Places Covered :Chennai (Madras) -Tirupathi- Kanchipuram
- Mamallapooram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy
- Madurai - Rameswaram-Trivandrum -Kanyakumari-Trivandrum
Duration : (11 Nights 12 Days)
Day 01 Chennai (Madras)
On arrival at Chennai transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit Gandhi
Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore temple and Marine beach. Dinner and overnight
stay at the hotel.
Day 02 Chennai (Madras)/Tirupathi (154kms/3.5hrs)
After breakfast leave for Tirupathi to visit the famous temple of Lord Venkateshwara
on the top of the Tirumala hills. This temple is believed to be the oldest
temple in the country and is the richest temple too. Have lunch at a local
restaurant in Tirupathi. Return to Chennai in the evening for dinner and overnight
stay.
Day 03 Chennai (Madras)/Kanchipuram/Mamallapooram
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram (76kms/1.50hrs). This city was the ancient
capital of the Pallavas and was known for its 1000 temples, many of them are
still used to this day. The most famous being the Sri Kamakshi temple. The
city is today well known for the silks it produces. Have lunch at a local
restaurant and then continue driving to Mamallapooram and check in at the
hotel. In the afternoon visit Mamallapooram earlier known as Mahabalipooram.
This city was a port during the Pallava period. It has some of the most beautiful
rock cut temples in South India. It also is home to the famous Shore Temple
that is unique because Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are housed in the same sanctum
sanctorum. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04 Mamallapooram/Tiruvannamalai/Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamallai (112kms/03hrs) an important pilgrim
center that has an old temple of Lord Shiva. Lunch at a local restaurant and
drive on to Pondicherry (131kms/3.5hrs). This town has a strong French influence,
as it was an erstwhile French colony. Check in at the hotel for dinner and
overnight stay.
Day 05 Pondicherry
In the morning after breakfast visit Aurobindo Ashram, which is 10kms north
of Pondicherrry. After lunch at the hotel visit Auroville an interesting experiment
where people from various nationalities live together in harmony. Dinner and
overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06 Pondicherry/Chidambaram/Tanjore
After breakfast drive to Chidambaram (65kms/1.5hrs) to visit the famous Nataraja
Temple. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is gold plated. Here Lord Shiva
is depicted as the cosmic dancer-Nataraja. After lunch at a local restaurant
drive to Tanjavur or Tanjore (104kms/3hrs). On the way visit a Brass factory
at Kumbakonam. Tanjore was the capital of the Chola dynasty and has the famous
Brahadeswara Temple. Check into the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07 Tanjore/Trichy (54kms/2hrs)
After breakfast leave for Trichurapalli or Trichy located on the banks of
the River Kaveri. It is famous for the Ranganath temple at Srirangam. On arrival
check in at the hotel. After lunch visit the Rock Fort Temple, Srirangam and
Jambukeshwar Temple. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08 Trichy/Madurai (133kms/3.5hrs)
After breakfast leave for Madurai. On arrival check into the hotel. It is
famous for its Meenakshi temple. After lunch visit the Meenakshi temple, King
Tirumala's Palace, Great Tank and Gandhi museum. Dinner and overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 09 Madurai/Rameshwaram (154kms/4hrs)
After breakfast travel to Rameshwaram, is the most sacred temple town in India
is actually an island. Legend has it that Lord Rama along with Sita offered
prayer to Lord Shiva after defeating Ravana, by praying to a sand Lingam made
by Sita on this island. And at this very spot is located the Ramanatha Swamy
Temple. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Madurai for dinner and
overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10 Madurai/Trivandrum (329kms/8.5hrs)
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum and check in at the hotel. The afternoon
is at your leisure.
Day 11 Trivandrum/Kanyakumari (87kms/2hrs)
After breakfast travel to Kanyakumari, which is the land's end of India. It
is an important pilgrim center as well, famous for its Amman Temples dedicated
to the Virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial as
well. Lunch at the local restaurant. Watch the sun set over the sea and return
to Trivandrum. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12 Departure
After breakfast drive to the airport to board the flight for onward journey.
