The union between tradition and transformation makes Tamil Nadu tourism unique. Occupying the bottom stretch of the Coromandel Coast, Tamil Nadu is India’s southernmost state. Ancient Dravidian temples, colonial coffee plantations, tranquil fishing villages, beautiful beaches, and lively cities are some of the most popular tourist places in Tamil Nadu. October through March, when the weather is pleasant in South India, is the best time to visit Tamil Nadu. Be coastal regions like Rameshwaram or hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills, winter makes travel in Tamil Nadu memorable.
Day 01 Arrive Chennai (By Flight)
Arrive Chennai, meet assist and transfer to the hotel.
Some rest in the hotel.
Later, leave your hotel for a city tour. Fondly known as the ‘Gateway of South’, Chennai is home to a number of tourist attractions. The list of attractions that you cover during the sightseeing includes the Theosophical Society, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Kalakshetra, the St. Mary’s Church, Kapaliswara Temple, San Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Mylapore, Fort St. George and houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu.
The evening is at leisure. Stay overnight.
Day 02 Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (145 Km/ 3H 50M)
After breakfast, leave for Kanchipuram, by road. Around 70 km westwards of Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram is referred to as one of the 7 sacred cities of Hinduism. The Chola capital during the 2nd century, Kanchipuram today is an important place where people come to gain knowledge about Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
You may visit the city’s popular temples such as Kamakshi Amman temple, Ekambareswarar temple and so on. Also visit the silk weavers of the city, residing here from past four centuries. Thereafter, continue towards Mahabalipuram.
On arrival, complete the check-in formalities at the hotel.
Overnight stay.
Day 03 Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing in Mahabalipuram. Also known as Mamallapuram, it has been the ancient port of the Pallava rulers. During their reign, the Pallava rulers constructed a number of architectural marvels such as caves, sculptural panels, temples and Monolithic rathas.
One of such attraction that you will visit today includes Krishna Mandapam. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, it is the world’s largest cave-cut Hindu temple. The walls of this temple consist of several figures, including those of Lord Krishna, humans, birds and demi-gods.
The other attraction will be the Shore temple. Dating back to the 8th century, this temple is one of the finest examples of Dravidian style of architecture.
The last attraction of the day is the Five (Paanch) Rathas. Also called the Paandava Rathas, it is a group of 5 monolithic temples, each erected in a different architecture styling.
Back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 04 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (By Road) (99 Kms / 1H 50M appx)
Today, get an assisted transfer to Pondicherry by car. On reaching, check-into the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to partake in the activities of your interest.
You can interact with the locals, can relish sumptuous local delicacies, can explore the surroundings on your own, can visit the local market and more. back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 05 Pondicherry
After breakfast, get all set for sightseeing in Pondicherry. The attractions that you visit today include the Sacred Heart Church, the Rai Niwas and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Apart from being a religious site, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an oriental specimen of Gothic style of architecture.
The other attraction, Raj Niwas, is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry. The last attraction of the day is Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo, way back in the year 1926. This spiritual community is flocked by a huge number of visitors all round the year.
Stay overnight in Pondicherry.
Day 06 Pondicherry – Tanjore (By Road) (272 Kms. / 6H 30M appx.)
Today, get all set to leave for Tanjore in the morning, by car.
En-route halt at Chidambaram and Kumbakoam.
This quaint town of Tamil Nadu is known as the seat of Lord Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer. Here, you visit Chidambaram Temple, which is spread in around 40 acres of land also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple, it has a distinct feature of 5 sabhas. Thereafter, continue to Tanjore. On arrival in Tanjore, check-in at your pre-booked hotel. After some rest, the rest of the day is for sightseeing in Tanjore including the very well-known Brihadeeswarar Temple.
Return to the hotel in the evening and enjoy the dinner.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Tanjore.
Day 07 Tanjore – Trichy (By Road) (60 Kms. / 1H 15M appx.)
After breakfast, transfer to Trichy or Tiruchirappali. As you reaching Trichy and complete the check-in formalities, you are free to spend the day as per your own liking.
You can explore the surroundings and the nearby attractions, can visit the local market to shop for souvenirs, can interact with the locals, can relish tasty food and more.
Back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 08 Trichy
Partake in visiting and exploring the prime attractions of Trichy today. The first visit is to the Srirangam, located at a distance of around 5 km from Trichy.
Here you visit Sri Ranganathaswami temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and boasts of having one of India’s largest temple complexes. Your next visit is to the Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort, placed on the banks of the River Kaveri.
Stay overnight.
Day 09 Trichy – Madurai (By Road) (132 Kms. / 2H 50M appx.)
After breakfast, leave by road for Madurai, also famed as the Athens of the East. As you arrive, check-into the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. You can partake in the activities of your interest. Visit the local market to indulge in shopping and relishing the local food, indulge in the facilities of the hotel, have an interaction with the locals and more.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 10 Madurai
After breakfast, visiting the prime attractions of Madurai. Placed on the banks of Vidai River, this popular city of Southern India is around 2500 years old. Visit the splendid Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple.
This magnificent temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. While the Goddess is known as Meenakshi in this part of the country, the Lord is known as Sundareswarar.
The Meenakshi Amman Temple comprises 14 Gopuram which enhances the beauty of this ancient holy place. The afternoon is at leisure. Attend the wonderful evening prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple.
Day 11 Madurai – Rameswaram (By Road) (174 Kms. / 3H 40M appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram for darshan at the Rameshwaram temple.
If history is to be believed the island and the temple got their names from the event when Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to gain penance when he was coming from Lanka, after killing Ravana.
Overnight in Rameswaram.
Day 12 Rameswaram–Madurai (174 Km/ 4H) / Madurai–Chennai (By Flight)
After breakfast, relax in Ramesaram.
Check out and drive to Madurai.
On arrival, transfer to Madurai airport for flight to Chennai.
Arrive Chennai and connecting flight to onward destination.
| City | Night (s) | 5* Hotels |
| Chennai | 01 | The Accord Metropolitan |
| Mahabalipuram | 02 | Chariot Beach Resort |
| Pondicherry | 02 | The Promenade |
| Tanjore | 01 | Svatma Hotel |
| Trichy | 02 | Ramyas Hotel |
| Madurai | 02 | Heritage Madurai |
| Rameswaram | 01 | Daiwik Hotel |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– 11 nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Daily breakfast and dinners.
– Entrance fees to the monuments.
– Chennai City Tour including St.Mary’s Church
– Visit to Mahabalipuram temples including Paandava Rathas
– Explore Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry
– Visit to World Heritage Site of Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjore
– Temple visit in Trichy including Ranganathaswami temple
– Darshan at the very popular Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai
– Excursion to Rameshwaram.
– Madurai – Chennai economy class air ticket.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guide.
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions by private AC vehicle.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.