Best of Tamil Heritage (8N / 9D)

Package Highlights

• St. Thomas Mount
• Kapalesshwara Temple
• Kailasanathar Temple
• Shore Temple
• Five Rathas
• Aurobindo Ashram
• Auroville
• Brihadeshwara temple
• Madurai Meenakshi temple Pamban Bridge

Day 01: Chennai
Pick up from Chennai airport/railway station. Check in to the hotel. Evening free for you to relax at Marina Beach, the longest natural urban beach in India .Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Chennai
Today proceed for sightseeing tour of Chennai.  Visit the Fort St. George (the British built fortress, which still retains its colonial charm, San Thoma Basilica , the National Art Gallery, Kapalesshwarar Temple,  an 8th Century old Pallava Temple, dedicated of Lord Shiva and Sri Parthasarathy Temple. Later proceed to visit the sacred hillock St. Thomas Mount. It is a church built on a hilltop in 72 AD and that St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, carried out his missionary activities there. Continue visiting Guindy Guindy Deer & Snake Parks, Little Mount Shrine , Valluvar Kottam, Kalakshetra etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 :Chennai – Mahabalipuram
Checkout from the hotel and drive to Mahabalipuram- a7th century former port city is famous for its rock-cut shore temples. En route visit Kancheepuram which includes Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambareshwarar Temple, The Vardarajanperumal Temple. Check into the hotel and proceed for a sightseeing of Mahabalipuram.Visit Shore Temple- overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. Visit  Five Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, and  Tiger’s Cave. Return back to hotel and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
Today drive to Pondicherry- The Europe of India. A small town with its French heritage, the tree lined boulevards,the quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual scene, the international city of Auroville , the endless stretches of unspoilt virgin beaches, backwaters makes it a travelers paradise.Check into the hotel and relax for the day.

Day 05: Pondicherry
Today proceed for a sightseeing of Pondicherry. Visit Aurobindo Ashram, the rooms of saint philosopher Sri Aurobindo and his spiritual collaborator , Mira Alfassa, fondly called the Mother and Auroville – an experimental township dedicated to human unity. Continue visiting Seaside Promenade, Botanical garden, French War Memorial, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus , Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Chunnambar boat house and the beautiful beaches of Pondicherry Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: Tanjore
After  breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Tanjore – an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Today get ready to visit the Brihadeeswara Temple – 1000+ years old shrine. The temple was constructed more than thousand years ago by the King Rajarajan, is an architect’s marvel.  This  UNESCO World Heritage  is located in the centre of the city.
Later, visit  Thanjavur Palace, Royal Museum and Art Gallery. Evening return back to hotel and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 7: Tanjore- Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai- the third largest city and is located on the banks of River Vaigai.
The recorded history of this extremely sacred city goes back to the 3rd century BC.  On arrival check in at the hotel. Later relax for the day.Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8: Madurai
Today morning visit Meenakshi temple- India’s greatest cultural & architectural landmarks. This temple is dedicated to Meenakshi – Goddess Parvathy. Explore the sprawling temple complex with 12  massive gopurams . Visit Thousand Pillar Hall, musical pillars which produces a different musical note when struck. Then visit Mariamman Teppakulam – a huge water tank located near the Meenakshi Temple. Later visit Madurai’s other important landmarks like, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace  – a splendid palace of the former Madurai King, Koodal Alagar Temple, Gandhi Memorial Museum Madurai . In the evening watch the light and sound show at the temple .Return back to hotel and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 9: Leave Madurai
Check out from the hotel and proceed to Chennai airport/railway station for your onward journey.