Southern India Tours from Chennai (Madras)
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10 best Southern India tours from Chennai (Madras)
Compiled by
MelissaChennai (Madras) travel expert at TourRadar
- Classic South India
- Best of South India Tour
- Spiritual Tamilnadu with Enchanting Kerala
- Exploring The Cultural Riches And Natural Beauty Of South India
- Premium South India (14 destinations)
- Exclusive Culinary Tour of South India - ( 15 Days & 14 Nights )
- South India Tour with Goa & Periyar WildLife Sanctuaries All inclusive
- Spotlight on South India - Tamilnadu, Kerala & Karnataka
- 3-Day Private Tour: Chennai, Mahabalipuram, and Pondicherry
- WONDERFUL SOUTH INDIA TOUR With Kerala
Classic South India
33 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Each destination felt unique especially Mahabalipuram and Madurai. The hotel in Kovalam had a lovely sea view.”
Maryam, traveled in August
A 1,200km route from Chennai's Marina Beach winds through 15 cities to Thiruvananthapuram. Highlights include Kanchipuram's thousand temples, historic Pondicherry, and Kerala's backwaters via comfortable AC transport, with stays in 3-star hotels and traditional houseboats.
Duration 15 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Munnar, Eravikulam National ParkSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Panda Experiences From $8,249
65% Off- NZ$2,887You save $5,362
Best of South India Tour
30 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was my first trip to India and it will be amazing, we learn many things about the History and Culture of India.”
Winnie, traveled in June
The path stretches from Chennai's Marina Beach, covering 970km through Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Highlights include Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple, Madurai's Meenakshi Temple, and ends in Kochi after experiencing Alleppey's backwaters.
Duration 13 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Thekkady, Kumarakom, AlleppeySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Panda Experiences From $8,579
70% Off- NZ$2,574You save $6,005
Spiritual Tamilnadu with Enchanting Kerala
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Hotels, some chosen by us, were all booked by the company making the tour very easy. Excellent service and would certainly recommend for bespoke tours.”
Kriszta, traveled in December
Chennai's cultural hub marks the starting point, leading through Tamil Nadu's temple cities to Kerala's verdant landscapes, concluding in historic Kochi. The 950km journey across South India showcases UNESCO sites and natural wonders over 14 memorable days.
Duration 14 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Munnar, Kumarakom, AlleppeySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator GeTS Holidays From $9,908
70% Off- NZ$2,972You save $6,935
Exploring The Cultural Riches And Natural Beauty Of South India
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We shared in the rich Indian culture, cuisine and remarkable architecture that has stood the test of time.”
Benim, traveled in October
Duration 10 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Chidambaram, Madurai, Thekkady, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin) Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator Vijay India Tours From
70% Off- NZ$1,570
Duration 13 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Puducherry, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Munnar, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin) Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Premium From $5,585
15% Off- NZ$4,747You save $838
Exclusive Culinary Tour of South India - ( 15 Days & 14 Nights )
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Very professional travel company, they did amazing job during this Corona crisis.”
Shefali, traveled in February
A rich cultural tapestry unfolds from Chennai's Fort St. George, through Mahabalipuram's UNESCO sites and Pondicherry's French Quarter via air-conditioned vehicles. The route winds through Tamil Nadu's temple cities before reaching Kochi's historic harbor.
Duration 15 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin) Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Ghum India Ghum From
15% Off- NZ$2,180
South India Tour with Goa & Periyar WildLife Sanctuaries All inclusive
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour offers a variety of attractions and activities that will leave you wanting more.”
Greek, traveled in November
Chennai's Kapaleeshwar Temple marks the starting point, leading to Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple and Kerala's backwaters. A domestic flight from Cochin takes visitors to the final destination in Goa, covering 11 cities over 12 days.
Duration 12 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar National Park, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin)See all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Real viaggi india From $6,976
50% Off- NZ$3,488You save $3,488
Spotlight on South India - Tamilnadu, Kerala & Karnataka
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“India always surprises with its colors and smells. Wonderful places and hotels, every night a different one, more and more beautiful.”
monicagirelli, traveled in April
Private AC vehicles transport visitors from Chennai's Marina Beach through Tamil Nadu. UNESCO's Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram and French Quarter in Pondicherry highlight the route to Bangalore, guided by local experts.
Duration 13 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Gangai Konda Cholapuram, Darasuram, Thanjavur, Trichy, Kanadukathan, Madurai, Periyar National ParkSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator MTA Destination Management Company From $4,250
30% Off- NZ$2,975You save $1,275
3-Day Private Tour: Chennai, Mahabalipuram, and Pondicherry
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Chennai's vibrant streets and temples, Mahabalipuram's ancient monuments, and Pondicherry's charming French Quarter were all highlights.”
Noel, traveled in October
The coastal route from Chennai's Marina Beach to Pondicherry's French Quarter winds along East Coast Road. This 160km shoreline adventure includes stops at Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple, with private AC transportation throughout the 3-day trip.
Duration 3 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Mahabalipuram, Puducherry Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Real viaggi india From
30% Off- NZ$2,093
WONDERFUL SOUTH INDIA TOUR With Kerala
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I had an itinerary in mind, but Krishna changed the itinerary and executed all the arrangements for the trip.”
Melesa, traveled in January
The trail starts at Chennai's Parthasarathy Temple, flowing through Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple and Pondicherry's French Quarter. A 500km route leads to Kochi, taking in Kerala's backwaters and ending at Chinese Fishing Nets.
Duration 9 days Destinations Chennai (Madras), Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Munnar, Alleppey, Kochi (Cochin) Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Operator Real viaggi india From $4,360
50% Off- NZ$2,180You save $2,180
What people love about Southern India Tours from Chennai (Madras)
- Best of South India Tour
I’ve just wrapped up a 13-day tour across South India, and I’m honestly so impressed with how everything went. From the start, the airport pickup in Chennai was smooth, and the hotel we stayed in was comfortable, with helpful staff. Each day was packed with interesting historical sites like the Meenakshi Temple and the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. The guides were knowledgeable, and I could tell they enjoyed sharing their culture and history with us. The driver was fantastic. The backwaters in Kumarakom were serene and peaceful, and the houseboat experience in Alleppey was such a unique experience. I highly recommend.
- Classic South India
Excellent, driver excellent.
The company was efficient and professional in planning a three week tour with driver. Hotels,some chosen by us, were all booked by the company making the tour very easy. At each stopover, an Indian Panorama representative met us with courtesy and confirmed all was going well, very reassuring. We had a great driver for 19 days, hugely knowledgeable about history, culture, places. The car was always immaculate and he was attentive throughout. Excellent service and would certainly recommend for bespoke tours.
Spiritual Tamilnadu with Enchanting Kerala
What our customers ask about Southern India Tours from Chennai (Madras)
What are the most common first destinations after Chennai (Madras)?
From Chennai travelers typically head to Mahabalipuram (75 km) or Kanchipuram (65 km). Both towns are known for their ancient temples and UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas in Mahabalipuram. Accommodation options range from mid-range stays like the Mamalla Heritage Resort in Mahabalipuram to city hotels such as Raj Park Hotel in Chennai. A TourRadar review notes: "I particularly enjoyed visiting Madurai and Kanchipuram right after Chennai the temples were absolutely magnificent."
What's the best time of year to start a tour from Chennai (Madras)?
The most comfortable time to visit Chennai is between November and March when temperatures stay between 20-30°C with lower humidity. Tour operators run most of their departures during this period. The summer months from April to June bring intense heat with temperatures up to 40°C making sightseeing more challenging. A TourRadar traveler confirms: "We went in January and the weather was perfect for sightseeing in Chennai and throughout Tamil Nadu."
What are the main cultural highlights I can expect to see when starting a tour from Chennai (Madras)?
Chennai's key attractions include the historic Kapaleeshwar Temple Fort St. George Marina Beach (the world's second-longest) and the Kalakshetra cultural center. Most tours spend 2-3 days exploring the city before moving to nearby sites like Mahabalipuram's UNESCO Heritage temples including the Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The temples and cultural sites were absolutely breathtaking especially the ancient Shore Temple complex in Mahabalipuram."
What kind of transportation is provided for tours starting in Chennai (Madras)?
Tours provide air-conditioned private vehicles with professional drivers for all transfers and sightseeing. Small groups of 1-2 travelers usually ride in Toyota Etios while groups of 3-4 use Toyota Innova vehicles. Larger groups travel in mini-vans. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The transport was very comfortable with an excellent driver who knew all the routes well and kept us safe throughout the journey from Chennai."
What accommodation options are available for tours starting in Chennai (Madras)?
Accommodation ranges from 3-star to 5-star properties. Chennai's popular choices include the luxury ITC Grand Chola the 4-star The Raintree and the 3-star Raj Park. All hotels typically include breakfast and standard amenities. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The hotels were comfortable and the guides were very knowledgeable. I especially loved the 4-star accommodations in Chennai at The Raintree with its excellent service."
How many destinations are typically covered in tours starting from Chennai?
Most Chennai-based tours visit between 8-11 major locations including Mahabalipuram Pondicherry Thanjavur Madurai and Kerala's backwaters. Tours generally conclude in either Cochin or Bangalore. Tour operator data shows that depending on trip duration itineraries cover between 8-13 cities.
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