Treasures of Tamil Nadu

from
Contact Us

We invite you to explore the homeland of one of humanity’s living classical civilizations, alive in Tamil’s language, dance, poetry & religion. From Dravidian temples to beaches, coupled with a rich cultural heritage, Tamil Nadu will prove to be an exciting, whirlwind trip!

  • Reviews 1 Review
    5/5
  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    • Family
    Culture, Family
  • Activity Level Moderate
    3/8
  • Group Size Small Group
    1-30
Get the Quote
All about the Treasures of Tamil Nadu.

Duration: 08 Nights / 09 Days
Location: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Puducherry – Tanjavour – Trichy – Madurai – Kanyakumari – Trivandrum

Tamil Nadu is one of the gems of South India with its wild sea, old forts, rock cut temples and lip smacking cuisines. We aim to take you through the ancient temples of the city so you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. Exquisitely designed temples have unique stones or wooden carved figures, with different architectural styles and vibrant colors. Take a trip down memory lane when you visit the Fort St George in Chennai, see the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the medieval Saraswathi Mahal Library. From the City of Dawn to Athens of the East, Tamil Nadu is guaranteed to charm you into staying just a little longer.

Highlights of Tour:

  • Visit the Kanchipuram temple
  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ‘Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
  • Visit the Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore
  • Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai
  • Prayer Ceremony at the Meenakshi temple
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

  1. Day 1 Arrive inChennai

    On arrival, our representative will welcome you at the airport for your transfer to the hotel.

    In the afternoon, we proceed to visit Fort St George; the first British fortress in India, founded in 1644 . The fort currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and other official buildings. There is a museum inside the fort, which exhibits many items from the British colonial era.

    The fort also includes St Mary’s Church. Famously known as the ’Westminster Abbey of the East’, it is one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British in India as well as the oldest Anglican Church in the country. This beautiful building, established in 1680 has stood the test of times and still holds the splendor of the yore. A true architectural & historical delight.

    Later, we proceed towards Kapaleeshwarar Temple; one of the sacred shrines in south India with majestic towers showcasing Dravidian architecture, going back 300 years! Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Shivlingam here is believed to have been set up by the Lord Brahma.

    Different architectural styles fuse together in Chennai & this can be seen in the St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica; a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Santhome, built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, over the tomb of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Overnight at the hotel.

  2. Day 2 Chennai-Kanchipurum-Mamallapurum (141 kms/3.5 hours)

    After breakfast, we proceed towards Kanchipurum; A fantasy in stone. Located 80 kms southwest of Chennai, it was the capital of the Pallava dynasty during the 6th to 8th centuries, when the Pallavas created the great stone monuments of Mamallapuram. We will visit the Kailasanatha Temple, a Hindu temple in Dravidian architectural style & the oldest structure in Kanchipuram! We will also be visiting Ekambareshvara Temple & Kamakshi Amman Temple, both Hindu temples and architectural marvels. En route Mamallapuram from there on & check in the hotel.

    Overnight at the hotel.

  3. Day 3 Mamallapurum – Puducherry (Pondicherry) (100 Km / 2 hours)

    After breakfast, we visit the Shore temple (named so because it overlooks the shore of Bay of Bengal). Dating from the 8th century AD, it’s built from granite & is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India. Further, we’ll visit the Pancha Rathas ; the five structures chiselled in the shape of rathas or chariots, named after the five Pandava brothers and their common spouse Draupadi from the great Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’.

    Before moving towards Puducherry, we visit the Group of Monuments at Mamallapurum; a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 400 ancient monuments and Hindu temples, including one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world: the Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna’s Penance. The Group contains several types of temples – stone cut, rock reliefs, ratha temples and mandapa viharas.

    On arrival at Pondicherry, we check in the hotel & stay overnight.

  4. Day 4 Pondicherry

    Today is dedicated to Pondicherry. Our favorite scenic spots include Rai Nivas (Once home to Governor Dupleix, the neoclassical governor’s residence looks out over Bharathi Park from the north) and Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (an oriental specimen of Gothic architecture). We’ll also visit the city of Auroville i.e ’the City of Dawn’ ; a place that anyone with idealistic leanings will love: an international community dedicated to peace, sustainability and ’divine consciousness’

    We return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

  5. Day 5 Pondicherry – Thanjavur (Tanjour) (166 Km / 4 hrs)

    After breakfast, we drive towards the charm of Tanjore (Thanjavur); hosting the ochre foundation blocks of perhaps the most remarkable civilisation of Dravidian history, one of the few kingdoms to expand Hinduism beyond India, a bedrock for aesthetic styles that spread from Madurai to the Mekong. Along the way, we’ll visit Chidambaram, dedicated to the god Nataraja and famous for gopuram and five sabhas. Upon arrival in Tanjour, check-in at the hotel.

    After settling in, we start exploring Tanjour, including the temple of Brahadeeswarar. Also, we’ll visit the Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library – amongst the few medieval libraries in the world, housing valuable collections of manuscripts, books, maps and paintings on all aspects of Art, Culture and Literature.

    Overnight at the hotel.

  6. Day 6 Tanjavur – Trichy – Madurai (195 Km / 3.5 hrs)

    After breakfast, we drive to Madurai; often hailed as the soul as Tamil Nadu. Madurai is Tamil-born and Tamil-rooted, one of the oldest cities in India, a metropolis that traded with ancient Rome and was a great capital long before Chennai was even dreamed of.

    On the way, we’ll visit Tiruchirapali Rock Fort in Trichy; a historic fortification and temple complex built on an ancient rock as well as Srirangam. The temple of Sri Ranganathaswami will be a treat for your eyes. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, and It is one of the most illustrious Vaishnava temples in South India rich in legend and history.Upon arrival, in Madurai, check in at the hotel.

    Overnight at the hotel.

  7. Day 7 Madurai

    In the morning, we will visit Madurai, also called the Athens of the East. The city is located on the Vaigai River and is 2500 years old. You cannot miss the majestic temple of Meenakshi-Sundareswara with 12 gopuramami. Southern Gopuram is an architectural masterpiece with over 1500 sculptures! After lunch, you can spend the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll attend the prayer ceremony (aarti) at the Meenakshi temple, so you can watch the culture come alive right before your eyes.

    Overnight at the hotel.

  8. Day 8 Madurai – Kanyakumari (245 Km / 4 hrs)

    After breakfast, we head towards Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari can feel surreal; at certain times of year you’ll see the sun set and the moon rise over three seas (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean) simultaneously. The Temple of the Virgin Sea Goddess, Swami Vivekananda’s legacy and the ’Land’s End’ symbolism draw crowds of pilgrims and tourists to Kanyakumari, but it remains a small-scale, refreshing respite from the hectic Indian road. /p<>

    Overnight at the hotel.

  9. Day 9 Kanyakumari – Trivandrum

    Should you wish to visit Kovalam for a beach stay & it’s Ayurvedic centre, that can be arranged ( with an extra night cost), or we can head towards the Trivandrum airport for your flight to your next destination.