If you would like to have an in-depth experience in South India, you cannot miss this 12-day trip. Enjoy experiences that range from the nostalgic colonial style to the typical local art of Kathakali dance, from the fabled temples to a legendary backwater cruise, and from a boat safari in the national park to a pretty private beach next to the Arabian Sea. You can experience almost every aspect of this idyllic part of India.
Highlights
- Explore a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site on the seashore of Mahabalipuram.
- Discover the utopia, Auroville, in Pondicherry.
- Be impressed by the exquisite sculptures in Brihadisvara Temple.
- Visit the most spectacular monuments in South India at Meenakshi Temple.
- Experience a boat safari in Periyar National Park.
- Have a sunset boat cruise on Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom.
- Relax on a private beach in Mararikulam.




98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
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Sharon from Asia highlights has been…
Sharon from Asia highlights has been amazing. She offered her amazing ideas to other tours I wanted. We have planned the perfect 9 day itinerary to Thailand. She worked in my budget and was very flexible when I had to change my flights. Thank you sharon. Can’t wait for the trip. More
Heather Stern Wilensky,
Apr 2023
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Ms. Ning first review 4-2023
Ms. Albee Ning has been doing a great job accommodating my requests and itinerary changes. Remember the first itinerary is a rough draft and you may modify it to suit your tastes. Remember you can not do it all and see everything in 3 weeks. If the flight wasn't so long I would visit Southeast Asia more often. I will update my review in a few months. We don't leave for 9 more months. Asia Highlights is working well for me so far! More
Chiefray,
Apr 2023
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Perfect Trip To Thailand…
We had so much fun in Bangkok with Tanni and Tom as they kept laughing at all of our silly jokes. Paul, our guide and Chiang Mai was really thoughtful, fun and full of great information about the temples and sights. Thanks so much! Brian and Michelle More
Scott Orchard,
Mar 2023
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I highly recommend Asia Highlights
I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I worked with Alisa and she is fantastic! I was planning my honeymoon trip, and I changed the destination multiple times. Each time, Alisa provided me an updated itinerary with activities that matched my interests. Whether I had a small change to an activity, a question about one of the arrangements, or a change or destination, Alisa was helpful, thoughtful, and knowledgeable, providing me with updated options in an extremely timely manner. In the end, despite the fact that I changed my mind on location multiple times, I ended up booking a 17 day trip to Thailand for this upcoming November. I am extremely excited to experience everything that Alisa planned for us. I recommend Asia Highlights to everyone and look forward to using them again on any other trips to Asia in the future. Thank you Alisa and Asia Highlights! More
Britt Rosen,
Mar 2023
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
A special shoutout to our last guide in Bangkok - Ms. Ka-Noon who spoiled us with her kindness and then got us through check in and security for our flight home in record time at that huge Bangkok airport. More
Deby,
Feb 2023
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Over the last 5 years we've used Asia…
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Sharon was fantastic. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible. More
Todd Atwell,
Feb 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand
Our trip to Thailand comprised three generations of the family , ten people and an age range of 4 to 70 so a potentially difficult brief.Our itinerary over two weeks involved four locations, and a number of different trips and tours.From out arrival at an extremely busy Bangkok airport Asia Highlights were terrific.In each location we were met by a smiling , knowledgeable and professional guide who simply made everything easy and stress free for everyone.Our transportation was clean and comfortable . Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. The floating houses , railway market and elephant sanctuary were particular favourites.We had one minor glitch with the accommodation in Phuket which was immediately dealt with by Tip. I think we would have struggled to resolve the problem by ourselves. So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. More
Roger Pyle,
Feb 2023
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Trip of a lifetime from Asia Highlights!
I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Our travel consultant Albee took the time to connect with us during the planning process to make sure we were comfortable with our itinerary. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. They picked great hotels and tours. I often describe our trip as the trip of a lifetime! Would definitely use them again when we come back to Asia More
Nancy Parker,
Feb 2023
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Asia Highlights and Albee - highly recommended
Asia Highlights is very reliable agency and Albee is an amazing representative of the company. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Definitely we will approach you again for our next Asian trip More
AZ,
Feb 2023
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5 STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE BY MONICA
Monica is a very sweet young lady who speaks excellent English via email/WhatsApp, and knows the importance of excellent customer service. More
Trent,
Jan 2023
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We had an awesome experience with Asia Highlights
We started our trip in Bangkok, where Mr. Prassert our tour guide, met us. He was on time and the van was clean and well-maintained. Mr. Prassert was our guide for the 4 days we spent in Bangkok. He was helpful, kind, and willing to accommodate our pee and coffee breaks. The driver was safe and punctual. Next, we went to Chiang Mai.Gemma exceeded every expectation we had for our tour of Chiang Mai! She had a great attitude that made exploring the city fun and exciting, as well as an abundance of knowledge and experience. She was always spot on with figuring out logistics and coming up with unique ideas that suited our interests and schedules. Gemma was incredibly generous with her time and even walked us to security at the airport to make sure we could carry all of our luggage. That’s just one example of how far out of her way she went to make our trip easier and more enjoyable. Gemma was sincerely interested in making every minute of our trip count. We’re very grateful to have met her and feel like we have found a friend in Gemma! Our driver in Chiang Mai was also great and very accommodating to our changes in schedules. More
Lois Paskow,
Dec 2022
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Thailand & Cambodia 2022
Albee went above and beyond to make our trip perfect. She rearranged flights due to a mistake of mine. She made sure we were still picked up and escorted to the airport. I felt comfortable and safe with all our reps. She did an excellent job and I highly recommend her booking your next trip. Thank you, Albee. More
Karen Brooks,
Dec 2022
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Perfect vacation thanks to Albee we…
I can’t say enough about how much we appreciate all the efforts, attention to details and immediate responses to all questions that Albee and her team provided. The Asia Highlights team deserves more stars than the maximum allowed because of continually going above and beyond all expectations. Thanks Albee for making our vacation through south east Asia absolutely perfect!!! More
Michael Sharp,
Dec 2022
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2023 Chiang Mai CAD Yipeng Festival
We got early bird ticket and Bella was assisting us through whatsapp. Easy, competitive price, front row tickets. Thanks Bella, for being patient explaining everything to me. Highly recommended. More
lily hartati,
Dec 2022
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Bella has been an outstanding customer service rep
Bella has been an outstanding customer service rep. She was responsive and knowledgeable. Buying tickets from their website was super easy and the whole process was straightforward. Highly recommended. More
Khai,
Nov 2022
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I was ever so grateful to have a point…
I was ever so grateful to have a point of contact while in a foreign country for the first time, alone, that helped me through the Ins and outs of getting to and from my destination. Albee was readily available which brought me much comfort and feeling of safety. If in this part of the world again, I will not hesitate to use your services.. More
Omega,
Nov 2022
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Memorable Experience!!!
I booked tickets to the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Nov 2022. Bella was extremely responsive and helpful!! More
Bowen,
Nov 2022
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Personalized
It is the attention to detail and what we specifically wanted to see that made the reservation experience so exciting. More
Peter Bongiovanni,
Nov 2022
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Journey Route

Itinerary in Detail
Your preferences design the real journey. We're ready to create a wonderful India tour for you.
You will meet your guide in the arrivals hall of the airport. He/she will assist you and escort you to your hotel.
Visit Fort St. George. Founded in 1644, Fort St. George was the first English fortress in India. It includes the famous St. Mary's Church, the Fort Museum, and Wellesley House. Afterward, visit San Thome Church. It is one of only three known churches in the world to be built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kanchipuram, one of the most important spiritual centers of Hinduism. It has several architecturally brilliant medieval temples. You will be impressed by Kailasanathar Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afterward, visit Ekambareswarar Temple. This Shiva temple complex covers an area of 25 acres and is one of the largest in the country.

You will be driven from Chennai to Pondicherry. Stop at Mahabalipuram on the way to see the spectacular rock sculptures and monuments, which have been collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most prominent structures are the Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots), Mahabalipuram Lighthouse, and Arjuna's Penance/Descent of the Ganges.

After arriving in Pondicherry, you will visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is like a sanctuary of holiness and peace. You will have a glimpse of the life and times of Sri Aurobindo (a famous social reformer) through the various exhibitions.
After breakfast, You will visit Auroville or the City of Dawn. Designed by a French architect, this city looks like a utopia for people of different races, languages, and cultural backgrounds. It is the first and may be the only attempt at global human unity. Then you will be driven from Pondicherry to Thanjavur. Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram on the way to see Brihadisvara Temple. The temple there has been described as 'next only to Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur in its monumental nature and it surpasses it in sculptural quality'.

In the morning, go on an excursion to the 'Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu', Thanjavur. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are located there. Visit Saraswathi Mahal Library, which is one of the oldest libraries in Asia. Later, visit Brihadisvara Temple. It's one of the most remarkable pieces of architecture in the country. You will be impressed by one of the world's highest temple towers.
Go to Trichy and visit the Tiruchirappalli Rock Fort in the afternoon. Climb up the fort for a panoramic view of the surroundings.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Madurai. On arrival, check in at your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace, which was designed in an Indo-Saracenic style and built in 1636. Its a wonderful blend of Dravidian and Rajput architectural styles. It is one of the most spectacular monuments in South India. Later, visit Meenakshi Temple. Built in the 14th century, it has four impressive towers called gopurams. More than 33,000 sculptures adorn the temple and the roof is covered with intricate motifs. In the late evening, you will witness the pooja (prayer) ceremony at Meenakshi Temple.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Periyar National Park.
Enjoy a boat safari in the afternoon through the jungles. While the tigers may choose to remain elusive, you are likely to spot elephants, bison, and deer. You can see wild animals on the banks taking their baths or drinking.

After breakfast, you will leave for Kumarakom.
Selected by National Geographic as one of the destinations in the world that must be visited in one's lifetime, Kumarakom is the perfect place to experience Keralas legendary houseboat cruises. Enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Vembanad Lake. The palm-fringed shores, lush mangrove forests, and emerald paddy fields will make you feel very relaxed.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Kottayam through cardamom plantations. Then, you will go on a 3-hour boat ride through the backwaters to Alleppey. Have an idyllic experience as you discover the local peoples daily lives. You might see coir-making, toddy tapping, fishing, and rice growing along the palm-lined banks and narrow strips of land.
After the cruise, you will be driven to Mararikulam where you will check in to Marari Beach Resort.

Enjoy a free day at the less touristy Marari Beach.

After breakfast, you will leave Mararikulam and go on a sightseeing tour of Cochin. You will visit St. Francis Church. Vasco da Gama was buried there for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or 'Dutch Palace'. It is one of the finest examples of Kerala architecture with colonial influences.
During this tour, you will also see the Chinese fishing nets. These nets symbolize the friendship between old Chinese and Cochin kings. Besides China, it's said that these nets are only found in Cochin.

Enjoy an evening show of Kathakali dance, which is the traditional dance of Kerala. It will depict epic Indian stories. You will be impressed by the colorful makeup, the elaborate costumes, and the hand gestures, which are quite typical in this classical Indian dance.

Hand-Picked Hotels
We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.
We recommend to experience palace hotels, heritage hotels, or nice resorts in order to get the high-quality service and to your experience.



Our Service Includes:
- Private transfers and English-speaking tour guide
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- 4-star accommodations for 11 nights
- Private transfers between cities mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Governmental taxes
Tour code: ah-in-78
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
Get Inspired with Our Sample Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.