South India Temple Experience11 Nights / 12 Days

Destinations Covered: Chennai, Tirupati, Kanchipuram, Mamallapuram, Tiruvannamalai, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai, Trivandrum.

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
On arrival at the airport you would be welcome by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Chennai.

Day 02 : In Chennai
After breakfast we would escort you to the full day excursion to Mahabalipuram famous as a major seaport of the great Pallava Kings between 08 and 10th century AD and noted for its rock carvings and the shore temple. On your way back to Chennai visit the Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore temple. Overnight at Chennai.

Day 03 : Chennai - Tirupati - Chennai
Morning after breakfast full day excursion to Tirupati famous for ancient temple of Lord Venkateswara. Overnight at Chennai.

Day 04 : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapooram
Morning after breakfast on your drive to Mamallapooram enroute visit Kanchipuram the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. On arrival check-into the hotel. Afternoon visit several antique sculptural marvels of shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks that dates back to 1200 years during the reign of Pallava Kings. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple that remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum sanctorum. Overnight at Mamallapooram.

Day 05 : Mamallapooram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry
Morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry enroute visit to Tiruvannamallai a pilgrim center with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva After lunch proceed to Pondicherry, which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St.Agasthaya settled down. Overnight at Pondicherry.

Day 06 : In Pondicherry
After breakfast visit Aurbindo Ashram the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch 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. Overnight at Pondicherry.

Day 07 : Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore
Morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore enroute visit Chidambaram famous for the Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates. In this temple postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Later drive to Thanjavur visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. On arrival check-into the hotel. Overnight at Tanjore.

Day 08 : Tanjore - Trichy
Morning explore the famous Chola Temple of Brideshwar at Tanjore and later drive Trichy situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim center famous for Ranganath Temple at Srirangam. On arrival check-into the hotel. Afternoon explore the temples of Trichy. The prominent temple is the Rock Fort Temple and Srirangam Temple. Overnight at Trichy.

Day 09 : Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. After lunch explore the famous Meenakshi Temple, a superb example of the Dravida School of Architecture and is known for its profusely carved and gigantic gateways. Overnight at Madurai.

Day 10 : Madurai - Trivandrum
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum and check in at hotel. Overnight at Trivandrum

Day 11 : In Trivandrum
After breakfast proceed for full day excursion to Kanyakumari where the water of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim center of India famous for the Amman Temples a symbol of unity and sanctity dedicated to the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of India. Evening enjoy the beautiful sunset. Overnight at Trivandrum.

Day 12 : Trivandrum - Flight Back Home
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight for onward journey.