therapies rooted in ancient healing traditions. This is slow, restorative travel at its finest. 

Begin with a peaceful yoga session, then board a traditional Kettuvallam houseboat for a serene backwater cruise and lunch. Once used to transport rice and spices, these vessels are now floating sanctuaries. Watch village life drift by as a freshly cooked Keralan meal is served on board. 

Bid farewell to India as a private driver transfers you to the airport in Kochi for your onward flight.