About this trip
This nine-day route cuts across southern India from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea, taking in some of the region's most striking temple architecture along the way.
You'll spend time in Mamallapuram's rock-cut temples, Thanjavur's towering Brihadeshwara Temple, and Madurai's Meenakshi complex, with spice growing areas, local markets, and village life filling the gaps between. The trip closes out with a slower stretch on Kerala's backwaters.
It's a fully guided group trip with a moderate pace, mixing historical sightseeing with some genuine downtime on the water.
What you'll do
- Explore the rock-cut temples of Mamallapuram
- See the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur
- Wander Madurai's Meenakshi temple complex
- Visit a spice plantation to see where they're grown
- Drift through Kerala's backwaters by boat
- Browse local markets and pass through village life along the route
- Moderate pace with a fair amount of walking around temple sites
- Coast to coast in 9 days means regular travel between stops, so it's not a sit-still trip
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Departing in Jul is cheapest — from £479, about 56% below the priciest month (Jan).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Mamallapuram · 23 Jul – 24 Jul
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