Day 01 : Chennai
Arrive in Chennai late evening and transfer to hotel.
Day 02 : Chennai
Morning Chennai city tour including Fort St George and St Mary's Church, St
Thomas Cathedral and return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon free. O/N Chennai.
Day 03 : Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
Visit Kanchepuram Temples, Kailasanatha Temple and Vaikunda Perumal Temple
that exhibit a fine example of ancient architecture. Lunch in Kanchepuram
and then drive to Mahabilipuram. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 04 : Mahabalipuram
Enjoy a full day city tour absorbing the stunning rock carvings of
Mahabilipuram. The remaining Shore Temple is a World Heritage Monument .
After lunch you are free to explore at your leisure or enjoy the beach.
Overnight in Mahabilipuram.
Day
05 : Pondicherry
Drive to the old French state of Pondicherry and explore the extensive
Ashram of Sri Aurobindo. Visit the Matri Mandir at Auroville in the
afternoon. Overnight at Pondicherry.
Day 06 : Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore
Leave Pondicherry after an early breakfast to arrive at Chidambaram Temple
to witness their 1030 morning puja or worship ceremony. Briefly visit the
auspicious Mahamaham Tank at Kumbukonam, and Darasuram Temple. Later drive
to Tanjore for overnight stay.
Day 07 : Tanjore - Trichy
The Big Temple of Brihadisvara is a World Heritage Monument and is a
remarkable architectural feat similar to Egyptian Pyramids. Many of the
treasures of Tanjore and the surrounding area are housed in Art Gallery and
Mahal Library within the Palace. After lunch drive to Trichy. Afternoon at
leisure.
Day 08 : Trichy
Explore the magnificent Ranganatha Vishnu Temple. View various religious
ceremonies being performed by people on the banks of River Cauveryo with the
ashes of their loved ones. We climb the 437 steps to the Rock Fort Temple at
sunset for panoramic views over the Cauvery River delta and Srirangam
island. Overnight in Trichy.
Day
09 : Trichy
Today we explore some rarely visited ancient sites near Trichy including
Moovar Koil Temple at Kodumbalur, ancient cave temples of the Jains at
Sittannavasal and Pudukottai where a museum houses a wide range of
sculptures. After lunch return to Trichy.
Day 10 : Madurai
Travel to Madurai via the wealthy Chettinad area where the riches of these
traders can be seen in their palatial homes, a superb example being the
Chettiar Palace . Afternoon explore Madurai Meenakshi temple. Overnight in
Madurai.
Day 11 : Onward Journey
Departure transfer to airport or railway station for your onward journey to
Mumbai, Bangalore or Delhi.
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