Enchanting Tamil Nadu

On arrival at Chennai airport, you will be met by our representative who will escort you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and rest of the day for relax. In the evening you may explore nearby places on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, go for a peacock trail of Chennai to explore rich cultural and historical influences. Afternoon visit Kapaleeshwara temple dedicated to lord Shiva; San Thome Church, stands on the tomb of St Thomas this pretty church is one of the Chennai’s best places, Fort St. George Museum, the first English fortress in India and drive past through Chennai high court. Return to hotel for an overnight stay

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Mahabalipuram (60 kms/1.5 hrs). Enroute stop at Kanchipuram to visit Varadaraja Perumal temple and Kanchipuram silk factory to view the weaving process of Kanjivaram silk. After visit continue your drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, the whole day is for local sightseeing which covers the wonders on stones. The monolithic Arjuna penance, shore temple, Krishna’s Butterball and Five Rathas make you awestruck with the beauty and the architectural elegance with which they have been sculpted. The entire region is recognized as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Photo fanatics, historians, Archaeologists and Environmentalists love to visit these wonders again and again. Mahabalipuram remains as the living testimony of the Pallavas Dynasty. Stay overnight at beach resort.

This morning after checking out from the hotel head to Pondicherry(100 kms/2 hrs), the erstwhile French colony still beholding its charm in the form of splendid architectures and the well planned topography of the city. On your way to Pondicherry, visit Auroville ashram and Aurobindho ashram. Stay overnight in Pondicherry.

Whole day is to explore the city around the French colony and you can enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride here. The centuries old buildings, museum, Library all grab your attention, exhibiting the remnants of the French heritage and culture. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

This morning you will be proceeding to Tanjore (215 kms/4.5 hrs), the erstwhile capital of the great Chola Dynasty. It will be an awe-inspiring moment to visit the thousand years’ old Brihadeeshwara temple, a world-renowned architecture with a massive gateway tower topped with an 80tonne monolithic rock. The sanctum houses a magnificent Linga idol and an equally huge Bull statue is placed facing the sanctum. Also visit the Tanjore Palace of Nayak dynasty and Museum. Stay overnight at Tanjore.

This morning drive to Chettinad. The region populated with the famous trading community called Chettiars who have extended their territories across the countries in the recent years. Their residences in the Chettinad region are worth paying a visit for their architectural elegance and grandeur. Among all, the palatial residence with thousand windows is the most spectacular one. On your way to Chettinad, visit the popular temples in the Pudukottai town. After reaching Chettinda, the day is at your leisure to visit old bungalows and heritage buildings. Stay overnight in heritage bungalow.

After breakfast, take a heritage walk of Chettinad. The Chettinad cuisine is an equally wonderful one and is a must to be tasted. The spicy and yummy dishes served hot on banana leaves, kindles your taste buds with their rich aroma, which is undoubtedly unique! Spend your time walking through the long corridors of the palatial Chettinad residences and taste the delicious Chettinad dishes. Part of these houses have also been refurbished as heritage hotels without spoiling the antiquity and ethnicity of the decade’s old buildings. Later in the afternoon, you will be proceeding to Rameshwaram, the most popular sacred centre in Hinduism. On arrival check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Ramanathan Swami temple, which is believed to be the shrine where Lord Rama carried out the poojas and rituals to escape from the ill effects of having killed the demon king Ravana as referred in the famous Hindu Epic Ramayana. Also visit Dhanush Kodi - an abandoned port town of Rameswaram. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning drive to Madurai (175kms/3 hrs), one of the oldest cities in the world with the longest civilization in practice. Madurai is also acclaimed as the Sleepless city as the entire city is seen to be vibrant round the clock. After reaching Madurai, check in at the hotel. In the evening we will visit Meenakshi temple to witness going to bed ceremony. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace - a classic fusion of Italian and Rajput styles. After visit you will be tranferd to Madurai airport to connect flight for onwards journey.