Beautiful South - 14 days Tour by On The Go Tours

14 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

2 peopleMinimum to book

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Chennai, India

Ends

Kerala & Tamil Nadu, India

Highlights

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Spot herds of elephants from an included boat ride on Lake Periyar

Kumarakom – Relax on the shores of Lake Vembanad and opt to visit the local bird sanctuary and the famous Kerala backwaters

Alleppey - Visit the Venice of the East

Historic Kochi - Explore the Parsi Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Fort Cochin, colourful boats and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront

Trichy - Discover the high up Rock Fort Temple

Tanjore – Tour the hotspots of the city and gaze admiringly at the towering Brihadishwara Temple

Chennai - Visit the gateway of South India

Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram - Walk around these temple towns

Pondicherry – Stroll along the beach in this French colonial city and visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Madurai – Explore the city and see the impressive rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan

Tanjore – Tour the hotspots of the city and gaze admiringly at the towering Brihadishwara Temple

Chennai - Visit the gateway of South India

Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram - Walk around these temple towns

Pondicherry – Stroll along the beach in this French colonial city and visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Madurai – Explore the city and see the impressive rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan

Itinerary

Venture into the ‘Beautiful South’ of India with this action-packed 14-day tour, starting in Chennai and winding through Madurai, Pondicherry, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kochi, and more. Experience colonial hill stations, a rice boat cruise on Kerala’s backwaters, and the spice-laden air of southern markets. Suited for travelers seeking both excitement and relaxation, the tour offers hotel comfort, transport, and meals. This trip’s signature highlight: the perfect blend of culture, wildlife, and scenic beauty—all wrapped into a memorable southern Indian adventure.

day 1 - Chennai

Once you arrive into Chennai you will be met and transferred to your hotel. An afternoon tour of the city includes a vist to St George Fort, built in 1653 and St Mary’s Church, the oldest British church in India.

OverNight:Chennai

day 2 - Pondicherry

Chennai - Pondicherry. En route to Pondicherry visit Kanchipuram, one of sacred cities in India and the seaside town of Mahabalipuram, famous for its shore temple. The city is also famous for handwoven silk. In Mahabalipuram, the huge rock-cut sculptures and mandapams (pillared pavilions) date from the 5th to 8th centuries.

Drive south to Pondicherry, a former French colony which exudes a Mediterranean aura - whitewashed residences, ornamental gardens and excellent French-Indian restaurants. Many travellers come to visit the popular Sri Aurobindo Ashram, whose spiritual tenets combine yoga and modern science.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Pondicherry

day 3 - Thanjavur

Pondicherry - Tanjore. Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Pondicherry which includes Aurobindo Ashram, French Colony, Pondicherry Beach and the Sacred Heart Church before continuing south. Arrival at Tanjore, also known as Thanjavur, Tanjore is an ancient fortified town, with a glorious history dating back more than 1500 years. Thanjavur was the ancient capital of the Chola kings whose origins date back to the beginning of Christianity.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Thanjavur

day 4 - Trichy

Tanjore - Trichy. Spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of Tanjore before a short drive to Trichy. Our city tour includes the enormous Brihadishwara Temple. Built by Raja Raja in 1010, the World Heritage protected temple has a dome weighing an estimated 80 tonnes which was hauled into place along an earth ramp in a manner similar to that used for the Egyptian pyramids. Trichy has been ravaged by war through the centuries. A lasting legacy is the Rock Fort and its temples.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Trichy

days 5-6 - Madurai

Trichy - Madurai. Take a morning sightseeing tour of Trichy before the journey continues south to Madurai. An important centre for worship and commerce, Madurai has been around since the dawn of civilisation in southern India. A bustling city jam-packed with rickshawallas, pilgrims and traders and resembling a seemingly continuous bazaar crammed to the gunnels with shops, markets and lodgings for tourists and pilgrims, Madurai is yours this afternoon. Go immerse yourself. This evening, you’ll witness a religious ceremony at a local temple. On the morning of day 6, enjoy a sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Sri Meenakshi Temple built in 1560 and the city’s busy bazaars. The afternoon is then free for you to further explore the city.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Madurai

day 7 - Periyar

Madurai - Periyar. Your journey continues to Periyar, south India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary which is home to sambar, wild boar, elephant, bison, antelope, langur and a small tiger population. You'll stay in Kumily, which is a pretty town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops which is close to the sanctuary.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kumily

day 8 - Periyar National Park

This morning spot herds of wild elephants and other wildlife on a Lake Periyar boat ride in the reserve, or visit the nearby spice plantation. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kumily

days 9-10 - Kumarakom

Periyar- Kumarakom. Continue to Kumarakom. Perched sleepily amongst a tangle of lush tropical waterways known as the Keralan backwaters, Kumarakom is technically an island on Lake Vembanad. An ideal place to relax and be at one with natural surroundings, you’ll enjoy two nights here. Check out the wonderful bird sanctuary.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Kumarakom

day 11 - Kerala Backwaters - Allapuzha

This morning, you’ll board a traditional Keralan rice boat for a journey through the backwaters in and around Allapuzha (Alleppey). The boat will cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes and cruise along peaceful canals where copra and cashews are loaded onto local boats. The on-board cook will prepare locally-inspired food. Relax, read and catch some sun as the boat plies it’s route.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Rice Boat

day 12 - Kochi

Backwaters - Kochi. Disembarking at Allapuzha, enjoy a short drive to Kochi (Cochin). The city of Kochi perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala. One can see winding streets with mosques, a 16th century Jewish synagogue and Jewish community with ancient roots and 500 year old Portuguese cottages! Enjoy the remains of the day your way.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kochi

day 13 - Kochi

This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour, including a walking tour of Fort Cochin. With the afternoon at leisure, perhaps watch famous Keralan dancers perform. Arrive early so you don’t miss the artists applying their awesome make-up.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kochi

day 14 - Kochi

Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport.

If you'd like to extend your stay, we offer a variety of hotels, short stays and add-ons for you to choose from. Please read our best places to visit or best things to see each month for suggested places to visit on your holiday. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know so we can accommodate your request.

For information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much more, browse our travel guide.

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

12 nights 3-4 star hotels and 1 night rice boat

Meals

Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 1 dinner

Transport

An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 14All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern Chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles

Guide

Services of a licensed English speaking tour guide at all included sites

Others

Touring and excursions as per itineraryPeriyar - Boating on lake OR visit to a spice plantationKeralan backwaters - Rice boat cruise (overnight)

Entrance

Entrance fees for all included sightseeing

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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