TEMPLE TOUR OF SOUTH INDIA

Day 01  Arrival in Chennai

Meet our representative upon arrival in Chennai - the capital city of Tamil Nadu is sited on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. It has played a very crucial role in the traditional, historical and academic growth of the country, representing the different elements of the highest variety of the Dravidian civilization. Also, considered as the cultural hub of South India which is famous for its affluent heritage in classical dance, music, architecture, sculpture, crafts, etc. After reaching, proceed to hotel and check-in for overnight stay. (Vehicle for transfers only). OVERNIGHT STAY IN CHENNAI

Day 02 Sightseeing in Chennai

Explore Chennai- Visit Fort St George, St. Mary's Church and a museum, Kapeeleshwara Temple, San Thome Cathedral, Government State Museum & National Art Gallery. Drive past Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. (Vehicle for sightseeing only). OVERNIGHT STAY IN CHENNAI (B)

Day 03 Chennai – Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram (140 kms / approx. 04 hours)

Drive to Mahabalipuram - the major seaport of the ancient Pallava kingdom based at Kanchipuram, and a wander round the town’s great, World Heritage–listed temples and carvings inflames the imagination, especially at sunset. En-route you will be visiting Kancheepuram - Visit the Ekambaranatha Temple, Vaishnavite VaikuntaPerumal Temple, VaradharajaPerumal Temple, Kamakshi Temple, and Kailasanatha Temple. Arrive Mahabalipuram and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. (Vehicle at disposal). OVERNIGHT STAY IN MAHABALIPURAM (B)

Day 04 Drive from Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (99 kms / approx. 3 hours)

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and proceed to explore highlights of Mahabalipuram – covering Panch Rathas, Arjuna's Penance and the Shore Temple. Later, proceed to Pondicherry- the older part of this former French colony has a lot of quiet, clean, shady, cobbled streets, lined with mustard-yellow colonial townhouses numbered in an almost logical manner. You will probably spend most of your time in this part of town, old Pondicherry may well seem a sea of tranquility. On arrival, check-in to your hotel and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay. (Vehicle at disposal). OVERNIGHT STAY IN PONDICHERRY (B)

Day 05 Sightseeing in Pondicherry

After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing of Pondicherry, starting with Aurobindo ashram - Founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French-born woman known as ‘the Mother’, this spiritual community now has about 1200 members who work in the ashram's many departments. Also, cover church of sacred hearts of Jesus, Pondicherry Museum, beaches and a must-visit attraction of Pondicherry – Auroville. (Vehicle at disposal). OVERNIGHT STAY IN PONDICHERRY (B)

Day 06 Drive from Pondicherry – Tanjore (170 kms / approx. 4 hours)

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive towards Tanjore. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Early evening, explore Tanjore - Visit Brihadeshwara Temple, Tanjore Palace & Museum. OVERNIGHT STAY IN TANJORE (B)

Day 07 Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai (200 kms / approx. 4 hours)

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive towards Trichy (approx. 2 hours) and enroute visit Rock Fort, Srirangam and Thiruvanaikkaval. By evening, reach Madurai hotel (approx. 3 hours) for check-in and overnight stay. (Vehicle at disposal). OVERNIGHT STAY IN MADURAI (B)

Day 08 Sightseeing in Madurai

After breakfast, visit the Meenakshi Temple, Gandhi Memorial Museum, Tirumalai Nayak and Koodal Azhagar Temple. In the evening, re-visit the Meenakshi Temple to witness the evening prayer ceremony at the temple. (Optional) – Ramanathaswamy Temple - Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga of God Shiva. (Vehicle at disposal). OVERNIGHT STAY IN MADURAI (B)

Day 09 Departure from Madurai

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Madurai airport for return flight back home. (Vehicle for transfer only)