South India Explorer - 14 days Tour by On The Go Tours

14 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

24 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

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

Starts

Chennai, India

Ends

Chennai, India

Highlights

Kerala Backwaters – Sail along the famous backwaters in our deluxe rice boat and enjoy marvelous views

Mahabalipuram – Visit the impressive Shore Temple on the Bay of Bengal and the striking Five Rathas

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

Madurai – Attend an evening Aarti prayer ceremony and see the impressive rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan

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

Tanjore – Visit the giant 1,000 year old Brihadishwara Temple on our guided tour of the city’s highlights

Kochi – Enjoy free time to explore the coastal city and perhaps enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show

Pondicherry – Tour the French colonial city including the Sacred Heart Basilica and walk on the beach

Munnar – Explore the former British Hill Station and enjoy a guided stroll through one of the many sprawling tea plantations

Chettinad - Sample traditional life in the quaint village of Chettinad, renowned for its flavourful cuisine

Tanjore – Visit the giant 1,000 year old Brihadishwara Temple on our guided tour of the city’s highlights

Kochi – Enjoy free time to explore the coastal city and perhaps enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show

Pondicherry – Tour the French colonial city including the Sacred Heart Basilica and walk on the beach

Munnar – Explore the former British Hill Station and enjoy a guided stroll through one of the many sprawling tea plantations

Chettinad - Sample traditional life in the quaint village of Chettinad, renowned for its flavourful cuisine

Itinerary

Venture through the vibrant tapestry of South India on the "South India Explorer - 14 Days" tour, crafted with experienced travelers and seniors in mind. This easy-paced, guided trip unveils a world of cultural wonders and natural beauty, beginning and ending in Chennai. Explore iconic UNESCO World Heritage temples, marvel at the intricate architecture, and soak up the spiritual atmosphere in places like Chettinad and beyond. Meander through the lush tea plantations of Munnar, where the cool highlands offer refreshing respite, and keep your eyes peeled for elephants in the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

A highlight for many is the serene overnight stay aboard a traditional houseboat, drifting along Kerala’s tranquil, palm-lined backwaters—a rare escape into a slower, more peaceful rhythm of life. The journey concludes in Kochi, a city whose rich history and blend of cultures captivate all who visit. With thoughtfully included accommodation, comfortable transport, and delicious meals, this tour package ensures a worry-free experience.

What sets this trip apart is its seamless blend of historical discovery and natural relaxation, making it a perfect choice for discerning travelers seeking depth without demanding exertion. Uncover the essence of southern India with comfort, insight, and a touch of adventure.

day 1 - Welcome to Chennai

Sunday. Welcome to Southern India! On arrival at Chennai airport you are met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free to explore the city at leisure before meeting the group and guide at the hotel at 18:00 for a Welcome meeting.

OverNight:Chennai

day 2 - Mahabalipuram sightseeing

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry. Say goodbye to Chennai this morning as we travel to the French colonial city of Pondicherry. French rule lasted here until 1954 and the influence is still clear in the city’s architecture.

En route visit Mahabalipuram - the beautiful 7th century Shore Temple, so-named because of its location on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Continue to the world’s largest bas-relief carving, Arjuna’s Penance and the incredible Five Rathas. This UNESCO-listed site is made up of five different temples, all carved individually from separate rocks. The temples lay hidden under sand until the British rediscovered them 200 years ago.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Pondicherry

day 3 - Pondicherry

Pondicherry. Today we explore the highlights of Pondicherry including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram spiritual community and Pondicherry Beach, with it's beautiful golden sand and lapping waves. Finally, we explore the striking Sacred Heart Basilica, a famous Christian pilgrimage site. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Pondicherry

day 4 - Temples and Tanjore

Pondicherry - Tanjore. Leaving Pondicherry today, we travel to the vibrant city of Tanjore (Thanjavur). We discover the ancient, fortified town with a guided tour exploring Tanjore's glorious history dating back more than 1,500 years. Take in the enormous Brihadishwara Temple. This temple is over 1000 years old and the dome on top is thought to have been hauled up in a similar way to the construction of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Tanjore

day 5 - Chettinad

Tanjore - Chettinad. Today we travel to Chettinad which renowned across India for its unique spectacular combination of flavourful cuisine, yet few venture to this sleepy, tranquil village. Explore the crumbling Chettinad Palace and the famous tile factory in Athangudi, where your guide will explain how the renowned handmade terracotta tiles of Chettinad are crafted and readied.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Chettinad

day 6 - Madurai sightseeing & Evening Aarti Ceremony

Chettinad – Madurai. Departing Chettinad we continue onwards to Madurai, where we enjoy a half day guided tour taking in the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal. This grand palace is known for the giant circular pillars in its courtyard and dates back to the 17th century. We continue to the famous rock cut temple of Thirupparankunram Murugan. According to a famous Hindu legend, this is where Murugan slayed the demon Surapadman. Finally, we join an Aarti prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple. The ceremony involves the lighting of candles and songs being sung in praise of the gods.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Madurai

days 7-8 - Munnar Tea Plantations

Madurai - Munnar. Leaving Madurai today we travel to the picturesque former hill station of Munnar where we spend the next two nights. Today we take a guided walk through a local tea plantation and visit a local market. The remainder of day 7 and day 8 is spent at your own leisure. You may wish to visit the nearby Blossom Park and enjoy cycling or boating in the stunning surrounds.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Munnar

day 9 - Periyar National Park

Munnar - Periyar. A drive south to Periyar, South India’s most popular Wildlife Sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumily, close to the sanctuary and where we’ll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you to enjoy the remainder of the day at your own leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kumily

day 10 - Boating on Lake Periyar

Periyar. Today we enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to explore on your own. You can opt for an optional visit to explore the spice plantation or enjoy a kalaripayattu dance performance.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kumily

day 11 - Kumarakom

Periyar - Kumarakom. Today, we leave Periyar and take a drive to Kumarakom - a village spread over a cluster of islands on Lake Vembanad. The day is free to relax or explore Kumarakom at your leisure. Perhaps take a boat ride on the lake or visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to many rare bird species and is an important stopover for migratory birds in the winter (Nov-May).

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kumarakom

day 12 - Kerala backwaters

Kumarakom - Alleppey - Keralan Backwaters. On day 12, we will take a scenic drive to Alleppey. Here we board our private rice boat for a voyage through the famous Kerala backwaters. Our rice-boat takes us sedately along the enchanting palm-fringed backwaters, covering a distance of some 20 kms, during which time the boat glides past local villages and fascinating scenes of everyday rural life. Watch a beautiful sunset over the backwaters and enjoy tasty meals (starting with lunch) prepared by the on-board chef using fresh local produce.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Deluxe rice boat

day 13 - Kochi

Keralan Backwaters – Kochi. This morning, we disembark our rice boat and head for Kochi. Formerly a princely state, Kochi is also fondly referred to as “The Queen of the Arabian Sea”. The rest of the day is at leisure exploring Kochi on its own. This evening you can opt for an optional tour to watch an entertaining and traditional Kathakali dance show. Kathakali performers are known for their elaborate costumes and makeup, and they always put on a fantastic show.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kochi

day 14 - Kochi

Saturday. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today. A departure transfer can be booked for an additional supplement if required.

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

12 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels

Meals

13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners

Transport

Airport arrival transfer on day 1All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

Guide

Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 4 or more)

Others

1 night deluxe houseboat cruise along the Keralan backwatersGuided sightseeing - Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai and Munnar Tea PlantationBoat ride on Lake PeriyarServices of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites

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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