Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Places to be Covered: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapuram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Trivandrum
Day 01: Arrive Chennai
On your arrival at International Airport, you will be met by our company representatives and transferred to your hotel for rest.
Chennai, the capital city of south Indian state of Tamil Nadu is known as the 'Gateway to South India'. Chennai is popular for its rich historical and cultural heritage, which can be seen in hundreds of amazing temples and other historic monuments of the city.
After lunch at hotel, enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai. Visit the famous Mylapore Temple, Mariana Beach, Fort Museum, Gandhi Memorial and Kala Kshetra among other attractions of Chennai. Relax in the evening.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Chennai.
Day 02: Chennai - Tirupati - Chennai
After breakfast, we proceed to Tirupati by surface (154km - 4 hrs). Arrive and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Tirupati is a small but important temple and pilgrimage town of south India. Located at the foot of the scenic Tirumala Hills, Tirupati is regarded as one of the most picturesque pilgrimage centers of south India. The town is famous for its ancient and beautiful Lord Venkateshwara Temple. The beautiful temple is not only one of the oldest temples in the country, but also the richest of them all.
In the evening return to Chennai for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapuram
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram (76 km-1 1/2 hrs).
Kanchipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallavas, is famous as the city of 1000 temples (still has 124 temples). Kanchipuram is also famous for silk. See the amazingly beautiful temples of Kanchipuram famous for their architectural richness. The first temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built between the 7th and 8th century and has interesting paintings on the walls.
Lunch at local restaurant at Kanchipuram. Later, drive to Mamallapuram. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Famously known as Mahabalipuram, Mamallapuram is the 7th century port town of south India. The town is famous for its rock-cut and monolithic temple architecures. It's also a UNESCO world Heritage Site. Visit the famous Arjuna's Penance, the Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) - five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the legendary Pandavas.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Mamallapuram.
Day 04: Mamallapuram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry
After breakfast we drive to Tiruvannamalai (112km- 3hrs)- a famous pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. Visit the temple.
Then, we proceed to Pondicherry (131km - 4 hrs), a former French colony and now a Union Territory of India that carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St.Agasthaya settled down. Arrive at Pondicherry and check into the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Pondicherry.
Day 05: Pondicherry
After breakfast, visit the famous Aurobindo Ashram located 10 km north of Pondicherry. The ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel, visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Pondicherry.
Day 06: Pondicherry - Chidambaram -Tanjore
After breakfast we drive to Chidambaram (65kms-2hrs) also known as Thillai. The place is famous for the Nataraja Temple. The temple sculptures depicts postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance. Nataraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer.
After lunch, we drive to Tanjore (104km-3hrs) enroute visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam.
Tanjore was the capital of the ancient state ruled by the Cholas. Tanjore is popular for its temples and paintings. Visit the famous Brihadeeswarar temple housing a huge Shiva lingam and a stone sculpture of the Nandi bull.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Tanjore.
Day 07: Tanjore - Trichy
After breakfast we leave for Trichy (54km-2hrs). Also called Trichurapalli, the place is one of the most sacred towns of south India known for Rock Fort, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and Sri Jambukeshwara Temple.
Arrive and check into the hotel. After lunch, enjoy sightseeing tour of Trichy visiting Rock Fort, Sri Ranganathaswamy and Jambukeshwara Temples.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Trichy.
Day 08: Trichy- Madurai
After breakfast we proceed to Madurai by surface (133km-4hrs). Madurai is a 2,600 years old famous temple town of south India. Arrive and check into the hotel.
Later, visit the famous Meenakshi Temple, Mariamman Teppakulam (Great Tank) and the Palace of Tirumalai Nayak. In the evening, revisit the Meenakshi Temple for prayer ceremony.
Overnight stay will be at Madurai.
Day 09: Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai
After breakfast at hotel, enjoy a full day excursion to Rameshwaram, a sacred pilgrimage destination for Hindus known for its scenic beauty. Visit the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple located close to sea on the eastern side of the island.
Return to Madurai in the evening. Overnight stay will be at Madurai.
Day 10: Madurai -Trivandrum
After breakfast we drive to Trivandrum (330 km-8hrs). Arrive and check into the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight stay will be at Trivandrum.
Day 11: Trivandrum - Kanyakumari - Trivandrum
After breakfast we proceed for Kanyakumari by surface (87km-2hrs).
An important pilgrim centre of India, Kanyakumari is the southern most point of India where the Indian subcontinent meets the Indian Ocean. Visit the famous Kumari Amman Temple dedicated to the virgin Goddess and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Evening enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunset against the sea that never fails to enchant your eyes and soul.
Later return to Trivandrum. Overnight stay will be at Trivandrum.
Day 12: Trivandrum - Tour Ends
After breakfast, on time transfer to airport to connect flight for your onward destination or way back home with sweet memories of South India Religious Tour.
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