Highlights of Southern India

Explore Worldwide’s escorted tour of Southern India moves at a measured pace, balancing city streets and natural retreats over fourteen nights. The trip begins in Chennai with a walk around Mylapore’s old temples and colonial churches before heading to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, a quieter spot of its kind. From Puducherry's French-inspired streets to the island temple at Srirangam and Madurai’s vivid markets, the itinerary spans cultural landmarks and calm river ghats.

After Madurai, the tour shifts to the greenery of Kerala, including spice plantations and a night aboard a houseboat on the backwaters. Kochi offers a mix of Dutch palaces, synagogues and the distinctive Chinese fishing nets, while Bandipur National Park delivers game drives where elephants and spotted deer are more likely than the elusive tiger. The final days include a scenic toy train into the Nilgiris and Mysuru’s sprawling palace, finishing with Mamallapuram’s ancient carved shore temple and wide sandy beaches.

The journey combines long drives and slower moments, including a six-hour express train trip that adds old-fashioned rhythm to the array of places and experiences. It is a tour shaped by stark contrasts: from colonial architecture and spiritual ceremonies to the sound and light drama of Mysore Palace and the gentle lull of Kerala’s waterways.

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, a first triangle, not the whole of India

4 min read

These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.