From
$8,276
NZ $2,483 per person

Best of South India Tour

13 days
From Chennai (Madras) to Kochi (Cochin)
4.5
27 traveler reviews
From
$8,276
-70%
NZ $2,483 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

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2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
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
  • Discover the French charm of Pondicherry's streets
  • Visit the majestic Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
  • Experience bamboo rafting in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Relax on a houseboat journey through Alleppey backwaters

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Day 1 Arrival at Chennai
  2. Day 2 At Chennai
  3. Day 3 Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (170 Kms / 3.30 Hrs)
  4. Day 4 At Puducherry
  5. Day 5 Puducherry - Thanjavur (165 Kms / 4 Hrs)
  6. Day 6 Thanjavur - Trichy - Madurai (200 Kms / 4 Hrs)
  7. Day 7 At Madurai
  8. Day 8 Madurai - Periyar/Thekkady (147 Kms / 4 Hrs)
  9. Day 9 At Periyar/Thekkady
  10. Day 10 Periyar/Thekkady - Kumarakom (140 Kms / 4 Hrs)
  11. Day 11 Kumarakom - Alleppey (32 Kms / 1 Hrs)
  12. Day 12 Alleppey - Kochi (60 Kms / 1.30 Hrs)
  13. Day 13 Departure from Kochi
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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
(529 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
    4.6
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.5
  • 4.6
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • WK
    · September 12th, 2025
    I loved every moment of this tour itinerary was well-planned, offering a great combination of sightseeing. Guides were fantastic and gave us so much insight into the local history and culture. Our driver made sure we were always on time and safe, especially during the drives. Houseboat experience in Alleppey was the perfect. I would definitely recommend this tour to to explore South India.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Wai Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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
  • LF
    · September 12th, 2025
    This was my first trip to South India, and it was everything I hoped for. The backwaters of Kumarakom were beautiful, and the houseboat ride in Alleppey was something I’ll never forget. Highly recommend!
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Lukas, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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
  • VP
    · August 28th, 2025
    I had a truly unforgettable experience on this tour. The temples, the backwaters, and everything in between each place had its own unique charm. The guides were excellent and provided great historical for every stop. The hotels were all comfortable, with most offering delicious local food. Our driver was fantastic always making sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. I particularly enjoyed the day in Kumarakom, exploring the bird sanctuary and the peaceful backwaters. The houseboat in Alleppey was just perfect for unwinding after days of sightseeing. I would absolutely recommend this tour.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Victoria, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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
  • NC
    · August 28th, 2025
    South India tour was fantastic we saw so many incredible places, and the guides were wonderful particularly in places like Madurai, where we got to learn all about the Meenakshi Temple. The hotels were comfortable and the food was great at each stop. The driver was excellent. I really appreciated the downtime in Pondicherry to explore on my own. And the houseboat experience in Alleppey was unforgettable. It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip. Definitely worth every penny.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Nora, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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
  • ZB
    · August 16th, 2025
    This South India tour was fantastic from start to finish. We saw so many incredible places, and the guides were wonderful particularly in places like Madurai, where we got to learn all about the Meenakshi Temple. The hotels were comfortable. The driver was excellent, and I felt completely at ease during the drives. I really appreciated houseboat experience in Alleppey was unforgettable. It was the perfect way to wrap up the trip. Definitely worth every penny.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Zoe, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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
  • CP
    · August 16th, 2025
    What a wonderful tour. I loved every part of it, from the bustling streets of Chennai to the peaceful backwaters of Kerala. The guides were knowledgeable and always happy to share insights about the places we visited, like the Rock Fort Temple in Trichy and the famous temples in Madurai. The hotels were good. Good driver during the tour. The houseboat cruise in Alleppey was beautiful part of the trip. Highly recommend this to anyone interested in Indian.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Carter, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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: June 2025
  • WD
    · August 11th, 2025
    It was my first trip to India and it will be amazing, we learn many things about the History and Culture of India. Good services by the tour operator.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Winnie, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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: June 2025
  • AS
    · August 11th, 2025
    I couldn’t be happier with how this tour turned out. The guides were very professional and offered a lot of insight into the local history and culture. I loved visiting the famous temples like Meenakshi in Madurai and the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. The hotels were comfortable, with nice rooms. The driver was very helpful, ensuring we were always on schedule. The day spent cruising the backwaters in Kumarakom was amazing, and I’ll never forget the houseboat experience in Alleppey. This trip gave me a perfect view of South India.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Amelia, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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: June 2025
  • JR
    · August 11th, 2025
    This was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. South India history and culture just fascinating. Every stop offered something new whether it was the ancient temples in Chennai or the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. The hotels were all quite comfortable. Our driver Murli was excellent, ensuring we were comfortable throughout the drives. I particularly enjoyed the free time in places like Pondicherry, where I could explore at my own pace. The houseboat ride in Alleppey was definitely the highlight, a relaxing end to a wonderful trip.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear James, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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: June 2025
  • AH
    · August 7th, 2025
    This South India tour and temples visit were absolutely breathtaking, especially in Madurai, and the guides made everything so interesting. The hotels were all well. The driver was always on time and kept us safe throughout the trip. I loved having free time in places like Pondicherry to explore on my own. The backwaters in Kumarakom were beautiful, and the houseboat ride in Alleppey was unique experience.
    Show more
    Panda Experiences commented on this review
    Dear Addison, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Best of 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: May 2025

Dates & Availability

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2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
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  • -70%
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    English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian +7 more
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    -70%
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    From:
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    NZ $2,483 per person
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    To Thursday
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    From:
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From
$8,276
-70%
NZ $2,483 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 214322

  • 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 19th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 19th, 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.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec