South India Temples Tour

Chennai - Tirupati - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Puducherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Chettinad - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari - Kovalam - Trivandrum

South India Temples Tour

Overview - South India Temples Tour

The South India Temples Tour is a spiritual odyssey through centuries of devotion, architecture, and living traditions. Beginning in Chennai, this 14-day itinerary takes you through the most sacred and architecturally rich temples in Tamil Nadu and Kerala — from the ancient shrines of Tirupati and Kanchipuram to the sea-washed temples of Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari, culminating in the tranquil coastlines of Kovalam and Trivandrum.

Meticulously curated by Heritage India Private Tours, this journey blends spirituality with cultural discovery, offering insights into South India’s timeless rituals, temple arts, and sacred landscapes.

Tour Highlights

  • Visit the revered Tirupati Balaji Temple, one of India’s holiest shrines.
  • Explore the ancient temples of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram.
  • Experience Pondicherry’s blend of French elegance and spiritual calm.
  • Discover Chola-era architecture at Thanjavur (Tanjore).
  • Pay homage at Rameshwaram, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
  • Witness sunrise and sunset at Kanyakumari, India’s southernmost tip.
  • Relax on the golden beaches of Kovalam before ending in Trivandrum.
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Itinerary

Arrive in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. You’ll be received by our representative and escorted to your hotel. After freshening up, visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Parthasarathy Temple, one of the city’s oldest shrines.

In the evening, take a stroll along Marina Beach and enjoy the coastal breeze. Chennai’s perfect blend of urban life and spiritual energy sets the tone for your temple journey.

After breakfast, drive to Tirupati, one of India’s most visited pilgrimage centers. Upon arrival, check into your hotel before visiting the sacred Sri Venkateswara Temple atop Tirumala Hill.

This temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, attracts millions of devotees yearly. The chants, bells, and spiritual devotion that fill the air here make it a divine experience. Overnight stay in Tirupati.

After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India. Visit Kailasanathar Temple, the city’s oldest structure, followed by Ekambareswarar Temple, famous for its thousand-pillar hall.

Continue to Kamakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvati, before exploring local silk weaving workshops where world-famous Kanchipuram sarees are crafted. Stay overnight in Kanchipuram.

After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram, an ancient port town known for its Pallava-era rock-cut architecture. Visit the magnificent Shore Temple, standing tall by the Bay of Bengal, and the iconic Arjuna’s Penance and Five Rathas.

Spend the evening by the beach, watching the waves crash against ancient sculptures — a timeless image of South India’s artistic heritage. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

After breakfast, continue to Puducherry, a coastal town blending French elegance with Indian spirituality. Check into your boutique hotel and later visit Aurobindo Ashram and the serene township of Auroville.

Evening walk through White Town, where French architecture, art cafés, and seaside promenades create a tranquil ambiance. Overnight stay in Puducherry.

After breakfast, drive to Chidambaram, one of Tamil Nadu’s most sacred temple towns. Visit the Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, which beautifully integrates spirituality and classical art.

The temple’s grand gopurams and gold-plated roofs symbolize the rhythm of the universe. Evening free for meditation or exploration of local rituals. Overnight stay in Chidambaram.

After breakfast, travel to Tanjore (Thanjavur), the seat of the Chola dynasty. Visit the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its towering vimana and exquisite carvings.

Later, explore the Royal Palace and Art Gallery, which showcase ancient bronze sculptures and murals. Thanjavur’s artistic legacy and spiritual richness embody the golden age of South Indian culture.

After breakfast, drive to Chettinad, the cultural heartland of Tamil Nadu, known for its opulent mansions and distinctive cuisine. On arrival, check into a restored heritage hotel reflecting the grandeur of the Chettiar community.

Spend the day exploring Chettinad’s antique-filled palaces, intricate tile work, and village markets. You can also take part in a Chettinad cooking session, savoring spicy curries and aromatic flavors unique to this region. The warm hospitality and old-world charm of Chettinad make this a deeply immersive experience.

After breakfast, depart for Madurai, one of India’s oldest living cities and a major center of Dravidian culture. On arrival, check into your hotel and relax before heading to the majestic Meenakshi Amman Temple, an architectural wonder adorned with thousands of colorful sculptures.

As evening falls, attend the Aarti ceremony, where priests, chants, and oil lamps fill the air with sacred energy. The temple’s spiritual ambiance and intricate artistry make it a highlight of any South India journey.

After breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram, one of India’s most revered Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The journey takes you across the Pamban Bridge, offering panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax before visiting Ramanathaswamy Temple, renowned for its thousand-pillared corridor and holy water tanks.

Devotees from all over India come here to perform rituals and bathe in sacred waters. Evening at leisure near the seashore, where legend says Lord Rama built a bridge to Lanka — an enduring symbol of faith and courage.

After breakfast, proceed to Kanyakumari, India’s southernmost tip where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean converge. Check into your beachside hotel and unwind.

In the evening, visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial, standing on a small island just off the coast, and watch the sun set into the sea — a sight of pure tranquility. Kanyakumari’s natural beauty and spiritual aura make it a fitting milestone in your temple trail.

Wake early to witness the sunrise over the Indian Ocean, a magical spectacle where golden rays illuminate the coastline. After breakfast, drive to Kovalam, Kerala’s most famous beach resort. On arrival, check into your seaside resort and relax by the Arabian Sea.

Spend the afternoon at leisure — take a dip in the ocean, enjoy a soothing Ayurvedic massage, or stroll along Lighthouse Beach. Kovalam’s gentle waves and golden sands bring a perfect balance of rest and reflection after your days of temple travel.

After breakfast, take a short drive to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala’s capital city. Visit the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a stunning example of Dravidian architecture dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Explore the Napier Museum and Sri Chitra Art Gallery, which display classical art and royal treasures. Return to Kovalam in the evening for a relaxed beachside dinner, watching the waves fade under the twilight sky.

After breakfast, transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for your onward flight. Your South India Temples Tour concludes with sacred memories — from the chants of Tirupati to the sunsets of Kanyakumari, every temple, ocean, and prayer marking a step closer to the divine.

This journey blends devotion, art, and architecture into an unforgettable spiritual voyage across the heart of South India.

What Our Clients Say

Hear what our happy guests say about their India adventures! From private drivers to guided tours, we make every journey smooth, safe & unforgettable.

Bruce D
24 Sep
5/5
A tour of South India
  We are recently back from a fine 10 day tour of South India – Goa, Kochi, the Kerala backwaters, a spice farm in the Western Ghats, the Madurai temples, and last but not least the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. All done with class, excellent drivers (especially Mr. Jai Ram in Kerala) and tour guides. Organized by Magan Singh, Heritage India Private Tours. Perhaps a bit pricey but highly recommended for those who have the resources to invest in a guaranteed high quality experience with no inconveniences/surprises. The hotels were fantastic, especially the Taj in Mumbai (the tour of the hotel was fascinating).  ...Read More
RJBAust
21 Oct
5/5
Sit back & enjoy- everything is well organised
  We are back from another amazing tour organised by the ever reliable Magan Singh. This was our 4th trip with Magan and again he didn't disappoint. This time we had an incredible time travelling north & spending time around Leh. We also enjoyed some travel through Bahu, Dalhousie, Alsisar, Khandela and Patan. Again the hotel stays were excellent, the vehicle was reliable, comfortable and well maintained. Our conversations & learning were excellent. Nothing is too much trouble for Magan and he is a great host & promoter of Indian tourism  ...Read More
Tiffany
16 Feb
5/5
This is India
  After an incredible journey through Rajasthan, we have nothing but praise for Mr. Maaghan Singh and his Heritage India Private Tours. Whether you’re drawn to the medieval or the hypermodern, north, south, east, or west, have a large budget or small, this is the company to trust. We had a fantastic time and felt thoroughly cared for throughout. Maaghan Singh’s deep knowledge, thoughtful suggestions, love of India, and flexibility in responding to the realities on the ground made all the difference. Highly recommended.  ...Read More
Berlinde V
15 Dec
5/5
Perfect trip!
  We went on a 14 day tour for the second time with Magan. Magan is very professional. Magan is always on time and flexible in his itinerary. He has a very comfortable car and is an outstanding driver! He is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. We highly recommend him!!!We are looking forward to travel with him again.  ...Read More
Laura J
04 Jun
5/5
Wonderful experience, thank you Heritage India Private Tours!
  We have just completed a 19 day trip - Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, Narlai, Jodhpur, Mandawa - and it has been a wonderful experience. Magan was excellent helping us plan the right itinerary for a family of 3, including our 12 year old daughter. His communication was always timely. And then the experience itself has been wonderful. So much of the “real India” to learn about and was shared with us. Each destination was well organised, our hotels were beautiful and staff welcoming. Magan was flexible where we needed to alter along the way - we would discuss each days plans and he helped us find the right plans for that day. He was always available if we needed him. We will definitely be returning for another itinerary and experience as soon as we can. Thank you so much Magan!  ...Read More
Chetna M
09 May
5/5
Magic Magan
  This was my first tour with Maganbhai but my family’s second tour with his company. We spent two weeks touring Himachal Pradesh and Maganbhai is a consummate professional. As we started our planning, kicked into action with very detailed and family specific questions so that he could tailor the tour to our individual and collective requirements. Maganbhai made some excellent and knowledgeable recommendations and at every location we were given a choice of quality heritage hotels to pick from. As we were travelling as a group, we were given a top range minibus and our driver, Sahil, was very professional and took great care, especially on mountain roads. During our carefully planned tour Maganbhai shared with us his incredible knowledge of each location and historical significance. At each destination, our hotel / guest in check in was very smooth and quick and our rooms were always ready. Throughout each day, Maganbhai was always available for any requirement we had and also to answer all questions. His priority throughout was to ensure that everyone had a fantastic time. Even after we finished our tour but remained in country Maganbhai generously offered to be available for all family members for any issues we might have. PHT is a top end tour company led by a highly professional tour operator, offering value for money. I wholeheartedly recommend using PHT for Maganbhai to fully cater for your next trip to India.  ...Read More
Di
06 Feb
5/5
Highly recommended for “Real India”
  Fantastic 35 day trip in Rajastan and South India. Magan organised everything- great itinerary, amazing accomodation, excellent guides. Cars were brand new, very comfortable and expertly driven by Magan and Fateh. We felt more like valued friends than clients - Magan is passionate to showcase the “Real India”, and entertained us with jokes and stories along the way. Highlights included Tiger and leopard sightings in Kabini, romantic houseboat for two, dinner at Magans friends home, numerous stops for coconut, papaya, pineapple, guava, masala chai, lemon chai, masala dosa………We already plan to return (with friends) next year. Highly recommended.  ...Read More
Tine M
07 Feb
5/5
Fantastic short trip in North India with group of friends
  We had an amazing trip with Heritage India Private Tours, headed by Maghan! We were a group of 8 friends from Belgium going to Rishikesh for the wedding of a mutual friend. We only had 7 days to travel North India before the wedding festivities and Heritage Tours made sure that we could complete our busy itinerary carefree. Our driver Satnayaran was an excellent driver and a funny and helpful guide on our trip. He helped us with restaurant recommendations (the food court in Jaipur!!!), tips to travel safely and to buy local gifts, certainly in his hometown of Jaipur. We visited Jodpur, Pushkar (thank you to our local guide Manoj), Jaipur (with Rajesh Parasar as an excellent guide for the fort and old city center), and the Taj Mahal in Agra with Mohammed Tariq who took the besttttt instagram pictures. Finally, Maghan was available at every hour of the day to answer questions and to give us tips to navigate India.  ...Read More

Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 448 reviews

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