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Grand Tour of South India... Our Signature Family-friendly Holiday

20 days from £11,580 for 2024 per person

This itinerary features in our Top 10 Family Holidays.

This fabulous journey around South India cherry-picks the region's highlights including the colonial charm of Cochin, the buzzing temple-town of Madurai and the fabulous architecture of Tanjore and Pondicherry.

Start your South India family adventure with the colonial city of Chennai; the noisy jostle of the Tamil Nadu capital will encapsulate your senses as you wander through the eclectic Anglo-Indian architecture and soak up the sights. The next stop of your adventure will take you to the old French town of Pondicherry. Mediterranean in feel, there is plenty to keep you occupied, including papermaking, silk weaving, doll making and excellent shopping. After two nights in ‘Pondi’ continue your journey to Tanjore, where you will spend two nights at Svatma Tanjavur. Fill your time learning local craft skills such as painting, weaving and bronze casting, as well as local dance and culinary classes. Continuing on from Tanjore you will spend two nights at the Art Deco mansion Visalam in Chettinad, followed by two nights in the colourful and extrovert town of Madurai. Come to Periyar next where you will be truly submersed by the South Indian jungle. Elephant, samba, bison, wild boar and occasionally tigers and leopards can be seen in this vast reserve, an exciting thrill for all the family. Vazhoor will be your next stop where you can wander the fertile cocoa, pepper, coffee, pineapple, papaya and banana plantations. A stay at the charming Serenity will be sure to steal your heart, especially once you meet their resident elephant! Onwards with your journey and you will reach tropical Kumarakom, fringed by the Keralan Backwaters, where you will stay at the charming Coconut Lagoon. The final phase of your adventure will reward you with some much needed R&R in the sleepy fishing village of Mararikulam at the Marari Beach Resort, before heading to Cochin to explore the winding canals of the Backwaters.

This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary. It can be booked as it is, or alternatively used as a starting point for creating your own perfect tailor-made tour of IndiaIf you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our Epic Journeys and Family Holidays collections; as well as our favourite HoneymoonBeach and Culinary Tour itineraries.


Itinerary details

20 days from £11,580 for 2024 per person

SOUTH INDIA - Tamil Nadu (8) SOUTH INDIA - Tamil Nadu (8)
SOUTH INDIA - Tamil Nadu, cow SOUTH INDIA - Tamil Nadu, cow
Boutique South India From Chennai To Cochin Itinerary 14 Boutique South India From Chennai To Cochin Itinerary 14
Boutique South India From Chennai To Cochin Itinerary 13 Boutique South India From Chennai To Cochin Itinerary 13
SOUTH INDIA - Pondicherry Church SOUTH INDIA - Pondicherry Church
SOUTH INDIA - elephants at Periyar National Park SOUTH INDIA - elephants at Periyar National Park
SOUTH INDIA Munnar Kerala Tea And Coffee Planatations SOUTH INDIA Munnar Kerala Tea And Coffee Planatations
SOUTH INDIA Kerala Back Waters House Boat SOUTH INDIA Kerala Back Waters House Boat
SOUTH INDIA - Coconut Lagoon, Kerala SOUTH INDIA - Coconut Lagoon, Kerala
SOUTH INDIA - Coconut Lagoon SOUTH INDIA - Coconut Lagoon
SOUTH INDIA - water-front view with private pool villas at Coconut Lagoon SOUTH INDIA - water-front view with private pool villas at Coconut Lagoon
SOUTH INDIA - Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam, Kerala, SOUTH INDIA - Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam, Kerala,
SOUTH INDIA - Kerala fishermen SOUTH INDIA - Kerala fishermen
SOUTH INDIA - Spice Coast, Kerala SOUTH INDIA - Spice Coast, Kerala
SOUTH INDIA - curry SOUTH INDIA - curry
SOUTH INDIA 3A Farmers In Kerala Original SOUTH INDIA 3A Farmers In Kerala Original
SOUTH INDIA Beach SOUTH INDIA Beach
SOUTH INDIA - marari beach, fish basket SOUTH INDIA - marari beach, fish basket
The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.
Rudyard Kipling

Client Testimonials

Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
- Ms Margulies, Burma, India & Thailand
Ballyfin was great - we loved it! Best things were the amount of space, it felt like you had the whole place to yourself, the history of the house, and the staff. We'd definitely recommend it. Thanks very much for all the help getting it booked!
- Mr Wyburd, Ireland
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
- Carruthers family, North India
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India

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