From
$8,137
NZ $2,848 per person

Classic South India

15 days
From Chennai (Madras) to Thiruvananthapuram
4.5
32 traveler reviews
From
$8,137
-65%
NZ $2,848 per person
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $1,424 now + easy payments of $68 Learn More

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Plan your adventure:
In-depth Cultural
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Guided in English
Other languages on offer: German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian
All Ages Welcome
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Explore Marina Beach and historic temples in Chennai
  • Visit the sacred city of Kanchipuram and its temples
  • Discover the French charm of Pondicherry and its beaches
  • Experience bamboo rafting in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Cruise the backwaters of Alleppey on a houseboat

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Day 1 Arrival at Chennai
  2. Day 2 At Chennai
  3. Day 3 Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (140 Kms / 3.30 Hrs)
  4. Day 4 Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (110 Km / 2 Hrs)
  5. Day 5 Pondicherry - Tiruchirappalli - Madurai (354 Kms / 5.30 Hrs)
  6. Day 6 At Madurai
  7. Day 7 Madurai - Periyar (147 Kms / 4 Hrs)
  8. Day 8 At Periyar
  9. Day 9 Periyar - Munnar (98 Kms / 3.30 Hrs)
  10. Day 10 At Munnar
  11. Day 11 Munnar - Cochin (130 Kms / 4 Hrs)
  12. Day 12 Cochin - Alleppey (53 Kms / 1.30 Hrs)
  13. Day 13 Alleppey - Trivandrum - Kovalam (159 Kms / 4.30 Hrs)
  14. Day 14 Kovalam - Kanyakumari - Kovalam (90 Kms / 2.30 Hrs)
  15. Day 15 Kovalam - Trivandrum (18 Kms / 30 Mins) and Departure
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Insurance
  • Additional Services
4.6
(555 reviews)

Number of tours

156

Age Range

1 to 80 years old

Response time

9 hours

Response rate

100%

About Us - Panda Experiences: Your Journey, Your Way Welcome to Panda...

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Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.4
  • 4.6
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • MR
    · September 16th, 2025
    We were impressed by how seamless everything was from start to finish. Each destination felt unique especially Mahabalipuram and Madurai, where the guides were truly exceptional. Our driver was always ready with water bottles and knew the best places for tea breaks. The hotel in Kovalam had a lovely sea view, and the one in Chennai was clean and centrally located. Great value for money.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Maryam, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India Tour. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to... Show more
    Trip date: August 2025
  • SB
    · September 16th, 2025
    We chose this trip for its nature and heritage, and it really hit the mark. The guide in Mahabalipuram was a standout he explained the rock-cut temples with such passion. The hotel in Periyar was in the forest and gave us a real jungle feel. Our driver was more than a driver he helped with translations. Worth it trip.
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    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Salang, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India Tour. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to... Show more
    Trip date: August 2025
  • JH
    · September 5th, 2025
    Culturally amazing trip. Our driver was always calm, even in crazy traffic, and very courteous.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Johannes, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India Tour. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to... Show more
    Trip date: July 2025
  • CC
    · September 5th, 2025
    We did this tour as a family of four and were impressed by how smoothly everything went. The kids loved the houseboat in Alleppey, and we adults enjoyed the temple architecture and heritage talks. The guides were excellent with our children. Most hotels had family-friendly rooms. The driver was friendly and flexible, often stopping for snacks or photo breaks without complaint.
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    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Carolyn, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India Tour. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to... Show more
    Trip date: March 2025
  • AT
    · August 16th, 2025
    As an older couple, we appreciated how balanced this tour was. We had sightseeing and cultural immersion. The guides took time to explain things clearly and answer our questions. Hotels were comfortable and had good accessibility. The driver, Ravi, was wonderful he drove carefully and helped my wife with steps and bags. We felt well taken care of throughout.
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    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Aria, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to welcoming... Show more
    Trip date: July 2025
  • MJ
    · August 16th, 2025
    This itinerary covered so many key spots in a short time. We never felt rushed, which was surprising. The guides weren’t just full of facts they were engaging. The hotel staff, especially in Munnar and Cochin, were very friendly and helpful. Our driver David taken care. Smooth and good experience.
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    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Mason, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to welcoming... Show more
    Trip date: July 2025
  • LB
    · August 8th, 2025
    Our tour covered so many key spots in a short time. We never felt rushed, which was surprising. The guides weren’t just full of facts they were engaging. The hotel staff, especially in Munnar and Cochin, were very friendly and helpful. Our driver David made sure our bags were taken care of and always kept the vehicle spotless. Smooth experience in South India.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Leo, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to welcoming... Show more
    Trip date: June 2025
  • NY
    · August 8th, 2025
    Every day had something new. Our guides provide many insights about the South India. Lots of many destinations during the trip. Alleppey had an amazing canal view. The only downside was a noisy room in Trichy. But our driver was great for the trip.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Natalie, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to... Show more
    Trip date: June 2025
  • JR
    · August 8th, 2025
    It was worth every day. Madurai temple was amazing experience. In Periyar, we saw wild elephants on a nature walk! Our driver was like a silent guardian polite, steady, and very organized. Some hotels could have had better Wi-Fi, but overall the stays were good but upgrade is required for more comfort stay.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Jacob, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to welcoming... Show more
    Trip date: May 2025
  • JC
    · August 3rd, 2025
    It was a good trip through two states with such different vibes. Tamil Nadu was intense and full of sacred energy, while Kerala was calmer, greener. The local guides were passionate about their regions, which made a big difference. The hotels had a local flavor not luxury, but that’s part of the charm, upgrade your hotels for more comfort. Our driver, John, was steady and reliable, especially on hilly roads.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Joshua, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Classic South India. We truly appreciate your insights, as they are valuable in helping us improve our services. Your experience matters to us, and we look forward to welcoming... Show more
    Trip date: May 2025

Dates & Availability

15 days
Classic South India
From Chennai (Madras) to Thiruvananthapuram

Why book with TourRadar?

    • Trusted and vetted operators
    • Rated excellent on
    • Best price guarantee
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $50 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

    To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

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Upcoming departures
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Ends on 30 Sep, 2025
  • -65%
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    13 Oct, 2025
    English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian +7 more
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    To Friday
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    From:
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    From:
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    -65%
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    5 Oct, 2025
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    19 Oct, 2025
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    From:
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    From:
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    NZ $2,848 per person
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    -65%
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    7 Oct, 2025
    To Tuesday
    21 Oct, 2025
    English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian +7 more
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    From:
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    NZ $2,848 per person
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  • Instant Confirmation
    -65%
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    To Wednesday
    22 Oct, 2025
    English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian +7 more
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $8,137
    NZ $2,848 per person
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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • G

    Gerardus

    Asked on March 26th, 2025

    What are the different accommodation standards available for the tour?

    Accommodation
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten March 2025

      The tour offers several accommodation standards, including 3-star hotels at EUR 3270 per person, 4-star hotels at EUR 4590 per person, and 5-star hotels at EUR 6775 per person.

  • O

    Omar

    Asked on December 15th, 2024

    What is the group size for the Classic South India tour?

    Group size
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten December 2024

      Please inquire directly with the tour provider for details on the maximum group size for this tour.

  • A

    Antonia

    Asked on November 8th, 2024

    Are there any mandatory meals included in the tour price?

    Meals
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten November 2024

      Yes, there are two mandatory dinners during the tour, specifically for Christmas and New Year, but their prices are not included in the quoted tour price.

  • A

    Anivar

    Asked on October 5th, 2024

    Can you provide post-tour accommodation?

    Accommodation
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten October 2024

      Post-tour accommodation can be arranged upon request. Please provide your specific needs for a quote.

  • E

    Erik

    Asked on August 6th, 2024

    Are there any restrictions on age for participants in the tour?

    Age Range
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten August 2024

      The tour may have age restrictions in place. It is recommended to consult with the tour provider for specific age-related guidelines.

  • S

    Said

    Asked on July 13th, 2024

    Can I book flights through the tour operator?

    Flights / Transfers
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten July 2024

      Yes, the tour operator can arrange flights from Frankfurt to Goa, Goa to Trivandrum, Chennai to New Delhi, and New Delhi to Frankfurt. The total cost for these flights is approximately EUR 1590 per person.

  • M

    Melany

    Asked on June 7th, 2024

    Is travel insurance included in the Classic South India tour?

    Travel Support
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten June 2024

      Travel insurance is not typically included in the tour price. It is advised that you acquire separate travel insurance for your trip.

  • L

    Leticia

    Asked on May 19th, 2024

    Can I modify the tour itinerary?

    Tour Details
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten May 2024

      Tour itinerary modifications can be discussed with the operator. Additional fees might apply depending on the changes requested.

  • R

    Rosa

    Asked on February 8th, 2024

    How much does it cost to hire a German-speaking guide for the tour?

    Price / Availability
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten February 2024

      You can opt for a German-speaking guide, either at specific locations or as an escort throughout the entire trip. Please specify your requirement for more precise pricing.

  • E

    Evelyn

    Asked on December 23rd, 2023

    Does the Classic South India tour include airport transfers?

    Flights / Transfers
    • Panda ExperiencesOperatorWritten December 2023

      Yes, airport transfers are included in the Classic South India tour. Please provide your flight details for accurate scheduling.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Panda Experiences with your enquiry, they usually respond within 9 hours.
From
$8,137
-65%
NZ $2,848 per person
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $1,424 now + easy payments of $68 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 133806

  • Currency
    Indian Rupee
    India
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Cholera - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for India. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for India. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for India. Ideally 1 month before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before November 30th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 30th, 2025, a minimum payment of 50% is required to confirm your booking with Panda Experiences. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Panda Experiences will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Panda Experiences" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.