South India holidays
South India is our home ground.
South India is our home ground. Temple towns with towering gopurams, the tea hills of Munnar and the Nilgiris, Kerala's backwaters and the boulder-strewn ruins of Hampi are all within a day's travel of Chennai.
The region is warm most of the year. October to March is the most comfortable time for the plains and coast, while the hill stations are a cool escape in April and May.
Popular places in South India
States in South India
South IndiaTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is home to some of the largest temple complexes on earth, from Madurai's Meenakshi Amman to the Chola temples around Thanjavur.
South IndiaKerala
Kerala packs tea-covered hills, spice plantations, wildlife reserves, houseboat-filled backwaters and palm-lined beaches into a narrow strip between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
South IndiaKarnataka
Karnataka stretches from the Vijayanagara ruins at Hampi to the coffee estates of Coorg and Chikmagalur, the royal city of Mysuru and a quiet coastline at Gokarna and Udupi.
South IndiaAndhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is best known for the Tirumala Venkateswara temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, but it also has the beaches and hills of Visakhapatnam, the coffee-growing Araku Valley and long stretches of the Bay of Bengal coast.
South IndiaTelangana
Telangana centres on Hyderabad, a city of Qutb Shahi tombs, Nizami palaces, pearl markets and biryani, alongside a modern tech skyline.
South IndiaPuducherry
Puducherry (Pondicherry) is a former French enclave three hours south of Chennai.
When to visit each state
| State | Best time | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | October to March | Dravidian temples, Nilgiri hill stations, Coromandel coast |
| Kerala | September to March | Backwaters, Tea hills, Ayurveda |
| Karnataka | October to March | Hampi ruins, Coffee country, Mysuru palace |
| Andhra Pradesh | October to March | Tirumala temple, Araku Valley, Vizag coast |
| Telangana | October to February | Charminar, Golconda Fort, Hyderabadi biryani |
| Puducherry | October to March | French Quarter, Auroville, Seafront promenade |
South India tour packages
5D / 4NChennai · Mahabalipuram · PuducherryChennai, Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry Coastal Break
A short East Coast Road trip from Chennai: Pallava shore temples at Mahabalipuram, then two easy days in Pondicherry's French Quarter and Auroville.
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8D / 7NChennai · Kanchipuram · Thanjavur · MaduraiTemples of Tamil Nadu
The great temple towns in one week: Kanchipuram's silk and shrines, the Chola masterpieces around Thanjavur, Madurai's Meenakshi and the corridors of Rameswaram.
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5D / 4NMadurai · Rameswaram · KanyakumariMadurai, Rameswaram & Kanyakumari Pilgrimage
A southern pilgrimage circuit linking Meenakshi Amman, the 22 sacred wells of Rameswaram with a drive to Dhanushkodi, and sunrise at India's southern tip.
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4D / 3NOoty · CoonoorOoty & Coonoor Nilgiri Escape
Ride the UNESCO toy train into the Nilgiris, spend two days around Ooty's lakes and gardens and finish with tea-estate quiet in Coonoor.
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6D / 5NOoty · KodaikanalOoty & Kodaikanal Hill Holiday
Two of the south's classic hill stations in one trip: three nights in the Nilgiris and two around Kodaikanal's star-shaped lake and cliff walks.
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4D / 3NKodaikanalKodaikanal Honeymoon Getaway
Three slow nights in the Palani Hills: misty Coaker's Walk mornings, boating on the lake and pine-forest drives, with time simply to rest.
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5D / 4NOoty · CoonoorOoty & Coonoor Honeymoon
The Nilgiris for two: the toy train up from Mettupalayam, rose gardens and a lake boat ride in Ooty, then quiet tea-estate days and Dolphin's Nose views in Coonoor.
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5D / 4NMahabalipuram · PuducherryEast Coast Road Beach Honeymoon
Sunrise at Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple, then three slow days in Pondicherry: French Quarter cafés, a sunset walk on the Promenade and lazy mornings at Auroville's beaches.
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4D / 3NYercaudYercaud Honeymoon Retreat
Three unhurried nights in the Shevaroy Hills, the closest hill station to Chennai: coffee-estate walks, sunset at Lady's Seat and a rowing boat on Yercaud Lake.
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5D / 4NValparai · CoonoorValparai & Coonoor Tea Country Honeymoon
Mist, tea and forest: the forty hairpin bends into Valparai's Anaimalai Hills, where hornbills and lion-tailed macaques live, then the Nilgiri tea estates of Coonoor.
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4D / 3NMadurai · ChettinadChettinad Heritage Honeymoon
Madurai's Meenakshi temple lit up at night, then two nights in a restored Chettinad mansion with Athangudi-tiled courtyards, village walks and a Chettinad feast.
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3D / 2NYercaudYercaud Weekend from Chennai
A quick escape to the Shevaroy Hills by overnight train to Salem: coffee estates, Lady's Seat views and boating on Yercaud Lake.
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5D / 4NThiruvananthapuram · Kanyakumari · KovalamKanyakumari & Thiruvananthapuram Tip-of-India Tour
Fly into Trivandrum for its temple and palaces, watch sunrise and sunset at Kanyakumari's three-sea confluence and end on Kovalam's beaches.
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4D / 3NThanjavur · MaduraiChola Heritage Trail
Built for architecture lovers: the Big Temple at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, then Madurai's palace and evening temple ceremony.
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4D / 3NCoimbatore · ValparaiValparai Wildlife & Tea Retreat
Drive the forty hairpin bends into the Anaimalai Hills for lion-tailed macaques, hornbills and quiet tea estates, starting with Coimbatore's Adiyogi.
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6D / 5NOoty · Mysuru · CoorgNilgiris & Coorg Hill Circuit
A cross-state hill loop: Ooty's gardens and toy train, Mysuru's palace on the way down and two nights among Coorg's coffee estates.
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11D / 10NChennai · Mahabalipuram · Puducherry · ThanjavurTamil Nadu Grand Tour
Ten days across the state, from the coast and Pallava monuments through the Chola heartland and Madurai to the Palani and Nilgiri hills.
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5D / 4NMadurai · KodaikanalMadurai & Kodaikanal Family Trip
A temple city and a hill station: Meenakshi Amman and Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, then three relaxed days in Kodaikanal's cool air.
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3D / 2NChennaiChennai City & Culture Short Break
Two days of Chennai at its best: Mylapore's temple streets, Fort St George, the Chola bronzes at Egmore, filter coffee and the beach at sunset.
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3D / 2NPuducherryPondicherry & Auroville Weekend
Cafés, colonial lanes, the Promenade and a morning at Auroville: a two-night French Quarter break that is easy to reach from Chennai and Bengaluru.
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5D / 4NPuducherryPondicherry Slow Stay
Four unhurried nights to cycle the French Quarter, learn pottery, take a boat to Paradise Beach and spend real time at Auroville.
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6D / 5NKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · AlleppeyKerala Highlights: Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey
The classic first trip to Kerala: Fort Kochi's heritage, two nights in Munnar's tea hills, Periyar's spice gardens and a night on a houseboat.
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7D / 6NMunnar · Thekkady · Alleppey · KovalamKerala Honeymoon with Houseboat & Beach
Tea-garden views, a private houseboat night on the backwaters and two beach days at Kovalam, with time for an Ayurvedic massage for two.
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4D / 3NMunnarMunnar Tea Country Short Break
Three nights in Munnar for Eravikulam's Nilgiri tahr, tea estate walks, Mattupetty and a jeep ride up to Kolukkumalai at sunrise.
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7D / 6NKochi · Kumarakom · Alleppey · VarkalaKerala Backwaters & Beaches
Water all the way: Kochi's harbour, a lakeside stay at Kumarakom, a houseboat through Alleppey's canals and cliff-top Varkala to finish.
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7D / 6NKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · AlleppeyKerala Family Holiday
Paced for families: tea museum and boating in Munnar, a Periyar boat safari and elephant-country spice farms, and a houseboat children love.
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4D / 3NWayanadWayanad Adventure & Nature
Treks, caves and waterfalls in north Kerala: Edakkal's engravings, Banasura Sagar, Chembra Peak (subject to permits) and a treehouse night.
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9D / 8NKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · KumarakomKerala & Kanyakumari Grand Tour
Nine days from Kochi to the tip of India through tea hills, spice country, Vembanad Lake and the Kovalam coast.
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7D / 6NKovalamAyurveda Wellness Retreat in Kovalam
A week by the sea built around a doctor-led Ayurveda programme at a certified centre, with gentle beach walks and nothing else on the schedule.
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4D / 3NVarkalaVarkala Cliffs & Yoga Break
Clifftop cafés, yoga classes, surf lessons and sunset over Papanasam beach: an easy three-night reset on Kerala's red cliffs.
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3D / 2NKumarakom · AlleppeyAlleppey Houseboat & Kumarakom Weekend
A two-night backwater taster: a lakeside resort evening in Kumarakom and an overnight kettuvallam cruise through Alleppey's canals.
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5D / 4NKochi · Munnar · VagamonKochi, Munnar & Vagamon Hills
Swap the crowds for meadows: Munnar's estates followed by Vagamon's pine forest, paragliding (in season) and misty viewpoints.
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6D / 5NWayanad · Coorg · MysuruMalabar & Coorg Road Trip
A green road trip across the Western Ghats: Wayanad's forests, Coorg's coffee country and Mysuru's palace on the final evening.
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5D / 4NKochi · Kumarakom · ThiruvananthapuramKerala Heritage & Culture Trail
Culture first: two nights in Fort Kochi for Kathakali and spice markets, Kumarakom's village life and Trivandrum's palace and museum quarter.
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3D / 2NThekkadyThekkady Spice & Wildlife Short Break
Two nights at the edge of Periyar Tiger Reserve: an early lake safari, a spice plantation walk and a kalaripayattu show.
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7D / 6NMunnar · KumarakomKerala Monsoon Ayurveda & Hills
Built for the monsoon months: misty Munnar, then four nights of Ayurveda by Vembanad Lake when the treatments are traditionally most effective.
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8D / 7NKochi · Munnar · Kumarakom · KovalamKerala Luxury Escape
Plantation bungalows, a lakeside villa and a cliff-top beach resort, with private transfers and a premium houseboat cruise available on request.
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3D / 2NKochi · AlleppeyKochi & Alleppey Short Break
A two-night introduction to Kerala: Fort Kochi's nets and heritage streets, then a shikara or houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters.
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5D / 4NVarkala · KovalamKerala Beaches: Varkala & Kovalam
Two different beaches in one trip: Varkala's cliffs and cafés, then Kovalam's lighthouse bay with a day out to Poovar's estuary.
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6D / 5NKochi · Munnar · AlleppeyKerala Senior Citizens' Easy Tour
Short drives, two nights in each hill or city base, a ground-floor houseboat cabin request and plenty of rest between sights.
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5D / 4NKochi · MunnarKochi & Munnar Extended Stay
Kochi's heritage followed by a longer Munnar stay with time for Top Station, Attukad falls and a spice-plantation tour.
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4D / 3NMysuru · CoorgMysuru & Coorg Holiday
The palace city and coffee country: Mysuru's palace, Chamundi Hill and Brindavan Gardens, then two nights on a Coorg estate.
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4D / 3NHampi · BadamiHampi & Badami Heritage Trail
The best of the Deccan's stone heritage: two days among Hampi's boulders and ruins, then the Chalukyan caves and temples of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.
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4D / 3NCoorgCoorg Coffee Estate Honeymoon
Three nights in a plantation stay with estate walks, Abbey Falls, Raja's Seat at sunset and candlelit dinners among the coffee.
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4D / 3NUdupi · GokarnaKarnataka Coastal Trail: Gokarna & Udupi
Udupi's Krishna temple and famous food, St Mary's Island, then Gokarna's temple town and its chain of coves linked by a beach trek.
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3D / 2NKabiniKabini Wildlife Weekend
Two nights on the Kabini riverbank with jeep and boat safaris into Nagarhole, home of large elephant herds and the elusive black panther.
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5D / 4NBengaluru · Mysuru · OotyBengaluru, Mysuru & Ooty
A classic South Indian loop: Bengaluru's gardens, Mysuru's palace and a scenic climb through Bandipur and Mudumalai to Ooty.
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4D / 3NChikmagalurChikmagalur Trekking Break
Karnataka's highest peak, Mullayanagiri, the Baba Budangiri ridge and a jeep ride to Hebbe Falls, based in a coffee-estate homestay.
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9D / 8NBengaluru · Mysuru · Coorg · ChikmagalurKarnataka Grand Tour
Nine days from palaces to plantations to the ruins of Vijayanagara, taking in the state's three most different landscapes.
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3D / 2NHampiHampi Short Break
Two days in the ruined capital: Virupaksha, Vittala's stone chariot, a coracle ride and sunrise from Matanga Hill.
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5D / 4NCoorg · KabiniCoorg & Kabini Nature Holiday
Coffee hills and wildlife in one trip: Coorg's waterfalls and Dubare elephant camp, then safaris at Kabini.
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3D / 2NBengaluruBengaluru City Weekend
Lalbagh, Tipu's summer palace, VV Puram's food street, a microbrewery evening and sunrise at Nandi Hills.
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5D / 4NGokarna · South GoaGokarna & Goa Beach Trail
Quiet coves at Gokarna and the long beaches of South Goa, linked by a short drive along the Konkan coast.
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3D / 2NTirupatiTirupati Balaji Darshan Tour
Two nights for darshan at Tirumala, the Padmavathi temple at Tiruchanur and Sri Kalahasti, with darshan slots booked as soon as they open.
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4D / 3NVisakhapatnam · Araku ValleyVizag & Araku Valley Holiday
Beaches and hilltop views in Vizag, then the glass-roofed train to Araku Valley's coffee country and the Borra Caves.
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3D / 2NAraku ValleyAraku Valley Rail & Coffee Trip
The Kirandul line's tunnels and viaducts, two nights in Araku's cool hills, a tribal museum and coffee tasting.
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5D / 4NChennai · Kanchipuram · TirupatiTirupati & Chennai Temple Tour
Kapaleeshwarar in Chennai, the temples of Kanchipuram and then Tirumala, ideal for families travelling with elders.
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4D / 3NHyderabadHyderabad Heritage & Food
Charminar and the Old City's bazaars, Golconda's evening show, the Nizams' palaces and a biryani and haleem trail.
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4D / 3NHyderabad · WarangalHyderabad & Warangal Kakatiya Trail
Qutb Shahi Hyderabad followed by the Kakatiya gateways of Warangal and the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple.
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3D / 2NHyderabadHyderabad Family Fun Break
A family weekend: Ramoji Film City, the Salar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar and the Golconda sound-and-light show.
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4D / 3NChettinad · MaduraiChettinad Heritage & Food Trail
Two nights in a restored Chettiar mansion with a cooking class and tile workshops, then the Meenakshi temple in Madurai.
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4D / 3NKannurKannur Theyyam & Malabar Coast
Three nights on the Malabar coast for theyyam at village shrines, St Angelo Fort, the Muzhappilangad drive-in beach and Thalassery biryani.
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5D / 4NVijayapura (Bijapur) · Badami · HampiVijayapura, Badami & Hampi Heritage
The domes of Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rauza at Vijayapura, the cave temples of Badami, then two nights among the ruins of Hampi.
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7D / 6NRameswaram · Prayagraj · Varanasi · GayaRameswaram–Kashi Yatra
The traditional Tamil Kashi yatra: begin at Ramanathaswamy in Rameswaram, carry its sand to the Triveni Sangam, pray at Kashi Vishwanath and perform pind daan at Gaya, then bring Ganga water home to Rameswaram.
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5D / 4NKochi · Kodungallur · MalayattoorKerala St Thomas Christian Trail
Santa Cruz Basilica and St Francis Church in Fort Kochi, the Marthoma shrine at Azhikode where St Thomas is believed to have landed, and the hill shrine of Malayattoor.
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5D / 4NChennai · Velankanni · NagoreChennai St Thomas & Velankanni Pilgrimage
San Thome Basilica over the tomb of St Thomas, Little Mount and St Thomas Mount in Chennai, then Mass at Velankanni and a visit to the Nagore Dargah nearby.
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3D / 2NNagoreNagore Dargah Ziyarat
Two nights at Nagore for ziyarat at the dargah of Hazrat Syed Shahul Hameed, with time for the Kandoori festival when it falls during your stay.
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3D / 2NKochi · KodungallurKochi & Cheraman Juma Masjid
Fort Kochi's spice-trade quarter and Mattancherry, then Kodungallur's Cheraman Juma Masjid, traditionally held to be India's first mosque, and the Muziris heritage sites.
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4D / 3NKumbakonamNavagraha Temples of Kumbakonam
All nine Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam with a driver who knows the darshan timings, plus the Chola temple at Darasuram.
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3D / 2NVelankanniVelankanni Pilgrimage
Two nights at Velankanni for Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Our Lady's Tank and Morning Star Church, with an evening by the sea.
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4D / 3NThanjavur · VelankanniVelankanni, Nagore & Thanjavur
The Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur, then Velankanni's basilica and the Nagore Dargah, three faiths along the Kaveri delta coast.
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3D / 2NSabarimalaSabarimala Ayyappa Darshan
Two nights for the Sabarimala pilgrimage: Virtual-Q booking, the drive to Nilakkal, a dip in the Pamba, the climb to the Sannidhanam and darshan up the eighteen holy steps, with vehicles arranged for whole groups.
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4D / 3NSabarimala · GuruvayurErumeli, Sabarimala & Guruvayur Yatra
The traditional route by Erumeli for petta thullal at the Dharma Sastha temple and Vavar mosque, the climb from Pamba to Sabarimala, then darshan at Guruvayur on the way home.
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4D / 3NTirupatiTirumala Footpath Darshan
The climb to Tirumala by the Alipiri or Srivari Mettu footpath for Divya Darshan, with luggage sent up by the TTD service, a rest day, then the Padmavathi temple at Tiruchanur, Sri Kalahasti and the Kanipakam Vinayaka temple.
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4D / 3NGuruvayur · Kochi · ThiruvananthapuramGuruvayur & Kerala Temple Trail
Darshan at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, a night in Kochi, then the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, with dress-code guidance for each.
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3D / 2NMysuru · ShravanabelagolaShravanabelagola & Mysuru
Mysuru's palace and Chamundi Hill, then the barefoot climb to the great Gommateshwara statue and the basadis of Chandragiri.
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6D / 5NKumbakonam · Palani · Madurai · TiruchendurArupadai Veedu: Six Abodes of Murugan
Swamimalai near Kumbakonam, Palani's hilltop temple, Thiruparankundram and Pazhamudircholai around Madurai and the seashore temple at Tiruchendur, with Thiruttani as a day trip from Chennai.
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3D / 2NTiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai Girivalam
Two nights at Tiruvannamalai for darshan at Arunachaleswarar, the full-moon Girivalam around Arunachala hill and quiet time at the Ramana Maharshi ashram.
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5D / 4NKanchipuram · Tiruvannamalai · Chidambaram · Tiruchirappalli (Srirangam)Pancha Bhoota Sthalam Yatra
Shiva's five elemental temples: earth at Ekambareswarar in Kanchipuram, fire at Tiruvannamalai, space at Chidambaram and water at Thiruvanaikaval, with Srikalahasti (air) as a day trip from Chennai.
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3D / 2NTiruchirappalli (Srirangam)Srirangam & Trichy Temples
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, Jambukeswarar at Thiruvanaikaval, the Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar temple and Samayapuram Mariamman.
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3D / 2NChidambaramChidambaram Nataraja & Pichavaram
Darshan at the Thillai Nataraja Temple, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and a rowing boat through the Pichavaram mangroves, timed for Natyanjali on request.
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4D / 3NTiruchendur · KanyakumariTiruchendur & Kanyakumari Coastal Temples
The seashore Murugan temple at Tiruchendur, then the Kumari Amman temple, Vivekananda Rock and sunrise at the southern tip of India.
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9D / 8NKanchipuram · Chidambaram · Kumbakonam · ThanjavurGrand Tamil Nadu Temple Tour
Tamil Nadu's great temples in one journey: Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, the Chola temples of Kumbakonam and Thanjavur, Srirangam, Madurai's Meenakshi and Rameswaram.
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5D / 4NKodaikanal · ValparaiWestern Ghats Trek: Kodaikanal & Valparai
Forest trails and viewpoints around Kodaikanal with a local guide, then tea estates, waterfalls and lion-tailed macaques around Valparai; forest permits arranged where needed.
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5D / 4NCoonoor · OotyOoty Kids' Holiday
The Nilgiri toy train, boating on Ooty Lake, the botanical garden, a tea factory and the Pykara falls, with short drives and an easy pace for children.
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4D / 3NMaduraiPongal in Madurai
Mid-January in Madurai for Pongal: kolams and sugarcane in the villages, the Meenakshi temple, and jallikattu at Alanganallur when it is held.
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4D / 3NChettinadChettinad Luxury Heritage Stay
Three nights in a restored Chettiar mansion hotel with private guided walks through Kanadukathan, an Athangudi tile workshop and a Chettinad cooking session.
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4D / 3NCoimbatore · OotyCoimbatore & Ooty Team Offsite
A short team offsite: meetings in Coimbatore, then two nights in the Nilgiris with a resort meeting room, a tea-estate walk and the toy train.
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4D / 3NMadurai · RameswaramRameswaram & Dhanushkodi Island Trip
Across the Pamban bridge to Rameswaram island: the Ramanathaswamy temple corridors, then the ghost town and sea at Dhanushkodi at the island's tip.
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