South India Tour Packages

South India comprises five states: Andra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, and a Union Territory, Puducherry (Pondicherry). Some classifications would include the islands of Lakshadweep and, Andaman and Nicobar.

This peninsular region is shaped like an inverted triangle with mountain ranges on both sides, aptly called the Western and Eastern Ghats. It borders the Arabian Sea on the west, the Bay of Bengal on the east, and the Indian Ocean on the south.

South India is blessed with a diverse geography. In addition to the two mountain ranges, the Deccan Plateau forms the region’s heartland, covering the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andra Pradesh, and Kerala.
Unlike in the North, rivers in the South depend on the rain, shrinking during the summer and expanding during monsoon. The Godavari, which flows from Maharashtra and ends in Andra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, is the largest river in South India. Other rivers in South India include Krishna, the second largest river, Kaveri, and Tungabadra. As for Kerala, the rivers flow westward and into the Arabian Sea. They include Periyar, Netravati, Mandovi, Tapti, and Narmada. Kerala is also home to Vembanad, the largest lake in India. It covers three districts: Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.

South India has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic Age. We have evidence of early Stone Age settlements in places like Attirampakkam in Tamil Nadu and Kurnool Caves in Andra Pradesh. We also have Neolithic and Mesolithic sites like Brahmanagari and Madurai, respectively. However, recorded South Indian history begins with the Iron Age, with sites like Sivagalai revealing iron objects like axes, swords, arrowheads, and knives placed inside burial urns.

The Sangan Age, which lasted for over 150 years, followed the Iron Age and was marked by several notable works, such as Tolkapiyam, Paripatal, and Pattupattu—all written in Tamil. This era gets its name from the Tamil Sangams, or literary gatherings that were arranged by erstwhile kings and attended by poets and saints.

The Pandyas were the earliest rulers of South India, having ruled South India since the 4th or 3rd century BCE. They were later followed by the Cheras and Cholas, who ruled Tamilakam from the 1st century. Other dynasties that ruled South India include the Pandyas, Cholas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Satavahanas, and Ishkvakus. Some are even mentioned in epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Some kingdoms, like the Pandyas, maintained strong maritime trade with the Romans, Egyptians, Greeks, and Arabs. The Cholas of Tamil Nadu were great maritime warriors who conquered as far as Malaysia and Indonesia.

Southern India can be distinguished from the North not only by race and language; various archaeological evidence points towards a civilisation that followed a form of governance, customs, traditions, and literature far removed from those in the North. Check out our South India tour packages to learn what separates the regions south of Vindhyas.

• South India contributes 35% of the India’s GDP
• The literacy rate of the southern states is 79.1% – higher than the national average of 77.7%
• Tamil is one of the oldest continually spoken languages in the world.
• South India is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• The Ranganathaswamy Temple is the largest Hindu temple in India
• Thiruvithamcode Arapally and the St Thomas Syro-Malabar Church are two of the oldest churches in India, established in the 1st century.
• The Cheraman Jumma Mosque in Kodungallur is the oldest in India, built in the 7th century.
• The Western Ghats, along with Sri Lanka, are considered one of the world’s eight hottest hotspots.
• Ayurveda originated in Kerala more than 3000 years ago.
• The Western Ghats are home to over 70% of medicinal plants used in traditional and folk medicines.
• The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the richest in the world.

• Respect local customs, especially when visiting temples. Pack plenty of salwar kameez, sarees, etc., for temple visits.
• Carry light cotton clothes and sunglasses, as most of South India is hot and humid. The exception is hill stations where you’ll need warm clothes.
• If your itinerary includes Ayurveda treatments like Panchakarma, check with the doctor about the dos and don’ts before/after treatment, as these come with many restrictions.
• Remember to carry mosquito repellents, as some South Indian states have high dengue incidences during the monsoon.
• Be prepared for the humid weather. Carry a water bottle at all times
• A lot of places can be prone to flash floods between October and December. Make sure you plan your South India tour packages accordingly.

From scenic beaches to beautiful backwaters and grand temples, there are hundreds of reasons to visit Southern India. But if you are looking for a unique holiday experience, here are a few reasons to choose South India tour packages.

The entire landscape of southern India is dotted with splendid temples, which serve as a treasure trove of ancient Indian culture. A spiritual South India tour package will leave you in awe of the country’s ancient wisdom. Places like Kancheepuram, Madurai, Tirupati, Udipi, Kaladi, Guruvayoor, and Sringeri are replete with monuments and shrines that have attracted spiritual seekers for thousands of years.

Some of the famous pilgrimage cities covered in your South India tour packages include:

This temple is considered the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu or Bhooloka Vaikuntam and is revered as one of the holiest places for Vaishnavites. Millions of Indians from across the world visit Tirupati as the deity Lord Balaji is known to fulfil the wishes of his devotees. In return, people express gratitude by fulfilling any vows they may have taken, including offering money, gold, and even hair.

This is one of the Char Dhams, or four pilgrimage sites that Hindus may visit to attain moksha. It is believed that Lord Rama installed the original sand deity of Lord Shiva when performing the Brahma Hathi dosha puja to absolve himself of killing Ravana, a Brahmin. Hindus also believe one must visit Rameswaram after visiting Kashi to attain moksha.

They aren’t just places of worship but encapsulate a rich tapestry of art, architecture, history, social practices, and even folklore.

The presiding deity of this temple, Lord Balakrishna, attracts thousands of devotees every day but cannot be seen directly. He can be seen through a 9-holed window called Navagraha Kitiki. Sri Madhvacharya established the temple and adjoining matt (monastery) in the 13th century.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. It receives over a million visitors annually, but it is especially crowded during the 10-day Chithirai Thiruvizha, during which Goddess Meenakshi weds Lord Sundareshwarar, believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for its Golden Lotus Lake and the 1000-pillared hall.

This is one of the most revered temples in South India, dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, believed to be the child of Lord Shiva and Mohini, a female manifestation of Lord Vishnu. But you cannot visit the temple like any other regular tourist. Male devotees and female devotees below the age of 9 and above 50 can visit the temple after a 41-day rigorous penance involving eating only vegetarian food, bathing every day, etc. This is because the presiding deity is believed to be celibate and away from all worldly pleasures.

This famous Krishna temple is open to Hindus only but is an important Vaishnavite shrine. The presiding deity is Lord Guruvayurappan, a young form of Lord Krishna. It is believed that visiting the temple brings prosperity and happiness in a person’s life.

The majestic Western Ghats straddle through 3 of the 5 southern Indian states, viz., Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These mountains promise to deliver a memorable vacation to wildlife enthusiasts through scenic tea plantations, amazing wildlife encounters, picturesque train journeys, and challenging hiking trails. Andhra Pradesh, too, is replete with wildlife, thanks to the Eastern Ghats, which is home to a large variety of flora and fauna and several endangered species. Some popular wildlife experiences in our South Indian tour packages include:

This tiger reserve encompasses the Cardamom and Pandalam Hills of the Southern Western Ghats. The park has several rare and endangered species like the Bengal tiger, barking deer, leopards, mouse deer, and monitor lizards. You can stay at one of the many cottages or jungle camps within the park to enjoy nature walks, bamboo rafting, trekking, tiger trail walking, jungle scouting, animal safari, night trekking, and more.

This sanctuary is situated in the eastern hills of the Western Ghats in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu but shares its boundaries with the forest regions of Karnataka and Kerala. It is home to several rare and endemic species, such as the Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar laughing thrush, and white-rumped vulture, and other animals like the Indian gaur, Bengal tiger, and sloth bears. Some activities you can enjoy at one of the many resorts include jungle safari, trekking, birdwatching, elephant safari, and visiting the Theppakadu Elephant Camp.

This sanctuary is on the foothills of the Western Ghats and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, covering the Kodagu and Mysore districts. The sanctuary is named after the Nagarhole River and is home to several animal and plant species, such as tigers, sloth bears, sambar, mouse deer, and striped hyena. You can stay at one of the many resorts within the sanctuary to enjoy boat or jeep safaris, trekking, nature walks, bird watching, and coracle riding.

Although not as popular as its western counterpart, the Eastern Ghats are equally mesmerising and home to an abundant wildlife population. This national park is part of the Palammer-Kuppam forest ranges in the Chittoor District. It is home to several animal species like the Asian elephant, yellow-throated bulbul, sloth bear, jungle fowl, and starred tortoise. You can stay at a resort within the park to enjoy elephant safaris, bathing in one of the many waterfalls, bird watching, and trekking.

This national park is part of the mid-western regions of the Western Ghats and covers the Chikmagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, and Udipi districts. It gets its name from the Kudremukha Peak, meaning horse’s face. The park is home to several waterfalls, picturesque peaks, and a wide range of animals like leopards, endangered macaques, langurs, tigers, and flying squirrels. Some activities you can enjoy while staying at a resort include trekking, safari, bathing in the many waterfalls, and nature walks.

The magnificent Western and Eastern Ghats have led to a natural landscape with lush greenery and cool climates that once offered respite to the British officers of the East India Company. These hill stations have continued to maintain their colonial charm and indigenous heritage. Some of the places you must visit with our South India tour packages include:

Ooty, or Udhagamandalam, is a part of the Nilgiri District and a former British summer resort. It is dubbed the Queen of Hills and is famous for its picturesque peaks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tea plantations. The best time to visit Ooty is between October and March when the cool temperatures are ideal for sightseeing.

This beautiful hill station is part of the Dindigul District and a popular holiday destination for honeymooning couples. The town is famous for its waterfalls, which are believed to have medicinal value. Besides waterfalls, you can enjoy biking, trekking, boating, and walking along Coaker’s Walk. The best time to visit Kodaikanal is between October and February.

Munnar is part of the Idukki District and is famous for its tea estates, spice plantations, and stunning wildlife. You can buy cardamom, pepper, tea, and vanilla in Munnar. The best time to visit this beautiful hill station is October and February, when the weather makes it ideal for trekking and sightseeing.

Coorg, also called Kodagu District, is one of Karnataka’s most famous hill stations. It is home to three wildlife sanctuaries, Brahmagiri, Talakaveri, and Puspagiri, and the Nagarhole National Park. You can buy coffee, spices, and chocolates in Coorg. The best time to visit the hill station is from October to March.

This beautiful mountainous district is famous for its virgin forests and verdant paddy fields. In fact, Wayanad is derived by combining the terms Vayal and Nadu, meaning paddy country. Tourists visit the town to explore the Edakkal Caves, the many waterfalls, and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit Wayanad is between November and February.

Yercaud is one of the most famous hill stations in the Eastern Ghats and part of the Servarayan Hills. The hill station is famous for its lush greenery, orange groves, coffee and spice plantations, and beautiful viewpoints. The best time to visit Yercaud is between October and June when the weather is pleasant and perfect for sightseeing.

The hill station is part of the Kolli Malai range and is in the Eastern Ghats. It is famous for its waterfalls, caves of ancient saints, Bogar and Agastya, and medicinal plants. Some activities you can enjoy here include trekking, nature walks, camping, and bathing in the many waterfalls. The best time to visit Kolli Hills is between October and February.

The Araku Valley is in the Visakhapatnam District and is famous for its coffee plantations, streams, gardens, and lush green forests. The hill station is home to the Anantagiri and Sunkrimetta reserved forests. The best time to visit Araku Valley is between October and March.

South India has a rich culture, reflected through its festivals, traditions, religious practices, clothing, and even everyday behaviour. Being an agrarian society, most festivals are celebrated around harvest. For instance, Tamil Nadu’s biggest festival, Pongal, is celebrated to thank the Sun for a bountiful harvest. Ugadi and Sankranti are similar festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, respectively, around the same time as Pongal.

Onam is an important harvest festival during which people pray for a good harvest after the rainy season. Vishu is another festival celebrated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu (as Puthandu) to mark the beginning of a new lunar year.

As for the architecture, Hampi in Karnataka is famous for its ancient ruins, monuments, and temples built in the 14th century along the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The Hoysalas were an important dynasty in Karnataka. They built the famous Channakeshava Temple in Belur, the Hoysalesvara Temple in Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple in Somnathpura. There are several other temples, such as the Shore Temples of Mamallapuram and the Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore.

The Thrissur Pooram Festival in Kerala was named the most spectacular festival by the UNESCO. Another important cultural heritage of Kerala is the Aranmula mirror, a handmade mirror made from an alloy of copper and tin. The art of making this mirror is passed down through generations and is a closely guarded secret.

When in Mysore during Dasara, don’t forget to miss the Navarathri Festival that ends with the grand procession of the Goddess Chamundeshwari.

Dance is another expression of South Indian heritage. Some popular and classical dance forms originated in South India include Kathakali and Mohiniattam from Kerala, Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu, and Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh. Oppana is another dance form performed during Mappila weddings in Kerala.