Tamil Nadu & Kerala... A Luxury Tailor-made Tour of South India

15 days from £8,870 for 2024 per person

• Chennai
• Mahabalipuram
• Pondicherry
• Tanjore
• Madurai
• Munnar
• Kerala
• Mararikulam
• Cochin

Towering temples, mist shrouded hills and palm fringed beaches are just a few of the incredible sights that await you on this wonderful tailor-made itinerary. The two southernmost states of India are Tamil Nadu and Kerala which are incredibly different to one another and complement each other perfectly.

This comprehensive tour starts near Chennai (formerly Madras) on the shores of the Coromandel Coast. Explore the exciting city of Chennai, as well as Mahabalipuram, a charming town full of ancient archaeological wonders and World Heritage–listed temples and carvings. From here, head to the old French colony of Pondicherry, a peaceful coastal town, brimming with style and classic French idiosyncrasies. Continue through the heart of Dravidian India, visiting some of the subcontinent's most impressive temples, before arriving in Tanjore. Explore all the city has to offer, including the Brihadeeswara Temple, an outstanding example of ancient Chola architecture. End your stay in Tamil Nadu with a night in Madurai where you can visit the incredibly remarkable Meenakshi Temple. 

From Madurai, head to the rolling Cardamom Hills for a night in Munnar, South India's largest tea-growing region and where you will have a chance to pick your own tea. And then to the serene backwaters where you will enjoy the warm hospitality at a traditional Keralan home stay. Cruise through the backwaters in a converted rice barge and see village life that has remained unchanged for decades. Spend a few days by the beach on the Malabar Coast staying on an old coconut plantation, before ending the tour in the ancient city of Cochin which is famed for its spices and ancient trading routes.

This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary; it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your perfect tailor-made tour of India. If you would like to see similar trips, take a look at our collection of Epic Journeys, Honeymoons and Family Holidays; as well as our favourite Beach and Boating itineraries.

Travelling is like flirting with life. It's like saying, 'I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.
Lisa St. Aubin de Teran