Thirteen days is what South India needs if you want the whole arc — the Coromandel coast, the Chola temple country, the great temple city of Madurai, the Western Ghats, the Kerala backwaters and the Arabian Sea. This route runs it in one direction, north-east to south-west, starting at Chennai and finishing at Kovalam forty minutes from Trivandrum airport. Four UNESCO World Heritage sites, two states, and no road driven twice. Inter-state permits are included. This is our most complete South India itinerary and the one we recommend most often to visitors coming from outside India for the first time.
Met at Chennai airport. Fort St George, the first English fortress in India, the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore, and Marina Beach in the evening. Overnight in Chennai.
Ninety minutes south along the East Coast Road. The whole town is a UNESCO site — the Shore Temple against the Bay of Bengal, the Five Rathas each carved from a single boulder, and Arjuna’s Penance, one of the largest rock reliefs in the world. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Two hours down the coast. The French quarter in the afternoon, Auroville and the Matrimandir, and the seafront promenade in the evening when it closes to traffic. Overnight in Pondicherry.
About four hours inland. The Brihadeeswarar temple was completed around 1010 CE and its vimana is among the tallest in the world — a UNESCO site and one that does not photograph. Overnight in Thanjavur.
The Royal Palace and Saraswathi Mahal Library in the morning, then three and a half hours south to Madurai, arriving for the afternoon reopening of the Meenakshi Amman temple and the evening aarti. Overnight in Madurai.
Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and a second temple visit at a quieter hour. Overnight in Madurai.
Four hours west into the Cardamom Hills and across into Kerala. Afternoon spice plantation walk. Overnight in Thekkady.
The 7am boat on Periyar Lake, then three hours north through cardamom into tea country. Overnight in Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and the Tea Museum, or an estate walk instead. Eravikulam closes for roughly February and March. Overnight in Munnar.
Four and a half hours down to the water. Board a private houseboat at midday, cruise Vembanad Lake and the canals, moor by 5:30pm. Overnight on the houseboat.
Disembark after breakfast, then four hours south along the coast. Check in at a beachfront hotel and walk the three beaches — Lighthouse, Hawa and Samudra — at sunset. Overnight in Kovalam.
Nothing scheduled. Optionally a half-day into Trivandrum for the Padmanabhaswamy temple and Napier Museum, or an Ayurvedic treatment, or neither. Overnight in Kovalam.
Forty minutes to Trivandrum airport. Ending at Kovalam rather than driving back north saves an entire day.
The South India Explorer tour stands out because it combines a perfect mix of hill stations, wildlife, ancient temples and relaxing beach destinations, offering a well-balanced experience across two culturally rich states. Unlike shorter regional programs, this itinerary moves at a comfortable pace, giving travelers ample time to enjoy Munnar’s landscapes, Thekkady’s wildlife, Madurai’s spiritual charm, Rameswaram’s coastal history and Kovalam’s beaches while benefiting from Troper Tours’ personalized service and curated planning expertise.
Yes, this itinerary is thoughtfully designed for families, senior citizens and first-time visitors to South India. The driving durations are well-managed, hotels are selected for comfort and accessibility, and sightseeing includes a mix of light activities and relaxed exploration. Troper Tours also provides experienced drivers, 24/7 support, and flexible adjustments during the journey to ensure every traveller, regardless of age, feels safe, supported and engaged throughout the tour.
Most activities involve light walking around heritage sites, viewpoints and temples, making it manageable for travellers of most fitness levels. Wildlife safaris, tea gardens and beaches include optional walks that can be skipped if preferred. Troper Tours ensures the pace remains comfortable, with adequate breaks, accessible sightseeing options and vehicle support always close by. If guests have mobility needs, the itinerary can be customized further for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Absolutely. This itinerary can be upgraded with luxury resorts in Munnar, Thekkady and Kovalam, private houseboats in Alleppey (if added), premium vehicle options, romantic experiences and personalized sightseeing. Honeymooners can enjoy candlelight dinners, spa sessions and scenic photo stops, while luxury travellers can choose boutique heritage stays and curated cultural tours. Troper Tours specializes in tailoring Kerala and Tamil Nadu journeys to match comfort, preferences and travel style perfectly.
The ideal seasons for this itinerary are October–March when the weather is pleasant across both states, offering misty hill station mornings and comfortable coastal evenings. However, April–September still works well for travellers who enjoy quieter destinations, refreshing monsoon landscapes and lower hotel rates. Troper Tours helps you pick the best travel window depending on your expectations — whether you prefer vibrant festivals, clear skies, or off-season serenity.
Chennai (MAA) in and Trivandrum (TRV) out. Booked as a single multi-city ticket this usually prices close to a standard return, and it saves what would otherwise be a fifteen-hour drive back up the coast. Both handle international traffic.
Four: Mahabalipuram’s monuments, the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur, and — if you take the optional extensions we can add — Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, which together with Thanjavur form a single Great Living Chola Temples inscription. Ask us if the Chola sites matter to you and we will build in the extra day.
Eleven of the twelve drives are between ninety minutes and four hours, and there are three places where you stay two nights. It is a moving itinerary by design — this is the route for seeing South India rather than settling in one part of it. If you would rather slow down, our Kerala Deep Dive does twelve days in one state.
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Our prices vary based on season, dates, group size and custom add‑ons. Every quote is tailored for your exact travel plan.
This page shows a sample itinerary to give you a clear idea of the route, inclusions and timings. Every itinerary is fully customisable to match your dates, hotel preferences and interests. Once you share your travel details we will prepare a personalised itinerary and an itemised quote.
Amazing service. Communication excellent both before and during holiday.
All hotels excellent.
Sree, our driver absolutely superb.
Our 10 day tour around Kerala was perfect.
Our 5-day Kerala trip with Troper Tours was a lovely experience from the moment we arrived until the final day. My friend and I travelled from the UK and everything was organised smoothly, which made the journey comfortable and easy. We enjoyed the changing scenery, local food, tea hills, backwaters and the relaxed pace of the trip. One of our favourite moments was reaching Munnar, where we could enjoy the cool weather, plantations and peaceful mountain views. The vehicle was comfortable, our driver was punctual and helpful, and the team was always easy to contact whenever we needed anything. What we appreciated most was that the trip never felt rushed or overly planned. We had enough time to enjoy Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Trivandrum properly. Troper Tours took good care of us throughout the five days. A memorable Kerala holiday, and we would happily recommend them to other travellers visiting from the UK.
Our 6-day Kerala trip with Troper Tours was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. My brother and I travelled from Australia and everything was arranged very smoothly, which made the journey comfortable and stress free. We enjoyed the changing scenery, local food, backwaters and the relaxed pace of the trip. One of our favourite moments was the houseboat experience, where we could simply sit together, enjoy a nice meal and watch the peaceful water and village life around us. The vehicle was comfortable, our driver was punctual and helpful, and the team was always easy to contact whenever we needed anything. What we appreciated most was that the trip never felt rushed or overly planned. We had enough time to enjoy each place properly. Troper Tours took very good care of us throughout the six days. A memorable Kerala holiday, and we would happily recommend them to other travellers coming from Australia.