Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala: Discover their remarkable cities, thought-provoking temples and astonishing natural wonders.
Less familiar than the north, touring the south of India is an incredible journey of discovery: we’ll see amazing thousand-year-old rock-cut and granite temples, intricately carved, rising to over 200ft high, packed with pilgrims and devotees and remarkable forts, mansions and churches from British, French, Dutch and Portuguese colonial periods. We’ll sail on converted rice barges through the tranquil backwaters of Kerala and walk-through fragrant spice plantations and pristine tropical forests of the Western Ghats. Staying in colonial hotels, lakeside bungalows, thatched cottages and hundred-year-old original traders’ mansions and we’ll experience a cuisine and hospitality renowned throughout India. All blended together; this outstanding eclectic mix will ignite your imagination.
At a glance
Highlights
- Visit Chennai’s Fort St George, where Clive of India began his glittering career and tour elegant Pondicherry, a French colonial outpost until 1954.
- See the breathtaking Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai - southern India’s greatest cultural icon - plus enjoy a tuk tuk ride and explore the bustling markets.
- Cruise overnight the picturesque backwaters and canals of Kerala on a houseboat, visit to Periyar National Park and enjoy a nature walk through primeval virgin forest.
- Witness the extraordinary World Heritage Site of Tanjore’s Brihadeeswara Temple, visit Cochin on the Malabar Coast - India’s first European colony.
- Discover a 500-acre spice plantation high up in the stunning Western Ghats to learn how the most popular spices are grown, and explore the fascinating Chettinad region, visiting and staying in one of its extraordinary traders’ mansions.
Choose our Signature Tour (2026 only) to also get:
- Dine at a local restaurant and enjoy some of the region's finest cuisine.
- Gain a greater understanding of the local fauna and flora of Periyar Wildlife Reserve during a talk from a local naturalist.
- See and learn more about the magnificent birds that inhabit this region on a birdwatching excursion.
- Enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group with an average of 22 guests.
Offers
See the world for less… You can now save up to £400pp on select worldwide tours in 2025.
Whether you’re dreaming of seeing iconic national parks, marvelling at the Golden Gate Bridge or spotting the big five on safari in South Africa, then we’ve got the holiday for you.
The saving value has already been applied so check the availability table below for savings.
Whether you’re an organised club, a society or even just a group of friends, arranging your group holiday or cruise has never been easier than with Riviera Travel.
Any group of 8 or more people travelling together can book through our dedicated Groups Department. If you’re a larger group we can look at operating your preferred holiday as a private one for just your members only. Smaller groups can travel together on any of our regular tours with other like-minded Riviera guests.
Your itinerary

Departure
Start your journey to Chennai (Madras) via Muscat.

Chennai
Discover Chennai’s bustling streets before arriving at the famous Fort St George.

This morning your immersion in one of the world’s oldest cultures commences with a tour through Chennai’s bustling streets. We’ll pass a number of Victorian-era buildings and the famous Marine Beach, see the incredible fish market and multi-coloured long wooden fishing boats drawn up on the sand, before arriving at the very centre of colonial Madras, Fort St George.
This was one of the most vital outposts of the British Empire – its first in India, the home of Clive of India for many years and the military base for numerous wars against the French. We’ll tour the fort and visit St Mary’s Church – not only is it the earliest Anglican church in India but it also claims to be the first east of Suez, built in 1680.
In the afternoon, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities or continue to explore Chennai alone with time at leisure.
Signature experience (2026 only)
Enjoy a special dinner with signature dishes, prepared by famous chefs at a local restaurant in Chennai. Every curry is meticulously prepared, every grill is marinated for hours, every lentil is slow-cooked, every biryani rice is carefully layered, and every bread is handcrafted. This is authentic Indian cuisine at its finest.

Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry
Discover the intricately carved 7th century temples of Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram
This morning, we’ll make our way to Mahabalipuram a port which traded with Rome in ancient times. Its huge 7th century temples have been intricately carved from vast granite monoliths and are now UNESCO World Heritage sites. We’ll also enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Pondicherry
Later, we’ll travel south to Pondicherry and enjoy a delicious dinner at our hotel.

Tanjore
Enjoy a walking tour of the beautiful Indian town of Pondicherry.

Pondicherry
Start the day with a walking tour of the beautiful old French colonial centre of ‘Pondy’. Both its architecture and ambience are very different from any other Indian town.
There’s a sleepy, almost Mediterranean air here, with bougainvillea-clad walls and mustard-yellow-coloured neo-classical villas. We’ll see the impressive Governor’s residence, the former site of the French fort designed by the French military architect, Vauban – there is even a Hotel de Ville!
Tanjore
We continue our journey south to Tanjore, with a two-night stay at the three-star superior Ideal River View Hotel with breakfast. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the tranquil surroundings and palm-shaded pool. Lunch is included today.

Tanjore
Explore Tanjore further, taking in sights such as the extraordinary Brihadeeswara Temple.

Tanjore was the capital of the ancient Chola Empire and is mainly known for its extraordinary Brihadeeswara Temple, the template for all in southern India. Standing over 200ft tall, its main tower is covered with an intricately-carved ochre-coloured facade which glows in the morning light.
A working temple for over a thousand years, surrounded by colonnaded halls and a fortified wall, it is a testament to the power and wealth of the Chola Empire which at sunset seems to give off a red hue. Tanjore is also noted for its fine metalwork and the nearby Royal Palace’s art gallery houses a fascinating array of bronze sculptures.

Chettinad
Travel to the nearby Chettinad region, which you are sure to love.

We drive to the nearby Chettinad region, which you are sure to love. Undiscovered, it’s a revelation, the real rural India of small farming communities. Dinner is included this evening sampling some of the region’s unique cuisine, served on a banana leaf.

Madurai
Explore Madurai with a visit to a tile workshop, the Meenakshi Amman Temple and a dusk tuk-tuk tour.

Stay at GRT Grand Madurai
After breakfast we’ll explore this undiscovered region, visiting other remarkable mansions, seeing the local Maharaja’s palace, plus local handicrafts. A fascinating visit is to a tile workshop, where each piece is delicately handmade and decorated, whilst saris are still woven to age-old local designs on traditional wooden handlooms.
In the afternoon we drive to Madurai for one of the tour’s real highlights: the Meenakshi Amman Temple. This is the southern India’s Taj Mahal, a complex shrine of courtyards, vast pillared halls, a sacred lake and no less than twelve gateway towers completely covered with thousands of brightly painted stucco carvings. Madurai was already an ancient city well before Chennai was even founded, trading spices with the ancient Romans. It is considered to be Tamil Nadu’s spiritual and cultural heart.
This afternoon we take tuk-tuks to visit the temple at dusk, exploring its busy traditional markets full of impossibly laden stalls and tailors rattling away at their ancient Singer sewing machines!

Kumily
Re-visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple in daylight plus tour the nearby Nayak Palace.

This morning we re-visit the temple in daylight plus tour the nearby Nayak Palace, with its vast throne-room and ceremonial courtyard. Then drive west towards the distant outlines of the Western Ghats, the mountain range and border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The road zig-zags through lush forest with fleeting glimpses of verdant valleys below then crossing the border, we arrive at Kumily, surrounded by spice plantations and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Periyar wildlife reserve
Prepare for an early start as we take a tour through Periyar Wildlife Reserve, and later we visit a local spice plantation.

Rising early, with a tropical dawn chorus ringing in our ears we enter the wildlife sanctuary for a guided nature walk through the tall stands of teak, bamboo, wild fig and beautiful jacaranda trees.
The reserve has a small population of rarely seen tigers, however, as the reserve’s core surrounds a large lake, the birdlife is absolutely excellent, with over 260 species recorded, including hornbills, parakeets, kingfishers, eagles, kites and flycatchers. You may also be lucky enough to spot a Malabar giant squirrel or a lion-tailed macaque.
After returning to the hotel for a late breakfast, the day is at leisure until our afternoon visit to one of the numerous local spice plantations where our guide explains the uses, medicinal and culinary, of pepper, cloves, curry leaves, cardamom, vanilla, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon and a host of others.
Signature experience (2026 only)
After your day in Periyar Wildlife Reserve, you will be welcomed back to the hotel with some light refreshments and an enriching talk by a knowledgeable local naturalist.
They will talk about how the park protects the local wildlife from hunting and poaching and the steps taken to prevent some of the animals from extinction. They will also talk about some of the flora and fauna of the region, bringing to life the enchanting sights you may have encountered during your exploration of the park earlier in the day.

Kerala houseboat overnight
Experience a scenic boat ride and overnight stay on a Kerala Houseboat.

This morning we leave the hills of Periyar behind us descending towards the Kerlan coast, passing the almost carpet-like tea plantations en route to discover the enchanting Keralan backwaters. We experience an overnight stay on a Kerala Houseboat.
Leaving from nearby Alleppey, each houseboat accommodates six to eight guests plus three crew who prepare a delightful and typical Keralan lunch and dinner on board. It’s a wonderful way to travel, passing paddy fields, coconut palms and colourful local houses – watch out for the plentiful birdlife, children walking (or rowing!) back from school, people washing their clothes, pots and pans and even themselves in the narrow waterways.

Drive to Kumarakom
Depart the Kerala houseboat and drive to to Kumarakom, where we spend the day at leisure, before a sunset boat cruise on Lake Vembanad.

After a dawn awakening, mesmerised by the stillness with the sights and sounds of the backwater, after breakfast we depart the Kerala houseboat and drive to to Kumarakom.
The rest of the day is at leisure and early evening we enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Vembanad, one of India’s largest lakes and wetland eco systems home to an array of birds, animal and plant life.

Kumarakom
Choose to venture out for an early morning bird watching tour and village walk, before enjoying a free day to explore Kumarakom.

For early morning bird enthusiasts there is the opportunity to go bird watching and take a village walk. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of this unique location.
Signature experience (2026 only)
We'll begin our day in the wetlands of Kumarkom, surrounded by an abundance of bird and plant life. Travelling by rickshaw to a nearby jetty, we'll embark on a leisurely boat cruise accompanied by a knowledgeable naturalist, who will introduce us to the diverse bird species - like herons, owls, cormorants, and egrets - dwelling along the river and in the nearby rice paddies. As we observe the serene natural surroundings, we'll also have the chance to witness the daily rhythms of local life along the river.

Cochin
We take a short drive to Cochin - the Malabar Coast’s most historic port.

This morning we take a short drive to Cochin, the Malabar Coast’s most historic port, traditionally from where India’s invaluable spices were shipped to Europe. The city’s oldest quarter is Fort Cochin, a fascinating maze of narrow alleyways and large merchants’ houses, whilst the nearby bazaar district of Mattancherry has the Dutch Palace and the subcontinent’s oldest synagogue. The iconic sight in Cochin is the famed Chinese fishing nets, vast cantilevered contraptions that still work to this day.

Return home
Say goodbye and begin your journey home.
Hand-picked hotels

Taj Connemara
Chennai, Southern India
The luxurious Taj Connemara Hotel is surrounded by different attractions to explore.



Great Trails River View Resort Thanjavur by GRT
Tanjore, Tamil Nadu
Chosen for its tranquil atmosphere and excellent guest facilities.

Chidambara Vilas
Pudukkottai , India
Chosen for its rich and authentic history as a late-1800s palace.

Spice Village
Kumily, India
Chosen for its idyllic natural surroundings and thoughtful design.

The Fern Kochi
Cochin, Kerala
Chosen as a welcoming place to reboot and start afresh the next day.

GRT Grand Madurai
Tamil Nadu, India.
Situated in the heart of Tamil Nadu, the Grand Madurai is designed with relaxation in mind.

Zuri Kumarakom, Kerala Resort & Spa
Vembanad Lake, Kerala
This hotel has been chosen for its scenic location on Vembanad Lake and world-class amenities.
Extras & upgrades
Price: £279pp (2025) and £319 (2026)
All of our India tours include daily breakfast and a selection of dinners, however we also offer the option to upgrade your stay to include dinner every night at your hotel. You will get the opportunity to sample a variety of delicious local delicacies from a comprehensive buffet.
Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.
Opt for a convenient door-to-door service with transport from your home to your choice of regional airport or train station, available as an added optional with every holiday. This can be added to your booking after you've booked online by giving our reservations team a call, or when you're booking over the phone.
From hotel upgrades to holiday extensions, you can benefit from our Travel Concierge service:
- Add hotel stays before your tour in the destination your tour starts in
- Add hotel stays after your tour in the destination your tour ends in
- Change your departure airport (depending on flight availability)
- Upgrade your flight
- Book a door-to-door transfer service from your home to your departure airport or airport hotel
- Add transfers to and/or from the airport to your hotel
Available pre and post booking.
Travel connections
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
Arrival airport | First hotel location | Transfer time | Final hotel location | Departure airport | Transfer time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chennai International Airport | Chennai | 45 mins | Cochin | Cochin International Airport | 1 hr 15 mins |
FAQs
The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single occupancy rooms are available at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Return flights & transfers
- 13 nights' accommodation
- Daily breakfast, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
- All tours as mentioned
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
The cost of a 30-day tourist e-visa is US$10 if your date of entry if from April to June, or US$25 if your date of entry is from July to March.
You must apply for your e-visa no more than 30 days before you’re due to enter India. The application takes around three working days. We recommend you apply for your e-visa two to three weeks before your arrival date in India.
Once your visa is approved, you have 30 days to enter India. Upon entry, the visa is then valid for 30 days, and it is a double entry visa.
During the application, you’ll need to submit a passport-sized photo in JPEG format and a scanned copy of your passport in PDF format.
Apple online at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns. General information on mobility in connection with our tours can be found on our Passengers with Reduced Mobility FAQs page.
- Currency: Indian Rupee
- Flight time: Approx. 11 hrs 50 mins (outboud) and 13 hrs 15 mins (inbound)
- Languages: Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu
- Time zone: GMT+5.5
- Country: India
The deposit for this holiday is £350pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 90 days before you depart.
Classic tours information
Along with your experienced and knowledgeable Tour Manager and local experts, you’ll discover so much on our award-winning Classic tours, offering the best value-for-money way for you to explore the world.
Our Tour Managers have been rated as the best in the business for their knowledge and experience and will go above and beyond to ensure every aspect of your holiday runs smoothly – so all you need to worry about is your packing.
Included on all tours
- Insightful guided tours & fascinating visits
- Transfers
- Breakfast
- Return flights or rail from the UK
- Hand-picked hotels
Availability
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05 Nov 2025 | 13:55 |
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03 Dec 2025 | TBC |
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14 Jan 2026 | TBC |
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Accommodation in India | £2,799 pp | Book now |
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11 Feb 2026 | TBC |
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Accommodation in India | £2,799 pp | Book now |
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04 Mar 2026 | TBC |
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Accommodation in India | £2,499 pp | Book now |
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Signature Tour
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25 Mar 2026 | TBC |
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Accommodation in India | £2,699 pp | Book now |
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08 Apr 2026 | TBC |
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Accommodation in India | £2,599 pp | Book now |
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23 Sep 2026 | TBC |
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Accommodation in India | £2,699 pp | Book now |
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