Soul of India: The Colorful South (2012)

Chennai • Mahabalipuram • Pondicherry • Tanjore • Madurai • Periyar • Cochin • Mysore • Bangalore
  • 16 days
  • from only:
  • $3295
  • $206 per day
    Land Tour Only
  • 17 days
  • from only:
  • $4095
  • $241 per dayIncludes international airfare and government taxes
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Detailed Itinerary
Video: Travelers' experiences of Soul of India
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Is this Adventure Right for You?
It's Included
Unique Accommodations
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Supporting a World Classroom: South India
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Customize your trip

Learn how to customize your adventure, or view standard air routing and travel times. The choice is yours with our True Choice program.

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Customize your trip

With our True Choice Program, you can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two adventures to maximize your value. Here are more ways to create the OAT adventure that’s right for you:

  • Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer
  • Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available
  • Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip
  • Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your adventure
  • Choose to “break away” before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own
  • Extend your adventure with our optional pre- and post-trip extensions
  • Combine your choice of OAT adventures to maximize your value
  • Upgrade to business or premium economy class

The air options listed above will involve an additional fee of $100 per person for confirmed requests (as well as incremental airfare costs based on your specific choice). This service fee will be waived for Inner Circle/Sir Edmund Hillary Club members.

Or, when you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing, for which approximate travel times are shown below.

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland, OR, San Francisco, Seattle

28hrs

Boston, Chicago, Washington, DC (Dulles)

26hrs

Dallas, Denver, Houston, Orlando, Minneapolis

30hrs

New York (JFK)

21hrs

Miami

31hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Chennai, India. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

REFER and EARN

Earn increasing rewards as a Vacation Ambassador

REFER and EARN as a Vacation Ambassador with
the BEST referral program in the industry

Inspiring new travelers to join the OAT family is a rewarding experience—both for you and your new travelers.

Share your love of travel with others and, for each referral who embarks on an OAT trip, you will earn $100 in CASH or credit. With your 4th referral departing on a 2012 departure, your reward increases to $200 in CASH or credit per person. And once you refer 8 travelers departing in either 2012 or 2013, you'll earn a FREE trip valued up to $4,500 per household—which will bring the total value of your earned rewards up to $5,600.

And you are also passing along savings to your new traveler: We'll instantly deduct $100 off the cost of their reservation when they mention your name and Customer Number while reserving.

To learn more about the benefits of our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program, please call us toll-free at 1-800-955-1925 or click here.

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Unique Accommodations

Radisson Resort Temple Bay pool
Radisson Resort Temple Bay room

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Radisson Resort Temple Bay
Mahabalipuram, India

Located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the Radisson Resort Temple Bay is spread over 44 acres of tropical paradise. Within easy access of the area temples, this is a relaxing place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. The resort features a pool, spa services, and each of its 144 rooms has a patio or balcony. In addition, amenities include LCD TV with cable, private bath, hair dryer, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Hotel Atithi exterior
Hotel Atithi room
Hotel Atithi exterior

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Hotel Atithi
Pondicherry, India

Located in central Pondicherry about a half mile from the beach, Hotel Atithi provides comfortable accommodations near Pondicherry's most notable sites. All 60 rooms include Internet access, telephone with international direct-dialing, minibar, LCD TV, welcome drinks and a complimentary breakfast, and a private bath with shower. And while the Atithi's fitness center, gymnasium, bar, and restaurant add to your comfort, the hotel's most attractive feature is on its roof: a swimming pool with sweeping views of the Bay of Bengal.

Cardamom County Plantation exterior
Cardamom County Plantation pool
Cardamom County Plantation room

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Cardamom County Plantation
Periyar, India

This resort features cottages designed to resemble the plantations of yesteryear. Each of its 30 cottages has a balcony from which you can gaze on the nearby Kumily Hills and the lush Periyar Tiger Preserve. Cottages include telephones, satellite TVs, mini-refrigerators, and complimentary bottled water.

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Hotel Sangam, Tanjore
Tanjore, India

The welcoming Hotel Sangam in Tanjore is well-situated close to the area temples. In fact, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Brahadeeshwara Temple from your room. After a long day of sightseeing, unwind in the meandering, peaceful swimming pool. The hotel features 54 rooms, modern fitness facilities, and a restaurant serving multi-ethnic cuisine.

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Hotel Sangam, Madurai
Madurai, India

Located near the famous Maenakshi Temple and other historical monuments, the Hotel Sangam in Madurai offers modern amenities in a tranquil setting. Relax in the beautifully landscaped pool, or enjoy fine cuisine in the restaurant’s multi-ethnic restaurant. Each room is equipped with cable TV, Internet, minibar, and air conditioning.

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The Killians Boutique
Cochin, India

Built around a lovely courtyard with a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, The Killians Boutique is located in the main Fort region of Cochin. Named after Saint Killian, the hotel offers guests a number of amenities, including cuisine from on-site restaurant Lily Grace and Ayurveda spa treatments. Each of the 22 rooms feature air-conditioning, private bath, TV, and minibar.

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Fortune JP Palace
Mysore, India

The 108 rooms of the Fortune JP Palace all feature air-conditioning, private baths, telephones, satellite TV, minibar, and 24-hour room service. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness center, and cocktail lounge make it easy to relax. But the best part of Fortune JP Palace is its location in the heart of Mysore, a short walk from a rail station, with a variety of shops and restaurants easily accessible.

Dambulla Thilanka Resort exterior

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Dambulla Thilanka Resort
Dambulla, Sri Lanka (pre-trip extension)

This hotel features villas nestled among lush green hilltops on a 25-acre mango orchard, with rice fields and the Dambullu River nearby. Facilities include a restaurant, an organic foods cafe, an outdoor pool and an Ayurvedic spa. Rooms feature TVs with DVD players, minibars, personal safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, as well as private bathrooms with hair dryers.

Hotel Thilanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka (pre-trip extension)

Swaddled in the mist of the nearby Hunnasgiriya Mountains, the Hotel Thilanka provides a relaxing atmosphere. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, spa, and yoga lessons. Each of Thilanka's 87 rooms is equipped with a minibar, a TV, and a private bath with shower. The hotel's proximity to parks and temples makes it a natural choice for your stay in central Sri Lanka. Perhaps you'll even meet the monkeys from the nearby Udewattakela Sanctuary that frequent the hotel's balconies.

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Citrus Goa Hotel
Goa, India (post-trip extension)

Located a mile from Calangute Beach, the Citrus Hotel offers 88 rooms, each with air-conditioning and private bath. A coffee shop, outdoor pool, poolside bar, fitness room, and restaurant are on-site.

Novotel Juhu Beach
Mumbai, India (post-trip extension)

Just steps from Juhu Beach, the Novotel Juhu Beach makes relaxation easy. A sauna, Turkish bath, fitness center, pool, and massage service are just the start; five bars and restaurants, including the beachside Bageecha, cater to any taste. Your room features air conditioning, minibar, safe deposit box, satellite/cable TV, voicemail, hair dryer, and private bath with shower. The Juhu district bus depot is a short ten-minute walk from your door.