Tamil Nadu Trip

Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Trichy – Madurai – Cochin – Chennai
Duration: 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive at Chennai
On arrival you are met and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Chennai
Morning visit to Madras City. Visit the Basilica of San Thome (where Christ’s apostle St. Thomas, who's buried there, is said to have preached); St. Thomas Mount (a church marks the spot where St. Thomas is said to have died); and the Church of St. Mary, the oldest Anglican church in India (it's within the walls of Fort St. George, a 17th-century fort.) Other sights include the grand British-built Old Government House; the lighthouse; the central flower market and the fine Marina Beach, one of the longest in the world. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Chennai / Kanchipuram / Chennai
Full day excursion to Kanchipuram, one of the most sacred cities in India. This old city is known as 'the Golden city of 1,000 temples'. It is one of the seven sacred cities of India and is famous for hand-woven silk fabrics. The kings from Pallava and Vijayanagar period built various temples. They also patronized all the arts making Kanchipuram, a great center of learning not only for Hindus but also for Jains and Buddhists. The Tamil religious and literary works flourished during this period. The teachings of Sankaracharya are carried at the Sankaracharya Matt. The Headquarters of the 'Math' is situated at Kanchipuram. Return to Chennai in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Chennai / Mahabalipuram (Drive)
Morning drive to Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival check in the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Mahabalipuram
Morning City tour. Mahabalipuram is world famous for its shore temples and it was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram.With India Golden Triangle extension tour you can visit Mahabalipuram .It is situated at a distance of about 58 kilometers from Madras on the Bay of Bengal, this tiny seaside village of Mahabalipuram, is set in a covered landscape. Mahabalipuram was already a center of pilgrimage when, in the 7th century Mamalla made it a seaport and began to make temples fashioned of rock. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry
Morning drive to Pondicherry, nestled on the Eastern seaboard of India. Even now a relatively peaceful town as far as tourist movement goes, Pondicherry is an enchanting and fascinating place. Whether you are looking for a romantic rendezvous or a fun filled resort vacation, Pondicherry can accommodate all of your gateway desires. Helios-worshippers can find miles of sun-kissed beaches while the sun-weary can indulge themselves at incredible restaurants and treat themselves to unique shopping experiences. Arrive Pondicherry and check - in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Pondicherry
Morning after breakfast take a city tour visiting places like Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded in 1926 by one of India's famous sons, Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Its a unique spiritual concept revolving around offering work as a Divine offering. There are no rituals, no compulsory meditation, no practices. But it revolves around only one principle: One must surrender to the Divine principle and an opening to the Divine force. Here lies the Samadhi or final resting place of Sri Aurobindo, and the Mother, which draw devotees. Sri Aurobindo, a saint-cum-yogi, taught Integral Yoga, synthesizing yoga and modern science. The activities of the ashram include the development of art, culture, and spiritually, besides agriculture and cottage industries, also visit Church of The Sacred Heart of Jesus. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Pondicherry
Day free at leisure or free for optional activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Pondicherry / Trichy (Drive)
Morning drive to Trichy, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. This city has given great Tamil scholars whose contributions to the Tamil literature have been very significant. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Trichy
Morning depart for sightseeing of Srirangam, well known for its Ranganathaswamy temple. This 13th Century temple is situated on an island on Cauvery River and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Visit the Jambukeswara Temple. Afternoon stroll through old city particularly big bazaar street and China bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Trichy / Madurai (Drive)
Morning drive to Madurai, a city of great antiquity and the capital of Pandyas, one of the three great powers of South India. A great center of learning and art the place has been attracting poets, writers, builders, and academics. Visit the 1000-pillared Meenakshi Temple adorned with brilliantly decorated sculptures and statues producing almost a practically psychedelic effect. Also visit Thirumalai Nayak's Palace noted for its stucco arches and domes and Gandhi Museum. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Madurai / Cochin (Drive)
Morning drive to Cochin, one of the top tourist destinations of India. This port city is set on a cluster of islands and promontories. Reflecting the colonial charm the place is also a great commercial center. Cochin has a distinct European feel as it was ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English who each left behind them architectural structures and footprints in the culture. Wondering the city's atmospheric streets is a pleasant experience. Cochin is the perfect starting place for a travel to the backwaters of Kerala.
In the afternoon, transfer to Jetty for a harbour cruise. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Cochin / Chennai (Flight) & DEPART
Morning city tour of Cochin - with a fine natural harbour, it has been Kerala’s center of trade for innumerable centuries. With its beautiful setting on a cluster of islands, narrow peninsulas and a long history, Cochin boasts of one of the oldest churches in India, 500 year old Portuguese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, the historical Palace built by the Portuguese, Jewtown, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogues.
In time transfer to the airport to board the connecting flight for Chennai and later connect the flight for your home town.

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