Description

Important notes:
– Price based on group of 6 – 9 persons
– Entrances fees to the monuments: £39 pp
– Price for group of 2 persons (£1539)
– Price for group of 10 – 14 persons (£1399)

Highlights: Chennai – Pondicherry – Cheittand – Kumbakonam – Madurai

Alternate Set departure dates: 20 Oct 19 / 10 Nov 19 / 24 Nov 19 / 8 Dec 19 / 19 Jan 20 / 2 Feb 20 / 16 Feb 20 / 8 Mar 20 / 22 Mar 20 / 5 Apr 20

Hotels:
Chennai – Trident 5*
Pondicherry – Maison Perumal 3*
Cheittand – Visalam 3*
Kumbakonam – Mantra Koodam
Madurai – The Gateway Hotel 4*

Itinerary:

Day 1: Chennai
Upon arrival at Chennai airprt welcome, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to Hotel – 1400 hrs: Standard check in time
Chennai, lies in the heart of the city. Located in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the lively cultural capital of the region. Chennai is India’s fourth largest city, a bustling epicenter filled with stunning Hindu temples, theaters, beaches, cultural landmarks and museums.
– Upon arrival at Chennai, check in at hotel.
– Rest of the day at leisure and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Chennai
– Morning you will enjoy sightseeing tour of Chennai.

Fort St. George:
The construction of this fort started as early as 1650. It was often attacked by Indian and French forces yet it continued to expand. Today, the old buildings in Fort St. George house the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, the legislative assembly and St. Mary’s church.

Mylapore:
One of the most important localities of Madras is Mylapore, where the famous Kapaleswara temple, the tank, market area and old Brahmin residential houses are situated. Mylapore is a unified complex and is best viewed as such.

Marina Beach:
The marina, almost 13 kms long, is a wide sandy stretch, with a drive along it, fringed with palms and casuarinas.

San Thome Cathedral:
It is associated with the apostle, St Thomas. It is believed that he was martyred on what is called St. Thomas’. It is believed that he was martyred on what is called St. Thomas’ Mount and his remains were enshrined in this church.

– Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3: Chennai to Pondicherry by surface (Approx. 180 Kms, 4 Hrs)
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Chennai to Pondicherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast. The quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual scene, the endless stretches of unspoilt virgin beaches, The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises of four coastal regions – Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
Visiting the coastal temple town boasts of fourteen cave temples and nine monolithic rathas (chariot shaped shrines), three stone temples and four sculptured rock panels.
Upon arrival at Pondicherry, check in at Hotel
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 4: Pondicherry
– After breakfast visit Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram.

Auroville:
It is a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.

Aurobindo Ashram:
It is the city of dawn, which is 10 kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo’s ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter.

– Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 5: Pondicherry to Kumbakonam by surface (Approx. 150 Kms, 3 Hrs)
– After breakfast check out from hotel and drive from Pondicherry to Kumbakonam. Visit Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram on the way.

Kumbakonam:
It is known as the ‘temple town” due to the prevalence of a number of temples.

Chidambaram:
The town is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple, and the annual chariot festival.

Gangaikondacholapuram:
This temple is an architectural and engineering marvel because the shadow of the main tower never falls on the ground throughout the year.

– Upon arrival at Kumbakonam, check in at hotel.
– Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 6: Kumbakonam to Chettinad by surface (Approx. 140 Kms, 3 Hrs)
– Today after breakfast drive to Chettinad.
– Upon arrival at Chettinad, check in at hotel.
– Afternoon go for a walking tour through the village lanes covering Old Mansions, Markets & temples.
– Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 7: Chettinad
– Guided tour of the Mansion, with interaction with the family.
– Enjoy cooking demonstration.
– You can also enjoy any one activity of your choice: Sari & Dothi draping session, Rangoli drawing session, or Flower Knotting session.
– Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8: Chettinad to Madurai by surface (Approx. 260 Kms, 6 Hrs)
– After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Chettinad to Madurai.

Madurai:
The city of Madurai was planned and laid out on the pattern of a lotus flower, with the famous Meenakshi Temple in the centre. Legend has it, that a drop of nectar (Mathuram) from Lord Shiva’s looks feel here. So, the city came to be known as Madurai- the city of nectar.

– Upon arrival at Madurai, check in at hotel.
– Rest of the day at leisure and overnight say at hotel.

Day 9: Madurai
– Today after breakfast enjoy city tour of Madurai visiting Meenakshi Temple, Teppakkulam Tank and Tirumala Nayak Palace.

Meenakshi Temple:
17th century Meenakshi Temple, in the heart of old town, is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Meenakshi. It is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture. The high point of the temple is the hall of a “Thousand Pillars” and just outside this hall are the famous musical pillars. Here the iconography makes much use of the lotus, which in Indian symbolism is a representation of the female sex and an emblem of bliss and abode of gods.

The Teppakkulam Tank:
This tank, 5 km cast of the old city, covers an area almost equal to that of the Meenakshi Temple and is the site of the popular Teppam Festival. for most of the year, however, it is empty save for local kids playing cricket in it. The tank was built by Tirumalai Nayak in 1646 and is connected to the Vaigai River by underground channels.

The Tirumala Nayak Palace:
The palace building constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style is considered to be an architectural feat. Built in the 17th Century, the palace has a number of pillars and 15 domes. The beautiful arches are unique in their ornamental workmanship. The sound and light show conducted here depicts the story of Silappathikaram and the life of Tirumala Nayak.

– Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10 Madurai to Chennai by train
– Transfer from Hotel to Madurai railway station in time to board train for Chennai.
– 14:35 Hrs: Arrive Chennai railway station.
– Upon arrival at Chennai railway station transfer to hotel.
– Rest of the day at leisure and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11: Depart Chennai
– Breakfast at hotel.
– 12:00 Noon standard check out time.
– Transfer from hotel to Chennai ariport in time to board flight for onward journey.