These routes are starting points, not fixed packages. Each keeps travel days manageable and leaves time to slow down. Adjust them for the season (see when to visit South India) and for how you like to travel.
Classic Kerala · 7 days
- Days 1–2: Fort Kochi and Mattancherry; a Kathakali performance in the evening.
- Days 3–4: drive to Munnar for tea estates and Eravikulam.
- Day 5: down to Alappuzha or Kumarakom for an overnight houseboat.
- Days 6–7: south to Varkala; fly out from Thiruvananthapuram.
Best season: October to March. Add Thekkady for wildlife between Munnar and the backwaters.
The Tamil Nadu temple trail · 8 days
- Day 1: Chennai: the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore and the Government Museum.
- Day 2: Mahabalipuram.
- Days 3–4: Puducherry and Auroville.
- Days 5–6: Thanjavur and the great Chola temples, with a day trip to Darasuram and Gangaikondacholapuram.
- Days 7–8: Madurai; fly out.
Best season: January to March, after the north-east monsoon. Add Chettinad between Thanjavur and Madurai for its mansions and food.
Karnataka: palaces, coffee and ruins · 10 days
- Day 1: Bengaluru.
- Days 2–3: Mysuru and Srirangapatna.
- Days 4–6: Kodagu on a coffee estate.
- Day 7: the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu.
- Days 8–10: Hampi; overnight train back to Bengaluru.
Best season: October to February. The drive from Belur to Hampi is long; break it overnight if needed.
Chennai to Kochi · 14 days
- Days 1–4: Chennai, Mahabalipuram and Puducherry.
- Days 5–6: Thanjavur.
- Days 7–8: Madurai.
- Days 9–10: over the Ghats to Munnar.
- Day 11: a houseboat on the backwaters.
- Days 12–14: Fort Kochi; fly out from Kochi.
Best season: January to March, when both coasts are dry. Fly into Chennai and out of Kochi to avoid backtracking.
Shorter breaks
- Hyderabad weekend: the old city, Golconda and the food; add Warangal and Ramappa for a third day.
- Vizag and Araku: three days of coast, caves and coffee. See our Araku guide.
For transport between stops, see getting around South India.
Sources and image credits
Facts that can change were checked on 30 October 2026:
- UNESCO: Great Living Chola Temples
- UNESCO: Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
- IRCTC (official train booking)
- India Meteorological Department
Photography: Ravi Kant via Pexels (Pexels License). A stock image, not the author’s own.
These are suggested routes, not tested packages. Check transport, weather and opening times before you commit.
