Tour Highlights
Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry / Tanjore / Kodaikanal / Madurai
Tamil Nadu, once known as the Coromandel coast, boasts of a language over 2,000 years old, poetry dating back to before the birth of Christ and some of the most remarkable temple architecture in India. It is truly a living tradition of music and dance!
Detailed Day Wise Itinerary
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Day 01 Arrive Chennai (58 kms. / approx. 1.5 hours drive)
Arrive into Chennai and proceed to Mahabalipuram, where you stay for two nights. The rest of the day is at leisure. -
Day 02 In Mahabalipuram
This historic coastal temple town known after ‘Mamalla’ (great wrestler), the name given to Narsaimhavarman I Pallavamalla, the Pallava ruler who made the port famous in the 17th century and was largely responsible for the temples. The day is at leisure and you may choose to visit the rock temples. -
Day 03 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (104 kms. / approx. 2.5 hours drive)
Today drive to Pondicherry where you will stay for one night. Pondicherry is a planned city unlike most other places in India. The French township is on the sea-facing side while the other is on the Indian side. In the afternoon visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived. Some of the other interesting sites include the Bharti and Bharthidasan Memorial museums and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus -
Day 04 Pondicherry – Tanjore (177 kms. / approx. 4 hours drive)
Today you will drive to Tanjore, capital of the great Chola Empire, where you will be booked for one night. In the afternoon visit the Brihadisvara Temple, one of the World Heritage monuments. The attractive gardens, the clean surroundings and well-lit sanctuaries make the visit doubly rewarding. -
Day 05 Tanjore – Kodaikanal (280 kms. / approx. 7 hours drive)
This morning drive to Kodaikanal where you will stay for three nights. -
Day 06 In Kodaikanal
The day is at leisure. You may choose to visit the Kodaikanal Lake, spread over an area of 60 acres and surrounded by wooded slopes. The attractive walk around the lake takes between one to one and a half hours. You can also boat and fish. -
Day 07 In Kodaikanal
The day is free to take an optional tour to the Bear Shola Falls, named because it once attracted bears. The spot is ideal to have picnic. -
Day 08 Kodaikanal – Madurai (120 kms. / approx. 3 hours drive)
Today drive to Madurai where you will stay for one night. In the afternoon visit the Meenakshi Temple, an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture. Evening visit Thirumalai Nayaka Palace and enjoy the Sound & Light show. -
Day 09 Depart Madurai
This morning you depart Madurai for your onward journey.
