Premium South India

Best price guaranteed

No booking fees

E-ticket/Mobile-voucher

Carbon neutral

13 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

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

Starts

Chennai, India

Ends

Kochi, India

Highlights

Find out what makes Indian cuisine so special during Exclusive Experiences like an off-the-beaten-path food tour in Madurai, a home-cooked meal with a local family, a fragrant lunch at a spice plantation and an ayurvedic cooking demonstration in Kochi.

Enjoy a high-energy Exclusive Experience with a live performance of kalarippayattu in Thekkady – believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India.

Witness a fusion of influences in the former French colony of Puducherry, and see touches of a Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and British past in multicultural Kochi.

Experience a thousand shades of green as you tour a scenic tea plantation in Munnar and track footprints in search of wild elephants in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Spend a night in a converted houseboat on the Kerala backwaters – your Feature Stays for this adventure – and watch the world go by as you float along the river.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Itinerary

South India’s lush landscapes and vibrant culture come alive on this 13-day Premium South India trip, crafted for experienced travelers and seniors. Journey from Chennai to Kochi, savoring the French colonial charm of Puducherry, sampling regional cuisine in Madurai, and exploring the wilds of Periyar National Park. The adventure features an overnight stay in a converted houseboat and hands-on experiences in tea plantations and martial arts. What makes this trip stand out is its insider access—visiting local homes and uncovering hidden culinary gems—providing a rich, immersive look at India’s southern soul. This tour package balances cultural exploration with comfortable travel for a truly memorable journey.

day 1 - Chennai

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Chennai, India’s cultural heart and fourth-largest city. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel when you arrive. Meet your fellow travellers and experienced leader at a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive in early, you may like to visit the market stalls of the Georgetown Bazaar. After your meeting, join your group for a welcome dinner at Chennai’s first chain restaurant, serving up an iconic array of south Indian vegetarian dishes like idly, dosa and poori.

included:Complimentary Arrival Transfer, Chennai - Welcome dinner

accommodation:The Residency Towers or similar

meals:1 Dinner

day 2 - Puducherry (Pondicherry)

This morning, you’ll leave the city behind and drive along the scenic East Coast Road to the fishing town of Mamallapuram. Visit the 8th-century Shore Temple and its mandapams (carved pillars) and watch locals pay their respects to the deity Shiva. Later in the afternoon, continue the drive to Puducherry. A French colony until 1954, the old parts of the town retain a distinctly European feel. Leafy boulevards are lined with European houses and boutiques. When you arrive, the rest of your evening is free to explore. Puducherry has a varied food scene with traditional Indian and classic French influences, so be sure to ask your leader for some tips on where to grab dinner.

included:Mamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tour

accommodation:The Residency Towers or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 3 - Puducherry (Pondicherry)

This morning is free, then you’ll head out for a walking tour with your leader to see local temples and the French Quarter. Stroll past mustard-coloured buildings draped with vibrant bougainvillea as your leader shares stories of the revolutionaries, generals and kings who once walked these streets. Stop by the pastel pink Church of Notre Dame – evidence of the French colonial period is everywhere, even in the police uniforms. Along the way, stop at a cafe in White Town to try some local snacks, then the evening is free to explore at your own pace.

included:Puducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tour, Puducherry - Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry - snack stop at local cafe

accommodation:The Residency Towers Hotel or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Madurai

Today, continue to the city of Madurai with plenty of chai stops along the way. Arrive in the late afternoon and head out on a short orientation walk to get acquainted with one of India’s oldest cities. When you’ve got your bearings, join your leader on a tour of the city’s Tamil cuisine. Madurai is bursting with street food stalls, family-owned restaurants and plenty of regional delicacies and your leader will show you the dishes that aren’t on the tourist menus. Have a taste of mutton dosa or some fish gravy as your leader regales you with stories of centuries-old recipes and the passionate people who make them. Round off the night with some Jigarthanda – Madurai’s most celebrated dessert is a delicious and refreshing blend of condensed milk, almond gum and ice cream.

included:Madurai - Leader-led street food tour

accommodation:Heritage Madurai or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 5 - Madurai

Continue your exploration of Madurai today. Your leader will guide you through the Tailor's Market, the local bazaars and the Sri Meenakshi Temple. Still in use today, this ancient temple is a maze of lamp-lit corridors leading to shrines where traditional rituals take place. Next is the National Gandhi Museum, dedicated to the life and achievements of the 'Father of the Nation' and the leader of India's fight for independence. Stop by the extravagant Thirumalai Nayak Palace, built in the 17th century by King Tirumala Nayaka. This evening you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Tamil culture when you join a local family for a traditional home-cooked dinner. Chat with the family about their lives and try dishes like chettinad chicken, egg paratha and vegetable korma.

included:Madurai - Sri Meenakshi 1000 Pillar, Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple, Madurai - Gandhi Museum, Madurai - Leader-led walking tour, Madurai - Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Madurai - Local family visit and home-cooked Tamil dinner

accommodation:Heritage Madurai or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 6 - Periyar

Make your way to the countryside town of Thekkady today, driving past pineapple and rubber plantations on the way. Thekkady is the gateway to Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, sitting high in the ranges of the Western Ghats. Stop off at a spice plantation where you’ll speak with a local expert and taste, smell and learn about the brilliant array of spices that colour and flavour India’s famed cuisine. Put your new knowledge to good use as you sit down to a flavoursome lunch made with spices from the plantation. The evening is yours to enjoy in Thekkady your own way. Maybe wander the shops selling fragrant spices and organic tea or relax in the palm-fringed pool at your resort.

included:Thekkady - Expert-guided spice plantation visit and lunch

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 7 - Periyar - Periyar National Park

This morning, take a guided nature walk in the acclaimed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Your expert guide will help you look for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants and gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. You’re most likely to encounter Bonnet macaques and the Malabar giant squirrel – a species native to India. After, the rest of your afternoon is free. You may want to unwind with an ayurvedic massage. In the evening, you’ll attend a demonstration of kalarippayattu at the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. Originating in Kerala, kalarippayattu is believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India and watching high-energy fighters leap several feet into the air is a thrilling sight.

included:Periyar - Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performance, Periyar - Guided nature walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 8 - Munnar

This morning, drive north to Munnar – an old British Hill Station sitting in the surrounding valley. At 1525 m above sea level, there’s likely to be a dramatic drop in temperature here! When you arrive, take a tour of the tea plantation, where a resident expert will guide you through the steps of the tea-making process. Follow narrow pathways and visit the workers picking the best tea leaves, learn how these leaves are transformed into the world’s most popular beverage, and sample some of the different varieties. There may be an opportunity to visit the tea museum, though opening hours are irregular so this cannot be guaranteed. This evening, relax at your mountain resort.

included:Munnar - Tea plantation view point, Munnar - Tea Museum

accommodation:Fragrant Nature Hotel or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 9 - Munnar

This morning, take a guided walk around the lush hills of Munnar, often shrouded in clouds. Be sure to have your camera ready as the landscape unfolds in front of you. In the afternoon, journey out to the scenic Mattupetty Dam where you’ll find a man-made lake and spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. Here, you can take an optional motorboat ride around the lake. After some time to appreciate the scenery, return to Munnar for a free evening.

included:Munnar - Mattupetty Dam, Munnar - Leader-led town walking tour

accommodation:Fragrant Nature Hotel or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 10 - Kerala Backwaters

Drive to the backwaters of Kerala this morning and discover Alleppey’s palm-shaded waterways. Once a significant trading port, the town is now famed for the long ‘snake boat’ races that take place in August every year. Kerala’s backwaters were once busy with passing kettuvallams – large wooden boats used to transport rice and spices. Today, these traditional vessels have been transformed into houseboats, allowing you to explore the lagoons in total comfort as you will during your Feature Stay tonight. Conversions are made using traditional and natural materials – bamboo becomes roofing, coir mats are turned into flooring and beds are carefully crafted from the wood of coconut trees. These floating cottages share the comforts of a first-rate hotel, including western toilets, private bedrooms, a dining area and open deck where you can watch the world go by. Sit back for an evening floating through the dreamy waters of rural Kerala.

accommodation:Spice Route Houseboat (Feature Stay) or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 11 - Kochi

Enjoy a peaceful morning at the Kerala waters before driving to Kochi in the afternoon. Cochin, as it was formerly known, is spread over several islands and is a melting pot of Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and British influences. Join your leader on an orientation walk to learn how these influences manifest in the city’s architecture, restaurants and daily life. In the afternoon, take some time out to enjoy the city – maybe head to Princess Street and kick back with a cup of coffee. Tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to watch a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is a classical Indian dance with roots in Kerala, combining symbolic storytelling with physical technique. It’s one of the most vibrant and extraordinary theatre forms in the world and proficiency requires incredible commitment and rigorous training.

included:Kochi - Kathakali performance

accommodation:Fragrant Nature or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 12 - Kochi

Today, you’ll do a tuk-tuk sightseeing tour of Fort Kochi. Wander antique shops and spice bazaars – your leader will show you how to haggle with the best of them. Stop by the famous Chinese fishing nets – perhaps Kochi’s most photographed sight. Visit the Mattancherry Palace, built in the 16th-century by the Portuguese and later claimed by the Dutch. Then continue to the Paradesi Synagogue – India’s oldest existing Jewish synagogue. Wrap up the tour with lunch at Shantilal S. Mithaiwala – a cafe and sweet shop open since 1953 – where you’ll get to try some of its famous sweets. In the early evening, meet with an ayurvedic doctor – a practitioner who uses ancient holistic techniques to promote a balance of body and mind, resulting in overall health and wellbeing. Learn all about Satvik Bhojan, the ayurvedic diet, and join a cooking demonstration followed by dinner using the methods and recipes discussed.

included:Kochi - Jewish Synagogue, Kochi - Ferry to Mattancherry, Kochi - Dutch Palace, Kochi - Keralan cooking class, Kochi – Fort Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour

accommodation:Fragrant Nature or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 13 - Kochi

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in India, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation or transfers.

meals:1 Breakfast

Get Trip Brochure & Exclusive Discount

Download a detailed PDF brochure and unlock an exclusive discount for this tour

What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights), Houseboat Feature Stay (1 night), Kochi Feature Stay (2 nights)

Meals

12 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Complimentary Arrival TransferChennai - Welcome dinnerMamallapuram - Shore Temples guided tourPuducherry - Leader-led French Quarter walking tourPuducherry - Sri Aurobindo AshramPuducherry - snack stop at local cafeMadurai - Leader-led street food tourMadurai - Sri Meenakshi 1000 PillarMadurai - Sri Meenakshi TempleMadurai - Gandhi MuseumMadurai - Leader-led walking tourMadurai - Thirumalai Nayakkar PalaceMadurai - Local family visit and home-cooked Tamil dinnerThekkady - Expert-guided spice plantation visit and lunchPeriyar - Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performancePeriyar - Guided nature walkMunnar - Tea plantation view pointMunnar - Tea MuseumMunnar - Mattupetty DamMunnar - Leader-led town walking tourKochi - Kathakali performanceKochi - Jewish SynagogueKochi - Ferry to MattancherryKochi - Dutch PalaceKochi - Keralan cooking classKochi – Fort Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a PremierThis travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.6 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 163 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

Tour Availability

Select your preferred departure date and secure your spot

Loading availability...

Monthly Price Comparison

Good to Know

Cancellation

Payment

Travel Insurance

Visa

Other Practical Information

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.

Why Book with Bookmundi

Earn USD 127+ in travel credits.

Best price guaranteed.

No credit card or booking fees.

100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.

Carbon neutral tours.Algorithms and machine learning enables Bookmundi to calculate the carbon footprint for each tour. We then subsequently offset carbon emissions for all tour bookings on Bookmundi via investments in carbon reduction projects to help combat climate change.

25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.67/5

Excellent based on 812 customer reviews from

Anonymous

Prompt reply to my questions which was helpful.

20 hours ago

Similar Tours You Might Like

Discover our top tours similar to Premium South India that you might like.

Taj Mahal & Wildlife with Royal Stay at Castles Tour

4.9(55 reviews)

Dive into India’s legendary Golden Triangle and beyond on the Taj Mahal & Wildlife with Royal Stay at Castles Tour. Perfect for both young and senior travelers, this immersive journey weaves together Delhi’s bustling streets, Agra’s world-famous Taj Mahal, and the regal splendor of Rajasthan. Ride elephants, search for wildlife in Ranthambore National Park, and spend nights in actual castles for a taste of royal heritage. The itinerary includes vibrant cities, tranquil palaces, and hands-on experiences like boat rides and village visits. The defining feature? A rare blend of cultural richness, wildlife encounters, and luxurious castle stays—offering an all-encompassing taste of India’s diversity.

11 days

Kerala & the Tropical South

4.7(111 reviews)

Discover the laidback side of India with a cultural adventure in the tropical south. Over two weeks, we explore the distinct states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, finding idyllic coastlines, spirituality, lush mountains and culture-rich cities. The highlights are plenty: discover the verdant Munnar tea plantations, meet local people on an immersive village walk and cruise the serene backwaters of Kerala on a traditional converted rice barge. It ends with a relaxing stay on the old hippie trail beach town of Kovalam.

14 days

Taj Mahal & Rajasthan with Royal Stay at Fort Sardargarh

5.0(20 reviews)

Step into the regal world of northern India with the Taj Mahal & Rajasthan with Royal Stay at Fort Sardargarh tour. This journey is a deep dive into the grandeur of Rajasthan’s palaces, forts, and vibrant traditions, capped by a visit to the world-famous Taj Mahal. Explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort and City Palace, Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort, and seek tigers in Ranthambore National Park. A highlight of this tour package is the exclusive royal stay at Castle Sardargarh & Deogarh, where you’ll ride a local train through the Aravalli range, reliving the days of the Raj. The USP: authentic royal experiences and heritage accommodations, offering a truly immersive taste of India’s princely past.

14 days

Journeys: Discover India

5.0(12 reviews)

India’s vibrant soul is yours to discover on the "Journeys: Discover India" tour, a 15-day exploration from New Delhi to Varanasi and Jaipur to Agra. Immerse yourself in the majesty of the Taj Mahal, unravel spiritual traditions along the Ganges, and witness rural life in Rajasthan. Visit bustling markets, savor Lucknow’s renowned cuisine, and connect with locals through unique cultural initiatives. The USP? This small group tour package offers in-depth cultural immersion and exclusive experiences—such as a youth-led tour through Delhi—unlocking a side of India few travelers ever see.

15 days

Northern India: Riverside Safaris, Ancient Fortresses & The Taj Mahal

5.0(8 reviews)

Northern India comes alive in vivid color on this 15-day journey from New Delhi to Mumbai, blending riverside safaris, ancient fortresses, and iconic sights like the Taj Mahal. Designed for travelers seeking cultural depth and adventure, this tour weaves through Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and more, offering a rich tapestry of experiences. Cycle through historic cities, hike across timeless landscapes, and discover the wildlife of Ranthambore National Park. The energetic atmosphere of Delhi’s bazaars, the majesty of Mughal architecture, and the peaceful rhythms of local villages create lasting memories. The unique selling point is the trip’s dynamic blend of traditional culture and active exploration, making it ideal for those who want to see India from every angle. Accommodation, transport, and meals are seamlessly included for a worry-free, immersive adventure.

15 days

Essential India

5.0(8 reviews)

India’s timeless beauty comes alive on "Essential India," a 15-day art and architecture tour starting and ending in New Delhi. Explore Alipura, Jaipur, Tordi Sagar, Varanasi, and more, experiencing everything from the intricate designs of Rajasthan’s saris to the mesmerizing symmetry of the Taj Mahal. Float along the Ganges in Varanasi, discover lesser-known stepwells and temples, and enjoy a mix of included activities and free time for personal exploration. This small group tour is perfect for travelers seeking a balanced introduction to India’s cultural tapestry. The USP is the journey’s photographic richness and immersive encounters, capturing the essence of both urban and rural India.

15 days

Mountains & Mystics of India

Yearning for a journey that nourishes both spirit and senses? Mountains & Mystics of India is a 13-day walking tour that whisks you from Delhi’s urban heart into the tranquil foothills of the Himalayas. Experience the region’s deep spirituality through gentle hikes, calming yoga classes, and visits to revered Buddhist and Sikh sites in Dharamshala and Amritsar. Highlights include a ride on a UNESCO-listed toy train, exploring the Dalai Lama’s home, and witnessing the vibrant flag ceremony on the Pakistan border. Designed for travelers who seek a restorative and insightful experience, this easy-paced trip’s USP is its unique focus on holistic well-being—mind, body, and soul—set amidst India’s most evocative landscapes.

13 days

Keep Exploring India

Europe

Asia

South America

Africa

North America

Oceania

Polar

Food, wine, events and nightlife

Adventure and sport

Wildlife, landscapes and nature

Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife

Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history

Air tours, road trips and transfers

Beach, romance, getaways and relaxation

Special interests and hobbies

Hi there

Highlights