Southern India Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Southern India tour packages
- What people love about Southern India Tours
- Travel Southern India your way
- Top operators in Southern India
- Best places to start your Southern India tour
- Discover Southern India tours for every budget
- Southern India tours for every group
- Top Southern India travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Southern India
- Contact our Southern India travel experts
The best Southern India tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaSouthern India travel expert at TourRadar
Best of Southern India
42 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An amazing experience that truly reflects the rich culture southern India has to offer.”
Luke, traveled in September 2022
Southern India's gems stretch from UNESCO Shore Temple to Mysore Palace. Traditional Kathakali dance performances await in Kochi, while Kerala offers intimate backwater homestays and aromatic spice plantations in Thekkady. Accommodation includes 12 hotel nights plus authentic village homestay.
Duration 14 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Kalpetta, Mysuru, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Madurai, Thekkady, Periyar National Park, Alleppey Age Range up to 90 year olds Operated in English Operator G Adventures From $1,549
25% Off- US$1,162You save $387
Kerala Tour - 8 Days
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Enjoyed the tour, especially the boat tour in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, the beautiful countryside in Munnar.”
James, traveled in November 2024
Kerala's rich heritage spans from historic Fort Kochi to Munnar's verdant tea estates. Traditional Kathakali performances captivate visitors, while wildlife roams freely at Periyar Sanctuary. A cruise through Alleppey's backwaters rounds out this 3-star hotel adventure.
Duration 8 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kottayam Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $1,869
63% Off- US$692You save $1,177
From Fort Kochi's iconic Chinese fishing nets to Kanyakumari's Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kerala reveals its charms. Wildlife thrives at Periyar Sanctuary, while Alleppey's backwaters and Kovalam's beaches provide natural splendor during this 11-day tour.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Kanyakumari Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $2,312
58% Off- US$971You save $1,340
South India Revealed
69 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Intrepid made India seem easy, the seamless use of the trains, local buses and tuktuks.”
Jonathan, traveled in December 2018
From Varkala's clifftop beaches to Hampi's ancient ruins, Southern India unfolds its treasures. Kerala welcomes visitors with backwater homestays and Periyar's spice plantations, while Madurai's Sri Meenakshi Temple leads to Goa's relaxing beaches.
Duration 16 days Destinations Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala, Kochi (Cochin), Periyar National Park, Madurai, Mysuru, Hampi, Goa Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operated in English Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,260
15% Off- US$1,071You save $189
Southern India's treasures cost approx. $70 daily, featuring Munnar's Tea Museum and Eravikulam National Park. Thekkady's spice plantations and sunset cruises on Periyar Lake lead to nights aboard houseboats in Alleppey's backwaters. Private transport and daily breakfast included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey Age Range 5 to 85 year olds Operated in English Operator Fragrance of Taj From
15% Off- US$358
What people love about Southern India Tours
- Best of Southern India
Its every time nice to go with gap
- Best of Southern India
Excellent our ceo was the best nothing was too much trouble he looked after us so well
- Best of Southern India
Would have like more activities. Order of scheduled events could have been better arranged. Some hotel locations not near much. Good local guides and explanations of what we were seeing.
Travel Southern India your way
Kerala's active tours mix outdoor activities with real cultural experiences. You can go bamboo rafting in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, where tigers, wild elephants and countless birds make their home. Up in Munnar, you'll walk through terraced tea fields and chat with workers about how they process the leaves. The houseboats in Alleppey are a highlight - our travelers love these converted kettuvallams that serve as floating hotels while cruising through quiet backwater villages. Some trips include watching local martial arts at the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre or learning traditional fishing methods from local communities. It's ideal if you want to keep moving while getting to know daily life here.
See all Active toursKerala's landscape works brilliantly for cycling tours, with routes that mix coastal paths and mountain climbs. You'll pedal past fishing villages and up into the Western Ghats' tea country, with support vehicles nearby if needed. The backwater regions are particularly good for cycling - quiet roads wind through coconut groves while village life carries on around you. Our cyclists often mention how much they enjoy staying in village houses, chatting with locals about toddy tapping and taking dips in natural pools after riding. The routes include cultural stops at temples, spice gardens and also local markets, so you're getting proper cultural connections while staying active.
See all Bicycle toursThe Kerala cultural tours run 8 to 11 days and really get you into local life. You'll wander through Fort Kochi's old quarters and Dutch Palace before heading up to the tea plantations of Munnar where the mist rolls in each morning. Our travelers tell us they love mixing guided walks in spice gardens with free time to explore markets on their own. The routes take you tiger spotting at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and drifting past village scenes on traditional houseboats in Alleppey. Most tours make stops at the sea-meeting point of Kanyakumari and also Kumarakom, where waterfront rooms put you right by the bird sanctuary - perfect for watching migratory birds arrive.
See all Explorer toursChoose from over 376 cultural tours and explore historical sites, local traditions and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Southern India. Our cultural tours vary from 3 days to 24 days.
See all In-depth Cultural tours
More travel styles:
Top operators in Southern India
Looking at these tour companies, G Adventures hits the mark with their organized tours and expert CEOs (Chief Experience Officers), though you'll want to check if their pace works for you - some of our travelers found it quite active. World Travel Experiences does well with couples, planning everything down to the details which takes the stress out of traveling, but there was a note about some houseboat staff needing better customer service skills. Swastik India Journeys really shines when it comes to their team on the ground - the drivers know their routes inside out and the guides bring real depth to each site you visit. The houseboats they use add something special to the whole experience. For anyone wanting more control over their trip, MTA Destination Experts works nicely since they build custom itineraries and their drivers really know their stuff. It's interesting how each company has found their own way to handle India travel - from G Adventures' active group approach, to World Travel's couple-focused planning, Swastik's solid ground operations and MTA's personal touch. They're all good options depending on what you're after, whether that's joining a group, traveling with your partner, or having everything tailored just for you.
- 5.0 (22,796 reviews)
"What I was looking for: - do more cultural activities than when travelling solo (I usually do none) - stay with a chill group of people for a week - see Kerala that I heard so much about My experience: - this tour has limited activities. It’s in the itinerary. I booked the only one that matches my dates without checking too much… - the group was pretty cool. The restaurants / bars we were recommended were bad though. - I got to see Kerala. The walk through the rice fields was amazing Overall, I’d say go for it if you’re not comfortable travelling on your own. The 2 days in the backwaters were worth going on a tour. The beach is better done solo travelling / resort / hostel.
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 2h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $155
- 4.5 (11,926 reviews)
"Not one of Intrepid's better trips. There was a lot of travel involved with most stays only being one night. The hotels weren't great, with lots of issues. The minibuses used were quite crammed, especially when the tour was at capacity. Overall, I enjoyed southern India, especially the day trip on the houseboat. I just think that this tour could have been done better.
- Tours
- 3 tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- In-depth Cultural
- Response time
- 7h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $174
- 4.5 (197 reviews)
"The accommodations were perfect, and the guides were friendly and knowledgeable. The Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, and Brindavan Gardens were unforgettable. The backwater ride in Alleppey and the peaceful village of Kumarakom were perfect experience. The wildlife experience was an adventure not to be missed!
- Tours
- 35 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 15h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $359
Best places to start your Southern India tour
Most of our Southern India journeys kick off from Kochi, with 50 different tours starting in this historical port town. Chennai comes in second with 23 tour departures, while Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and also Mumbai fill out the main starting points. Looking at our booking patterns, travelers typically lock in their plans about 4 months ahead - that's 116 days to be exact - which really helps with getting spots on houseboats and wildlife tours during busy seasons. The food experiences get constant praise from our guests, whether they're joining local cooking sessions or wandering through spice markets, and many tell us how much they loved staying with local families. For getting deep into the culture, we find local festivals and art workshops create natural connections with resident artists and craftspeople. Our guides know exactly how to help you navigate everything from busy markets to quiet villages and temple grounds, sharing local knowledge while keeping everyone comfortable and safe.
Discover Southern India tours for every budget
Kerala's budget tours run 7-8 days and hit all the right spots without breaking the bank. Starting in Kochi, you'll explore the old fishing nets and wander through aromatic spice markets before heading up to Munnar's tea plantations in the hills. The real cultural connection happens during homestays in Alleppey - local families share their cooking secrets and give you a genuine look at village life. Our guests love drifting through narrow canals on included houseboat trips, watching daily riverside scenes from their floating rooms. Nature enthusiasts get good value with guided visits to Periyar National Park to spot wild elephants and tigers, plus walks through spice farms where you'll learn about traditional growing methods and medicinal uses.
Luxury tours in Kerala really shine with stays in heritage properties and special cultural access over 8-14 days. You'll have expert naturalists in Periyar's wilderness, private houseboats with dedicated chefs and carefully chosen historic hotels. Our travelers tell us they love the exclusive touches - private Kathakali dance shows, visiting temples after regular hours and one-on-one Ayurvedic consultations. The routes blend cultural highlights like Mysore Palace, Meenakshi Temple and also quiet moments in tea estates and backwater hideaways. Expert guides provide rich historical context while dedicated staff handle all the details seamlessly.
Southern India budget tours- Southern India luxury tours
Southern India tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
247 tours in Southern IndiaExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Southern India. We have 247 adventures that vary from 3 days to 24 days. With the greatest number of departures in March, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
386 tours in Southern IndiaVisit Southern India with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
315 tours in Southern IndiaPrivate tours give you full control while keeping professional guidance - perfect for photographers, culture buffs and also families. Popular 10-14 day trips can adapt to what interests you most, whether that's more time around Thekkady's spice regions, exploring Munnar's tea culture or spending extra days in traditional villages. Our guests really value adjusting daily schedules around perfect photo light, local festivals and prime wildlife viewing times. Local guides know exactly when temple ceremonies happen, can introduce you to artisan families and arrange special experiences like cooking with local chefs or meeting traditional healers. The private format works great for discovering quiet corners of Kerala's backwaters and less-visited temple towns.
Top Southern India travel itineraries to fit your plans
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Kochi (Cochin), Alleppey, Mararikulam
See all tours
The weeklong Kerala tours pack a lot into 7 days, starting in Fort Kochi where you can explore those fascinating Chinese fishing nets along the shore. Moving to Alleppey, our travelers often mention how meaningful it is staying with local families - sharing meals and getting to know daily life around the lagoons. The route then takes you through Kollam's busy fishing docks and onto Varkala for a nice mix of temple visits and beach time. Most people really enjoy wrapping up back in Kochi, where they join in traditional Kathakali dance shows and explore the historic Jewish Quarter with its synagogue that's been around for over 400 years.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Kochi (Cochin), Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Kanyakumari
See all tours
Ten days gives you time to really get into South India's groove. These routes from Cochin blend cultural spots with nature experiences. You'll head up to Munnar's tea plantations for jeep rides through misty hills, then spend time at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary where bamboo rafting often leads to wild elephant sightings and excellent bird watching. The backwater section includes nights on traditional houseboats in Alleppey - our guests regularly tell us the peaceful cruising and local cooking make their trip special. Many tours finish up at Kovalam's beaches, leaving time for Ayurvedic treatments and visits to fishing villages. What our customers really like about these longer trips is having guided activities but also free time to explore markets and discover things independently.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Kozhikode, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam
See all toursDemographics
Solo travelers get a lot out of our 15-day South India Revealed tour, which gives you time to relax on Varkala's beaches and explore old temple towns. You'll stay overnight with families in Kerala's backwaters and catch traditional dance shows in Kochi. Our guests tell us they like how the schedule mixes guided visits with free hours to wander markets or just chill on the sand. There's also a popular 7-day Kerala tour where small groups check out Fort Kochi's aromatic spice markets before heading up to see Munnar's misty tea fields.
The format works really well if you like being independent - you can join group activities or do your own thing. Many solo travelers love taking overnight trains to Mysore and Hampi since it's such a good way to chat with locals and other tourists. On the backwater boats, you get your own cabin but there are also common areas where everyone hangs out over tasty Kerala dishes made by the boat's cooks.
Couples tend to love our 10-day Kerala tour that takes in colonial Cochin, mountain stays in Munnar and also peaceful backwater trips. The private houseboat nights are especially nice - you can have dinner by candlelight while floating past village life on the banks. Another good option runs 12 days through Tamil Nadu and Kerala, combining temple visits with stays in lovely heritage hotels.
These trips are full of moments you'll remember together - learning Kerala dance moves in Kochi, watching the sun go down from tea plantations and cooking with local families. Many couples go for tours with restored heritage hotels, traditional Ayurvedic treatments and also private guides at temples. You get time for both cultural stuff and quiet moments, whether you're walking through spice gardens or watching the old Chinese fishing nets at work.
Our older travelers really like the 14-day Grand Tour of South India, which offers nice hotels while you explore Mysore Palace, Ooty's hill stations and also Kerala's backwaters. The guides know exactly how to help with temple stairs and busy markets, and we build in plenty of rest stops. Our senior guests often mention how much they enjoy mixing cultural visits with nature spots, from watching classical dancers to looking for birds in Kumarakom sanctuary.
Several tours aimed at seniors let you stay longer in each place, so there's less packing and unpacking. We pick hotels that are easy to get around, and activities can adjust to how mobile you feel. Lots of older travelers tell us they enjoy the social side of houseboat trips - chatting with other guests while watching Kerala life go by. With private transfers and attentive guides, everyone can take in South India's culture at whatever pace suits them best.
- Solo Travelers439 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples44 tours
- Seniors (50+)139 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Southern India
- Spring 2025
March through May brings ideal weather for exploring South India's culture and nature spots. Our Kerala tours focus on real local experiences - you'll cook with families in their homes, visit spice farms when fresh growth appears and see temple rituals during festival season. Many guests like balancing cultural visits with downtime, splitting days between guided walks through old Portuguese quarters and quiet afternoons at Ayurvedic spas. The conditions stay perfect for wildlife watching, making it great for nature photo tours from Periyar's woods to quiet backwaters where you'll spot kingfishers and herons nesting.
- popular 463 tours
- 439 tours
- 375 tours
- Summer 2025
From June to August, our tours focus on highland areas and cultural spots that work well during monsoon season. The hill station visits to Munnar and Thekkady give nice relief from coastal heat, and guests enjoy seeing tea production happening while staying at plantation homestays. Cultural tours this time spend extra time at heritage sites, spice markets and traditional arts venues in Kochi, Trivandrum and also Kovalam. With fewer crowds at major temples, you get more personal time with local guides who explain all the ceremonial details and architectural meanings.
- popular 370 tours
- 368 tours
- 368 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
September and October offer perfect conditions as monsoons fade away. Our photo tours really shine now - you get lush green scenery with clear skies for ideal lighting. Multi-day cultural trips mix visits to freshly opened national parks with local harvest festivals in small villages. The backwater tours are at their best, with nice temperatures for houseboat stays and walks through spice gardens. Active tours work especially well in autumn, combining bike rides through tea plantations, walks at ancient temples and kayaking in quiet lagoons while water levels stay high but the heavy rains have mostly passed.
- popular 378 tours
- 281 tours
- 282 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter hits the sweet spot in South India from November through February with mild, dry days that our guests really appreciate. The Kerala cultural tours running 8-15 days let you dive into ancient spice markets and catch traditional dance shows in Kochi. Wildlife watching peaks now - tigers and elephants are active in Periyar National Park and Kumarakom's sanctuary fills up with migrating birds. Winter makes houseboat stays in Alleppey extra comfortable, and travelers tell us they love watching village life roll by while the onboard chef prepares fresh caught fish. The hill station visits to Munnar work perfectly too, mixing tea estate tours with stays in old colonial hotels and guided walks when the morning mist creates lovely photo opportunities.
- 422 tours
- popular 447 tours
- 275 tours
Contact our Southern India travel experts
Kate
Expert in Southern India at TourRadar
Kate is one of our seasoned Southern India Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Southern India tours answered!
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