Temple Tour of Tamil Nadu

  • Starting price : 874
  • Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
  • Start city : Chennai 
Overview

Tamil Nadu has a lot to offer in terms of architectural beauty and mythological significance. It has been ruled by one of the oldest dynasties including Pandya, Chola and Chera. Its varied natural surroundings, culture and tourist attractions make Tamil Nadu an ideal tourist paradise. This 11 Days long ‘Tamil Nadu Tour’ will cover prominent cities of Tamil Nadu such as Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Chettinad and Madurai. It is an all-in-one holiday package that offers the ultimate experience of Tamil Nadu, you will cherish for a lifetime.

Highlights
  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mahabalipuram.
  • Have a spiritual tour at Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry.
  • See the yesteryears treasures at Pondicherry Museum.
  • Visit the century-old Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur.
  • Get lost into the maze-like palace of Thanjavur Palace.
  • Enjoy a Bullock Cart Ride at Chettinad Mansion.
  • Visit some of the holiest Murugan shrines at Madurai.
Itinerary

On your arrival in the ancient city of South India - Chennai, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel.

  • Overnight :
  • Chennai

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

  • Overnight :
  • Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, your Mahabalipuram sightseeing tour begins with a visit to the Panch (five) Rathas - a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, near Chennai. These five structures, dating back to the 7th century, designed in the shape of chariots are made out of a large block of granite stone that represents the monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture. Then we visit the Arjunas Penance - a masterpiece carved out in the mid-17th century.

Next, witness the Mahasura Mandapam - a rock-cut cave temple dating back to late 17th century, portraying the artistic craftsmanship of the Pallavas and the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 8th century AD, the Shore Temple is a complex of two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and one dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Also, it is one of the stone temples of South India which has stood strong over the years. Close to the Panch Rathas is the Krishnas Butter Ball, just a km away. It is a gigantic rock of granite, over 20 feet in height, resting on a short incline. Weighing more than 250 ton, this rock miraculously stands on an extremely small, slippery area of a hill.

  • Overnight :
  • Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is kept free at leisure.

  • Overnight :
  • Pondicherry

This morning post breakfast, your Pondicherry sightseeing tour begins with a visit to Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community founded by Sri Aurobindo (an Indian nationalist, philosopher, yogi, guru and poet) and Mirra Alfassa (known as The Mother) in 1926. Next, drive past the Seaside Promenade - a 1.5 km long stretch along the ocean. Visit the Pondicherry Museum - a treasure trove of rare bronze and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties and items from the French colonial time etc. The evening is kept at leisure.

  • Overnight :
  • Pondicherry

After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur, once-upon-a-time capital of the Chola Dynasty. Thanjavur enjoys a rich historical heritage and holds a very important position in the moulding of ancient as well as modern South Indian civilization. On reaching, check-in at the hotel. Your Thanjavur sightseeing tour begins with a visit to the Brihadeshwara temple built by Raja Chola I. This temple dating back to 11th century is dedicated to Lord Shiva (God of destruction) and is a perfect example of the Dravidian style of architecture during the reign of Chola dynasty.

Also, visit the Thanjavur Palace, locally called Aranmanai, is the residence of the Bhosle Family that ruled over Thanjavur from 1674 to 1855. Established in 1550, this palace is a maze-like complex partly constructed by the Nayaks who took over Thanjavur in 1535 and by a local Maratha dynasty. Originally named as Sivaganga Fort, the do-not-miss sections of this fort are the Saraswati Mahal Library Museum and an Art Gallery.

  • Overnight :
  • Thanjavur

After breakfast, head to Trichy with the first visit to one of the most famous landmarks of this bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple. It is a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop, which rises abruptly from the plain to a tower overlooking the whole city. It is reached by a flight of steep steps cut into the rock and from its summit you get a fantastic view of the town. Its other main landmark is Sri Ranganathanswami Temple - one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River, covering a staggering 2.5 sq km. Your Trichy sightseeing tour ends with a visit to the Jambukeshwara Temples that is symbolic of the water element. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Drive back to Thanjavur.

  • Overnight :
  • Trichy

After breakfast, drive to Chettinad. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Your Chettinad sightseeing tour begins with a visit to a school in Kanadukathan where you will interact with the village children. Later, enjoy a Bullock Cart Ride at Chettinad Mansion. Chettinad is a place for those who value lost grandeur over glitter, who choose elegance over-excitement and who prefer an evening walk through history’s shadows to a night at the nearest.

  • Overnight :
  • Chettinadu

After breakfast, drive to Madurai. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. The day is kept free at leisure.

  • Overnight :
  • Madurai

After breakfast & short relaxation, your Madurai sightseeing tour begins with a visit to Madurai Meenakshi Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati) and her consort Lord Sundareshwara (Lord Shiva). This temple is estimated to have about 33 million sculptures surrounded by the ambience of ceremonial events, countless devotees, spectacular market stalls and lots more vibrant market stalls.

Later, visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple- one of the 6 abodes of holy shrines of Lord Murugan). It was built by the King Maravarman Sundara Pandiyan in the 8th century. Your Madurai sightseeing tour ends with a visit to the Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple - one of the 6 holiest Murugan shrines - that is blessed by Lord Murugan with his two consorts (Valli and Deivyani). In the evening return back to Meenakshi Temple to witness the Aarti ceremony.

  • Overnight :
  • Madurai

After breakfast, our driver will transfer you to Madurai Airport to board a flight to Chennai. From Chennai, you can take your connecting flight for your onward journey.

Inclusions
  • Accommodation with breakfast and dinner for 10 nights.
  • Bullock Cart Ride in Chettinad.
  • English speaking guide for sightseeing.
  • A Bottle of water per person, every day during your Tour.
  • All sightseeing and transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary.
  • All Assistance by GeTS Holidays representatives on arrival & departure.
  • All applicable government tax, toll tax, parking, interstate tax etc.
Exclusions
  • Entrance Fees to monuments/sightseeing places.
  • Any Personal Expenses.
  • Any other services which are not mentioned above.
Add-ons
  • Chennai - Stories of Chennai, Bazaar Trail, Food Trail, British Blueprints Trail.
  • Pondicherry - Food Trail, French Connections Trail.
  • Thanjavur - Masters of Thanjavur.
  • Trivandrum - Capital of Travancore.
  • Madurai - Once Upon A Madurai, Food Trail Madurai.
Spotlight Of Tour
Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
Starting price : 874 Per Person
Route : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Chettinadu - Madurai - Chennai
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