Temples Tour of South India – 15 Nights / 16 Days

Explore Ancient Hindu Temples, Sacred Pilgrimage Towns, Kerala Hill Stations & Backwaters

The Temples Tour of South India is a private 15-night journey through Tamil Nadu and Kerala, combining ancient Hindu temples, UNESCO World Heritage monuments, sacred pilgrimage towns, hill stations and Kerala's peaceful backwaters. Beginning in Chennai and ending in Kochi, the route balances spirituality, heritage, nature and everyday local life at a comfortable pace.

The first half explores the temple heartland of Tamil Nadu. After Kanchipuram, a sacred city famous for its silk weaving, Mahabalipuram introduces the Pallava stone monuments beside the Bay of Bengal. The journey then continues to Tiruvannamalai, where the Arunachaleswarar Temple stands beneath the sacred Arunachala Hill, and to Chidambaram, home of the celebrated Nataraja Temple.

In the fertile Cauvery Delta, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur and Trichy hold some of the finest Chola temple architecture in India, and these temples remain active places of worship rather than museum pieces. Madurai follows, with the colourful towers of the Meenakshi Amman Temple rising above its flower markets and bazaars.

The landscape then changes as the road climbs into the Western Ghats, with the spice plantations of Thekkady and the tea-covered hills of Munnar. An overnight houseboat cruise through the backwaters of Alleppey follows, before the tour finishes in historic Fort Kochi. Every journey is a private, chauffeur-driven itinerary that can be tailored to your pace, interests and hotel preferences.

Itinerary – 15 Nights Tamil Nadu & Kerala Temple Tour

• Day 1: Arrival in Chennai
  Welcome to South India. Upon arrival in Chennai you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Often overlooked by first-time visitors, Chennai offers a fascinating introduction to the region's culture and traditions. During the drive through the city, temple towers rise unexpectedly above busy streets, flower vendors prepare garlands for evening worship, and roadside cafés serve freshly brewed filter coffee. The rest of the day is yours to relax and settle into the rhythm of South India. Overnight stay in Chennai.
• Day 2: Discovering Chennai
  This morning introduces you to the living traditions of Tamil Nadu. Begin in the historic neighbourhood of Mylapore, where the colourful Kapaleeshwarar Temple remains the spiritual heart of the community. Devotees arrive carrying offerings of flowers and coconuts while temple bells echo through the surrounding streets. Beyond the temple, explore a city shaped by traders, colonial powers, scholars and artists over many centuries. A walk along Marina Beach offers a chance to watch local life unfold against the backdrop of the Bay of Bengal. Overnight stay in Chennai.
• Day 3: Chennai → Kanchipuram → Mahabalipuram (Approx. 140 km | 4–5 hrs)
  Leaving Chennai behind, the journey heads into the heart of Tamil Nadu. Urban neighbourhoods give way to small towns, rice fields and brightly painted roadside shrines. Kanchipuram is one of India's oldest sacred cities, where temple traditions and silk weaving continue much as they have for generations. Temple towers dominate the skyline, while the sound of handlooms drifts from workshops along quiet lanes. Later continue to Mahabalipuram, where the Bay of Bengal comes into view once again. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
• Day 4: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing
  The day is devoted to one of South India's most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites. The monuments of Mahabalipuram were carved more than thirteen centuries ago, yet many look as though they were finished only yesterday. The Shore Temple stands dramatically beside the sea, while the Five Rathas and Arjuna's Penance showcase the extraordinary skill of Pallava craftsmen. Beyond the monuments, Mahabalipuram keeps the relaxed atmosphere of a fishing town, with colourful boats lining the shore. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
• Day 5: Mahabalipuram → Tiruvannamalai (Approx. 180 km | 4 hrs)
  Today's journey leaves the Coromandel Coast behind and heads towards one of South India's most important pilgrimage destinations. As you approach Tiruvannamalai, the sacred Arunachala Hill dominates the landscape long before the town appears. For many devotees the hill is not simply a mountain but a living form of Lord Shiva. The vast Arunachaleswarar Temple spreads across acres of carved halls, towering gateways and sacred shrines. As evening approaches, pilgrims continue to arrive from across India, creating an atmosphere of devotion that feels both timeless and deeply authentic. Overnight stay in Tiruvannamalai.
• Day 6: Tiruvannamalai → Chidambaram (Approx. 150 km | 3.5–4 hrs)
  After breakfast, continue eastward through rural Tamil Nadu, where village life unfolds much as it has for generations. Farmers tend their fields, roadside stalls serve strong local chai, and small temples appear among groves of coconut and banana trees. By afternoon you arrive in Chidambaram, home to the celebrated Nataraja Temple, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the Cosmic Dancer, symbolising the eternal rhythm of creation and destruction. Unlike many historic temples that function mainly as monuments, Chidambaram remains a vibrant centre of worship where ancient rituals continue every day. Overnight stay in Chidambaram.
• Day 7: Chidambaram → Kumbakonam (Approx. 75 km | 2 hrs)
  The route today leads into the fertile Cauvery Delta, often called the cultural heartland of Tamil Nadu. Rivers, canals, rice fields and temple towns define the landscape. Kumbakonam is not a city built around a single monument but an entire region shaped by faith, tradition and craftsmanship. Temple bells ring throughout the day, flower sellers arrange jasmine garlands outside shrines, and bronze artisans continue techniques passed down over centuries. Overnight stay in Kumbakonam.
• Day 8: Kumbakonam Temple Circuit
  Today is spent exploring some of the finest temple architecture in South India. Beyond their religious importance, these monuments tell the story of the Chola Empire, one of the greatest dynasties in Indian history. Visit the UNESCO-listed Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, along with several remarkable Chola-era temples scattered across the region. These temples are not preserved as museum pieces; they remain active places of worship at the centre of everyday community life. Overnight stay in Kumbakonam.
• Day 9: Kumbakonam → Thanjavur → Trichy (Approx. 100 km | 2.5–3 hrs)
  This morning brings one of the architectural highlights of the journey. Rising above Thanjavur, the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple is as impressive today as it was when completed more than a thousand years ago. Built entirely from granite, it reflects the extraordinary ambition and engineering skill of the Chola rulers. Later continue to Trichy, where temple towers dominate the skyline and the sacred Cauvery River shapes life across the region. Overnight stay in Trichy.
• Day 10: Trichy → Madurai (Approx. 160 km | 3.5–4 hrs)
  Begin the morning at Srirangam, one of the largest functioning temple complexes in the world and the spiritual heart of Vaishnavite tradition in South India. The scale of the temple is extraordinary, yet what leaves the strongest impression is daily life unfolding within its walls: pilgrims queue patiently for blessings, priests move between shrines, and local families gather for prayers. Later continue south to Madurai. As you approach the city, the towering gopurams of the Meenakshi Amman Temple begin to dominate the skyline. Overnight stay in Madurai.
• Day 11: Madurai Sightseeing
  Madurai is often described as one of the oldest living cities in the world, and nowhere is that clearer than around the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The day is spent exploring this extraordinary complex, whose colourful towers are covered with thousands of sculptures of gods, goddesses, mythical creatures and scenes from sacred stories. The charm of Madurai extends beyond the temple walls, to jasmine-scented flower markets, narrow streets of traditional shops and lively bazaars. As evening falls, the temple is lit by lamps and filled with the sounds of devotional music and prayer. Overnight stay in Madurai.
• Day 12: Madurai → Thekkady (Approx. 140 km | 4 hrs)
  Today marks a change in scenery and atmosphere. Leaving the temple cities of Tamil Nadu behind, the road climbs towards the Western Ghats, and open plains give way to rolling hills of forest and plantation. Roadside stalls begin selling fresh cardamom, pepper, cloves and cinnamon, a hint of what lies ahead. By the time you reach Thekkady the air is cooler and carries the fragrance of Kerala's spice country. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 13: Thekkady → Munnar (Approx. 110 km | 4 hrs)
  Before leaving Thekkady, there is time to experience the region's connection with nature and spice cultivation, whether on a peaceful boat ride on Periyar Lake or a visit to a spice plantation. Continue to Munnar along one of the most scenic routes in South India, where the road winds through valleys, forests, waterfalls and endless plantations. Arrive in Munnar by evening and settle into the cool mountain air. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 14: Munnar Sightseeing
  Munnar is best appreciated slowly. The surrounding hills are covered in neatly planted tea bushes that roll endlessly into the distance, while tea pickers move across the slopes and drifting clouds cast moving shadows. Visit local viewpoints, tea estates and Eravikulam National Park, home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr (the park is usually closed during the calving season in February and March). More than any single sight, it is the fresh mountain air and quiet roads that stay with visitors. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 15: Munnar → Alleppey Houseboat (Approx. 160 km | 5 hrs)
  The descent from Munnar reveals another side of Kerala. The mountains give way to coconut groves, rivers and low-lying countryside before the backwaters come into view. On arrival in Alleppey, board your traditional houseboat and leave the roads behind. Schoolchildren travel by boat, fishermen cast their nets from narrow canoes, and village life unfolds along the water's edge. The calm of the backwaters contrasts beautifully with the busy temple cities of earlier days. Enjoy dinner on board as the sunset colours the water. Overnight stay on the houseboat.
• Day 16: Alleppey → Kochi → Departure (Approx. 55 km | 1.5 hrs)
  After breakfast, disembark and continue to Kochi. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time to explore Fort Kochi, where Portuguese, Dutch, British, Arab and Indian influences have blended into one of India's most fascinating coastal towns. Chinese fishing nets line the waterfront, colonial-era buildings stand beside spice warehouses, and narrow lanes reveal layers of history. You then depart with memories of sacred temples, ancient kingdoms, spice-scented hills and Kerala's tranquil backwaters.

Please Note: Driving distances and times are approximate and may vary with road conditions, traffic, weather and sightseeing stops. The itinerary can be customised to match your pace, interests and preferred hotel category.

What's Included in This Temples Tour of South India

From your arrival in Chennai to your departure from Kochi, every part of this tour is arranged for a comfortable and seamless journey. With private transport, carefully chosen accommodation and local support throughout, you can focus on temples, heritage, scenery and local life rather than logistics.

• 15 nights' accommodation in carefully selected hotels
• Daily breakfast throughout the tour
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced chauffeur for the whole journey
• Airport transfers in Chennai and Kochi, all intercity travel and sightseeing as per the itinerary
• 1-night traditional houseboat stay in Alleppey with all meals included
• Local assistance and support throughout the journey
• Flexible sightseeing schedule with time for photography and local experiences
• Parking fees, toll taxes, driver expenses and government taxes

Not Included

• International and domestic flights
• Indian visa fees
• Lunches and dinners, except on the houseboat
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Camera fees and personal expenses

Customise Your South India Temple Journey

Every traveller experiences South India differently. Some prefer more time in the temple towns, while others enjoy slower stays in the hills or on the backwaters. This itinerary can be tailored to your interests, pace, hotel preferences and travel style.

• Add extra nights in Munnar, Thekkady, Madurai or Kochi
• Include private guides at the major temples and heritage sites
• Upgrade to luxury resorts, boutique hotels or heritage properties
• Add culinary, photography, wellness or cultural experiences
• Extend your journey with Kerala beaches, Ayurveda wellness or wildlife safaris
• Adjust arrival and departure cities to suit your flights

Best Time to Visit

The best time for this tour is November to February, when temperatures are comfortable for temple visits and sightseeing, with October and March also suitable. Chennai and the Tamil Nadu coast receive their northeast monsoon rain from October to December, so showers are possible early in the season. April and May are hot in the temple towns of the plains, although Munnar and Thekkady stay cooler. From June to September, the southwest monsoon makes Kerala's hills, tea plantations and backwaters lush and green, but heavy rain can affect sightseeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to South India?
Yes. The route covers South India's most important cultural, spiritual and scenic destinations at a comfortable pace, making it a good introduction to the region.

Do I need to dress in a particular way for the temples?
Yes. Most temples expect modest clothing, with shoulders and knees covered and shoes removed at the entrance. Some inner sanctums are open to Hindus only, and mobile phones and cameras are restricted inside some temples, such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. Your driver or guide will advise you before each visit.

Do I need to be religious to enjoy this tour?
Not at all. Temples are the highlight, but the journey is equally rewarding for travellers interested in architecture, history, photography, food and local culture.

How long are the drives each day?
Most drives are between two and four hours. The longest is Munnar to Alleppey, at around five hours, and sightseeing stops are built in along the way.

Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. Destinations, hotel standards, sightseeing and the overall pace can all be adjusted to suit you.

Is the tour suitable for families and senior travellers?
Yes. Private transport, manageable distances and a flexible schedule make it suitable for couples, families and older travellers.

Why Travel With Premium India Tours?

Our temple tours of South India are designed around realistic travel times, meaningful cultural experiences and comfortable pacing, rather than simply connecting attractions on a map. We combine carefully selected accommodation, reliable private transport, knowledgeable local support and flexible itineraries, so you can experience South India's temples, traditions, landscapes and heritage in a relaxed and memorable way.