Day
1: Chennai
On arrival in Chennai you will be met by our
representative and will transfer you to the hotel. Overnight stay in
hotel.
Day
2: Chennai
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take for a city tour
including Fort St George and St Mary's Church, St Thomas Cathedral.
Afternoon free. Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 3: Chennai -
Mahabalipuram (60 kms/1.5 hr)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check
out from the hotel and we drive you to Mahabalipuram,where we take you
for a full day sightseeing of the world heritage site famous for its
monolith temples centuries old , the shore temple , Arjuna's Penance ,
Krishna Mandapam ( ages old temple dedicated to lord Krishna ) , the
Five Rathas ( the famous rock cut temples ) and the surf lapping beach
.There over hundred images of Gods, holy sages, divine and semi divine
gods and numerous other images of animals of mythological importance.
Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 4: Mahabalipuram -
Kanchipuram (26 kms/45 min)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we drive
you down to Kanchipuram. Visit: Kailasanath Temple (dedicated to lord
Shiva), the Ekambaranatha temple, Vaikuntha Perumal temple, Varadaraja
temple, the Kamakshi Amman temple and the many 'gopurams' (pyramid
shaped tower gateways to the Dravidian age temples, that exhibit a fine
example of ancient architecture. Later in the day drive back to
Mahabalipuram. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 5:
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (168 kms/4 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after
breakfast check out from the hotel for a drive to the one time French
colony of Pondicherry and explore the extensive Ashram of Sri Aurobindo,
Gingee fort, the Pondicherry museum, Promenade beach, Bharti &
Bhartisadan memorial museum, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and at
Auroville (, the city of dawn) visit the Matri Mandir, the botanical
garden, Villaiayanur temple and the Mansion of Ananda.Overnight stay at
Pondicherry.
Day 6: Pondicherry - Chidambaram (72 kms/1hr)
AM
0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after an early breakfast for a drive
to the Chidambaram Temple to witness the 10:30 morning puja or worship
ceremony. Later visit the Nataraja temple, the 9th century Shiva temple
and the exquisite emerald lingam statue. Gangaikondacholapuram imperial
chola temple, Mahamam Tank and Darasuram where you can see the
Airavatesvara temple built in typical chola style in dedication of lord
Shiva. Then drive to Tanjore for an overnight stay.
Day 7:
Tanjore - Trichy (60 kms/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we
take you for a full day sightseeing in Tanjore where we take you to the
beautiful Sri Brihadisvara Temple, the Palace, the Art Gallery,
Sarasvati Mahal library, Hall of Music, Schwartz Church, Sivaganga tank,
Thirukundiyur, Thiruvayairu.And in the evening drive to Trichy. On
arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Trichy.
Day
8: Trichy
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast visit the magnificent
Ranganatha Vishnu Temple. Watch the numerous religious ceremonies being
performed by people on the banks of River Cauvery with the ashes of the
deceased. Then enjoy the climb to the Rock Fort Temple (437 steps) at
sunset for a spell bounding view over the Cauvery River delta and
Srirangam Island. Overnight stay in Trichy.
Day 9: Trichy -
Pudukottai - Sittanavasal - Trichy (60 kms/2.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs
after breakfast we take you to some ancient sites near Trichy like
Moovar Koil Temple at Kodumbalur, ancient cave temples of the Jains at
Sittannavasal, Narthamalai and Pudukottai where you would find a museum
that has a wide range of sculptures. Overnight stay in Trichy.
Day
10: Trichy - Karaikudi - Madurai (142 kms/3 Hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs
after breakfast check out from the hotel and we drive you down to
Madurai to visit the Chettiar Palace, Chettiar museum and Sri Meenakshi
Sundareshwara temple in Karaikudi.In the latter half of the day drive
down to Madurai to visit the Madurai Meenakshi temple, Tirumalai Nayak
Palace, the Mari Amman Tepakkulam Tank and the Temple art museum.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 11: Departure
AM: At
leisure, later we will pick up from Hotel and transfer you to Airport /
Railway station for your onward journey to Mumbai, Bangalore or Delhi.
End of Tour / services.
Happy Tour Ending.
