Do Malaysians need a visa for India?

Yes. Malaysian passport holders apply for an India e-Visa online before departure. The tourist e-Visa covers tourism and short visits and is valid for 30 days from entry. The application is on the official India e-Visa portal, and Dhesu walks you through it when you book. Visa fees are not included in the package price.

Which airport does this trip use?

This is a land-only package: hotels, transfers, tours and guide are included, but international flights are not. Most Malaysian travellers fly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Bangalore and Cochin Airports (BLR / COK). We can recommend suitable flights and timings on request.

What is the best time for this 9 day tour?

October to March offers pleasant weather across all the regions. The hill stations of Ooty and Munnar are cool year-round. The monsoon brings lush scenery but can affect hill roads and the toy train schedule.

Does the trip start and end in different cities?

It typically begins in Bangalore and ends in Kochi, both of which have airports. We arrange flights and transfers to suit. This avoids backtracking and makes the loop efficient. Let us know your preferred routing when booking.

Are the toy train and houseboat both included?

Yes. The package includes a ride on the Nilgiri toy train and an overnight private houseboat on the Kerala backwaters, two of the most memorable experiences in South India.

South India

9 Days, Best of the South. Karnataka, the Nilgiris and Kerala in One Grand Tour.

The definitive South India tour. Bangalore and Mysore's palaces, the Nilgiri hills and toy train, and across into Kerala's tea country and backwaters. Nine days through the very best the south has to offer.

RM2,398

From RM1,998

per person (twin sharing)

Save RM799 per couple

9 Days / 8 Nights

Hotel

Daily Breakfast

Private Driver Guide

Airport Transfers

100% Private Tour

About This Package

9 Days Best of South India: The Full Picture

This 9 day grand tour brings together the highlights of South India across two states. From the gardens of Bangalore and the palace of Mysore, up into the Nilgiri hills of Ooty, and across into Kerala for the tea country of Munnar and an overnight houseboat on the backwaters.

Arranged privately from Malaysia, it is the most complete South India journey we offer, blending cities, palaces, hill stations, the famous toy train and the Kerala backwaters. Your own vehicle and driver guide link it all at a relaxed pace, with the scenery changing dramatically from day to day.

Package Includes

✓Hotel & Houseboat Stay (8 nights)
✓Daily Breakfast
✓Private Vehicle & Driver Guide
✓Return Airport Transfers
✓Toy Train & Houseboat

Not Included

×International Flights
×India Visa Fee (30-day e-Visa applies)
×ETIQA Travel Insurance (6-10 Days) RM60
×Entrance Fees (unless stated)
×Lunches and dinners (unless stated)
×Personal Expenses
×Optional tour tips

What Makes This Trip

Why Travellers from Malaysia Love This Trip

Mysore & the Nilgiri Hills

The grand Mysore Palace and the cool blue hills of Ooty, with a ride on the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri toy train through forests and tea gardens.

Munnar's Tea Country

Crossing into Kerala, the rolling tea estates of Munnar bring cool mountain air and some of the most beautiful hill scenery in the south.

Kerala Backwater Houseboat

The journey finishes with an overnight houseboat on the Kerala backwaters, with onboard meals and a peaceful night on the water.

Day by Day

Your 9 Days Itinerary

Arrive Bangalore

No meals

Met at Bangalore airport and transferred to your hotel.

Suggested activities

Settle in
MG Road
First South Indian meal

Bangalore to Mysore

Breakfast

Bangalore highlights, then drive to Mysore.

Suggested activities

Bangalore Palace or Lalbagh
Drive to Mysore
Mysore Palace

Mysore to Ooty

Breakfast

Mysore sights, then up to the Nilgiri hills.

Suggested activities

Chamundi Hill
Drive via Bandipur
Evening in Ooty

Ooty & Toy Train

Breakfast

Ooty sightseeing and the toy train.

Suggested activities

Nilgiri toy train ride
Botanical Gardens
Ooty Lake
Doddabetta Peak

Ooty to Munnar

Breakfast

Cross into Kerala and the tea hills of Munnar.

Suggested activities

Scenic descent
Drive to Munnar
Tea estate stops
Evening in Munnar

Munnar Sightseeing

Breakfast

A full day in the tea country.

Suggested activities

Tea plantation and museum
Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point
Hill viewpoints

Munnar to Alleppey Houseboat

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend to the backwaters and board your private houseboat.

Suggested activities

Drive to Alleppey
Board houseboat
Backwater cruise with onboard meals

Backwaters to Kochi

Breakfast

Morning cruise, then to Fort Kochi.

Suggested activities

Morning cruise
Disembark
Fort Kochi heritage walk
Chinese fishing nets

Depart Kochi

Breakfast

Checkout and transfer to Cochin airport for your onward flight.

Suggested activities

Last shopping
Airport transfer

Hotel Options

Choose Your Comfort Level

Centrally located hotels with easy access to the main sights. Pick the tier that suits your style.

3 Star

Budget Friendly

3-star hotels + houseboat or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM1998 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM1948 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM1898 per person

From RM1998

per person

Most Chosen

4 Star

Value Plus Comfort

4-star hotels + premium houseboat or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM2398 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM2358 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM2318 per person

From RM2398

per person

5 Star

Premium Value Stay

5-star hotels + luxury houseboat or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM2998 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM2968 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM2938 per person

From RM2998

per person

Why Dhesu

The Whole South, One Grand Loop

Linking Karnataka, the Nilgiris and Kerala takes careful routing to avoid backtracking. We sequence the cities, hills and backwaters so the journey flows beautifully. Dhesu has run South India tours since 1988.

MATTA & IATA Registered

Fully licensed Malaysian travel agency. We guide you through India e-Visa documentation with every booking.

Private Tours, Daily Departures

No minimum group to wait for. Your trip runs on your dates, your pace, your own vehicle and guide.

A Real Team to Call

Reachable throughout your trip. Flight delayed, your guide waits. Plans change, we adapt on the ground.

Group & Custom Pricing

Travelling as a family or group lowers the per-person cost. Ask us for a tailored quote.

Best of South India Tour from Malaysia

This 9 day grand tour is the most complete South India journey we offer, spanning Karnataka, the Nilgiris and Kerala. It captures cities, palaces, hill stations, the famous toy train and the Kerala backwaters in one smooth loop.

A private vehicle and driver guide make the long, varied journey relaxed and flexible, with dramatically changing scenery from day to day.

It is ideal for travellers who want to experience the full diversity of the south in a single trip.

From Karnataka to Kerala

The beauty of this tour is its variety. You begin in Karnataka with Bangalore's gardens and Mysore's palace, climb into the Nilgiri hills of Ooty, then cross into Kerala for Munnar's tea estates and the backwaters.

The transitions, from city to palace to hill station to backwater, give a real sense of the south's range, all linked by a comfortable private vehicle.

Common Questions