3-Week Southern India Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Southern India tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSouthern India travel expert at TourRadar

• 19 Days in South India, incl. Chennai and Goa

  The 19-day route through Southern India connects 17 cities from Chennai to Mumbai. Highlights include the UNESCO Mahabalipuram Shore Temple, two wildlife sanctuaries, and three blissful days in Goa's coastal paradise.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Chennai & Mahabalipuram

    Start at Chennai's Kapaleeshwar Temple and Marina Beach. Visit the beach before 9 AM to beat the heat and crowds. Take a 2-hour drive to Kanchipuram's silk markets and temples the next day, then go to Mahabalipuram. The Shore Temple looks beautiful at sunset and you'll enjoy cooler temperatures.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Pondicherry & Thanjavur

    Walk Pondicherry's quiet streets in the morning. Visit Auroville between 2-4 PM when the Matrimandir viewing point is less crowded. Take the 4-hour drive to Thanjavur to see the impressive Brihadeeshwara Temple. Bring good walking shoes since the temple grounds are large and open to the sun.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Madurai & Periyar

    Watch the evening aarti at Madurai's Meenakshi Temple around 9 PM. Get there 30 minutes early for a good spot. Next day, drive 4 hours to Periyar National Park. Book your wildlife safari ahead of time since spots fill up quickly.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Cochin to Mudumalai

    See Cochin's Chinese fishing nets in the early morning when fishermen are working. Take the scenic 7-hour drive to Ooty through the Western Ghats. In Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, book morning safaris for better wildlife viewing.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Mysore to Hampi

    Visit Mysore Palace early before the crowds arrive. Break up the long drive to Hassan and Hospet with stops at local restaurants to try Karnataka food. Explore Hampi's ruins in the morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and it's cooler.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Badami to Goa

    The Badami rock-cut temples need some climbing. Bring good shoes and water. Continue through Bijapur and Belgaum to reach Goa. It's a long drive but you'll see interesting Karnataka architecture along the way.

  • Days 16-19

    Goa & Mumbai Departure

    Relax in Goa for your final days. North Goa's Calangute and Baga are livelier, while South Goa's Palolem and Agonda are more peaceful. Book an afternoon flight from Mumbai to avoid morning traffic from Goa.

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• 20 Days in South India, incl. Chennai and Mumbai

  This 20-day tour covers 16 destinations across Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, including UNESCO-listed sites like the 7th-century Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. Accommodations include Hotel Four Points by Sheraton in Mahabalipuram and Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel in Kovalam, plus one night on a houseboat cruise through Alleppey's backwaters with all meals included. Ancient sites on the itinerary include the Virupaksha Temple ruins in Hampi, Hazara Rama Mandir, Krishna Mandapa, and Arjuna's Penance. Activities feature a cruise on Periyar Lake, a Kathakali classical dance performance in Cochin, and the evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Chennai & Mahabalipuram

    Start in Chennai to explore colonial sites like Old Government House and Marina Beach. Drive 2 hours south to Mahabalipuram (70km) after 10 AM to skip Chennai's morning traffic. Plan to photograph the ancient shore temples at sunset.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Kanchipuram & Tanjore

    Visit Kanchipuram's silk weaving centers early since most close by 5 PM. Take the 6-hour drive to Tanjore (300km) to see the stunning UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple. Get a local guide to explain the detailed carvings.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Madurai & Trichy

    Stop at Trichy's Rock Fort temple on your way to Madurai. Bring good shoes for the steep climb. Visit Madurai's Meenakshi Temple for the 6 PM aarti ceremony. The crowds can be intense, so consider getting an authorized guide.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Kerala Coast

    Go wildlife spotting in Periyar before heading to Kovalam's beaches. Book Ayurvedic treatments early as good centers fill up fast. Stay overnight on a houseboat near Alleppey. Ask for an upper deck room for better views.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Cochin & Mysore

    See Fort Kochi early before it gets hot. The drive to Mysore is 380km (7-8 hours). Stop at Guruvayur temple to break up the trip. Watch the musical fountain show at Brindavan Gardens in the evening.

    
  • Days 13-16

    Hassan & Hampi

    Plan two full days for Hampi's UNESCO ruins. Start at 7 AM before the heat kicks in. Wear sturdy shoes for the rocky terrain. Rent a bicycle to see more sites.

    
  • Days 17-20

    Bangalore & Mumbai

    Finish your trip in India's tech hub and biggest city. Take the Colaba heritage walk in Mumbai early when streets are quiet. Schedule your departure flight after 4 PM to avoid traffic.

    

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• Pride of South India

  This grand 18-day tour spans 21 Southern cities from Chennai to Kochi. Travelers visit UNESCO's Mahabalipuram monuments, float on Alleppey houseboats, spot wildlife in Periyar, and marvel at Madurai's Meenakshi Temple.

  

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  • Chennai (Madras) India

    40 mi

  • Kanchipuram India

    35 mi

  • Mahabalipuram India

    55 mi

  • Puducherry India

    5 mi

  • Auroville India

    42 mi

  • Chidambaram India

    56 mi

  • Thanjavur India

    20 mi
  • Show 9 more

  • Kumbakonam India

    48 mi

  • Tiruchirapalli India

  • Trichy India

    71 mi

  • Madurai India

    133 mi

  • Kanyakumari India

    48 mi

  • Thiruvananthapuram India

    6 mi

  • Kovalam India

    87 mi

  • Alleppey India

    57 mi

  • Thekkady India

  • Kumily India

    9 mi

  • Periyar National Park India

    43 mi

  • Munnar India

    8 mi

  • Eravikulam National Park India

    53 mi

  • Kochi (Cochin) India

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