The Most Amazing Luxury South India Tour—Temples, Heritage & Beaches
12 Days of Culture, Elegance, and Serenity
Exclusively Curated by Excursion2India
Destinations Covered: Chennai • Kanchipuram • Mahabalipuram • Pondicherry • Tranquebar • Thanjavur • Chettinad • Madurai • Bangalore
Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Best For: Luxury travelers, heritage lovers, honeymooners, and culture enthusiasts
Ideal For Premium Travelers From: Belgium | UK | France | Spain | Germany | USA | Singapore | Malaysia | Vietnam | The Philippines | Australia
Also Ideal For Premium Travelers From: Kolkata | Mumbai | Ahmedabad | Bhubaneswar | Guwahati | Pune | Bangalore | Jaipur
Experience South India’s Finest Heritage in Luxury:
Embark on an extraordinary journey through South India’s grand temples, refined heritage, colonial charm, and serene beaches—crafted exclusively for discerning global travellers. Every element is designed for comfort and sophistication, from heritage palace stays and boutique beach resorts to expert-led tours and private chauffeured travel.
This luxury itinerary blends Chola architecture, French colonial influences, ancient Tamil traditions, and the quiet opulence of Chettinad mansions—a perfect blend of culture, beauty, and curated luxury.
For travellers exploring the Golden Triangle or planning to extend their trip, consider pairing this journey with our premium pages:
Detailed 12-Day Luxury South India Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Chennai | Gateway to the South
A warm personal welcome awaits at Chennai International Airport. Your chauffeur escorts you to an exclusive luxury hotel overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
In the afternoon, explore:
Marina Beach: Sunset views along the world’s second-longest urban beach.
Fort St. George Museum: Traces of British colonial grandeur.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple: Spiritual and architectural splendor.
Evening: Enjoy a curated South Indian gourmet dinner with a wine pairing at your hotel.
Overnight in Chennai.
Day 2 – Chennai → Kanchipuram → Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram, the city of a thousand temples.
Visit Ekambareswarar, Kamakshi Amman, and Kailasanathar Temples—architectural marvels of the Pallava era—with an exclusive guide, a heritage expert.
Visit a Silk Weaving Centre, where traditional artisans create exquisite handwoven Kanchipuram sarees.
Continue to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check in to your beachfront luxury resort.
Evening: Candlelit seafood dinner by the sea.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram
Day 3 – Heritage and Sea Breeze in Mahabalipuram
Witness sunrise at the Shore Temple, then explore:
Pancha Rathas
Arjuna’s Penance
Krishna’s Butterball—monumental rock-cut wonders.
Spend the afternoon at leisure by the infinity pool or the private beach.
Optional: Private yoga session or an Ayurvedic massage at your resort’s spa.
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
Day 4 – Mahabalipuram → Pondicherry (Puducherry)
Drive along the scenic East Coast Road to Pondicherry, the “Riviera of the East.” Check in at a luxurious hotel, preferably in White Town. Our Pondicherry French heritage tour lets you walk the cobbled streets of White Town, staying in boutique colonial mansions.
Explore on a private walking tour:
French War Memorial, Notre Dame des Anges, and Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
Promenade Beach and the Heritage French Quarter.
Evening: French-Indian fusion dinner at a heritage restaurant with wine tasting.
Overnight: Pondicherry
Day 5 – Cultural and Spiritual Pondicherry
Morning: Visit Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Vedapureeswarar Temple.
Afternoon: Visit Pondicherry Museum and enjoy a private boat cruise on the Chunnambar Backwaters with evening refreshments.
Overnight: Pondicherry
Day 6 – Auroville & Serenity Beach Escape
Morning excursion to Auroville to view Matrimandir and browse artisan boutiques.
Later, relax at Serenity Beach, with a curated private setup.
Optional: Meditation or Spa therapy.
Overnight: Pondicherry
Day 7 – Pondicherry → Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)
Drive to the tranquil coastal heritage town of Tranquebar.
Stay at a heritage hotel close to the beach.
Explore:
Fort Dansborg – the largest Danish fort in India.
New Jerusalem Church and Masilamani Nathar Temple.
Enjoy a sunset stroll on the pristine beach followed by a chef-curated Tamil-Danish fusion dinner.
Overnight: Tranquebar
Day 8 – Tranquebar → Thanjavur (Tanjore)
Drive to Thanjavur, the cradle of Tamil art.
Check into a luxury heritage hotel.
Explore:
Brihadeeswara Temple (UNESCO site).
Thanjavur Maratha Palace and Saraswathi Mahal Library.
Evening: Cultural dance performance and traditional Thanjavur cuisine.
Overnight: Thanjavur
Day 9 – Thanjavur → Chettinad
After breakfast, drive to Chettinad, famous for its palatial mansions and cuisine.
Stay at a luxury heritage hotel.
Enjoy a Chettinad cooking demonstration and a traditional lunch served on banana leaves.
Evening: Walk through Karaikudi and Athangudi Palace.
Overnight: Chettinad
Day 10 – Explore the Living Heritage of Chettinad
Visit Athangudi Tile Workshops and Handloom Centers.
Discover Kanadukathan Village and shop for handmade Chettinad tiles, sarees, and antiques.
Optional: Bullock cart ride or local temple visit.
Dinner: Private terrace dining under the stars with authentic Chettinad flavors.
Overnight: Chettinad
Day 11 – Chettinad → Madurai
Drive to Madurai, one of the oldest living cities in India. Stay at a nice hotel.
Visit:
Meenakshi Amman Temple – architectural marvel and spiritual epicenter.
Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace.
Optional: Witness evening aarti at the temple, a deeply moving spiritual experience.
Overnight: Madurai
Day 12 – Madurai → Bangalore/Delhi (Departure)
After breakfast, fly to Bangalore or Delhi for your onward destination.
Plan Your Exclusive South India Experience with Excursion2India
Luxury Inclusions
5* and heritage accommodations with breakfast
Private luxury SUV or MUV with English-speaking chauffeur
- All monument entry fees and exclusive private guided tours
Cultural experiences and curated dining suggestions
24×7 assistance from Excursion2India concierge team
Luxury South India Tour – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes the Luxury South India Tour truly “luxury”?
Our Luxury South India Tour offers private chauffeured travel, curated boutique and palace stays, personalised sightseeing, exclusive cultural experiences, heritage walks, and fine-dining recommendations. Every element is crafted for comfort, privacy, and seamless travel.
2. Which destinations are covered in this tour?
The typical itinerary includes Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tranquebar, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Madurai, Periyar, and Kumarakom/Marari Beach. Custom routes can also be created based on your interests.
3. Can this luxury tour be customised?
Yes. Everything—from hotel category, sightseeing pace, experiences, food preferences, to the number of travel days—can be personalised. Excursion2India specialises in bespoke, tailor-made itineraries.
4. What type of hotels are included?
We include luxury boutique resorts, heritage mansions, premium beachside hotels, and palace-style properties. Popular choices include CGH Earth Hotels, The Leela, Taj Hotels, Brunton Boatyard, Svatma, and heritage Chettinad mansions.
5. What is the best time to take the Luxury South India Tour?
The ideal season is October to March when the weather is pleasant. However, monsoon lovers enjoy June–September in Kerala for lush landscapes and Ayurveda therapies.
6. How many days do you recommend for a complete tour?
A perfect Luxury South India Tour ranges from 10 to 14 days. Shorter 7–8 day experiences can also be arranged for travellers with limited time.
7. Are private vehicles included throughout the trip?
Yes. A private air-conditioned SUV or MUV with an experienced English-speaking driver accompanies you for the entire journey.
8. Do I get a personal tour manager or local guides?
You receive a dedicated tour manager available 24×7 via WhatsApp, along with expert local guides at key destinations such as Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Kochi.
9. Is this tour suitable for elderly travellers?
Absolutely. The tour is designed with comfort in mind—short walks, accessible hotels, slower pacing, and private transport ensure a relaxed experience.
10. Are meals included in the package?
Breakfast is included at all luxury hotels. You may also opt for full-board or curated dining experiences such as Chettinad cuisine trails, plantation lunches, and backwater dinners.
11. What unique experiences can be added to this tour?
You can enhance your tour with:
Private yoga and Ayurveda sessions
Cooking workshops in Chettinad
Classical dance performance in Madurai
Night temple ceremony experiences
Backwater sunset cruise
Heritage mansion stay
French-quarter walk in Pondicherry
12. Is this tour suitable for honeymooners?
Yes. The combination of beaches, serene backwaters, private luxury stays, and curated romantic experiences make it one of the best honeymoon circuits in South India.
13. Are international travellers well-catered for?
Yes. We work extensively with guests from the UK, USA, Europe, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East. Our team provides seamless airport assistance, currency guidance, and personalised support.
14. How do I book the Luxury South India Tour?
Simply contact us via the enquiry form, email, or WhatsApp. A travel specialist will create a customised plan and assist you through the booking process.
15. Can I extend the tour to Kerala, Goa, or North India?
Certainly. Many guests extend their South India luxury experience to Kerala backwaters, Goa beaches, Rajasthan, Varanasi, or wildlife safaris. Every extension can be tailored to your travel style.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Let Excursion2India design your bespoke South India itinerary—combining luxury, culture, and comfort.
Explore further with customized tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and select destinations in Africa.
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