7 Nights / 8 Days

Destinations Covered: Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Thiruchirapalli, Madurai

DAY 1: ARRIVE CHENNAI
On arrival in Chennai, you will be met and assisted by our representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Chennai.

DAY 2: CHENNAI
In the morning, proceed for a city tour of Chennai. It is the fourth largest city in India. The sprawling city is divided in two by the Cooum River and has a few tall buildings to mark the impression of an easygoing market town. Visit the Fort St. George - still surrounded by cannon-proof walls. Within the fort, visit St. Thomas Mount, San Thome Cathedral, Kapaleeswar Temple and the National Art Gallery. Overnight in Chennai.

DAY 3: CHENNAI - KANCHIPURAM - MAHABALIPURAM
Today, you will be driven from Chennai to Kanchipuram, which is 76 km away (2 hrs drive). Kanchipuram - known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, is one of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for both, its temples and for its hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India and it is the only one associated with both Shiva and Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple, Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava Era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is justly famous particularly for its fine silk saris, embellished with stunning patterns. Visit the local homes of the weavers and watch them create magic out of silk thread into saris. In the afternoon, proceed to Mahabalipuram, which is 65 km away (approx 1½ hrs drive). Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

DAY 4: MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERRY
Mahabalipuram is a small, quiet seaside resort with a unique 7th-century Shore Temple, a lovely beach and some of the most beautiful rock-cut temples in the world. Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already a famous seaport in the 1st century AD. This town was a workshop for temple building. Visit the seven pagoda-style Shore temples, lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments & animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were constructed in a single century-long burst of creative enthusiasm, starting in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630-68). End your visit here by clicking pictures of the beautiful Shore Temples at sunset. In the afternoon, proceed to Pondicherry, which is 132 km away (approx 4 hrs drive). Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Pondicherry.

DAY 5: PONDICHERRY - THANJAVUR
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing in Pondicherry which includes a visit to the Vardaraja Perumal Temple, Vedapureeswarar Temple & Manakula Vinayagar Temple. In the afternoon, drive to Thanjavur which is 177 km away (approx 6 hrs drive). Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Thanjavur.

DAY 6: THANJAVUR - THIRUCHIRAPALLI
In the morning, proceed for sightseeing in Thanjavur which includes a visit to the famous Thanjavur Temples, The Brahadeeswarar Temple. In the afternoon, drive to Thiruchirapalli which is 55 km away (approx 1½ hrs drive). Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Tiruchirapalli.

DAY 7: THIRUCHIRAPALLI - MADURAI
In the morning, proceed for sightseeing in Thiruchirapalli which includes a visit to The Ranganathan Temple at Srirangam, 10 km away from Trichy. In the afternoon drive to Madurai which is 142 km (approx 5 hrs drive). Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Madurai.

DAY 8: MADURAI - CHENNAI - DEPARTURE
In the morning, you will be taken for sightseeing in Madurai. Visit The Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple, The Tirumalai Nayak Palace & The Vandiyur Mariamman Tank. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Madurai airport to board your flight to Chennai. On arrival in Chennai, connect to your onward flight.

TOUR ENDS

INCLUSIONS:

• Accommodation for 7 nights
• Daily breakfast
• All transfers & sightseeing as per the itinerary by exclusive air-conditioned car
• Local English speaking Guides
• All taxes, driver allowances, Parking etc