India is a vibrant and culturally-rich country to visit. Enjoy delicious cuisine, fascinating history, and incredible manmade and natural attractions.
Given India’s size and diversity, you will have a very different experience depending on the area you choose to visit. For example, witness the hustle and bustle of major cities, head out on wildlife-rich safaris to spot iconic Indian animals, or relax on a tranquil river cruise.
Here, we will focus on South India tours.
In South India, enjoy relaxing river cruises in Kerala, exciting safaris in tiger reserves, tranquil farm stays on spice plantations, a delicious mainly vegetarian cuisine, and some fantastic accommodation and tours.
With this diversity on offer, there are some fantastic South India tours to enjoy.
Let’s have a look at some river cruises, farm stays, wildlife safaris, and luxury resorts.
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The Chikkana Halli Estate, Coorg
The Chikkana Halli Estate offers a luxury experience in the Coorg region of south India. Your entire experience after arrival at the Chikkana Halli Estate is to offer you a haven of luxury to experience this incredible region. Enjoy delicious cuisine of both Indian and continental dishes, which you can enjoy in the resort’s beautiful dining areas.
The comfortable suite options offer a personal pool each with their individual details and personal touches. To fully relax in this incredible region, enjoy a relaxing massage with expert masseuses, as well as herbal baths, oil massages, and other natural therapies. Even walking the 300-acre plantation paradise of the resort grounds, you will enjoy the subtle smell of coffee and spices.
The area is a fantastic place to enjoy nature and there are hundreds of bird species to see on resort grounds and in the surrounding region. This is an area where you can find 25% of all the birds in India making it a bird lover’s paradise.
From the estate, enjoy different tours to make the most of the region. Enjoy birding tours led by our expert guides, experience plantation life following the coffee bean on its journey to your mug, coracle river rides and visiting the local village.
The Chikkana Halli Estate
Karnataka, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
Marvel Cruise & Tours
Marvel Tours offers a fantastic experience of South India. Enjoy the Marvel Kerala Cruise and relax on a houseboat cruising Kerala’s backwaters. Enjoy delicious cuisine, friendly staff, and the comfortable vessel, as you take in the beautiful surroundings of this historic trade route.
Enjoy a guided tour of Kerala and canoe the backwaters. You can also combine the Kerala cruise on an itinerary including many of the must-visit areas of South India. Head out on a safari to spot elephants, leopards and deer in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. In Tamil Nadu, enjoy delicious cuisine, traditional music and visit the sacred Kaveri River. You can then head to Karnataka to see the majestic Mysore Place, the breweries of Bangalore, and the street food and beautiful Mysore scenery.
The Marvel Cruise
Kerala, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Tamara Coorg Resort
Positioned on 180 acres, the Tamara Coorg Resort provides a luxury experience of the Coorg region of South India. The resort is nestled in the hills surrounded by spice and coffee plantations and beautiful waterfalls. When you approach the resort, you can enjoy the subtle aroma of coffee and spices giving an introduction to this incredible region. Explore the many nature trails with beautiful views, streams and waterfalls then rest at the resort in your very comfortable suite.
The luxurious spacious cottages provide fantastic views surrounded by lush vegetation. All cottages are equipped with a sundeck to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The indoor pool and outdoor pool with bar and then the perfect places to unwind after enjoying the daily activities.
From the Tamara Coorg Resort, enjoy a variety of activities. Head out with the inhouse naturalist to explore the high number of animals and plants of the Western Ghats. Some birds commonly seen in the region include the Malabar grey hornbill, the scarlet minivet, the grey wagtail and the Malabar trogon.
The treks begin each morning and take you by beautiful waterfalls and scenic lookouts for views of the valley. In addition to the treks, enjoy a plantation tour where we grow coffee, peppercorn and cardamom. This is also a great place to find different birds and other wildlife. Yoga is also a favorite activity to enjoy with sessions from our expert in-house yoga instructor.
The Tamara Coorg Resort
Karnataka, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Kuruba Safari Lodge
The Kuruba Safari Lodge offers a world-class luxury resort to enjoy this incredible section of India. Enjoy comfortable suites, the infinity pool, a traditional Ayurveda Village, delicious cuisine, and a variety of experience to make the most of your visit.
There are different suite options to choose from, such as the Pool Huts with their spacious design, views of the Kabini River and temperature-controlled private pool. You also have the Jacuzzi Huts with comfortable bedrooms, spacious living areas and your personal open-to-sky Jacuzzi.
Enjoy delicious meals from our two different restaurants. The Honeycomb restaurant offers both regional cuisine and international favorites, as you enjoy the sunset over the Kabini River. Also overlooking the river, the Kuruba Grill is then dedicated to Kebabs and grilled foods. There is also the option of a romantic meal for two on the river.
Experiences you can enjoy at the Kuruba Safari Lodge include a boat ride on the Kabini River, enjoying the family pool, a massage or relaxation therapy, and the star attraction of the nature experiences.
Head out with experienced guides to explore the Nagarhole ecosystem, which supports one of the highest densities of herbivores of anywhere in Asia. Animals you’re likely to see include the sambar, gaur, chital and the famous Asian elephants.
The area has one of the highest concentrations of Asian elephants of anywhere on Earth and they’re a favorite sight to see. The birdwatching is also incredible with over 300 species to find in the area. Head out on wildlife walks, vehicle safaris and nocturnal excursions for an entirely different variety of animals.
The Kuruba Safari Lodge
Karnataka, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Spice Village
The Spice Village is a fantastic resort nestled in the highlands of Thekkady and positioned next to the famed Periyar Tiger Reserve. From the comfortable resort, head out with experienced guides to find many different animals and plants. On a gentle walk over the 12-acre area, learn about the many different plants and spot some of the hundreds of different birds.
The Spice Village Resort has been designed with influence from the Mannan tribes of Periyar and offers a comfortable and simple environment with modern touches and facilities. Enjoy delicious cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. You can also take advantage of the Ayurveda center for a range of massages and therapies.
In addition to the comfortable suites and Ayurveda center, enjoy a relaxing swim in the pool surrounded by nature, and a visit to the spice plantation. As you are close to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, forest guides from the tribal communities will lead you on guided treks to see many of the reserve’s animals.
The Spice Village
Thekkady, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club
The Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club is found in the rainforested mountains of Thekkady. This charming resort sits in a cardamom plantation and offers comfortable suites, delicious cuisine, and a Niraamaya Spa with Western & Ayurveda therapies. You can also combine these treatments with a daily yoga session under the trees.
The cottages at Niraamaya Retreats are designed with the regional plantation style and equipped with modern comforts and amenities. The cottages then offer stunning views of the Periyar Reserve and surrounding mountains.
Your cuisine at the Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club is influenced by the fantastic variety of herbs and spices of Thekkady.
In addition to enjoying delicious food, relaxing in your suite or the resort’s social areas and swimming pool, choose from a variety of fantastic excursions. Head out on spice walks or bamboo rafting and wildlife treks of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Enjoy a diversity of animals, including Asian elephants, chance sightings of tigers, and hundreds of different birds.
To make the most of your experience, choose from a variety of package tours of 5-days, 7-days, and a 13-day Kerala by design package.
The Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club
Kerala, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Kamalapura Palace
The Kamalapura Palace blends historical elegance with modern luxury and offers a very comfortable experience of the Hampi region. Enjoy a luxurious resort that takes you back to the 14th century Vijayanagara Empire. The resort offers the perfect place to explore the UNESCO listed ruins of a bygone era.
Choose from a variety of very comfortable accommodation options. The most opulent and luxurious available are the Jal Mahal suites with a private deck and pool, as well as their royal-sized bathrooms and open courtyards. These are a perfect choice for families or couples celebrating a special occasion.
In addition to luxurious accommodation, enjoy delicious cuisine from the resort’s two restaurants, which offer both regional and local dishes to choose from. Many of the dishes are influenced by the Vijayanagara Empire.
You can enjoy a variety of activities from the resort, including guided trail walks to explore the impressive ruins and temples, and to enjoy the beautiful views and scenic river.
The Kamalapura Palace
Karnataka, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Kaav Safari Lodge
The Kaav Safari Lodge offers a luxury experience of the incredible Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy comfortable rooms with private balconies, a common lounge, viewing deck, outside dining area, and swimming pool.
The reserve forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the Kabini region is home to the world’s highest concentrations of Asiatic elephants and a high concentration of tigers. This makes for some of the most exciting wildlife tours in India. You will see many other animals on your tour with high chances of seeing leopards, sloth bears, spotted dear, sambar, four-horned antelopes, langurs, wild dogs, chital, gaur, and bison
Head out with expert guides on game drives, river tours, and nature walks for incredible wildlife experiences.
The area is also a fantastic place to see different birds and attracts birdwatchers from all over the world. Even on boat rides of the river, there are 250 different species to find.
Although offering a luxury-class experience, the lodge operates in a sustainable manner to minimize its footprint. The lodge goes beyond low impact tourism by working with local communities and annually planting endemic flora.
The Kaav Safari Lodge
Karnataka, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Dewalokam Farmstay Retreat
The Dewalokam Farmstay Retreat offers a relaxed place to stay surrounded by lush vegetation nestled on a riverbank. The retreat offers a glimpse at real life in Kerala. The farm produces organic vegetables, fruits, spices, milk and honey. Enjoy comfortable accommodation, delicious cuisine fresh from the farm, and a range of interesting activities. Enjoy taking part in farm activities, many different walks and cultural activities, visiting the temple and nearby schools, and being a part of daily Kerala life. You can also enjoy different nature activities, such as visiting the waterfalls, spotting colorful butterflies and birding experiences to see the many different Kerala birds.
The Dewalokam Farmstay Retreat
Kerala, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
The Waterwoods Lodge
The Waterwoods Lodge Kabini offers a comfortable lodge to explore the wildlife-rich region. From the lodge, head out on guided tours to explore the Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur National Park. These are two biodiverse tiger reserves for seeing tigers, leopards, deer, langurs, wild dogs, chital, gaur, and bison. There are many other animals to find, including hundreds of different birds.
Enjoy both land and river safaris to fully explore the Kabini region. When not out on excursions, relax in your comfortable suite and enjoy delicious cuisine.
The lodge provides spacious suites and each offers beautiful views of the Brahmagiri Hills and Kabini River. The Superior King Rooms are the premium option with king-sized beds, Indian Walnut furniture, and bathrooms with rain showers. Most of the walls are glass panels to keep you connected to this incredible environment. All accommodation options offer comfortable beds with beautiful views. You can then enjoy the common areas and relax in the infinity pool. There is also the spa for a massage or relaxation therapy.
In the dining room, enjoy fresh cuisine with many ingredients sourced from the lodge garden. All meals are served buffet-style with a mix of Indian cuisine and international favorites.
The Waterwoods Lodge
Karnataka, IndiaCurrently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.
