South India, Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Your journey can be tailored to your wishes.
From the granite temples of Tamil Nadu to the green backwaters of Kerala, this 13-day journey crosses the gentle, deeply cultural South of India: carved shore temples on the Bay of Bengal, French-colonial Pondicherry, the great Chola sanctuaries, the towering Meenakshi temple of Madurai, the tea hills of Munnar and a night aboard a private houseboat.
A small-group journey with a private, comfortable vehicle, a dedicated driver and local expert guides at the main sites. Every itinerary is fully customizable around your pace and your wishes.
Specifications
Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
Style: small group, private vehicle and driver
From €1,559 per person*
Itinerary
Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai, Munnar, Alleppey and Cochin: a continuous route from the Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu to the backwaters and tea hills of Kerala.
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Trip highlights
- The carved Shore Temple and the monolithic Five Rathas of Mahabalipuram, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
- Pondicherry, capital of French India until 1954, with its colonial grid and its seafront promenade.
- The great Chola temples around Tanjore, including the granite Brihadeeswarar Temple built in the early 11th century under Rajaraja I.
- The Meenakshi temple of Madurai and its sculpted gateway towers, one of the major temple cities of South India.
- The Chettiar mansions of Kanadukathan in Chettinad, and the tea plantations of Munnar in the Western Ghats.
- A night aboard a private houseboat on the Kerala backwaters, then Fort Kochi, its spice market and a Kathakali performance.
Details
Day 1: Chennai
Arrival at Chennai international airport, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your flight time, the rest of the day is free to rest and settle into the rhythm of South India.
Night in Chennai, breakfast included.
Day 2: Chennai, Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram
You leave Chennai for the coast. On the way you stop in Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India and the former capital of the Pallava dynasty, to visit its great temples, including Ekambareswarar and the early Kailasanathar temple.
You then reach Mahabalipuram and discover the Penance of Arjuna, a monumental bas-relief depicting the descent of the Ganges, and the balancing rock known as the Butterball of Krishna. In the evening, a first walk through the town and along its beaches.
Night in Mahabalipuram, breakfast included.
Day 3: Mahabalipuram
An optional early start to watch the fishermen returning with their catch. You then explore the highlights of this open-air sculpture site: the Shore Temple facing the sea, and the Five Rathas, monolithic shrines named after the Pandava heroes of the Mahabharata.
In the afternoon, a relaxed bicycle ride is a lovely way to discover the village and its surroundings, before a final evening by the beach.
Night in Mahabalipuram, breakfast included.
Day 4: Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry
You continue south to Pondicherry, a small coastal town on the Bay of Bengal that was the capital of French India until 1954. You wander its quiet colonial streets, where a French atmosphere still lingers, then cross into the lively big bazaar district where the Indian rhythm takes over.
Late in the day, you visit the Manakula Vinayagar temple, followed by a stroll along the seafront and through the French quarter, with a short cycle-rickshaw ride.
Night in Pondicherry, breakfast included.
Day 5: Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram, Darasuram and Tanjore
A day among the great Chola temples. En route to Tanjore you stop at the temples of Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram, masterpieces of South Indian temple architecture, two of which belong to the UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples.
On arrival in Tanjore you visit the Maratha palace and, late in the afternoon, the colourful Keelavasal market. If your dates align, you may also witness Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
Night in Tanjore, breakfast included.
Day 6: Tanjore and Chettinad
The morning is devoted to the Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as the Great Temple, a granite masterpiece dedicated to Shiva and built in the early 11th century under Rajaraja I, founder of the Chola empire. Its walls are crowned by countless Nandi bulls, the mount of Shiva.
You then drive into the Chettinad region, home of the Chettiars, a community of merchants and bankers, to visit their remarkable mansions in the village of Kanadukathan.
Night in Chettinad, breakfast included.
Day 7: Chettinad and Madurai
You travel on to Madurai, one of the oldest temple cities in South India. You visit the Tirumalai Nayak palace, then the great Meenakshi temple, dedicated to Shiva and his consort Meenakshi, famous for its soaring, intricately sculpted gateway towers.
A walk through the bustling markets around the temple completes the afternoon, with the option of visiting the nearby hilltop temple of Pazhamudircholai.
Night in Madurai, breakfast included.
Day 8: Madurai and Munnar
You leave the plains of Tamil Nadu and climb into the green hills of Kerala. In Munnar you visit the tea museum and a working tea estate, discovering how the famous high-altitude tea is grown and processed, before exploring the small hill town.
Night in Munnar, breakfast included.
Day 9: Munnar
A half-day guided trek takes you through the tea plantations and the Western Ghats, reaching a viewpoint over the rolling green landscape. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax.
Night in Munnar, breakfast included.
Day 10: Munnar and Alleppey
You descend to Alleppey and board your private houseboat for the most iconic experience of Kerala: a slow cruise along the backwaters, gliding past canals, paddy fields and waterside villages.
Night aboard the houseboat, full board.
Day 11: Alleppey and Cochin
You reach Cochin, a historic trading port shaped by Arab, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. In the afternoon you visit the Paradesi Synagogue and the surrounding Jew Town, followed by the spice market.
In the evening you attend a performance of Kathakali, the vivid classical dance-theatre of Kerala, before discovering the Fort Kochi quarter.
Night in Cochin, breakfast included.
Day 12: Cochin
You visit the Mattancherry Palace, also called the Dutch Palace, built in the 16th century and known for its painted ceilings and Kerala-style woodwork. The rest of the day is free to explore Fort Kochi at your own pace, from the Chinese fishing nets to its cafes and galleries.
Night in Cochin, breakfast included.
Day 13: Cochin and departure
Transfer to Cochin international airport for your return flight. End of our services.
The first and last days may be adjusted depending on your international flight times.
Pricing
A small-group journey through South India, with your own vehicle, a dedicated driver and local expert guides, and AZORA looking after every detail of your land arrangements.
SOUTH INDIA, TAMIL NADU AND KERALA
13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS · SMALL GROUP
INCLUDED
✓ Accommodation in double room, breakfast and local taxes included
✓ Private, comfortable vehicle with a dedicated driver, fuel, parking, road taxes and tolls included
✓ Local expert guides at the main sites
✓ One night aboard a private houseboat on the Kerala backwaters, full board
✓ Bicycle ride in Mahabalipuram and cycle-rickshaw ride in Pondicherry
✓ Kathakali dance performance in Cochin
✓ Entrance fees to the monuments listed in the programme, excluding camera fees
✓ Follow-up and assistance
NOT INCLUDED
✗ International flights: check our airline comparator to find the best options
✗ Indian visa and fees
✗ Lunches and dinners unless stated as included
✗ Drinks, tips and personal expenses
✗ Camera and video fees at certain monuments
✗ Single-room supplement, on request
*Indicative starting price per person, double occupancy, land services only, excluding international flights. The final price depends on the season, the group size, hotel availability and the length of the trip. Single-room supplement on request.
Good to know
- A visa is required to travel to India. AZORA can guide you through the e-Tourist Visa process, and you should always confirm current requirements with the official sources before you travel.
- In Hindu temples, foreign visitors are usually welcome but access to the innermost sanctuaries is often restricted.
- The tea museum in Munnar is closed on Mondays, and the synagogue in Cochin is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
- A camera or video fee is sometimes charged at the entrance of monuments.
- Indian roads are of moderate quality and journey times can run longer than estimated.
Seasons in South India
South India follows its own monsoon rhythm, different from the north. Here is how the year reads across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
BEST SEASON
November to March
The most comfortable window, with drier, cooler days across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The ideal period for the temples, the backwaters and the tea hills.
SHOULDER
April, September and October
Warmer and more humid. April is hot on the plains, and the north-east monsoon can bring showers to the Tamil Nadu coast in October and November. Landscapes are lush and green.
MONSOON
June to August
The south-west monsoon brings heavy rain to Kerala and the Western Ghats. Travel remains possible and the hills are at their greenest, but expect rain and changeable conditions.
Customise my trip
This 13-day route is a starting point, not a fixed package. Extend the houseboat cruise, add Kanyakumari or the beaches of Varkala, slow the pace in Munnar, change the hotel standard or the departure date. Tell us what you have in mind and we build the journey around it.
South India travel FAQ
How long is the South India Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour?
The journey lasts 13 days and 12 nights, from your arrival in Chennai to your departure from Cochin. The pace and the length can be adjusted to your wishes.
How much does a trip to South India cost?
This itinerary starts from €1,559 per person, land services only and excluding international flights. The final price depends on the season, the group size, your choice of rooms and the length of the stay.
When is the best time to travel to Tamil Nadu and Kerala?
November to March is generally the most comfortable period, with drier and cooler weather. The south of India follows its own monsoon rhythm, so the timing differs from the north.
How do you travel during the trip?
By private, comfortable vehicle with a dedicated driver, with local expert guides at the main sites. One night is also spent aboard a private houseboat on the Kerala backwaters.
Do travellers need a visa for India?
Yes, a visa is required. AZORA can guide you through the e-Tourist Visa process, and you should always confirm current requirements with the official sources before travelling.
Is this journey suitable for a first trip to South India?
Yes. The route combines the cultural highlights of Tamil Nadu with the gentler landscapes of Kerala, at an unhurried pace, which makes it a well-rounded introduction to the south.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every AZORA journey is fully customisable in length, pace, comfort level and experiences. Tell us your wishes and we tailor it for you.
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