South India Tours

Kerala Highlights

8 days/7 nights from £1499pp
Explore Cochin | Trek in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary | Cruise the backwaters

Kerala with Madurai

11 days/10 nights from £1899pp
Explore Cochin | Discover Munnar | Visit Madurai | Trek in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary | Cruise the backwaters

Kerala Backwaters

3 days/2 nights add-on from £915pp
Explore Cochin | Visit Philipkutty's Farm | Traditional rice boat cruise

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Places to see in South India

Chinese Fishing nets at sunset. Fort Kochi. Kerala. India - Elena Mirage | Shutterstock Elena Mirage | Shutterstock

Cochin

A city which boasts a wonderfully evident mixed history, Cochin (also known as Kochi) was originally a quiet fishing town, becoming a strategic port along the spice route. The ancient quarter of Cochin, Fort Kochi, is now a popular tourist attraction due to its rich heritage. With superb views across the Arabian Sea, a walking city tour is the best way to explore this area, where you’ll pass grand, colonial mansions, 16^th-century Portuguese churches and the bustling harbour, where giant Chinese fishing nets are a popular device for the local fishermen.

Tours that visit Cochin
Kerala Highlights, Kerala with Madurai

f9photos | Shutterstock

Munnar

Hidden amongst the plush mountains and vegetation of the Western Ghats, the tea plantations of Munnar are a true sight to behold. Depicting what seems like a never-ending canvas of lush green rolling hills, a tour of these plantations is highly recommended.

Tours that visit Munnar
Kerala with Madurai

Touristic boat on the lake in the Periyar National Park, India - aaabbbccc | Shutterstock aaabbbccc | Shutterstock

Thekkady & Periyar

Located to the east of the Western Ghats, this region of Kerala is well-known for its wealth of spice plantations and fantastic wildlife. In Thekkady, view spices growing in their natural state from nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper, and in Periyar, discover the spectacular wildlife sanctuary. Embarking on an early morning jungle walk provides the opportunity to witness families of magnificent wild Asian elephants, old world monkeys, giant Malabar squirrels, bison, sambar deer and many more.

Tours that visit Thekkady & Periyar
Kerala Highlights, Kerala with Madurai

f9photos | Shutterstock

Backwaters of Alleppey (houseboat)

Kerala’s intricate network of backwaters run through the state, and a laid-back cruising experience in a traditional houseboat offers an extraordinary insight into local life, along with colourful birdlife and flowering lilies that also reside along these serene waterways.

Tours that visit the Backwaters
Kerala Highlights, Kerala with Madurai

Fishing boats on Marari Beach, Kerala - Andy Kaye | Flickr creative commons Andy Kaye | Flickr creative commons

Marari

A quaint fishing village, just an hour south of Cochin, Marari is a great place to relax and soak up the hot Indian sunshine. Spend time in the palm lined beach, watching fisherman bringing in the catch of the day, or sample the age old ayurvedic treatments in one of the traditional spas.

Tours that visit Marari
Kerala with Madurai

Kovalam Beach, Kerala - Ryan | Flickr creative commons Ryan | Flickr creative commons

Kovalam

A destination with many ayurvedic spas to sample these age-old treatments and coves of soft golden sand to relax on, this popular, yet small beach town can be found just south of Thiruvananthapuram.

Tours that visit Kovalam
Kerala Highlights

Beautiful view of colorful gopura in the Hindu Jambukeswarar Temple against the background of cloudy blue sky in Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), Tamil Nadu, South India - Natalia Davidovich | Shutterstock Natalia Davidovich | Shutterstock

Madurai

Situated on the banks of the River Vaigai in Tamil Nadu, the ancient city of Madurai is a vibrant and colourful place filled with incredible history, namely the Meenakshi Temple. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, 14, intricate gateways showing colourful Hindu gods dominate much of the skyline, surrounding the main temple within.

Tours that visit Madurai
Kerala with Madurai

Festivals not to miss

Diwali lantern for sale on street Mumbai Maharashtra India Southeast Asia - Tukaram.Karve | Shutterstock Tukaram.Karve | Shutterstock

Diwali

Taking place all over India, the Hindu festival of light is a five-day event celebrating the triumph of good over evil. The festival features the lighting of lamps, hanging of paper lanterns and giving and receiving of sweets and gifts.

Holi festival coloured powder - Alexander Mazurkevich | shutterstock Alexander Mazurkevich | shutterstock

Holi

Another festival you'll find across India, Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It's one of India’s most celebrated festivals, where the throwing of colourful paint symbolises the triumph of good over evil.