Southern India Tours from Chennai (Madras)
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10 best Southern India tours from Chennai (Madras)
Compiled by
MelissaChennai (Madras) travel expert at TourRadar
- Premium South India
- Best of South India Tour
- Luxury Trails of South India
- Incredible South India Tour
- 17 Days India Drávida (India Dravid), Private Tour
- South India Temple Tour with Kerala (House Boat Experiences)
- Discover South India - Premium Adventure
- Classical South India - All Inclusive
- Classic South India
- South India Tour
An authentic South Indian dinner welcomes visitors in Chennai before touring Tamil Nadu's cultural sites and Kerala's backwaters. Notable stops include Mamallapuram's Shore Temple, French-influenced Puducherry, and Madurai's temples, ending in historic Kochi after 13 days.
Duration 13 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Puducherry, Madurai, Thekkady, Periyar National Park, Munnar, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin) Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Premium From $3,370
5% Off- US$3,202You save $168
The route spans 854km from Chennai's Marina Beach to Kochi. AC vehicles transport visitors to Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple, Madurai's temples, and Kerala's backwaters.
Duration 13 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Kumarakom, AlleppeySee all destinations Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $5,018
68% Off- US$1,606You save $3,412
Duration 20 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Munnar, Periyar National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $16,588
50% Off- US$8,294You save $8,294
Incredible South India Tour
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We found the Indian people to be very friendly and always smiling. Quite a delight.”
Elizabeth, traveled in November
Marina Beach Chennai opens the tour, followed by Fort St. George and Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple. The 1,200km route through Tamil Nadu's temple cities and Kerala's backwaters ends in Bangalore, with comfortable AC transport throughout.
Duration 18 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Munnar, Periyar National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 5 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch Operator World Travel Experiences From $4,083
65% Off- US$1,429You save $2,654
17 Days India Drávida (India Dravid), Private Tour
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Visiting the rock monuments of Mahabalipuram and Meenaskhi Temple are amongst the top highlights.”
Martin, traveled in February
From Chennai's Fort St. George, the path leads through Kanchipuram's temples and Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple. The 2000km route includes 21 Southern cities, featuring Puducherry's French Quarter and Madurai's temples, before reaching Mumbai.
Duration 17 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Chidambaram, Gangai Konda Cholapuram, Swamimalai, Thanjavur, Trichy, MaduraiSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Le Passage to India From $4,542
20% Off- US$3,633You save $908
South India Temple Tour with Kerala (House Boat Experiences)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“From the breathtaking temples of Tamil Nadu, the tea plantations of Munnar, to the backwaters of Kerala, it had it all.”
Yassine, traveled in February
A 13-day trail leads from Chennai's Marina Beach and Fort St. George through Tamil Nadu's temple cities to Kerala's backwaters. Kochi marks the final stop, featuring spice markets and traditional Kathakali performances.
Duration 13 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Munnar, Periyar National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch Operator World Travel Experiences From $2,951
65% Off- US$1,033You save $1,918
Discover South India - Premium Adventure
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We have been on lots of Exodus holidays and this was our first 'Premium' holiday. It ranks as one of the best we've done.”
Susan, traveled in January
Southern India's cultural highlights roll out from Chennai (Madras), featuring Mysore Palace and Wayanad tea estates. AC minibus transport averages 3-4 hours daily, plus a scenic train journey to Kochi, ending in Varkala.
Duration 14 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Bangalore, Mysuru, Bandipur National Park, Ooty, Coonoor, Kochi (Cochin), Alleppey, Varkala Age Range 16 to 99 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $4,800
10% Off- US$4,320You save $480
Classical South India - All Inclusive
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The accomodation was very good and so was the food. We felt we could have had more to do and see in Chennai.”
CAROLYN, traveled in January
The trail leads from Chennai's Kapaleeshwar Temple through Southern India's cultural heartland to Kochi. Covering 960km via air-conditioned vehicle, visitors see Pondicherry's French Quarter and Kerala's backwaters before reaching historic Fort Kochi.
Duration 11 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin) Age Range 15 to 100 year olds Operator Amazing India Tours From
10% Off- US$1,732
Classic South India
55 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The temples just blew our minds. The hotels were clean and comfortable, and we were well taken care of.”
Romano, traveled in January
A 1,200km route from Chennai's Marina Beach winds through 15 cities to Thiruvananthapuram. Highlights include Kanchipuram's thousand temples, historic Pondicherry, and Kerala's backwaters via comfortable AC transport, with stays in 3-star hotels and traditional houseboats.
Duration 15 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Munnar, Eravikulam National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Panda Experiences From $4,730
65% Off- US$1,656You save $3,075
The 1,300km route from Chennai's Marina Beach passes through Kanchipuram (140km), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry (110km), and Madurai (354km). The final destination is Thiruvananthapuram, after touring Kerala's scenic backwaters.
Duration 15 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Munnar, Kochi (Cochin)See all destinations Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $4,970
70% Off- US$1,491You save $3,479
What people love about Southern India Tours from Chennai (Madras)
- Incredible South India Tour
We really enjoyed the whole experience. There was just the 2 of us in a comfortable car, with a driver designated for the whole trip. This gave plenty of flexibility which we particularly appreciated as the amount of time people wish to spend in temples is very variable :nice not to feel guilty about holding other people up. It also meant that we were immersed in the Indian life style for the whole of the trip. The standard of the hotels is rather variable, but on the whole the personnel in the hotels were very helpful and welcoming. We found the Indian people to be very friendly and always smiling. Quite a delight
- Classic South India
The trip was excellent. we visited so many great places, had a wonderful group tour
- Classical South India - Tamilnadu And Kerala !
The guide in CHENNAI was speaking so fast I could not understand his English. If not he tried to show me so many things and I thank him for that The guide in Mahabalipuram was ok but he was not so knowledgeable The guide in Pondhichery was better and very pleasant Raja was the guide Thanjavur. He was not so good and his knowledge of the Museum was not accurate. Govind was our guide in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and at the river Cauvery. The importance of the rituals in the Cauvery river was not well explained. His presentation was very confused. Raja was our guide in Madurai. The visit of the MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE in Madurai was very important for me and the presentation was not good for my taste. confusing is my overall rating Thomas Kuttuvayalil was our guide in the Spices Plantation. He was perfect, knowledgeable and he loves nature. Jayan was our guide in the TEA TRAIL - Connemara plantation. Very good knowledge, clear presentation and a lot of humor. In the backwaters, we had a great team / Suresh the captain and Bindu the cook. They were wonderful and what a great lunch. Thank you to both of them Georges was our guide in Kochi. His knowledge was ok but his presentation was limited to simple facts. he could have done better.
What our customers ask about Southern India Tours from Chennai (Madras)
What are the most common first destinations after Chennai (Madras)?
From Chennai travelers typically head to Mahabalipuram (75 km) or Kanchipuram (65 km). Both towns are known for their ancient temples and UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas in Mahabalipuram. Accommodation options range from mid-range stays like the Mamalla Heritage Resort in Mahabalipuram to city hotels such as Raj Park Hotel in Chennai. A TourRadar review notes: "I particularly enjoyed visiting Madurai and Kanchipuram right after Chennai the temples were absolutely magnificent."
What's the best time of year to start a tour from Chennai (Madras)?
The most comfortable time to visit Chennai is between November and March when temperatures stay between 20-30°C with lower humidity. Tour operators run most of their departures during this period. The summer months from April to June bring intense heat with temperatures up to 40°C making sightseeing more challenging. A TourRadar traveler confirms: "We went in January and the weather was perfect for sightseeing in Chennai and throughout Tamil Nadu."
What are the main cultural highlights I can expect to see when starting a tour from Chennai (Madras)?
Chennai's key attractions include the historic Kapaleeshwar Temple Fort St. George Marina Beach (the world's second-longest) and the Kalakshetra cultural center. Most tours spend 2-3 days exploring the city before moving to nearby sites like Mahabalipuram's UNESCO Heritage temples including the Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The temples and cultural sites were absolutely breathtaking especially the ancient Shore Temple complex in Mahabalipuram."
What kind of transportation is provided for tours starting in Chennai (Madras)?
Tours provide air-conditioned private vehicles with professional drivers for all transfers and sightseeing. Small groups of 1-2 travelers usually ride in Toyota Etios while groups of 3-4 use Toyota Innova vehicles. Larger groups travel in mini-vans. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The transport was very comfortable with an excellent driver who knew all the routes well and kept us safe throughout the journey from Chennai."
What accommodation options are available for tours starting in Chennai (Madras)?
Accommodation ranges from 3-star to 5-star properties. Chennai's popular choices include the luxury ITC Grand Chola the 4-star The Raintree and the 3-star Raj Park. All hotels typically include breakfast and standard amenities. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The hotels were comfortable and the guides were very knowledgeable. I especially loved the 4-star accommodations in Chennai at The Raintree with its excellent service."
How many destinations are typically covered in tours starting from Chennai?
Most Chennai-based tours visit between 8-11 major locations including Mahabalipuram Pondicherry Thanjavur Madurai and Kerala's backwaters. Tours generally conclude in either Cochin or Bangalore. Tour operator data shows that depending on trip duration itineraries cover between 8-13 cities.
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