LGBTQ+ Friendly Tours of South India
Planning a holiday should never involve wondering whether the hotel will raise an eyebrow at a double room. Our LGBTQ+ friendly South India tours are built so that question never comes up. Every trip is private, every hotel and houseboat is checked in advance to make sure same-sex couples are welcomed without fuss, and every guide and driver who works with you is briefed to treat you exactly as they would any other guest. You get the temples, tea hills, backwaters and beaches of southern India, planned by a team that takes your comfort seriously.
These itineraries are written for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer travelers flying in from London, Amsterdam, New York, Melbourne and everywhere in between, as well as LGBTQ+ NRIs returning to see India on their own terms. Some trips are designed for couples, some for friend groups, and one is planned specifically for solo travelers who want company on the road without joining a large group.
Where to Go: Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Beyond
Kerala is the most popular starting point. A gay friendly Kerala tour can combine the old port town of Fort Kochi, with its galleries and cafés, the tea estates of Munnar, spice country around Thekkady and a night aboard your own Alleppey houseboat, then finish on the cliffs of Varkala or the sands of Kovalam. Goa has a long reputation as one of the easiest places in India for LGBTQ+ travel, with a relaxed beach culture in the north and quiet coves in the south.
Tamil Nadu suits travelers who are drawn to architecture and history: the stone carvings of Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry's old French streets, the great Chola shrine at Tanjore and the merchant mansions of Chettinad. Karnataka adds Bangalore, one of India's most cosmopolitan cities, plus Mysore, the coffee hills of Coorg, wildlife at Kabini and the ruins of Hampi. For a first trip that also covers the Taj Mahal, our Golden Triangle and Rajasthan combinations begin in the north before flying south to Kerala or Goa.
Couples, Women Travelers, Solo Travelers and Pride Trips
Couples can choose a gay honeymoon in Kerala or a celebration tour for an anniversary or commitment, with a private evening arranged by the water. We have also planned routes specifically for lesbian travel in India, including a trip for queer women that features crafts and cooking sessions led by local women and, where available, women guides. Travelers who want to join the community on the streets can time their visit with Namma Pride in Bangalore or the Chennai Pride March, and we build flexible days around each event since dates are announced every year.
Wellness is part of the collection too. Our inclusive Ayurveda and yoga retreat in Kerala pairs a doctor-led program with daily yoga and plenty of quiet time, in a setting where nobody needs to explain who they are traveling with.
Honest Advice About Traveling in India
India decriminalized same-sex relationships in 2018, and attitudes in major cities and tourist areas have become noticeably more open since then. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized, though, so our honeymoon and celebration packages are holidays rather than legal ceremonies. Outside big cities, local customs are more conservative, and public displays of affection are uncommon for any couple, which is why most travelers keep things low-key at temples, markets and in villages. Our role is to handle the details so that you can relax: a private car, vetted stays, guides who are on your side and a phone line that is answered at any hour.
Why Book With Us
We have spent years planning private tours in southern India for international guests, and this collection reflects what we have learned about where LGBTQ+ travelers feel most at ease. Each itinerary can bend around you: an extra night in Fort Kochi, a villa with its own pool or a slower pace through the hills are all simple changes. Prices depend on dates, hotel category and the length of the trip, and we send a full quote after a short conversation about what you are looking for.
The best months for most routes are October to March, when the weather is dry and pleasant along the coast. Hill stations stay comfortable into April and May, and the monsoon months suit Ayurveda. Pick a package below as a starting point, share your dates and we will shape it into a trip that fits you.
Every itinerary can be customised: adjust cities, pace and nights to suit your travel style.
N.S. Rathore & Mrs. Omlata Rathore · Managing Director
We still read every enquiry ourselves. Tell us the places you liked and our planners will send a day-by-day route with drive times and a clear price.
Every package can be customised and no pressure to book. A planner from our office replies within 24 hours with a route written for your group.
Fill this in and your planner will send a first draft itinerary.
Good to know
Most LGBTQ+ visitors travel through South India without problems, especially in cities and tourist areas such as Kochi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pondicherry and Goa. Villages and small towns hold more conservative views, so keeping a low profile in public there is wise. On our tours you travel with a private car and briefed guides, stay in properties checked in advance and can reach our team at any time of day.
Yes. India's Supreme Court decriminalized consensual same-sex relationships in 2018. Same-sex marriage, however, is not legally recognized in India, so honeymoon and celebration packages on this page are holidays and private celebrations, not legal ceremonies.
Yes. We confirm with every hotel and houseboat before booking that same-sex couples are welcome and that a double bed is arranged without questions. If any property ever falls short, our team moves you to an alternative.
Goa and the larger cities, especially Bangalore, Chennai and Kochi, tend to feel the most relaxed. Kerala's tourism industry is well developed and private houseboats and resorts offer plenty of privacy. Pondicherry's small French quarter is also popular with LGBTQ+ travelers who enjoy a slower pace.
Yes. Our Kerala Gay Honeymoon Tour and LGBTQ+ Couples Celebration Tour South India are designed for couples, with private houseboat nights, beach villas and an evening arranged for the two of you. Any other package in this collection can also be adapted for a honeymoon or anniversary.
Yes. We have two itineraries built with women travelers in mind, one for lesbian couples and one for queer women traveling as friends or as a small group. They include craft visits and meals hosted by local women and, where available, women guides on request.
Yes. Two packages are built around Namma Pride in Bangalore and the Chennai Pride March. Dates are announced each year, so we keep the itinerary flexible and confirm the schedule once organizers publish it. Event access is free for marchers, while ticketed parties are paid separately.
Nearly all are private, with your own car, driver and guides. The queer women's tour can also run as a small group, and solo travelers can ask us about optional meetups and shared activities along the way.
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where asked and keep public affection to a minimum, which applies to every couple in India. Some temples allow only Hindus inside the inner shrines. Your guide will explain the customs at each site before you go in.
Yes. Everyone who works on these tours is briefed before your arrival and chosen for being professional and respectful. If you ever feel uncomfortable with any part of the service, one call to our team is enough for us to make a change.
October through March brings dry, mild days to almost every route in the south. Hill stations such as Munnar, Coorg and Ooty stay pleasant into April and May, and the rainy season from June to September brings lower prices along with ideal conditions for Ayurveda. Pride dates vary, so check those packages separately.
Every quote covers your rooms with breakfast, a chauffeured private car, local guides, the domestic flights or trains mentioned in each itinerary, the listed extras and all taxes. Entry tickets at monuments, temples and museums are not part of the price, and neither are camera charges, international flights, visas, insurance, Pride party tickets or tips.