Classic South India - From Temples to Backwaters

Overview

Explore the ancient temples of Mahabalipuram, Madurai and Kanchipuram, enjoy the unique culture of Pondicherry, learn about the history and art of Thanjavur, savor the beauty of the Kerala backwaters and discover local handicrafts in this comprehensive heritage tour of South India. Discover the exquisite carvings and architecture of the World Heritage Site-listed temples of Mahabalipuram and explore the temple city of Madurai, home to the famous Meenakshi Temple. Visit Auroville, take a walking tour of the French Quarter and relax on the beach in Pondicherry. Take in the beauty of Kerala with a houseboat ride over the backwaters and walk through the pristine wilderness of the Periyar National Park. You also get a glimpse of the culture and life of the region with visits to artisan workshops, local food experiences, market walks and village expeditions. This tour is a mix of history, culture and experiences, making it your perfect gateway to South India.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore ancient rock-carved temples of Mahabalipuram dating back to 6th and 9th Century.
  • Discover ancient city of Thanjavur famous for Tanjore and Kalamkari paintings.
  • Explore Chettinad with a guided tour of Karaikudi village.
  • Tour the temple city of Madurai home to famous Meenakshi Temple.
  • Visit Auroville and the French Quarter of Pondicherry.
  • Enjoy houseboat cruise in Kerala backwaters.
  • Walk through spice plantations.
  • Visit Fort Kochi - an amalgam of Old Portuguese, British and Dutch colonial architecture.

Self-Guided option available

Enjoy the freedom of creating your unique holiday at your own pace with Active India and discover a side of India you never knew existed. Our collection of self-guided tours is incredibly flexible, economical, enjoyable and showcases the natural beauty and vast range of experiences available throughout this incredible country. Explore places at your own leisure, chat with locals, savor local cuisine, and take a break whenever it suits you. Our drivers ensure you stay on track, and additionally 24/7 emergency support is provided.
Enquire now More Self-Guided Tours

Latest Reviews

Write a Review

Essential Information

Base Price Includes

  • Accommodation in 4* star or similar hotels on double/ twin sharing basis as per the itinerary.
  • Overnight aboard Houseboat Cruise at Alleppey
  • Daily buffet breakfasts included at hotels.
  • All transfers and sightseeing by a Private vehicle as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Services of a local sightseeing guide during sightseeing guides at cities as per the itinerary.
  • Representative for assistance on Arrival /Departure.
  • 24/7 assistance by our support team.

Base Price Does Not Include

  • International / Domestic air fare.
  • Any meal other than Breakfast unless specified.
  • Any service or activity charges other than those included in the inclusions.
  • Supplement Cost for festival period, long weekend or peak season.
  • Entrance fee at monuments and National Parks.
  • Unforeseen expenses that demand changes in the itinerary like natural calamities, changes in weather, road blockages, flight/train cancellations and any medical emergency or evacuations.
  • Travel insurance and Visa
  • Expenses of a personal nature- Staff Tips, Laundry, phone calls, soft or alcoholic drinks, excess baggage charges, camera and Video fee or any other expanses which are not mentioned in above inclusion list.
  • All government taxes as applicable.

More Information

The tour brings to the visitor the amazing south! Nearly untouched by invasions, the Southern states of India are considered as the most `Indian` part of India. We see some of the country’s finest architecture in the form of vivid Hindu temples and charming old colonial buildings. The temples of Mahabalipuram, Madurai and French colonies of Pondicherry are just spectacular. We will also interact with locals by visits to popular local bazaars, typical traditional work places, and walks and visits to villages. This trip delivers you an immense opportunity to your taste buds with south India cuisines like Chettinad cuisine, different varieties of sea foods, Kuttanadan fish curry and chicken curry. One of the highlights is our stay on a houseboat on board which we explore the picturesque Kerala backwaters and travel to Cochin.

Similar Tours

Perfectly
Personalised!

Tailor-made Holidays
with Active India

Your holiday, your way!

Holiday Themes
Holiday Themes
Holiday Themes

Our range of tailor-made itineraries offer you ultimate flexibility to create a truly customised India holiday experience. From dates and duration to the type of accommodation, adventures, activities and all the finer details, customise your holiday, your way.

Holiday Themes


Specialist Name
Specialist Name
Specialist Name

Our experienced holiday planners will carefully listen to all your preferences and use their local knowledge and award-winning expertise in helping you create an enjoyable and perfectly personalised India holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.

Get Started


Tailor-made Services
Tailor-made Services
Tailor-made Services

Planning a family event or a group/team activity? We can help! From end-to-end planning and reservations to accommodation, activities and transfers, you can count on our award-winning expertise for an authentic, safe and enjoyable holiday experience for everyone.

Send an Enquiry

Perfectly
Personalised!

Tailor-made Holidays
with Active India

Your holiday, your way!

Get Started

Specialist Name
Specialist Name
Specialist Name

Our range of tailor-made itineraries offers you the ultimate flexibility to create a truly customised India holiday experience. From dates and duration to type of accommodation, adventures and activities to all the finer details, customise your holiday, your way.

Specialist Name
Specialist Name
Specialist Name

Our experienced holiday planners will carefully listen to all your preferences and use their local knowledge and award-winning expertise in helping you create an enjoyable and perfectly personalised India holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.

Specialist Name
Specialist Name
Specialist Name

Planning a family event or a group/team activity? We can help! From end-to-end planning and reservations to accommodation, activities and transfers, you can count on our award-winning expertise for an authentic, safe and enjoyable holiday experience for everyone.

Create your perfect holiday, your way. Our tailor made itineraries give you the flexibility to build your own unique holiday experience, maximising opportunities to really experience a destination on your own terms. Our experienced holiday planners will listen to your preferences and use their award-winning knowledge and expertise to advise you of the best options that fit your budget and requirements.

Tailor made holidays give you the ultimate flexibility to create a perfectly personalised holiday, select where to go and when, type of accommodation, adventures and activities you prefer and the finer details like flight times, transfers and visas. With a tailor-made trip, you are guaranteed a "perfectly personalised" holiday experience that fits your budget and personal style!

Get Started

Latest Reviews

5 Stars

This was an Exceptional holiday, that exceeded my expectations. The tour Guides were fantastic, nothing was to much trouble for them, they made this trip special.

After many years of wanting to visit India, Active India was recommended by some friends who had made a similar trip last year. From the outset this company was excellent from the planning and fine tuning of our special holiday right through the trip until its conclusion. Drivers and guides were excellent and hotels were as we had booked- some good 3 stars and some beautiful havelis and 4 stars. The company even had a whatsapp group set up to provide instant help with anything that came up. We travelled through Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. It was a fascinating and richly cultural experience. Active India is an excellent company which has been in existence for 20 years and we would highly recommend them.

This is the second trip we’ve done through Active India and with good reason. They are very flexible and responsive tailoring our trip specifically following my requests in advance but adding their suggestions advice and expertise of the areas we visited. All team members from all offices checked ahead to ensure everything went smoothly and were on hand if it didn’t (which was rare). They even set up a WhatsApp group so I had confidence and contact should I need it at all times. Everyone from the managing director down cared that we had the best time smoothly run to itinerary and that really matters. It’s what sets them ahead of other tour companies. Highly recommend as I have utmost trust and faith in this company following 2 successful wonderful trips to 2 completely different areas in amazing India. So it’s thank you to Ravi Tickoos Heena and all the team but for me it’s a special thanks to Priya who always goes above and beyond.

More Reviews

Support Menu 0Shortlist
Top