Boasting cultural opulence; gorgeous coastline; wildlife richness; hill stations to be enamoured of; and temples with intricate carvings to imbibe spirituality, Tamil Nadu is a destination in India that cannot be ignored. Welcome to Tamil Nadu! The land where the tales and influence of Cholas, Pandyas, and Pallavas can still be seen and the beaut landscape, sacred temples, and imposing wildlife make you feel instantly connected with this tourist destination in India.
The temple tour will start from Chennai where you can relax in the beach and visit attractions like St. George Fort, St Mary’s Church, Kapaleeswarar Temple and Sri Parthasarathy Temple. Later, drive down to the fishermen town, Mahabalipuram and check – out some age-old work of stone sculptures in attractions such as Shore Temple, Caves, Krishna Mandapam, Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance. A stop at Pondicherry to sightsee places like Manakula Vinayagar Koil Temple, the Sacre Coeur Church, the Raj Nivas and Sri Aurobindo Ashram is always pleasant. On the following days, you can visit the 300 m long ancient Kallanai dam in Tiruchchirappalli and temples like Ranganathaswamy, Rockfort and Jambukeshwara. The itinerary also includes an excursion tour to Thanjavur attractions like Sivagangai Garden, Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, Mariamman Temple, Mariamman Temple and Schwartz Church. Also, a further down towards the south eastern tip, visit places like Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Meenakshi Temple and Mariamman Teppakulam in Madurai. This tour package also includes a trip to Kanyakumari, here you can witness the beautiful sunset from sunset point overlooking Swami Vivekananda Memorial and also visit other sites like Gandhi Memorial and Kanyakumari Temple.
Day | Activities |
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Day 1 | Arrive at Chennai airport & transfer to the hotel. |
Day 2 | Full day sightseeing of Chennai. |
Day 3 | Transfer to Mahabalipuram & sightseeing of the city. |
Day 4 | Transfer to Pondicherry. |
Day 5 | Sightseeing of Pondicherry. |
Day 6 | Transfer to Tanjore & sightseeing of the city. |
Day 7 | Transfer to Madurai. |
Day 8 | Sightseeing of Madurai. |
Day 9 | Transfer to Kanyakumari and sightseeing of the city. |
Day 10 | Transfer to Trivandrum airport. |
Arrive at Chennai International airport and our representative will meet & greet you at the airport. He will assist you in getting transferred to your pre booked hotel. Check in, and relax for the day. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Explore the diverse neighborhoods and sense its role as a keeper of South Indian artistic and religious traditions. Take a peek into colonial Madras though its majestic buildings such the excellent British-built Government Museum, the Roman style San Thome Basilica and the majestic colonial Fort St George. Later you will be directed in the heart of the bustling Mylapore, where you will zigzag though the very beat and pulse of this neighbourhood, learn about Tamil Nadu myriad customs and Hindu tradition during a visit of the impressive Kapaleeshwarar temple, with its rainbow-coloured gopuram and pillared mandapas. Finally take a sunset walk along the long stretch of Marina Beach. Overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast, meet your driver and proceed towards Mahabalipuram. Reach Mahabalipuram and check in the hotel. We start with the city tour from the the Shore Temple, which is a feast for the eyes. It is as ancient as 1,400 years. The temple built in honour of Lord Vishnu, Thirukadalmallai, is another temple to see. There are five chariots here called Pancha Pandava Rathas and each named after the five. The monuments here are built in the Dravidian style of architecture and made out of a single stone each; Arjuna’s Penance is a massive bas-relief replete with meticulous carvings that include a family of elephants and monkeys. The carvings on the bas-relief are the stories from the legends of India and the Panchatantra and The Varaha cave is one such cave which is actually a rock-cut mandapam (hall) and features two incarnations of Vishnu which are Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). Stay overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Today we head to Pondicherry. Upon arrival, check in the hotel to relax. In the evening enjoy a Walking tour through the French district and the Tamil quarter. Pass by the white town (as the French quarter is popularly known as) with its heritage colonial buildings, keep biking toward the Tamil quarter and learn the anecdotes of the distinctiveness of Franco-Tamil culture, creating a fusion of diversity in the air of Pondy.
After breakfast, drive up to Auroville, this spiritual community was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French-born woman known as ‘the Mother’. You will be taken through the visitor’s center and a few of the Auroville units which innovatively work on paper, textile, bamboo and stones. Pass by the Matri mandir (the meditation centre) and learn from those who choose to join, build and live this unique lifestyle. Enjoy a lunch (optional) at Solar kitchen – the community Kitchen for the inmates and understand the unique living here, based on universal harmony. Go for the sightseeing tour of Pondicherry – visit Botanical garden, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Return to your hotel.
Early morning drive to Tanjore. En route stop at Swamimalai and observe the art of making Bronze idols by Stapathis (sculptors) as per the traditional Shilpa Sastras (craft hindu system) prevailed from the Chola period. Follow to Darasuram and see its famous Airavatesvara Chola Temple, UNESCO world heritage site, carved with vivid elephants and horses pulling chariots and dating from the 12th century. You will then be invited to meet the adjacent colony of silk weaver and discover the art of the Saree weaving, made out from their traditional wood machinery and tracing few generations. Later follow with your drive to Pondicherry. Settled by the French in the 18th century, this colonial town retains a tranquil atmosphere with some French architecture aesthetic. On arrival check-in at your hotel and relax.
After breakfast, check out and be immersed into the Chola Empire legacy during a visit of the world Heritage-listed Brigadeswara Temple, build in the 11th century by Raja Raja I (‘king of kings’). Inside discover several shrines, including one of India’s largest statues of Nandi (Shiva’s sacred bull). Continue your visits at the Thanjavur’s Royal Palace, which preserves memories of other powerful dynasties from later centuries. Here, explore the Saraswati Mahal Library Museum housing over 30000 Indian and European manuscripts and the Art Gallery containing a collection of superb, mainly Chola, bronzes and stone carvings.
Thereafter, leave for Trichy, citadel of the early Chola and Pallavas kings. En route visit the Srirangam Temple, quite possibly the biggest temple in India, looking like a self-enclosed city with its 49 separate shrines, all dedicated to Vishnu. Follow with the Rock-Fort Temple, landmark of Trichy, perched on a massive outcrop of 83m high. This ancient rock was sculpted by the Pallavas and Pandyas dynasties. There are over 400 stone-cut steps to climb to the top. Keep on your journey to Tanjore, former capital of the mighty Cholas Empire. On arrival after your check-in to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
This day enjoy the sightseeing tour of Madurai visit Sree Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva who was known here as Sundareshvara and his wife Parvati or Meenakshi. This temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya and the most impressive feature of this temple is the 12 gopuram, Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a magnificent palace that was built by King Thirumalai Nayak with valuable assistance of an Italian architect in the year 1636, Gandhi Museum and Mariamman Teppakulam. Return and stay overnight in the hotel.
We start the day early and head to our next stop which is Kanyakumari, which is the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsular and it is here the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet. The confluence is called as Thiriveni Sangamam. Upon arrival, check in the hotel and leave for the sightseeing of the Kumari Aman Temple, Thiruvallavur statue, and Padmanabhapuram Palace. In the evening have a wonderful sunset from the Vivekananda rock situated in the sea. Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
Check out of the hotel, and leave for onward journey from Trivandrum International Airport. Tour Ends With Happy Memories.
Classical Tamil Naidu Tour, Price Guideline Per Person in US ₹ based on two people sharing.
Seasons | Accommodation |
---|---|
High Season | From INR 132000 |
Low Season | From INR 122000 |
To avoid any fluctuation in the exchange rate we fix the price as per the prevailing rate, the day guest contacts us. No matter the currency goes up or down our rate of exchange will be fixed and hence, the payment will be collected in accordance to it.
The best time to visit India is between October and April. High Season falls in November and February, with a peak season applying over New Year, Easter & Fair. Low season typically runs from May to mid-September. For more information please feel free to write us.
All prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. Prices do not include International flights, are on a per person basis, based on two people sharing a room, and a minimum group size of two. Single and sole traveler supplements will apply.
Accommodation for 9 nights on bed & breakfast basis.
Airport assistance on arrival.
All transfers and sightseeing by a private chauffer driven air-conditioned car.
An English Speaking licensed guide accompanying you at the time of sightseeing.
Walking tour through the French colonies in Pondicherry.
Bottled mineral water for each person each day in the car.
All applicable taxes.
International flights.
Visa application fees.
Personal Purchase (laundy, shopping, tips, etc).
Monument Entry Fees.
Meals other than breakfast.
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