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.
