Architecture, Spirituality and The French Settlement
Day 1
Chennai to Mahabalipuram (70kms/1hr 30 Minutes Drive)
Arrive Chennai airport and transfer to Mahabalipuram (1h 30minutes drive).
Stay night in Mahabalipuram.
Day 2
Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit the famous Arjuna’s penance also known as the decends of the holy river Ganges, then the monolithic 5 rathas, butter ball and the shore temple.
Afternoon visit temple at Tirukalukundrum (35 minutes drive).
Day 3
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry (100 kms/2h 30minutes)
After breakfast,leave for Pondichery (drive) On arrival check in to your hotel. Afternoon visit the famous Aurobindo Ashram, Manakula vinayagar temple, Notre dame des ange, walk around the French quarters. Also visit the Goubert Market-the colourful flower, fruit, vegetable and fish market of Pondichery. Stay night in Pondicherry.
Day 4
Pondichery to Kumbakonam (185 kms/4h)
After breakfast leave for Chidambaram (2h/30 drive) where Lord Shiva performed his COSMIC DANCE known as Nataraja. Later drive to Gangaikondacholapuram (1 h drive) and after the visit continue to Kumbakonam. On arrival check in to your Hotel. In the afternoon visit the architectural wonder at Airadeshwara temple in Darasuram.
Day 5
Kumbakonam to Tanjore (25 kms/45min)
After breakfast drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in to your hotel. Afternoon visit the Art Gallery with the most beautiful Bronze statues and then the Brihadeshwara temple. Stay night in Tanjore.
Day 6
Tanjore to Chettinad (120kms/2h 30min)
After breakfast drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in to your hotel. Afternoon visit the Art Gallery with the most beautiful Bronze statues and then the Brihadeshwara temple. Stay night in Tanjore.
Day 7
Chettinad to Rameshwaram (265kms/4.5hrs)
After breakfast drive to Rameshwaram, a huge pilgrime center.
On arrival check into your Hotel.
Afternoon hire the public mini van to experience the trip to Dhanushkodi.
Overnight stay in Rameshwaram.
Day 8
Rameshwaram to Madurai (175kms/3h 30 min)
Early morning around 6h 30am walk on the sea shore and witness a number of pilgrims dipping in the sea followed by various ceremonies done by the Hindu priests.
After breakfast visit the huge temple of Ramanathaswami.
Afternoon drive to Madurai(4h 30min). On arrival check into your hotel.
Stay night in Madurai
Day 9
Madurai
After breakfast visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace-a gracious building in Indo ceramic style, famous for the Stucco work and the great temple dedicated to the Godess Meenakshi considered to be a big pilgrime center for the Hindus. In the afternoon visit the Tiruparankundrum temple.
Stay night at Madurai.
Day 10
Madurai To Trichy (135 kms/2h 30min)
After breakfast drive to Trichy and on arrival stop on the banks of the holy river cauvery where you can see the pilgrims dipping in the river with many Brahmin priests doing various kinds of rituals,very colourful and unique. Later visit the huge temple complex of Sri ranganathaswami in Srirangam. Check into your hotel. Afternoon climb up the 434 step Rockfort temple dedicated to God Ganesh to get the panoramic view of the city.
Stay the night in Trichy.
Day 11
Trichy to Gingee to Tiruvannamalai (230kms/4hr 40min)
After breakfast drive to Gingee (4 h) a French fortress from the 16th century. Continue your drive to Tiruvannamalai (40 Min). Visit the famous Arunachaleshwara temple and the peaceful Ramana Maharishi Ashram. Night Stay in Tiruvannamalai.
Day 12
Tiruvannamalai to Kanchipuram (120kms/2hr 30min)
Drive to Kanchipuram one of the 7 sacred cities of India, the ancient capital of the Pallava dynasty and one among the 3 main cities famous for silk weaving. On arrival check into your hotel. Afternoon visit the temple of Kailasanatha, Vaikundaperumal and Ekambareshwara temples. You can also visit the silk weaving units if you are interested. Night Stay at Kanchipuram.
Day 13
Kanchipuram to Chennai (70kms/2hrs)
After breakfast drive to Chennai, one of the four Metropoles of India and the capital of Tamilnadu. On arrival check into your hotel. Afternoon visit the Kapaleshwara temple, St.Thomas church and stay the night in Chennai.
Day 14
Chennai Departure
After breakfast transfer to the airport to connect the flight for your onward journey.