Tour Overview

Fourteen days is enough time to actually feel the shift as you move down India's eastern coastline, from Chennai's colonial streets to the temple towers of Madurai, the windswept tip of Kanyakumari, and Kerala's quiet backwaters. This 14 Days South India Tour Package covers Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari and Trivandrum, starting and ending in Mumbai, mixing UNESCO sites, working temples, coastal towns and a fair bit of local food along the way.

Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
 Route: Mumbai – Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Madurai – Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari – Trivandrum – Mumbai

Day 1: Arrival in Chennai

Land at Chennai International Airport where a representative meets you and gets you settled at the hotel. Once checked in, head out to explore. Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world, makes for an easy first stop, followed by Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a striking example of Dravidian architecture in the heart of the city. San Thome Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, and Fort St. George, the first English fortress in India, round out an afternoon steeped in history. End the day with a walk back along Marina Beach and a proper South Indian dinner.
 Overnight: Chennai

Day 2: Chennai to Mahabalipuram

A short, scenic drive along the East Coast Road brings you to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved almost entirely from rock. The Shore Temple sits right at the water's edge, one of the oldest structural temples in South India, while the Five Rathas showcase monolithic temple chariots cut from single stone blocks. Arjuna's Penance, an enormous bas relief carved into a rock face, and Krishna's Butter Ball, a massive boulder that appears to defy gravity, are among the more curious sights here. Catch sunset over the beach before settling in for the night.
 Overnight: Mahabalipuram

Day 3: On to Pondicherry

The drive to Pondicherry drops you into a town that still carries its French colonial character. The French Quarter, with its mustard-walled buildings and bougainvillea, is best explored on foot. Promenade Beach runs along the coast, and Auroville, the experimental township built around ideals of human unity, offers a glimpse of the Matrimandir from outside. Aurobindo Ashram, Notre Dame des Anges Church, and the boutiques scattered through White Town fill out the afternoon nicely.
 Overnight: Pondicherry

Day 4: Pondicherry to Thanjavur

Thanjavur, once the seat of the Chola dynasty, centres around the Brihadeeswara Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Chola architecture anywhere in the country. The Royal Palace Museum and its art gallery add historical context, while the Saraswathi Mahal Library holds a remarkable collection of ancient manuscripts. Local workshops here still produce bronze sculptures using techniques passed down for generations.
 Overnight: Thanjavur

Day 5: Thanjavur to Madurai

Madurai revolves entirely around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a sprawling complex of towering gopurams covered in thousands of painted sculptures, considered one of the most significant temples in South India. The Thousand Pillar Hall inside is worth lingering in, and Tirumalai Nayak Palace nearby shows a different, more European-influenced side of the city's architecture. Evening brings the temple's night ceremony, a ritual that has been performed here for centuries.
 Overnight: Madurai

Day 6: Madurai Cultural Day

A day set aside for Madurai's everyday textures rather than its monuments. Wander through the textile and banana markets, sit in on a local cooking demonstration, and taste your way through the city's street food scene. Those interested can add an optional village excursion for a slower look at rural Tamil Nadu.
 Overnight: Madurai

Day 7: Madurai to Rameshwaram

The drive to Rameshwaram crosses the Pamban Sea Bridge, a dramatic stretch of road and rail suspended over open water. Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, anchors the town, its long corridors said to be among the longest of any temple in India. Agni Theertham nearby is where pilgrims traditionally bathe, and Dhanushkodi, a near-abandoned ghost town at the very tip of the peninsula, makes for a haunting, memorable stop before sunset.
 Overnight: Rameshwaram

Day 8: Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari

A longer coastal drive brings you to Kanyakumari, where three seas, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, meet at India's southernmost point. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial sits just offshore, reachable by ferry, alongside the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue. Sunset here draws crowds every evening, the sky turning shades of orange over open water.
 Overnight: Kanyakumari

Day 9: Kanyakumari sunrise, then Trivandrum

Few sights rival the sunrise at Kanyakumari, seen each morning by travellers from all over the country. Next, you drive to Trivandrum to visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, renowned for its architecture and legendary hidden treasures. The afternoon adds more layers of history to the Napier Museum and Kuthiramalika Palace. Overnight: Trivandrum

Day 10: Kovalam Beach

A day at Kovalam, one of Kerala's best-known beach destinations. Lighthouse Beach, home to the red and white striped landmark, is the most iconic stretch, while quieter options such as Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach offer a calmer pace. For those who want to spice up the day a bit, there are optional seasonal water sports and Ayurvedic massages. Overnight: Trivandrum

Day 11: Poovar Backwaters

Poovar offers a completely different rhythm, gliding through mangrove-lined backwaters by boat, past golden sand beaches and small fishing villages. Birdwatching opportunities are plentiful here, and an optional traditional Kerala lunch rounds out the experience nicely.
 Overnight: Trivandrum

Day 12: Trivandrum Heritage

Spend the day exploring Kanakakkunnu Palace, browsing the local spice market, and taking in a Kathakali or Mohiniyattam performance, two of Kerala's signature classical dance forms. The handicraft emporium is a good stop for last-minute souvenirs.
 Overnight: Trivandrum

Day 13: Leisure Day

A free day to shape however you like: an Ayurvedic spa session, a cooking class, a cycling tour, or simply more beach time. Close things out with a farewell dinner before the trip wraps up.
 Overnight: Trivandrum

Day 14: Return to Mumbai

Check out and transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for your flight back to Mumbai, carrying two weeks of temples, coastlines and Kerala backwaters with you. Anyone weighing up a proper South India Tour for the first time will find this route hits the right balance of heritage, coast and culture without feeling rushed.

Tour Includes

Return economy flights (Mumbai–Chennai and Trivandrum–Mumbai), 13 nights of accommodation across well-rated hotels, daily breakfast, a private air-conditioned vehicle throughout, a professional English-speaking chauffeur, local guides at major heritage sites where applicable, airport transfers, all tolls, parking, fuel and driver allowances, the Poovar backwater boat ride, and all sightseeing listed in the itinerary.

Tour Excludes

Monument entrance fees, lunches and dinners unless specified, camera or video fees, personal expenses such as laundry, beverages, tips and shopping, optional activities like spa treatments and water sports, travel insurance, applicable taxes, and anything not listed under inclusions.

Cost depends on group size.