On arrival at Chennai Airport, meet & greet by our professional chauffeur & proceed to Mahabalipuram (152 Kms./3 hours drive). Mahabalipuram boasts of the only surviving shore temple (a heritage monument) of India, among other attraction. Popularly known as the seven Pagodas it is an ancient rock hewn monument monolithic temples and figures with carvings and sculptures of the 6th and 7th century A.D. On arrival check in at the hotel. Day free at leisure. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Mahabalipuram
(B, D)
In this ancient seaside town shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others are truly poems in stone. Take a half day local sightseeing tour covering the Shore Temple which remains here is the spectacular two spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
(B, D)
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry (136 Kms/3 hours dive) Pondicherry once a French settlement and now home to the Aurobindo Ashram its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science and Auroville or the City of Dawn an international settlement where community living is the focus of life. The sphere shaped Matri Mandir a hall of meditation is the splendid centre of Auroville. The sculpture gallery is a treasure house of Pallava and Chola art. On arrival check in at the hotel. In the evening you can relax at the beach which runs along the city. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Pondicherry
(B, D)
After breakfast take a half day local sightseeing tour covering AurobindoAshram, Auroville, Gandhi Museum, etc.Shri. Aurobindo Ashsram The main ashram building is on Rue De La Marine and is surrounded by other buildings given over to the various educational and cultural activities of the aurobindo Society. Auroville The brainchild of The Mother and designed by French Architect Roger Anger, Aurovile was conceived as an experiment in international living where men and women could live in peace. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Pondicherry - Thanjavur
(B, D)
After an early breakfast check out & drive to Thanjavur (177 Kms./3 ½ hours drive) - Tanjore is rich in its architecture, exquisite handicrafts, paintings, bronzes and South Indian musical instruments. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Visit the magnificent Brahadeeswara Temple where the shade of the tower (gopuram or vimanam) will not fall on the ground. The second largest monolithic sculpture, Nandi (Bull) can be found in the portal of the shrine. The Royal Palace complex houses in important library and museums, including a superb collection of Chola bronzes. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 : Thanjavur – Rameshwaram
(B, D)
After breakfast check out & proceed to Rameshwaram (258 Kms./6 ½ hours drive)
The most sacred temple town of India. On arrival check in at the hotel. Rameshwaram is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is said to have visited before going into battle with Ravana of Sri Lanka. Legend has it that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam for worship when he set foot after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return when the auspicious hour was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam so that
worship could be performed in time which is where the present day Ramanatha Swamy
Temple stands. Close to sea on the eastern side of the island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam Shrines is also well known for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars lining them. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 07: Rameshwaram – Kanniyakumari
(B, D)
In morning check out & drive to Kanyakumari (320 Kms./8 hrs drive). Kanyakumari Once known as the "Alexandaria of the East" it is an abode for art, culture, civilization and pilgrimage for years. It was a popular centre for commerce and trade. On arrival check in at the hotel. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: Kanniyakumari
(B, D)
After breakfast proceed to visit the town covering Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial The memorial was erected to commemorate the evening of December 25, 1892, when Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari as a pilgrim and swam to the rock in the sea and spent the whole night there in deep meditation. Only after that, he resolved to serve his Motherland and spread the message of Vedanta.Gandhi Mandapam It enshrines the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public view before immersing its contents in the three seas. Built like an Oriyan temple, the uniqueness of its construction
lies in the fact that on October 2nd, Gandhiji's birthday, the sun's rays fall on the place where his ashes were kept. Evening free for relaxation. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 09: Kanyakumari - Madurai
(B, D)
After an early breakfast we drive to Madurai (240 Kms./5 ½ hrs drive). Madurai is one of the oldest cities of south India and had originally been designed in a lotus motif. On arrival check in at the hotel. Later visit the renowned Meenakshi Temple The vast walled complex of the temple with its shadowy chambers, tank, carved columns, shrines and courtyards built between twelve towering gopurams is considered South India's finest example of Dravidian architecture. Later visit Nayatkar Temple for the light and sound show. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Madurai - Kodaikanal
(B, D)
After a late breakfast we check out & drive to Kodaikanal (90 Kms./2 ½ hrs drive) Situated in the folds of the Pali Hills, Kodaikanal is a popular and quiet hill station with forested slopes, prodigious rocks, attractive waterfalls and a lovely lake. Situated at an altitude of about 2,133 meters above sea level, this hill town is well known for its educational institutions that have earned international repute.
The most spectacular scene this hill station has to offer unravels itself once in every 12 years when the blue-violet 'Kurinji' flowers blossom up to cover its slopes like a velvet carpet. They are the reason that these hills have earned the name of 'Nilgiris' or Blue Hills. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Day 11: Kodaikanal
(B, D)
Today proceed for the sightseeing tour of town Coaker's Walk winds around the town and has a view of some breathtaking sights of the surrounding countryside. Pillar Rocks are more than 120 meters high boulders, which can be viewed through the telescopes on Coakers Walk. On a clear day you can even seethe temple town of Madurai. Bryant and Chettiar Park that are a riot when the flowers are abloom. The Kurinji plant in Chettiar Park flowers every 12 yrs and is due to bloom next in 2018. On the way to the picturesque Silver Cascade waterfalls is the Flora and Fauna Museum that houses a collection of orchids.
The Astrophysical Laboratory (established in 1899) has a small museum that opens on Fridays. In evening enjoy boating in Kodai Lake a man-made lake has a path encircling it off which are numerous cycle hire shops. The boating club rents out pedal two seaters at nominal prices to take around this star shaped lake. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Kodaikanal
(B, D)
Day free at leisure to explore the sights & sounds of this magnificent hill station. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Kodaikanal – Madurai
(B)
After breakfast we check out and drive to Madurai Airport. Tour Ends.
