Does all the group continue back to Chennai or will it be possible to finish in Bangalore?

The group as a whole does travel back to Chennai on the overnight train on Day 13. You are absolutely able to leave the tour though on Day 13 and not continue back with group. It just means you would miss the Mamallpuram portion of the tour.

Do we have to handle our luggage ourselves, especially during the travel by train?

You bring your luggage with you for the train journey. Usually hotel and train station are close to each other or we rent tuk-tuk/taxi to get to the railway station. So you would need just to bring your luggage into the train and out in the end of the tour.

From

$3,090

US $2,670 per person

Highlights of Southern India

15 days

•

From Chennai (Madras) to Mamallapuram

4.4 (21 reviews)

View all
Great to get away for a sunny holiday in January. Always on edge about keeping well but just about managed it.
Barbara•traveled in May4.7
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From

$3,090

-14%

US $2,670 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Platinum Operator: Explore!
Nature & Wildlife: Explore untamed landscapes teeming with wildlife
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 7 - 16
Ages 16+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Chennai
Chennai
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mylapore neighborhood
- Visit Kapaleeshwar Hindu Temple
- Visit Luz Church (Our Lady of Light)
Landmarks
Kapaleeshwar Hindu Temple
Luz Church (Our Lady of Light)
Day 2
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary - Puducherry
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary - Puducherry
Meals
Lunch (Lunch in Puducherry's French Colonial Quarter)
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Hotel Atithi)
Included Activities
- Birdwatching at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Walking tour of Puducherry's French Colonial Quarter
- Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Landmarks
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Notre Dame Church (Notre Dames des Agnes)
Puducherry Arc De Triomphe
Day 3
Puducherry - Tiruchirappalli - Madurai
Puducherry - Tiruchirappalli - Madurai
Meals
Lunch
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Regency Madurai by GRT hotels)
Included Activities
- Visit Srirangam Hindu Temple
- Visit river ghats at Amma Mandapam
Landmarks
Srirangam Hindu Temple
Amma Mandapam
Day 4
Madurai
Madurai
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Regency Madurai by GRT hotels)
Included Activities
- Visit Meenakshi Temple
- Visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit Gandhi Memorial Museum
- Visit Madurai flower market
- Watch Meenakshi Temple evening bed ceremony
Landmarks
Meenakshi Temple
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Gandhi Memorial Museum
Day 5
Madurai - Thekkady
Madurai - Thekkady
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Abad Green Forest)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of spice garden
Landmarks
Western Ghats Mountain Range
Day 6
Thekkady - Kerala Backwaters
Thekkady - Kerala Backwaters
Accommodation
Berth / Cabin (Kerala Houseboat)
Included Activities
- Houseboat journey through Kerala Backwaters
Landmarks
Kerala Backwaters
Day 7
Kerala Backwaters - Alleppey - Kochi
Kerala Backwaters - Alleppey - Kochi
Accommodation
Hotel 4* (Hotel Casino)
Optional Activities
- Stop at Mullkal Street market in Alleppey
- Traditional Kathakali dance performance
- Cooking class at local home—learn to prepare Keralan dishes
Landmarks
Mullkal Street Market
Kochi Harbor
Day 8
Kochi
Kochi
Meals
Lunch
Accommodation
Hotel 4* (Hotel Casino)
Included Activities
- Visit Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
- Visit Paradesi Jewish synagogue
- Explore antique warehouses and spice auction rooms
- Visit St. Francis Church
- View Chinese Fishing nets
- Sunset harbor cruise in Kochi
Landmarks
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
Paradesi Jewish Synagogue
St. Francis Church
Chinese Fishing Nets
Day 9
Kochi - Palakkad - Coimbatore
Kochi - Palakkad - Coimbatore
Meals
Dinner (South Indian delicacies including savoury dosas served on banana leaf with chutneys, pickles and vegetables)
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Hotel Zibe Coimbatore by GRT)
Included Activities
- Visit Palakkad Fort
Landmarks
Palakkad Fort
Day 10
Coimbatore - Coonoor - Ooty - Bandipur National Park
Coimbatore - Coonoor - Ooty - Bandipur National Park
Meals
Lunch (Lunch in Ooty)
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Windflower Tusker Trails)
Included Activities
- Ride Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train
- Lunch in Ooty
- Visit Ooty botanical gardens
- Short tour of Ooty town
Landmarks
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Ooty Botanical Gardens
Bandipur National Park
Day 11
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Windflower Tusker Trails)
Included Activities
- Morning safari drive in Bandipur National Park
- Afternoon safari drive in Bandipur National Park
Optional Activities
- Swimming pool at lodge
- Massage at lodge
- Nature walk around resort
Landmarks
Bandipur National Park
Day 12
Bandipur National Park - Mysuru
Bandipur National Park - Mysuru
Accommodation
Hotel 4* (Hotel Sandesh The Prince)
Included Activities
- Visit Chamundi Hills
- Visit Hindu Temple at Chamundi Hills
- View Nandi statue
- Sound and light show at Mysore Palace
Optional Activities
- Optional morning safari in Bandipur National Park
Landmarks
Chamundi Hills
Chamundi Temple
Nandi Statue
Maharajah's Mysore Palace
Day 13
Mysuru - Train to Chennai - Mamallapuram
Mysuru - Train to Chennai - Mamallapuram
Meals
Breakfast (Leisurely breakfast before departing), Lunch (Quick lunch in Mysuru), Dinner (Dinner onboard train to Chennai)
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Hotel Mamalla Heritage)
Included Activities
- Explore Devaraja market
- Visit Mysuru Palace
Landmarks
Devaraja Market
Mysuru Palace
Day 14
Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram
Meals
Breakfast (Traditional South Indian dosa breakfast—thin rice crepes served with chutney, potatoes, and lentil sambars)
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Hotel Mamalla Heritage)
Included Activities
- Traditional South Indian dosa breakfast
- Visit Shore Temple
- Visit Arjuna's Penance rock carvings
Optional Activities
- Walk on Mamallapuram beaches
- Visit local market for shopping
Landmarks
Shore Temple
Arjuna's Penance
Day 15
Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram

Landmarks
Kapaleeshwar Hindu Temple
Luz Church (Our Lady of Light)

Landmarks
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Notre Dame Church (Notre Dames des Agnes)
Puducherry Arc De Triomphe

Landmarks
Srirangam Hindu Temple
Amma Mandapam

Landmarks
Meenakshi Temple
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Gandhi Memorial Museum

Landmarks
Western Ghats Mountain Range

Landmarks
Kerala Backwaters

Landmarks
Mullkal Street Market
Kochi Harbor

Landmarks
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
Paradesi Jewish Synagogue
St. Francis Church
Chinese Fishing Nets

Landmarks
Palakkad Fort

Landmarks
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Ooty Botanical Gardens
Bandipur National Park

Landmarks
Bandipur National Park

Landmarks
Chamundi Hills
Chamundi Temple
Nandi Statue
Maharajah's Mysore Palace

Landmarks
Devaraja Market
Mysuru Palace

Landmarks
Shore Temple
Arjuna's Penance

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport
Optional Extras

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels
Hotel 3*
day 1
Hotel Atithi
Hotel 3*
day 2
Regency Madurai by GRT hotels
Hotel 3*
Days 3, 4
Abad Green Forest
Hotel 3*
day 5
Kerala Houseboat
Berth / Cabin
day 6
Hotel Casino
Hotel 4*
Days 7, 8
Hotel Zibe Coimbatore by GRT
Hotel 3*
day 9
Windflower Tusker Trails
Hotel 3*
Days 10, 11
Hotel Sandesh The Prince
Hotel 4*
day 12
Hotel Mamalla Heritage
Hotel 3*
Days 13, 14

Operated by

Explore!

Platinum Operator

Rating: 4.5 (8,255 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 100%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

4.4

Overall rating based on 21 Reviews

Itinerary
4.1
Transport
4.7
Guide
4.7
Accommodation
4.3
Food
4.4
Tour Operator
4.5

Kerry4.2•March 2023
Bird sanctuary between Chennai and Pondicherry, an unexpected number and variety of birds. Seeing the elephant...
Show more
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Tony4.0•February 2023
Srirangam river island temples, day in Madurai particularly the temple visit, Mysore Palace, cookery class/ meal and...
Show more
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Tanya3.7•February 2023
Windflower safari lodge was lovely, calm and relaxing. Mysuru Palace was fabulous, so unexpected. The monoliths,...
Show more
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Claire4.2•February 2023
Kochi was wonderful. I think if the houseboat had been more spoken I’d have spoken more highly of that.
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Elizabeth4.5•March 2023
Mysore palace The Chinese fishing nets being hauled up at Cochin The afternoon safari
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Wanda5.0•March 2023
The Traditional Theatre Show in Kochi, the cookery class in Thekkady and eating the food afterwards for dinner, the...
Show more
Traveled in February 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Joanna4.0•December 2023
Enjoyed the safari & local train and overnight Kerala waters
Traveled in November 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Anne4.7•November 2023
The temples, cookery class, backwater houseboat, tuk tuk rides, rock carvings and the food
Traveled in November 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Ann4.7•November 2023
I enjoyed the evening temple ceremony in Madurai; the Kathakali dance option in Cochin and the houseboat. Also, Jojan...
Show more
Traveled in November 2023
Review collected by Explore!
Michelle5.0•November 2023
Temples, cookery class, Kerala houseboat, cochin and the food
Traveled in November 2023
Review collected by Explore!

Dates & Availability

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Ends on 5 Aug, 2026

From Sunday
1 Nov, 2026
To Sunday
15 Nov, 2026
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31 Jan, 2027
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28 Mar, 2027
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From Sunday
3 Oct, 2027
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17 Oct, 2027
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What our customers ask about this tour

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L
Linda
Asked on October 22nd, 2024
Does all the group continue back to Chennai or will it be possible to finish in Bangalore?
Tour Details
Transport
- Explore!Operator•Written October 2024
  The group as a whole does travel back to Chennai on the overnight train on Day 13. You are absolutely able to leave the tour though on Day 13 and not continue back with group. It just means you would miss the Mamallpuram portion of the tour.
R
Rob
Asked on August 14th, 2023
Do we have to handle our luggage ourselves, especially during the travel by train?
Transport
- Explore!Operator•Written August 2023
  You bring your luggage with you for the train journey. Usually hotel and train station are close to each other or we rent tuk-tuk/taxi to get to the railway station. So you would need just to bring your luggage into the train and out in the end of the tour.
- R
  Rob
  Traveler•Written August 2023
  During the tour, do we travel by coach where our luggage are kept in the luggage compartment or on top of busses?
- Explore!Operator•Written August 2023
  All your main luggage will be on a bus's luggage store or at the hotel. For day to day excursions you would need to bring your day rucksack only.

From

$3,090

-14%

US $2,670 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 124512

Currency
₹
Indian Rupee
India
Plugs & Adapters
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Cholera - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for India. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for India. Ideally 10 days before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for India. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before October 14th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after October 14th, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Explore! will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Explore!" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Explore!. Please familiarize yourself with the Explore! payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Highlights of Southern India

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

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What's Included

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Where You'll Stay

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