Meet Quest Excursions at ITB 2026

Namaste! Welcome to India! Once you arrive in the morning (British Airways flight lands at 03.30) you will be welcomed by a representative of Travel XS before departing along the scenic East Coast Road to the Mamallapuram (approx 1.5 hours). Check into the hotel and in the afternoon you’ll explore Mamallapuram’s stunning UNESCO listed heritage sites with an expert guide. Key highlights include the Shore Temple, dramatically positioned along the Bay of Bengal, and Arjuna’s Penance, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and carved from a single granite outcrop representing early Dravidian temple architecture.  

In the evening you will be welcomed by the founder of Travel XS for a briefing about the company, to talk through the logistics of the tour and a welcome dinner. 

Overnight: Grande Bay Resort (or similar)

Included meals:  Lunch and dinner

Following breakfast, set out on an authentic village discovery experience by auto-rickshaw, led by local hero Mr. Shakthi. This will be a fascinating insight into the rural heart of Tamil Nadu, revealing the traditions, livelihoods, and cultural heritage that continue to shape village life. Along the way, visit a traditional village temple, witness skilled artisans demonstrating pottery-making techniques, explore agricultural fields, and learn about cattle-rearing practices that support the local economy. 

Lunch will be traditional Tamil at a local restaurant served in banana leaves. After lunch, explore another premium beach resort in Mamallapuram, followed by a visit to Travel XS office and a chance to meet the Operations and sales teams.

In the evening you’ll participate in a cooking demonstration focusing on Tamil cuisine followed by dinner.

Overnight: Grande Bay Resort (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After an early breakfast depart for Chennai airport (approx. 1.5 hrs drive) for a 1.5 hour flight to Madurai. The city is often referred to as the “Athens of the East”, being one of India’s oldest inhabited cities and a vibrant centre of temple culture and South Indian heritage. 

Check in to the hotel and after lunch we’ll conduct a hotel site inspection, before exploring the city of Madurai by cycle rickshaw. Followed by a street food walk, exploring local markets, culinary traditions and everyday life led by a local hero. Later that evening we’ll head back to the hotel for dinner. 

Overnight: Heritage Madurai (or similar)

Included meals:  Breakfast lunch and dinner

Begin the day with a guided visit to the Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the most significant architectural and cultural landmarks in Southern India. 

Following the visit, drive to Thekkady (approx. 4 hours) across the plains of Tamil Nadu into the verdant and beautiful Western Ghats. After check-in to the hotel, lunch and site inspection, you’ll visit a working spice plantation accompanied by a local naturalist, gaining insight into aromatic spices such as cardamom, pepper and cloves. 

In the evening you’ll attend a Kalaripayattu performance showcasing one of the world’s oldest martial arts, followed by dinner.

Overnight: Cardamom County by Xandari (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner