South India Tour Packages from GoldBox Holidays bring together tours that cross state lines in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. For pilgrims, this part of the country has some of the oldest living temples in India, with tall gopurams, long stone corridors and rituals kept up for centuries. For families, it adds beaches, backwaters and hill stations. There are two bus tours in this category at present: a short Arunachalam trip from Hyderabad, and an 8-day temple circuit from Bangalore that runs through Tamil Nadu into Kerala and ends in Kodaikanal.
Popular South India Tour Packages
Both tours travel by bus. One is a quick visit, the other a full week on the road.
- Arunachalam Temple Tour Package From Hyderabad - 2 days by bus, for Shiva devotees who want a focused visit to Tiruvannamalai.
- South India Tour with Tiruvannamalai, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Guruvayur and Kodaikanal from Bangalore - 8 days by bus, for retired couples and families who want a long pilgrimage with a hill station at the end.
Places you will visit
- Tiruvannamalai - the Arunachaleswarar temple at the foot of the sacred Arunachala hill.
- Kumbakonam and Thanjavur - a temple town on the Kaveri delta, and the Chola-built Brihadeeswarar temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Madurai - the Meenakshi Amman temple with its colourful towers.
- Rameshwaram - the Ramanathaswamy temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, known for its long pillared corridors.
- Kanyakumari - the southern tip of India, with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and sunrise over the sea.
- Thiruvananthapuram and Guruvayur - the Padmanabha Swamy Temple and the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in Kerala.
- Palani and Kodaikanal - the hill temple of Lord Murugan, then a cool break by Kodaikanal Lake.
Best time to go
October to March is the best window for a South India temple tour. Tamil Nadu gets heavy northeast monsoon rain from about mid-October to December, so January to March is often the most comfortable. April and May are very hot on the plains, though Kodaikanal stays cool. Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai, in November or December, brings huge crowds and a giant lamp on the hilltop. Full moon days are also busy there.
How to choose the right package
The Arunachalam trip suits devotees in Hyderabad who can manage long bus hours and want a short visit. The 8-day tour is best for those with a full week and good health, as it covers long distances. Rest on the bus between temples when you can. Many Kerala temples have a strict dress code, so men may need a dhoti and women a saree or churidar. For a shorter Tamil Nadu trip, see our Madurai-Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari Tour Packages or Tamil Nadu Tour Packages. Travellers from Hyderabad who prefer to fly can look at the South India Temple Run Package by Flight.
Frequently asked questions
What is Girivalam at Tiruvannamalai?
It is a walk of about 14 km around the Arunachala hill, done barefoot by many devotees, especially on full moon nights. It takes around 4 to 5 hours at a steady pace.
Can I visit Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari on the same day?
It is hard, as they are about 300 km apart. A good plan keeps a separate day for each.
Are these tours suitable for senior citizens?
Yes, for those who are comfortable with long bus rides. Bring a small cushion, loose cotton clothes and your usual medicines. Temple queues can be long, so plan short rests.