Embark on an extraordinary journey through the South of India, with our three unique South India tours. From vibrant cities to tranquil backwaters, and ancient temples to modern culture, these tours offer a varied and in-depth introduction to this fascinating region.
Created by local experts
Planning a tour of South India is an exciting task. Start by determining the duration of your trip and also consider weather conditions and peak seasons. Depending on the duration of your trip, make an itinerary covering the places you want to visit.
Book accommodation in advance to fit your budget and decide on your preferred mode of transport. Make sure you have the necessary visas and travel documents, and pack with the region's climate in mind.
Think about travel insurance and familiarise yourself with the local currency, it's also a good idea to learn a few basic phrases in the local language for easier communication.
If you want to save yourself the trouble of planning, contact our local India travel experts - they will create a perfect itinerary for you.
Beach of Mararikulam, Village in Kerala, India © Shutterstock
The lush greenery of tea plantations, the colourful spice markets and plantations - this 11-day Kerala tour is nothing short of highlights.
The journey will start in Cochin, where you will receive a traditional welcome and transfer to your hotel. On the second day, you will leave Cochin for Munnar, a hill station famous for its tea plantations.
On the third day, you will continue your exploration of Munnar with a half-day trek to the Sevenmalai Hills. On the fourth day, you will arrive in Thekkady.
Day five will be filled with adventure as you will do a half-day trek and visit a spice plantation in Thekkady.
On the sixth day, you will travel to Kumarakom. Day seven is dedicated to relaxing on a houseboat as you cruise the waters of Alleppey.
On the eighth day, you will travel to Mararikulam where you can relax on Marari beach and admire the sunset. The ninth day is a day of relaxation on the beach.
On the tenth day, you will return to Cochin for a city tour and learn about the rich history of Fort Kochi.
Finally, on the eleventh day, it's goodbye time: you'll head to Cochin International Airport for departure.
Alleppey, Kerala, India © Christian Ouellet/Shutterstock
Check this overview of the South India 11-day tour:
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Munnar landscape in Kerala, India © Shutterstock
Enjoy a lazy cruise on a converted rice barge; visit fragrant spice plantations, explore Cochi and spot local wildlife, all on this 7-day Magical Tour of Kerala.
The first day begins with a half-day tour of Kochi. You will explore the main attractions, each offering a glimpse of the city's rich heritage.
On day two, you'll head to a cardamom plantation in Munnar, where you'll learn about the cultivation of this aromatic spice in the Cardamom Hills.
On the third day, you will head to Madurai for a half-day city tour including a visit to the Tirumala Nayak Palace.
Day four is free time in Kumily. Day five is a boat trip on Periyar Lake within the Periyar National Park.
Day six is all about anticipating new adventures and preparing to move on to your next destination.
On the seventh day, you will be picked up in the morning from the pier in Alappuzha and then transferred to Kochi airport, marking the end of this exciting South Indian journey.
Periyar Park National, India © Shutterstock
Check this overview of the South India 7-day tour:
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Backwater Cochin, India © Shutterstock
Welcome to a fascinating 10-day South India tour, seamlessly intertwining the rich culture and natural treasures of the region.
Begin your South India adventure with a traditional welcome to Cochin and check-in at your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
On the second day, enjoy a half-day tour of Cochin and immerse yourself in the city's rich cultural heritage. On the third day, you will proceed to Munnar, a famous hill station known for its verdant tea plantations.
Immerse yourself in nature with a half-day trek to the Sevenmalai Hills in Munnar on the fourth day. Day five marks the departure to Thekkady and explore the surrounding area.
On the sixth day, you will proceed to Kumarakom where you will experience the local way of life. A houseboat journey on the bay waters of Alleppey awaits you on the seventh day.
Day eight brings a relaxing holiday on Marari Beach where you'll also enjoy a stunning sunset. Enjoy a free day at Marari Beach on day nine or treat yourself to an Ayurvedic massage.
Say goodbye to mesmerising South India on the tenth day and depart for Cochin International Airport.
A church in Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala © Shutterstock
Check this overview of the South India 10-day tour:
Feeling curious? Take a step forward and book this trip now.
South India beckons with an abundance of captivating landscapes, vibrant cultures and historical treasures. From the tranquil waters of Kerala to the majestic temples of Tamil Nadu and bustling cities, the region offers a wealth of must-see destinations.
The state of Kerala stretches along India’s southwest coast, divided between the densely forested mountains of the Western Ghats inland and a lush, humid coastal plain.
Its intensely tropical landscape has intoxicated visitors since the ancient Sumerians and Greeks sailed in search of spices to the shore known as the Malabar Coast.
At the heart of this aquatic wonderland is Alappuzha. This is a picturesque town where you can embark on a mesmerising backwater boat cruise as you sail past lush green landscapes, swaying coconut palms and quaint villages.
As you sail through the intricate maze of canals, lakes and lagoons, you'll see a unique blend of nature and culture, making Alappuzha a must-stop on your Kerala trip.
The former Portuguese enclave of Goa, midway down India’s southwest coast, has been a holiday destination since colonial times. Then British troops and officials used to travel here from across the country for a spot of “R&R”.
Back then, the three Bs – bars, brothels and booze – were the big attractions. Now it’s the golden, palm-fringed beaches spread along the state’s 105km coastline that pull in the tourists – around two million of them each winter.
Cheap air travel has made it a major package tour destination for Europeans, and there has been a dramatic rise in the number of newly affluent domestic visitors in recent years.
Not a fan of planning? Our fully customisable India itineraries allow you to go on the trip of your dreams without the hassle of researching and planning.
Munnar is the centre of Kerala’s principal tea-growing region. A scruffy agglomeration of corrugated-iron-roofed cottages and tea factories, its centre on the valley floor fails to live up to its tourist office billing as a “hill station”.
But still, there’s plenty to enthuse about in the surrounding mountains, whose lower slopes are carpeted with lush tea gardens and dotted with quaint old colonial bungalows. Above them, the grassy ridges and crags of the High Range offer superlative trekking routes, many of which can be tackled in day trips from the town.
Not a fan of planning? Our fully customisable India itineraries allow you to go on the trip of your dreams without the hassle of researching and planning.
Cochin, Kerala, India @ Shutterstock
Fort Kochin, the grid of old streets at the northwest tip of the peninsula, is where the Portuguese erected their first walled citadel, which the Dutch East India Company later consolidated with a circle of well-fortified ramparts.
Only a few fragments of the former battlements remain, but dozens of other evocative European-era monuments survive. A good way to get to grips with Fort Kochi’s many-layered history is to pick up the free walking-tour maps produced by Kerala Tourism.
They lead you around some of the district’s more significant landmarks, including the early eighteenth-century Dutch Cemetery, Vasco da Gama’s supposed house and several traders’ residences.
One of the oldest cities in South Asia, Madurai, has been an important centre of worship and commerce for as long as there has been civilization in South India.
It was often described as “the Athens of the East” and indeed, when the Greek ambassador Megasthenes visited in 302 BC, he wrote of its splendour and described its queen, Pandai, as “a daughter of Herakles”.
Although considerably enlarged and extended through the ages, the overall layout of Madurai’s old city has remained largely unchanged, comprising a series of concentric squares centred on the massive Meenakshi Temple.
Located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Thekkady is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. Its centrepiece, the Periyar Tiger Reserve, is a biodiverse sanctuary that offers thrilling jungle safaris and boat rides.
The lush green forests are home to various species of wildlife including elephants, tigers and a variety of bird species. Apart from wildlife, Thekkady offers spice plantations, lush hills and serene lakes.
Whether you are looking for adventure in the lap of nature or a peaceful retreat, the natural beauty and wildlife encounters make Thekkadi an unforgettable holiday destination in Kerala.
Can't decide when you want to go? Read our guide on the best time to visit India.
Thommankuthu Waterfalls, Kerala © Shutterstock
Allow our team of local India travel experts to curate your dream trip to India. When you're ready to embark on your adventure, reach out to us, and we'll craft a personalised itinerary just for you.
Feel free to browse our pre-designed India itineraries for ideas, and remember that all can be tailored to meet your specific needs. For more inspiration, discover some of the best things to do in India.
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written by
Olga Sitnitsa
updated 18.12.2023
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