Tamil Nadu Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Tamil Nadu tour packages
- What people love about Tamil Nadu Tours
- Travel Tamil Nadu your way
- Best tour companies for Tamil Nadu tours
- Discover Tamil Nadu tours for every budget
- Tamil Nadu tours for every type of group
- Top Tamil Nadu travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Tamil Nadu
- Contact our Tamil Nadu travel experts
- What our customers ask about Tamil Nadu Tours & Trips
The best Tamil Nadu tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaTamil Nadu travel expert at TourRadar
Ancient wonders of Tamil Nadu range from Kanchipuram's thousand temples to Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple. Highlights include Puducherry's Aurobindo Ashram, Thanjavur's Schwartz Church, and Madurai's Meenakshi Temple, with 3-star hotels providing comfortable stays.
Duration 11 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $5,523
68% Off- NZ$1,767You save $3,756
Tamil Nadu's cultural treasures shine from Shore Temple to Meenakshi Temple complex. A 6-night Ayurvedic retreat awaits at Kumbakonam resort, while visits to Thanjavur's Sivaganga Garden and Madurai's ancient temples round out the itinerary.
Duration 14 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Madurai Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Golden Triangle India Tours From $5,437
58% Off- NZ$2,284You save $3,153
Cultural Wonders of Tamil Nadu & the Beaches of Havelock
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was well organized and we not only saw beautiful sights and learned a lot of activities.”
Faimina, traveled in November
Duration 11 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Trichy, Madurai, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mahabalipuram, Havelock Island, Port Blair Age Range 5 to 90 year olds Operator MTA Destination Management Company From
58% Off- NZ$2,986
Classical South India - Tamilnadu And Kerala !
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Kerala is a must in India. It is totally different than other parts of the country.”
Maria, traveled in November
Tamil Nadu's rich heritage unfolds from Chennai's Marina Beach through ancient temples and colonial towns. The UNESCO-listed Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram stands as a coastal sentinel, while Chettinad's unique mansions and Madurai's iconic Meenakshi Temple offer cultural immersion with rickshaw rides through local markets. Rated 4.7/5 from 10+ reviews, featuring excellent accommodations and guides.
Duration 9 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Gangai Konda Cholapuram, Darasuram, Thanjavur, Trichy, Kanadukathan, Madurai, Periyar National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 5 to 95 year olds Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Operator MTA Destination Management Company From $2,348
20% Off- NZ$1,878You save $470
Classic South India Tour with Extension Option Kovalam
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The entire process was well organised, thanks to the professionalism and expertise of the team.”
Amit, traveled in March
Tamil Nadu's spiritual heritage comes alive through iconic temples like Meenakshi in Madurai and UNESCO-listed Brihadeeshwara in Thanjavur. Natural wonders await in Kerala's Periyar Wildlife Reserve and Alleppey's backwater houseboats. Fort Kochi's colonial charm, Kathakali performances, and vibrant spice markets complement stays at select properties like Hotel Mamalla Heritage.
Duration 12 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin) Age Range 5 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator World Travel Experiences From $4,611
65% Off- NZ$1,614You save $2,997
What people love about Tamil Nadu Tours
- Cultural Wonders of Tamil Nadu & the Beaches of Havelock
Me and my wife thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful tour. This is our first experience with this travel agency and we still highly recommend traveling with them. The trip was well organized and we not only saw beautiful sights and learned a lot of activities, we enjoyed getting to know our fantastic. The resort was also beautiful and we did so much enjoy with this tour. Thanks to MTA Team to make my dream come true!!!"
Fantastic alternative tour. Great experience with many emotions. Wonderful guide
Classical South India - Tamilnadu And Kerala !
- Classic South India Tour with Extension Option Kovalam
The agency went over and above to create a tailor-made wildlife trip (and culture) to Karnataka. Agency and driver were very responsive and helpful in every occasion (e.g. when an Indian credit card was only accepted). We are happy to use agency services again in the near future.
Travel Tamil Nadu your way
Our most engaging explorer tour takes you through Tamil Nadu over seven rich days of temples and local life. The route flows nicely from Chennai to Trichy, then Tanjore and Madurai before reaching Kanyakumari. What our travelers really value is how the guides bring temple architecture to life - they're excellent at explaining both the technical details and the cultural meaning behind what you're seeing. The real magic happens in how we mix major sites like Sri Ranganathaswami Temple with quiet moments in small villages. Our customers tell us they love having free time built in; it lets them explore Madurai's old streets or catch that perfect evening light at Kanyakumari Beach.
Our most popular cultural tours run 10-14 days, combining grand temple complexes with genuine village life in Tamil Nadu. The journeys flow smoothly from Chennai through temple cities, visiting Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple, Thanjavur's Brihadeshwara complex and also intimate local experiences along the way. Travelers join morning pujas, learn traditional recipes in family kitchens, and watch skilled artisans craft brass pieces in Kumbakonam's workshops. We've planned the timing carefully so you can experience both sunrise ceremonies and evening rituals at key temples. What makes these tours special is the mix of expert guidance with space to explore - whether wandering through Madurai's centuries-old lanes or catching the sunset at Kanyakumari Beach. Our travelers often tell us how much they value their local guides, who share personal stories about Tamil culture while revealing hidden corners they'd never discover independently. The balanced blend of architectural marvels, village encounters, cooking classes and artistic demonstrations keeps the cultural immersion rich, yet digestible throughout the journey.
Select from our extensive range of 60 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Tamil Nadu with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Tamil Nadu. We have 16 adventures that vary from 3 days to 14 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Best tour companies for Tamil Nadu tours
Both My Tour Advisor and Real Viaggi India Tours handle Tamil Nadu temple tours really well, based on what our travelers tell us. MTA's guides know their stuff inside and out, and they're good at tweaking the schedule when needed - like when a traveler wanted to add Mahabalipuram to their route and they made it happen without any fuss. Real Viaggi brings something similar to the table with their South India Temple Tour. Their drivers don't just get you from A to B - they actually know quite a bit about the temples and share interesting details along the way. They've got comfortable vehicles and the whole operation runs smoothly, which matters a lot when you're traveling between multiple temples in Tamil Nadu. What comes through in all the feedback is how both companies have nailed the basics while adding those extra touches that make a temple tour work well. They're flexible with timing, knowledgeable about the sites and really focused on making sure everything runs according to plan.
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Discover Tamil Nadu tours for every budget
Tamil Nadu's budget temple tours deliver great cultural experiences without the high costs. The popular 7-day route from Chennai's Marina Beach covers the main temple cities, includes comfortable local hotels and daily breakfast. Our travelers really like that they can add extras as they go - maybe catch a cultural show in Kanyakumari or join a local food walk in Madurai. The 10-day combined Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour is another solid choice, where our drivers know exactly when to visit each site to dodge the crowds. You'll see the big names like Sri Ranganathaswami Temple and Meenakshi Temple, while smart planning and local know-how keep the prices reasonable.
Our luxury Tamil Nadu tours blend heritage hotels with exclusive cultural access. The 10-day Chennai journey includes private evening temple visits, cooking lessons in historic mansions and meetings with local artists. Our expert guides make all the difference at places like Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple and the Brihadeshwara complex in Thanjavur, explaining the fascinating historical details. The 14-day wellness tour is particularly special, mixing temple visits with private Ayurvedic treatments and yoga in Kumbakonam. You'll stay in beautifully restored colonial mansions and boutique resorts that combine traditional architecture with modern comforts.
Tamil Nadu budget tours
Tamil Nadu tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
27 tours in Tamil NaduExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Tamil Nadu. We have 27 adventures that vary from 4 days to 16 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
56 tours in Tamil NaduThese small-group Tamil Nadu tours blend cultural experiences with a relaxed pace that works well for most travelers. The 10-day Chennai route shows off the state's richness, moving from Marina Beach through ancient temple towns and craft villages. Our guides excel at bringing temple architecture to life, especially at Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple and, of course, the magnificent Brihadeshwara complex in Thanjavur. For deeper local connections, the 12-day southern journey includes home cooking classes, visits to bronze workshops and, participation in morning temple ceremonies. Nature lovers often choose our 15-day coast-to-coast option, which combines cultural sites with time in the Western Ghats exploring tea estates and walking through fragrant spice gardens. The intimate group size lets us make impromptu stops at village markets and adjust our timing at temples based on group interests. Our 7-day temple circuit keeps numbers small, giving guests plenty of time to absorb the architectural details and mythological stories, with expert guides who tailor the experience to each group's pace.
Private / Personalized
50 tours in Tamil NaduPrivate tours give you the freedom to explore Tamil Nadu at your own pace. The 7-day Temple Run is a customer favorite - our guides adjust the schedule to match your interests and often arrange special access to morning rituals and evening ceremonies. The Classical South India tour lets you take it slow, with time to discover hidden gems like artisan workshops in Chettinadu and village temples off the usual route. Having your own car and driver means you can spend more time at places that catch your interest and move on when you're ready.
Top Tamil Nadu travel itineraries to fit your plans
Tamil Nadu's popular 3-day tours each offer something distinct. You can pair Madurai's Meenakshi Temple, with its detailed carved gopurams, with a visit to Rameshwaram - there's time for temple rituals and quiet moments at Dhanushkodi Beach. Up in the Nilgiris, you'll catch the mountain railway to Coonoor, wander through Sim's Park gardens and get some great views from Doddabetta Peak. The Coimbatore option mixes visits to Marudamalai temple with peaceful yoga sessions at Isha Centre and also local market walks.
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Our week-long Tamil Nadu routes really let you dig deeper, with three styles that suit different interests. The Chennai-Trichy-Kanyakumari temple route works well because our guides explain both the architecture and cultural significance - especially at places like Sri Ranganathaswamy and Brihadeeswarar temples. For culture buffs, the Mahabalipuram-Madurai journey includes walking through Pondicherry's French Quarter and trying street food in Madurai's evening markets. Those seeking spiritual connections often choose the Chennai-Tiruvannamalai route, which includes meditation time at Ramana Maharshi Ashram and evening ceremonies at Arunachaleswarar Temple.
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With 10 days, you can really get into Tamil Nadu's pace and rhythms. Our most popular route takes you from Chennai's city buzz through Kanchipuram's silk workshops and Mahabalipuram's coastal temples before heading to Chettinad's grand mansions. There's time to join morning pujas, learn local cooking in family homes and watch bronze craftsmen at work. What makes it special is how we mix guided activities with free time - you can browse markets, chat with locals or just watch daily life unfold.
Demographics
Tamil Nadu works really well for solo travel, with tours that give you both structure and freedom to explore. Our travelers love having scheduled activities but also free time to discover temple towns like Madurai and Thanjavur at their own pace. The combined Tamil Nadu-Kerala routes are especially good for solo guests - you get the social aspects of small group activities while enjoying peaceful moments on backwater houseboats. Our drivers and guides help make everything smoother, from navigating local customs to finding authentic restaurants and making connections with local artists.
Our heritage-focused Tamil Nadu routes hit the right notes for couples looking for culture with a dash of romance. You'll find lovely evening spots in Pondicherry's French Quarter and along Chettinad's mansion-lined streets. The schedule includes nice private moments - catching the sunset at Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple or taking an early morning boat ride on Periyar Lake. Couples particularly like our tours with stays in converted heritage properties and colonial houses, which offer character-filled comfort after full days of exploration.
Our more active Tamil Nadu trips really click with young adults, mixing cultural sites with outdoor experiences. You'll move from temples to hiking trails in the Nilgiri Hills, cycle through village backroads and join food tours through Madurai's night markets. The guides know all the timing tricks to dodge crowds at popular spots, plus they're full of ideas for evening activities - from dance shows to finding the best regional dishes. These tours keep things interesting: one day might start with temples at sunrise and wrap up with martial arts training or cooking with locals.
Our senior travelers appreciate how our Tamil Nadu tours take time to properly explore each stop. We've worked in comfortable transport between sites, well-located hotels and regular breaks during temple visits. The guides pay careful attention to mobility needs while making sure everyone can fully experience the culture - whether it's watching Thanjavur's artists at work or joining evening temple ceremonies. Adding stops in cooler hill stations like Ooty provides welcome relief, and flexible activity options let each person join what matches their comfort and interest level.
Families really connect with our longer Tamil Nadu tours that run 11-14 days - they give everyone time to settle into the rhythm. Parents tell us the pace works perfectly, with activities that keep kids interested: they can try traditional dance in Kochi, watch martial arts in Periyar and jump into cooking classes that even picky eaters enjoy. The temple visits are nicely broken up with nature spots - the elephant watching at Periyar Lake and peaceful houseboat time in Alleppey's backwaters are always highlights. Our guides are great at reading the room, mixing temple visits with local markets, street food stops and village encounters that keep the whole family engaged.
- Solo Travelers63 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples7 tours
- Seniors (50+)16 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Tamil Nadu
- Summer 2025
Summer touring needs smart planning in Tamil Nadu, which is why we time activities carefully and include plenty of indoor stops. One popular route starts with early temple visits and moves to afternoon cultural activities in air-conditioned heritage buildings. Hill stations like Ooty make a great summer base - the elevation keeps things comfortable. Our coastal route balances seaside spots with cultural sites, making good use of those ocean breezes in Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram. Art lovers choose our fourth option, which focuses on museums and galleries during peak heat hours. The fifth choice cleverly combines temple visits with indoor cooking classes and craft demonstrations to keep cool while staying engaged.
- 58 tours
- popular 61 tours
- 61 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn brings just the right weather for exploring Tamil Nadu's temples - not too hot and nice clear skies. Our main route takes advantage with longer outdoor visits and evening performances. The harvest season makes our village walks especially interesting, with great photo opportunities of countryside activities. Cycling between cultural sites works well in autumn's cooler temperatures. Mountain views are particularly clear this time of year, perfect for combining Nilgiri visits with cultural exploration. Our fifth route takes things slow through the temple cities, giving you time to interact with locals as they prepare for festival season.
- popular 62 tours
- 62 tours
- 61 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter in Tamil Nadu really shows off the state's cultural side, especially from December through February when the weather cooperates perfectly. Our signature 10-day route from Chennai hits all the major temples in comfortable temperatures. January brings something special - the Pongal festival, and our travelers tell us they love getting involved in authentic village harvest celebrations. The heritage architecture tours work particularly well in winter too, with great light conditions for photographing places like Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple and the Brihadeshwara complex in Thanjavur. The mild winter climate makes Kumbakonam ideal for outdoor yoga combined with temple visits. Many guests choose our cultural immersion route through Chettinad, where they can join artisan workshops and cooking classes using winter's fresh ingredients. For those who prefer a slower pace, our temple cities tour lets you take part in morning rituals and evening ceremonies when the atmosphere feels just right.
- popular 61 tours
- 59 tours
- 59 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring tours make the most of Tamil Nadu's cultural sites and natural areas as the mercury starts climbing. Our travelers particularly like combining morning temple visits with afternoon trips to the coast near Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry, where you get nice sea breezes. The Western Ghats route works well too - you'll see tea plantations and spice gardens coming into bloom. Photography enthusiasts often pick our third option, which schedules extra time at carved temples when the light really shows off those intricate details. Our village-focused route lets you see local life up close as communities start preparing their fields. For active folks, we've got a great mix of temple visits and nature walks when wildlife is most visible.
- popular 58 tours
- 53 tours
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Contact our Tamil Nadu travel experts
Nadine
Expert in Tamil Nadu at TourRadar
Nadine is one of our seasoned Tamil Nadu Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Tamil Nadu tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Tamil Nadu Tours & Trips
How can I explore Tamil Nadu's famous temple routes?
Tamil Nadu's got some amazing temple circuits you'll love exploring. The Madurai-Rameshwaram-Thanjavur route is really popular and shows off incredible architecture and spiritual significance. You can actually experience this on a 7-day budget-friendly temple tour where you'll get to see the stunning Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai and the sacred Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram. If you're interested in different architectural styles there's also a great circuit connecting Chennai Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram which you can explore through the South India Ayurveda Tour.
Where can I find natural escapes in Tamil Nadu and how do I get there?
When you need a break from the cities you've got some beautiful options like Ooty and Kodaikanal in the Nilgiris. These hill stations are perfect for cooling off and exploring lush landscapes with great trekking opportunities. You can drive there or take the really special UNESCO Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway - there's actually a dedicated Ooty and Coonoor Discovery Tour that covers this. If you're into wildlife Periyar National Park in the Western Ghats is fantastic you can take a jeep safari to spot elephants and other amazing wildlife. The Classical South India tour includes this park in its itinerary.
What local foods should I try in Tamil Nadu and where's the best place to find them?
You've got to try Chettinad cuisine it's known for these incredibly spicy flavors and unique spice blends. The Chettinad Chicken and Fish Curry are must-tries and you'll find them all over the Chettinad region - the Coast to Coast Cycling tour actually stops in Karaikudi where you can taste authentic versions. Madurai's another food heaven especially for street food and you've got to try their famous Jigarthanda a really refreshing milk drink. The Temple Run 7-day tour includes a special Madurai food tour where you can sample all these local specialties.